This is really ridiculous. Ok. AT&T better be offering $20 only unlimited plan for deaf folks because apparently that’s what it costs them. What can we really do?

20 dollars? how they make money? I think 30 to 40 dollars per month is reasonable. Average for data service is around 40 dollars Sprint offers $29.99 for data plan which would not make any profit but they cover cost by using sprint Relay service. T-Mobile is only company to offer 29.99 dollars for Sidekick but two months ago, T-Mobile raised the price from $29.99 to $39.99 for Blackberry, it is standlard for everyone.

Even I heaed the rumors that AT&T would offer 20 dollars via deal with MATA organization, I think it is not true.

Count me in there for support. Give me phone number and address and I shall join!
We need to make a list of how many Deaf people now own iPhone.

It’s all about the AT&T subsidy on the iPhone. I could be off the mark, but I think AT&T pays a chunk to Apple for each and every iPhone sold and signed up. I don’t know how much it is, though. There may even be a monthly subsidy to Apple.

For a decent ROI, AT&T needs to charge a plan that will allow them to recoup this subsidy and earn a profit. It is unfortunate that they continue to stick to their voice plan offerings as a way in recapturing the cost of marketing the iPhone and having customers on their rolls.

Is it all legal? I don’t know.

only reason I have not bought a iphone for me and my wife, is the lack of TAP

once it comes, I will drop my 8830 and my wife’s possible new 8800 for iphones.. but we’re gonna be stuck for 2 more years soon.

Gee I love my iphone and really anxious for ATT to start TAP for iphone, but this action irks me and their decision seem doesn’t justify things.

I wonder if someone would file a class action suit or complaint and have all the current and future customers sign up. Would this get the big pager companies’ attention?

I am going to call ATT now and give them a piece of my mind.

Sign me up if there’s action to be taken.

This may not amount to much, but, if you are signed up on Facebook, go here:

http://apps.facebook.com/petitionbox/search.php?petitions

Search for “Deaf”

Add app (you can uncheck the box if you don’t want it cluttering up your profile)

Sign petition.

Spread the word!

hmm this option exists? hmmm…

http://www.ipodobserver.com/story/33780

@deafspook:

(Note: I attempted to send deafspook an email with his/her provided address but it got bounced back and I welcome to an open dialogue with him/her; however, in the meantime I have to post this message in order for him/her to understand why his/her comments were deleted)

In order to have comments posted to deafmac.org, they need to be constructive when it comes to criticism. The comments that were posted were very negative and uncalled for. I do not welcome those kind of comments unless there is some kind of good-hearted sarcasm, that is where I know where the line is.

I do welcome your comments but every time I see them made by you, they’re always negative, angry and bitter. I welcome you to post something funny, constructive or bringing in a different angle on why PCs are better than Macs.

Thank you for your time in reading this and understanding how comments are moderated.

That is why I got my iPod touch instead of iPhone for now while the TAP hassle is being roasted and boiled in the short term until FCC slaps AT&T’s hand. It can do everything except for phone calls and there are web applications for other tasks via WIFI access. Apple will release iPhone/iPod touch SDK kits next February.
In short, iPod touch does not require any kind of TAP plans at all.

@plato: I wish I could have a Wifi-only device but because I travel a lot and especially when I am on the road, I need a data service covered in case of emergency or be in touch with the world when there is no wifi access. If I still had my sidekick, an iPod Touch would be good but I wouldn’t want to be carrying two gadgets in my pocket. :)

i am sorry how you guys feel that TAP still doesnt accept iphone plan. dont blame at&t. it is apple i strongly believe. according to my research in mobile industries, it authorizes what plan can be accepted that at&t mobility can provides. even those at&t employees don’t get free plan for iphone and only got 10% discount on that iphones which isnt normal for those at&t mobility employees. normally the employee get two free service plans for two mobiles per employee but not that iphone which sucks ! also they get 30 percent discounts on any mobilies like RIM Curve or HTC Tilt or otehrs, but not iphone because Apple doesnt allow that. Apple has been selfish in some ways in my opinion, but i understand it is new to mobile world.

i would love to get iphone if apple approves at&t mobility offering TAP on iphone.

