AT&T to offer MMS for free (with Texting bundle)

Cleve Nettles
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June 15, 2009
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According to AT&T's latest PDF FAQ, they'll offer MMS messages free with a texting plan.  There had been concern that AT&T would charge exorbitant rates for the (antiquated?) service.  Most MMS functionality can be replicated with Email more effectively, however those without so-called smartphones are relegated to MMS for sending pictures and videos from phone to phone. 

Comments (9)

D (not verified) | June 15, 2009 - 6:34am

IT SHOULD READ-- MMS & TETHERING ON JUNE 17TH, NOT LATER THIS SUMMER................

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | June 15, 2009 - 8:19am

So, let me get this straight. They want me to commit to a new 2 year contract without having announced tethering pricing. And "In the Future" we all find out that their tethering pricing is exorbitant, I guess we'll only have to wait just shy of two years to get out of the contract and onto another carrier.

If AT&T wants ANYONE to commit to a 2 year contract in 2 days, the right thing to do is to have their pricing in order so the consumer can make an educated decision whether they want to re-commit for another 2 years.

I have a 1st gen iPhone (8GB), and although I want a new iPhone, I will not make the commitment until I understand what I'm getting myself into for the next 2 years.

It's inexcusable that AT&T has not worked pricing details out. What? Did this new iPhone catch them off-guard? Did they forget 1st gen iPhone customers' contracts are about to expire? WTF?

If AT&T cannot be up front with consumers on what they want to do, they do not deserve any additional commitment from anyone at this point. I'll just keep on using my 1st gen with 3.0 software for the time being. I can play this game too AT&T.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | June 15, 2009 - 9:14am

I agree. they should have this mms and tethering ready by now. Thinking about its a good thing to wait for them to unveil how much their tethering is going to cost. before u have to pay that freaking price.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | June 15, 2009 - 9:02am

Or is MMS just not available on the iPhone yet?

Aldaris (not verified) | June 15, 2009 - 11:11am

When AT&T steps up I might pay for tethering until then it's the carrier file and NETSHARE for me. That's the game I'm gonna play!

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | June 15, 2009 - 11:13am

Why can't AT&T take the remaining months on contract and append them to a new 2 year contract? We get the new phone, and they get a happy customer and more cash.

Why-o-why (not verified) | June 15, 2009 - 11:44am

I can't speak with certainty but I think there's a law that prevents cell phone companies from locking you in for more than 2 years at a time.

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | June 15, 2009 - 12:17pm

the now 2 year old Visual Voicemail?

Elvis (not verified) | June 17, 2009 - 1:19am

I waited for the fury to settle down and got my 3G in November 2008. I dialed the *639# to find out when I am eligible and it told me June 18th, 2010. Unless my college education was a complete waste, my math says 18 full billing cycles. As ATT states eligibility is based on your contract and payment history. Since I've been a ATT customer for 20 years if you include the time a switched to Cingular when I lived in new england because of poor coverage from ATT, and I have auto pay set up to bill my CC, maybe I am getting early eligibility. I have found in the past that you have more bargaining power with ATT if you are not currently in a contract. Years ago, I wanted the Nokia E62, but it was $249 from ATT. Knowing the business model for independents that sign people up with a carrier, i.e. first 9 months of rev are split with independent, I threatened to get my E62 through www.letstalk.com for free with instant rebates. The rep talked to his super and while they could not offer instant rebates, they offered me a credit on my account. Although those kind of tactics will not work with an iPhone, it demonstrates that the consumer does have the power if he/she is not willing to accept the their offer. I will
The other possibility is that ATT knows the next iPhone is probably do to be released on June 18th, 2010 and rolled my eligibility date back to make sure I don't jump to another carrier before their current exclusive contract runs out.