AT&T to Drop Two Year Contracts on January 8th

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Posted December 30, 2015 at 9:02pm by iClarified

AT&T will discontinue its two year contracts and subsidies on January 8th, according to a leaked internal document shared by Engadget.

This means that new and existing customers will only be able to get new phones by paying the full price upfront or paying in installments over time. If you want to get an iPhone on AT&T with a subsidy you need to act fast.

In June, AT&T stopped offering subsidized contracts to customers through dealers and partners like Best Buy and Apple; however, you could go to an AT&T store directly for a contract.

Here are the details from AT&T's internal document:

Effect January 8, 2016, AT&T will launch a pricing simplification effort for device purchase options and pricing plans across all channels..

Simplify Device Purchase Options:
● AT&T Next and no-commitment (full-retail price) will become the only smartphone purchase options available for new and existing Consumer, standard Individual Responsibility Users (IRU).
● AT&T will introduce installment plans for Quick Messaging devices (QMD) and Basic devices. Installment plans and no-commitment (full-retail price) will become the only purchase option for new and existing Consumer, standard Individual Responsibility Users (IRU).

Check out the FAQ document below for more details...

[via Engadget]

AT&T to Drop Two Year Contracts on January 8th

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wikki1977 - January 1, 2016 at 7:30pm

ATT is pathetic like T-Mobile

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gamerscul9870 - January 1, 2016 at 9:08pm

Tmobile never stops redefining the mobile industry that proves why they're the uncarrier compared to AT&T. I stopped having the blue striped Death Star after a few months. Thank god I switched to tmobile and been with them since uncarrier 4.

Benso - January 1, 2016 at 12:41am

I guess im canceling my AT&T sooner than i thought

stevenlacross - January 2, 2016 at 1:25am

Yeah me too, even though I've got unlimited data with at&t, it's still a better deal for me to switch to cricket and save the money and subsidize the phones myself that way

justabrake - December 31, 2015 at 3:48am

I buy mind full price so I don't have to be chained and shackled too them ! Between cable and cellular they control you if you let them they limit you they tell you what you get and when they change the rules all the time !

stevenlacross - December 31, 2015 at 6:15pm

You should switch to cricket then and save about $100 a month

justabrake - December 31, 2015 at 3:42am

LOL these carriers are really something I'm glad cable companies offer wifi outside and pretty soon a lot of major cities will have wifi all over, DROWN AT&T

gamerscul9870 - December 31, 2015 at 3:54am

There are some wifi networks I have encountered that require no password. The only thing that stops it is it's always unavailable for no reason. It defeats the purpose of setting up free wifi. There's a few I encountered but it's a pain to deal with. It'll be a few years before it happens. At least I still enjoy tmobile's data deals.

JoshvanHulst - December 31, 2015 at 3:39am

In the past year, T-Mobile has aggressively rolled out Extended Range LTE Coverage known as 700 MHz in 246 major metro areas including cities such as Philly, Miami, and Washington D.C., so you can use your compatible phone to get great 700 MHz coverage in suburban and rural areas because the signal reaches further and penetrates deeper than before. T-mobile confirmed its Extended Range LTE, or 700 MHz low band spectrum, which now carries T-Mobile’s LTE signals both farther and deeper indoors than before T-Mobile has been rolling out truckloads of new spectrum that carries the LTE signal twice as far from towers, for a massive coverage expansion – plus it’s four times better in buildings than before. Customers with 700 MHz-compatible devices can already see the benefits. Check your device compatibility or upgrade through JUMP! On Demand™ by visiting: http://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phones.lte-band-twelve.html

Mike - December 30, 2015 at 11:25pm

This is so stupid. Now I have to pay for a phone in full? And some how this is benefiting me? This sets me off. And people think they're getting a better deal.

JoshvanHulst - December 31, 2015 at 2:44am

I'm going to complain. I went to the store and they told me the same thing

AppleGuy299 - December 31, 2015 at 3:35am

Exactly. I'm fine with 2 year contract with the same phone, if it means I can pay $299 and be done with it. These installment or monthly plans are ridiculous at $30 a month - especially with larger families.

AppleGuy299 - December 31, 2015 at 3:36am

Sorry. Meant for the above post by Mike. iClarified's app is so annoying.

Shaprshooter - December 30, 2015 at 11:10pm

I really wonder whos behind all this AT&T changes, if you're grandfather on an unlimited plan, they soon will be charging 35 instead of 30, You can't upgrade your phone at a retailer, therefore missing out on their promotions and now you can't upgrade for a one time fee. only installments

JoshvanHulst - December 31, 2015 at 2:45am

That is some stupid they are doing. They are forcing customers to full price to make more money like what T-mobile did 4 years ago when they dropped contract requirement when they started selling the iPhone. There is no need for them to be jacking up the price on ten Unlimited data plan form $30 to $35

Hackfest - December 30, 2015 at 10:31pm

Great....was going to renew on Jan 10 and get my 128gig 6S.... Not now.....T-Mobile here I come after 18 years!!! The price savings will pay for the phone!

Chris - December 30, 2015 at 11:56pm

....Except T-Mobile has terrible service

gamerscul9870 - December 31, 2015 at 1:24am

I own a 6s and thanks to extended lte range iPhone and tmobile upgraded for, dropping bars is unstoppable.

focus - December 31, 2015 at 2:44am

T-mobile is not bad. After 14 year I change it to T-Mobile. I'm happy with them.