Mobilesfreak…

You’re wrong. Apple has nothing to do with TAP and phone plans, not make money from AT&T. Apple is NOT controlling over the phone plan, Apple is only selling iPhone. AT&T is one who controlling the phone plan and everything. TAP has different system for internet data even not support on blackberry. iPhone and Blackberrys are not compatible with TAP because they has different internet data types. Look at their TAP program.
“The TAP plan and the TAP plan with unlimited mobile to mobile is compatible with all devices EXCEPT Blackberry’s and the iPhone.” See, Blackberry is not controlling over the phone plan too. AT&T is one make decisions over the phone plans and they are own the cellular system. TAP for purpose has provide for TEXT MESSAGING and MEdia Net… Don’t blame Apple. You know what… T-Mobile doesn’t support iPhone because they don’t have system compatible iPhone. Between T-Mobile Germany (selling iPhones) and T-Mobile US has different systems. Yes, iPhone has unlocking but will not work with phone features at other cellular provider because of different systems. Germany T-Mobile, O2, Rogers, and AT&T has same systems for iphone.

Hello.

Well, the management at AT&T store in my area and I agreed to make a special promotion for the deaf community within my state. What they are willing to do is to reduce voice plan to $7.95 which is a plan without actual voice minutes plus $20.00 a month for unlimited data. So the deaf customer will only pay $27.95 a month. I am working with them on final details. It only will be good at AT&T store in my area but will work out for people who cannot physically come. More details coming soon.

Email me if you want more information.

Hi Erik – That sounds awesome. Is it possible to update Chad or whoever else runs this site with the AT&T info, and perhaps they can post it here for general information?

Hi Lauren,

I am trying to get ahold of Chad, but I could not seem to locate his email address anywhere here.

More good news. AT&T store is considering my request to expand this promotion to the nation, instead of my state only so that you can call the store and order to take advantage of this promoition. We will finalize the deal today before I post the promotion on various deaf websites. If you know a site where I can post promotion, I would appreciate it. I will start with Colorado websites and then another site you recommend or even your email address.

Contact me at iphone4deaf@gmail.com. I will be happy to share info with you.

Regards,
Erik Diamond

Is it possible that iPhone users have some phone companies to choose from besides AT&T? For example, Blackberry can be compatible with T-Mobile or Sprint or some other carriers. So why can’t iPhone be used in same way?

Hello.

Here is a special iPhone promotion for the deaf website:

http://www.iphone4deaf.com

My email is iphone4deaf@gmail.com if you have any questions.

By the way, Chad… I need your email address, I lost it for some reason.

Erik, there are quite a few of Mac related sites that have admins that might be willing to post this promotion, if it works out. macrumors.com. TUAW. etc. Keep us posted.

Here is the website on special promotion for the deaf community:
http://www.iphone4deaf.com

(Response to DeafNYC) Because of relationship agreement between Apple and AT&T (as far as USA is concerned), the iphone will not used with T-mobile, Sprint, etc. Only AT&T. This might change in the future, who knows.

Beside, the special promotion for $27.99 a month (with new purchase of iphone) isn’t a bad idea. I have iphone myself and it works awesome. AT&T service is good. You can have instant messaging (AIM, Yahoo, etc.) that works with relay services. Check out the website, http://www.iphone4deaf.com

Thanks,
Erik Diamond

Erik,

How can your store offer the special price? How can we be assured that AT&T won’t bill us the regular rate after we purchase the iPhone? Why are you using a Gmail email address and not a regular AT&T email address? Why is the website a non AT&T site? How do we know this is legit?

Thanks!

it is not official from ATT yet. We prefer to wait untiil we hear from ATT, not this web site. due to it is unofficial web site. So let and see what happen on December 2.

BTW, I’ve just sent an email to my AT&T contacts regarding the data plan removal and Erik’s special iPhone plan. Let’s see what they have to say.

I would definitely take advantage of this promotion if it is legit. I just need more verification.

Genius,

I, who is also deaf, do understand your concerns. Chad has verbally verfied with me and Luis who is a supervisor at AT&T store. We assured Chat that the promotion that I helped set up does exist! This has to do nothing with AT&T headquarter (or need their approval) since I was told that Luis’ AT&T store can do whatever it wants with their voice plan to help deaf community!

While the ‘kick off” event will be on December 2nd in Fort Collins, Colorado, you do have the opportunity to place the order and take advantage of $27.99 NOW until December 31st, 2007 ;-)

Erik

I forgot to add something, Genius, to answer the rest of your questions.

