iPhone 3G questions

[Kevy Baby]

Hey iPhone users: does the $30 data charge apply per line or is there just the one charge that covers both phones (assuming you have two iPhones on the plan)

[Stan4dSteph]

I think it's per phone, but I'm not sure.

In a similar vein, do you need to also add a texting plan, or are there ways to text without needing to add on the AT&T charge?

[bewitched]

Originally Posted by Kevy Baby

Hey iPhone users: does the $30 data charge apply per line or is there just the one charge that covers both phones (assuming you have two iPhones on the plan)

Originally Posted by Stan4dSteph

I think it's per phone, but I'm not sure.

In a similar vein, do you need to also add a texting plan, or are there ways to text without needing to add on the AT&T charge?

These are a couple of questions I've been trying to get firm answers to. From what I finally gather (I'm trying to decide if I can justify a $25+ monthly jump in my cell phone rate in order to get the iPhone):

To Kevy: It is a "per line" charge for data on the family plan (which I assume you are talking about). Data and texting cannot be shared, only call minutes so, $30 for data on each phone ($60 total).

Steph: Texting is not included in the data plan needed for the iPhone. The minimum plan (in Kansas) is $5 additional for 200 texts or you can chose a "per text" charge (I think it's $.15 per but I'm not sure).

[Kevy Baby]

Originally Posted by bewitched

Steph: Texting is not included in the data plan needed for the iPhone. The minimum plan (in Kansas) is $5 additional for 200 texts or you can chose a "per text" charge (I think it's $.15 per but I'm not sure).

The per text charge without a text plan is $0.20 in CA, but it is probably the same everywhere.

In reviewing the plans, AT&T has (IMO) gaps right where I don't want them.

There is a 700 shared minutes plan for $70/month plan (two lines)
There is a 1400 shared minutes plan for $90/month plan (two lines)
I want a 1000 shared minutes plan. $80/month would seem fair.

There is a 200 message text plan for $5/month
There is a 1500 message text plan for $15/month
I want something in the middle (500 or 700 minutes maybe) for $10/month

Well, what I really want is an unlimited talk/data/text plan that covers both phones for $20/month, but that ain't gonna happen.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Well, now that google lets you send and receive SMS messages from their chat client, you can just use that instead of paying for text message service. Although if anyone sends a text to your number and you don't have a text message plan you'll probably be charged the &.15

[€uroMeinke]

You might also want to price out two individual plans instead of one family plan, that's the route we went since we use our phones so differently. We still get the free mobile to mobile which covers most of the minutes I ever use anyway.

[lashbear]

Originally Posted by €uroMeinke

the screen rotation only works for web pages so you get the narrow keyboard a lot.

Then you need This App

[Stan4dSteph]

Is anyone who has an iPhone now a switcher from Verizon service? If so, I'd like to hear your thoughts on service/call quality/dropped calls etc. with AT&T versus with Verizon.

[mousepod]

We switched from Verizon when we traded in our Treos for iPhones. We didn't have any problems with Verizon's coverage/quality in LA, and AT&T is almost as good. There are a couple of dead spots on my commute home on Sunset Blvd, but otherwise, it hasn't been a problem.

[Not Afraid]

I switched from T-Mobil and have MUCH better service. A few dead spots here and there, but not bad at all!