AT&T to offer no-contract iPhone 3G

Posted by Dave Merten Apple ico Jul 5, 2008 at 12:50pm

AT&T won’t require a two-year commitment for the iPhone 3G—but that freedom comes with a hefty price hike for the handset, reports InfoWorld.

In the news release disclosing terms and monthly rates for iPhone 3G service plans, AT&T hinted at the upcoming offer without saying anything about when it will become available. Freedom will come with a price—$599 for an 8GB device and $699 for a 16GB—but this will mark the first time consumers in the United States are able to buy an iPhone without being tied down to a two-year contract.

The phone probably would still be locked for use only on AT&T’s network, said Jupiter Research analyst Michael Gartenberg. But buyers could choose a pay-as-you-go plan for voice service—there is no prepaid data plan from AT&T—or just use the device as a media player and calendar and access the Web via its Wi-Fi radio, similar to the iPod touch.

That makes for an expensive premium to pay over an iPod touch though. Would you be willing to pay $599.99/$699.99 for a contract-free iPhone?

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Dave Merten

Dave was one of the founding guides at ‘The Mining Company,’ now known as About.com, in February 1998. Dave was their ‘Focus on Mac Support’ guide. In 2004 he started ‘G5 Owners Support Group,’ and in 2005, renamed it ‘Mac Owners Support Group.’ In 2006, he started the ‘MacOSG Support Corner’ column here at Macsimum News.

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