14 DAY TRIAL // Mobile phone carrier AT&T has confirmed a series of changes brought to the early upgrade policy for its customers who would be interested in the purchase either an iPhone device from Apple, another smartphone, or some feature phones.
To be more precise, the wireless carrier has decided to make the iPhone, its smartphones and the series of quick messaging phones (which are feature phones) that are available for purchase on its airwaves more expensive for early upgraders starting with this week.
AT&T customers who would like to purchase a new device before they would be eligible to do so would have to pay $50 more for any smartphone in the carrier's offiering.
Basically, this means that AT&T customers who are aiming at upgrading to the iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, Windows Phones or Android devices would be impacted by the move.
At the same time, we should note that the price tags for these smartphones would be $150 higher when they are purchased with the signing of a contract agreement for a period of only one year.
As for the carrier's quick messaging phones, yhey are said to have had their price tags increased by a smaller amount.
“We’ve updated our early upgrade and no commitment price points for smartphones and feature phones,” an AT&T spokesperson stated, according to a recent article on BGR.
“Only customers who are not yet upgrade eligible or who do not want to sign a contract are impacted. As mobile devices become more sophisticated, their cost goes up.
“This change reflects the increased costs, while still allowing us to offer customers the latest device before they qualify. We’re happy to discuss individual account and upgrade needs one-on-one with customers.”
As stated above, the move would impact AT&T users who are not yet eligible for an upgrade at a fully discounted two-year contract price. Moreover, it seems that those who would like to purchase a new device off contract would have to pay more for their handsets as well.