14 DAY TRIAL // A new agreement between Apple and AT&T eliminates the revenue-sharing model under which AT&T shared a portion of monthly service revenue with Apple. An official AT&T report says that, under the revised agreement, there is no revenue sharing, the mobile service provider now offering new contracts and "separate" data plans that are similar to those offered for other smartphones and PDAs.
The new agreement is consistent with traditional equipment manufacturer-carrier arrangements, AT&T notes.
So, without further ado, AT&T is now offering the following choices for new handset owners:
1 - With a two-year contract, the price of an 8GB iPhone 3G will be $199; the 16GB model will be priced at $299. 2 - Unlimited iPhone 3G data plans for consumers will be available for $30 a month, in addition to voice plans starting at $39.99 a month. 3 - Unlimited 3G data plans for business users will be available for $45 a month, in addition to a voice plan.
Under the terms of the new agreement, AT&T is still the exclusive U.S. carrier for iPhone, and now iPhone 3G. The company claims it will be able to offer the new device starting with July 11 at a starting price point of $199, as promised by Steve himself, with a two-year contract.
AT&T chose to post the following "significant enhancements" for Apple's device, suggesting the mobile operator is planning to tap them all: 3G broadband wireless connectivity (which gives customers a home broadband-like speed experience when surfing the Internet, sharing files and using media-rich Web applications); business-class capabilities (e-mail on a large, touch-screen device designed to meet the needs of all kinds of companies); the ability for developers, including AT&T, to create customized consumer and business applications using the Apple software developer's kit (SDK).
Speaking of which, AT&T also has an iPhone 3G app on the launch pad. Yellowpages.com mobile will let iPhone 3G users search the Yellowpages on their phone, based on their current location, with the use of "Core Location." The app will also have social networking features, allowing users to share reviews and plan events.
iPhone 3G will be available July 11, 2008, starting at $199 (8GB model).