Today saw the announcement of the new 3G [iPhone][1] from [Apple][2]. It looks very promissing and the price cut to $199 USD sounds like a really good price point to get more people to jump on the iPhone bandwagon. Afterall, this thing is [twice as fast][3], but [half the cost][4].

[1]: http://www.apple.com/iphone/ “The new Apple iPhone 3G”
[2]: http://www.apple.com/
[3]: http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/wireless.html
[4]: http://www.apple.com/iphone/gallery/ads/hallway/

What was not mentioned in Job’s keynote was [AT&T's iPhone _3G_ plan pricing][5]. And, why should they; AT&T and Apple have severed their revenue sharing deal they had with the initial iPhone release one year ago. However, don’t let the $200 discount on a new iPhone fool you. Let’s do some math…

The old iPhone plans started at $59.99/mo. If you signed a two year contract you would pay roughly $1,440 over the life of the contract. The new plans, according to the press release, start at $39.99 voice plan PLUS $30 per month for unlimited data. Now you’re looking at $1,680 over the live of the contract. That’s $240 _more_ (per contract) than the previous iPhone plans. Still feel like you’re getting a good deal? You just spent $240 to save $200. No word on family plan pricing or if they have family plans for the iPhone.

[5]:http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=4800&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=25791

Will I get one? Probably. :\

**Update**: Looks like there’s [no special treatment for new iPhone users][6] and the standard plans and rates apply. It makes it a little easier to swallow a family plan at $59.99/mo for two lines of service but I have yet to find out if the family plan is available for the iPhone 3G. Interesting thing I found looking for [answers][7] to the question [_What plans are available for the iPhone?_][8] I Suppose they should update this if it’s not true.

**Update #2**: I just spoke with a Karen George in AT&T customer service and from what she told me the iPhone plan is the same, just going up in price $10/mo (this kind of contradicts the press release though). She also confirmed that the family plans _are_ available for the new iPhone. I asked if the new iPhone plans will still include the 200 text messages and she said yes. I also asked if the MEdia(TM) Max Unlimited data plan (which, at $35/mo includes unlimited data and texts, seems to be a better deal) would be available for the iPhone and she said yes. I’m a little skeptical about what some random customer service rep says at this point, so take it with a grain of salt. Especially when she tells me they (customer service?) are not being told ANYthing about the details of the new iPhone and/or plans.

[6]:http://gizmodo.com/5014764/iphone-3g-pricing-and-activation-details-30-unlimited-data-activated-in-store-only
[7]:http://www.wireless.att.com/answer-center/main.jsp
[8]:http://www.wireless.att.com/answer-center/main.jsp?t=solutionTab&ft=searchTab&ps=solutionPanels&locale=en_US&_dyncharset=UTF-8&solutionId=60986&isSrch=Yes

**NB**: If you’re wondering about the ‘AT&T Gets the Skins’ bit of the title, I’m referring to the [San Bromista Cat Ranch][7].

[7]: http://www.porcinefund.com/catranch/catranchx.htm