Purchasing Information for the Apple iPhone 3G
Update! Important Notes About iPhone 2.0 Software and iPhone 3G
Andrew Yu
The Apple iPhone 3G will be available this Friday (July 11, 2008).
Information Services & Technology (IS&T) has been working with AT&T and Apple to obtain clarification on the procedure for acquiring the iPhone 3G. If you are planning to purchase the iPhone 3G in the near future, please review the information below.
How to Purchase
Where you can purchase the iPhone 3G and how much you will pay for the device will depend on the AT&T category under which you fall. There are three major categories that AT&T uses to distinguish its customers:
1. Corporate Responsibility User (CRU): Any user whose AT&T account is directly charged to an MIT cost center, which is the case for some faculty and staff.
CRU users MUST order the iPhone 3G via one of the following:
- The AT&T Premier web site (Click on "Place Departmental Order")
- A phone order placed through James Pappas (Campus Sales Rep for AT&T: 617.365.3300)
Note: CRU users CANNOT purchase the iPhone 3G through an Apple store or AT&T stores.
Pricing notes for CRU users:
- CRU users must sign up for the "Enterprise Data Plan" ($45 per month vs. $30 per month for the non-Enterprise data plan before discount).
- MIT CRU users receive 15% discount on voice and data plans.
2. Individual Responsibility User (IRU): Anyone whose existing personal AT&T account has been registered as an MIT user and is therefore eligible to receive discounts on voice and data plans, or anyone who opens a new IRU account with a new phone number.
IRU users MUST purchase the iPhone 3G from an AT&T company-owned store.
Note: Apple Stores WILL NOT process orders for IRU users.
Pricing notes for IRU users:
- MIT IRU users receive a 10% discount on voice and data plans (discount on data plans applies to iPhone 3G users only). Any member of the MIT community with a valid MIT email address is eligible for the MIT IRU discount. To receive the MIT IRU discount for the iPhone (and other AT&T devices), visit AT&T online.
3. Retail: Anyone who
- Has an existing personal account with AT&T that is not associated with MIT's contract
- Wishes to establish a new account by either switching to AT&T from another carrier to a personal account (without any corporate discounts)
- Opens a new personal account with a new phone number
Retail customers can purchase the iPhone 3G at an Apple store or an AT&T company-owned store.
iPhone 3G Prices (8GB Model)
The price of the iPhone 3G (8GB model) will depend on your situation and whether you are eligible for a device upgrade. Here is a breakdown:
$199 (mandatory 2-year contract):
- New AT&T customers
- Existing iPhone users in good standing (your account must be current)
- Existing AT&T customers in good standing who are eligible for a device upgrade
$399 (mandatory 2-year contract):
- Existing AT&T customers in good standing who are NOT eligible for a device upgrade
Device upgrade eligibility will be determined based on standard rules (11 months into a one-year contract or 21 months into a two-year contract).
Note: The price for the iPhone 3G 16GB model is $100 more than the 8GB model for each category. At this time, there are no equipment discounts available for iPhone 3G devices (8 or 16GB).
For details about the purchasing process, including upgrade eligibility for the iPhone 3G device, visit the AT&T and Apple iPhone web sites. For additional information, contact the Campus Sales Rep for AT&T (Jim Pappas: 617.365.3300 or james.pappas@att.com).
Disclaimer
IS&T does not make any statement as to the value of this or any other device for conducting MIT business. That is a decision left up to individual departments per current MIT policy/practice.
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