Because this promotion cannot be made on AT&T official website is because it is based on agreement between myself (on behalf of the deaf community) and my local AT&T store where they will be willing to reduce voice plan on top of unlimited data plan so it will make the plan more affordable and appealing to the Deaf Community. In light of this agreement, I was allowed by the my local AT&T management to develop a website, flyer, or even poster, outside AT&T site/store, for the purpose to spread the word on this awesome deal. It is for DEAF community!

Tonight, I have started a new forum on http://www.iphone4deaf.com so that you and others can communicate with me and find out to see if another people will be willing to share with their experience with the promotion. Go ahead and sign up on that forum and you will be able to see more and more people who like to share their experience with iPhone and promotion.

You see, this promotion is very new and I am working hard to promote the deal this week. Luis, a supervisor at AT&T, will be the one who will take your information for ordering and ship your iPhone. Not me. Also, soon, we will have online form where you can place an order and the information will go directly to Luis’ AT&T address and you will be taken care of. :-)

I am working for the next few days to keep update and tweak http://www.iphone4deaf.com with all the information you might want to read more about.

Remember, Luis is ready to accept your order now by calling 970-297-8544 (preferable during busines hours) or email him at luis.salgado@att.com.

Thanks for your patient.

Erik

[quote]16. Johnathan says November 21, 2007
Mobilesfreak…

You’re wrong. Apple has nothing to do with TAP and phone plans, not make money from AT&T. Apple is NOT controlling over the phone plan, Apple is only selling iPhone. AT&T is one who controlling the phone plan and everything. [/quote]

to Johnathan, can you prove me that i am wrong ? apple does earn the revenue share with the at&t plans and at&t gets apple’s permissions to develop the plans.

check this http://www.news.com/8301-13579_3-9803657-37.html
or you can google yourself how they earn the revenue shares from iphones and the plans.

Mobilesfreak

Unfortunately, those people who wrote that they are just think and assume. They are not official and even admit to that in the article you sent. The comments of that very article reflect the error with reading “news” sites or rumor sites even such as this… No hard facts. Can you produce a real document that shows a month to month payment? Websites where an end user has the place to comment are often going to have person “feeling” not fact! Apple may get some money over the cost of the phone but does not earn the kind of profit you seem to think. The bottom line even if they get any money Apple has no control over the plans from ATT. Many times I have called and I get different stories from ATT people who say they think Apple does and many times they say it is up to ATT corporate. The truth is from all I can find and the normal for phones in the cell industry only ATT has that power. They have admitted before to it and if it was in Apple’s control it would have better support for the Deaf as Apple is very concerned with taking care of its customers. Take a moment and write Apple a nice letter and ask them to help you with TAP and I am sure you will find that it is something they tell you ATT will have to do as it is outside the control of them.

I used to have T-Mobile Sidekick and data only plan for two years – by that time the sidekick 3 was about to be released and I realized that the only ones I used the relay for was to call my husband (who I can hear and/or understand most of the time)… well, we already had a family plan and so I thought I would want to try the cingular family plan with the add on data plan for my cingular 8125 (which turns out to already be obsolete, surprise – I shoulda bought the treo or the blackberry I guess.)…which is fine because then it’s free mobile to mobile and if it takes forever and a few minutes longer to complete a conversation because I couldn’t understand my husband, it was okay, free mobile-to-mobile, and he could then make calls on my behalf or find the info and email it back to my handset.

At the time, we had to pay an EXTRA $4.95 for 200 SMS text message capability!! This was in addition to the $39.99 data plan which I could only have as part of the $9.99 family plan extra line (which I basically use to call only family or friends whom I can actually understand).

After a year, this past fall 2007, we received a call saying that AT&T was shuffling their $39.99 data plan to INCLUDE 1500 text messages for free, and they’d drop the $4.95 rider for 200 text messages. I rarely used my 200 except one month when I went over by about 50 text messages (USD $.10 cents each whether I sent them or received them). So I did that – and net result is I have “unlimited” text because I basically never get anywhere near 1500 text mails.

I might come close to it this past month, because one of my friends just upgraded from SK2 to the SK LX and T-Mobile is apparently bombed with new subscribers – so they aren’t keeping up real well with the @tmail.com mail service (emails take days to send or receive) and frequently the only way I can contact friends, in a time-sensitive quick way, is through SMS text.

So next year, when my 2 year contract is up?? I may tell AT&T to get a data only plan or I’m rolling the entire family over to T-Mobile!!