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AT&T Drops Huge iPhone Bills

CNNMoney,

Posted: 2007-08-23 16:52:11

NEW YORK (Aug. 23) -- The most widely-mocked accessory of the popular Apple iPhone - an incredibly detailed bill that can run hundreds of pages - is being dropped by AT&T, the wireless phone provider that offers service on the phone.

From Switched.com: AT&T Reacts to Outrage Over 300-Page Bill

AT&T's bills had detailed in printed form every phone call and data transfer -including each time the customer accessed the Web or sent a text or picture message - even the ones that are free under unlimited minutes or messaging portions of their service plan.

But starting immediately iPhone customers will start to get only a summary bill that typically runs three pages. Most iPhone users have only received one bill so far since the phones went on sale in late June.

The company sent all iPhone customers a text message Wednesday reading "We are simplifying your paper bill, removing itemized detail. To view all detail go to att.com/mywireless. Still need full paper bill? Call 611."

Getting the detailed bill online will be free, but getting a fully itemized paper bill will now cost customers an additional $1.99 per line, though.

Photo Gallery: IPhone in Pictures

Paul Sakuma, AP

Steve Jobs' Apple, Inc. lowered the iPhone's price on Sept. 5 and announced that it would stop selling the $499 4-gigabyte model, to the dismay of customers who paid full price during the gadget's June release.

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AT&T Wireless customers using other types of phones will be transferred to the summary bill form after Sept. 28, unless they already receive the itemized paper bill. In that case, they will continue to receive the itemized bill for free unless or until they make a change to their service plan, at which time they will be switched to the summary bill or charged if they want to continue to get a detailed paper bill.

The bills had been widely criticized by some iPhone customers.

Justine Ezarik, a graphic artist from Pittsburgh, placed a video on Google's YouTube after she received a 300-page bill that she explained with exasperation in her voice, arrived "in a box."

Her posting, which has been seen several million times on YouTube, includes music from the iPhone commercials playing over a sped-up video of her going page-by-page through the bill.

Another iPhone customer, Mike Brophy, said on his blog that his bill was one-inch thick and 127-pages long. He included a photo on his blog showing a dog sitting on the bill spread out over his floor, as if he was using it to house train the pet.

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Brophy's blog post asked "Has anyone on the Apple Environmental Team seen an AT&T bill?" Former Vice President Al Gore, an environmental activist, sits on the Apple board.

His blog cheered the decision to switch on Thursday, and suggested the savings should go to AT&T Wireless customers.

AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel said that the change is something that AT&T had been examining for months and that it decided to move up the shift to summary bills, which generally run only a few pages, when they saw the amount of data transfers being done by iPhone users.

"That's great that they're using the phones that way. That's what they're designed for," Siegel said. "But we thought right now, lets have the iPhone customers have this (summary bill) as their default."

Siegel said that the company will always make the detailed call and data transfer information available to customers.

"There are people who want to see when they made a call to what number," he said.

2007-08-23 16:40:11

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24 comments

mbryanh1 01:10:21 AM Aug 27 2007

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It seems logical that most, if not all, iPhone users would have a high number of data transfers on their bills... they all just got the phones and are loading them up, testing them out, and just enjoying playing with their new toys.

cltucker050 09:58:17 AM Aug 25 2007

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What will they come up with next? ipod,iphone.utube,I guess we have to keep up with the current technology,but how about the current cost? Just wait a few years,then you can afford it,but something else will come along! Just when we thought we had it licked!!lol

memawpunkin2 03:32:17 AM Aug 25 2007

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I just can't bring myself to own anything that starts with "i".

adelemohr 06:45:36 PM Aug 24 2007

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DGPCNY.......Guess you haven't gotten your bill yet huh?? LOL

DGPCNY 10:14:42 AM Aug 24 2007

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I love my iphone never had a problem yet! The only people who knock the phone are the ones who can't afford one!! Haha step it up it isn't the 1900's anymore!

adelemohr 09:54:02 AM Aug 24 2007

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I'll stick with Verizon and my chocolate phone. I have no complaints on Verizon at all!!! I just think it is funny how they come out with stuff like this and people flock to get it not realizing what they are getting themselves into. Just so they can say "Ha Ha...I got one". Well....Ha Ha....I don't and I am thankful!!!!!!!

ptaddw 07:35:13 AM Aug 24 2007

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dawngeorgecrosby

Stop gripping and get a gripe!

rpaul69 07:07:57 AM Aug 24 2007

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ROFLMAO!! Awwwww......poor babies!!!! Reality check for you nimrods! A phone is for communicating, a cell phone is for those who THINK they are important. If you need to check your email.....use a computer! If you need to listen to music.......use an iPod. If you need to watch a damn movie for chrisakes, go home and watch it on your plasma screen, DVD player or a DVR!!! All we need is MORE idiots on the roads, driving around, trying to check email or watch a damn movie instead of driving!!! These things should be banned!!!! LMAO!!!