AT&T Shows iPhone 3G Plans

AT&T announced Tuesday that iPhone 3G buyers will be forced into more costly service plans than those offered alongside the original iPhone. Plans will now start at $70 for a package that includes 450 minutes and no text messages.

The new version of the iPhone harnesses the power of AT&T's broad and powerful 3G mobile broadband network, which offers 3G mobile phones download speeds of up to 1.4 Mbps.

iPhone 3G will be available for $199 for the 8GB model and $299 for the 16GB model. Both prices require two-year contracts and are available to the following customers:

iPhone customers who purchased before July 11

Customers activating a new line with AT&T

Current AT&T customers who are eligible, at the time of purchase, for an upgrade discount

Features:

• Operates on Wi-Fi, EDGE, and 3G networks
  
• New enterprise e-mail capability with support for Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync
  
• New iPhone software development kit (SDK) to support new innovative applications

2G iPhone customers will be able to download the iPhone 2.0 software from iTunes which enables new features such as access to corporate e-mail via Microsoft ActiveSync.

Existing AT&T customers who are not currently eligible for an upgrade discount can purchase iPhone 3G for $399 for the 8GB model or $499 for the 16GB model. Both options require a new two-year service agreement. In the future, AT&T will offer a no-contract-required option for $599 (8GB) or $699 (16GB).

Current customers may also choose to wait until they become eligible for an upgrade discount. Eligibility is generally determined by amount of time remaining on a current contract and payment history.

Current AT&T customers who are upgrading to iPhone 3G will be forced to pay an $18 upgrade fee and new AT&T customers will be forced to pay "the standard $36 activation fee."

AT&T said iPhone 3G customers can choose from four individual AT&T Nation plans, which bundle voice and unlimited data (e-mail and Web browsing) but no SMS messages (which will cost extra):

AT&T NationSM Unlimited: Includes unlimited Anytime Minutes for $129.99 a month.

AT&T Nation 1350: Includes 1350 Anytime Minutes and unlimited Night & Weekend Minutes for $109.99 a month.

AT&T Nation 900: Includes 900 Anytime Minutes and unlimited Night & Weekend Minutes for $89.99 a month.

AT&T Nation 450: Includes 450 Anytime Minutes and 5,000 Night & Weekend Minutes for $69.99 a month.

The AT&T iPhone 3G rate plans start at $69.99/mo with 450 Anytime minutes, and go up to $129.99/mo with unlimited Anytime minutes.