The wireless industry in the United States is in something of a transitional period. Things were fairly stagnant for quite some time and then T-Mobile rocked the industry last year, led by outspoken CEO John Legere and his “Uncarrier” initiatives. Rival carriers were visibly shaken, and they had no choice but to play defense in an effort to slow T-Mobile’s gains. But things have settled a bit and we’re finally seeing some offense from leading carriers once again.
Now, AT&T’s latest move makes it easier than ever to get the latest and greatest smartphones the carrier has to offer.
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Smartphones in 2014 are faster, sleeker and more powerful than they have ever been before. Of course, they’re also very pricey — some handsets can even climb to almost the $1,000 mark. Thanks to the new interest-free payment plans carriers offer, however, they’re much more attainable than they would be if customers had to pay for phones all at once.
AT&T’s payment plans are called “AT&T Next,” and the carrier had offered two different options: AT&T Next 12 (20 monthly payments, eligible for a trade-in and upgrade after 12 payments) and AT&T Next 18 (24 monthly payments, eligible for a trade-in and upgrade after 18 payments).
But now, AT&T is adding a new purchasing option with even cheaper monthly payments. AT&T Next 24 will allow users to spread their monthly payments out over 30 months, or upgrade their devices every 24 months.
Also of note, all three payment plan options are $0 down.
AT&T’s full press release follows below.
AT&T Gives Wireless Customers One More Way to Save with AT&T Next 24
ATLANTA, Nov. 4, 2014 –AT&T* wireless customers will soon have another choice for buying a new smartphone for $0 down on the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network** with AT&T NextSM 24.*** The new plan will begin Nov. 9. It was announced today at the AT&T Consumer Industry Analyst Conference.
AT&T NextSM 24 is the newest way for AT&T customers to get a new smartphone with lower monthly payments and more time to pay it off. After 24 payments, if in good condition, customers can trade in their AT&T Next smartphone and upgrade to a brand new device under a qualifying offer.
When customers choose AT&T NextSM with AT&T’s Mobile Share Value plans****, they can also receive a monthly discount on the access charge for that smartphone line. When adding an AT&T NextSM line to a Mobile Share Value plan, customers can save $25 per month on that smartphone line’s access charge for plans 10GB or higher or $15 per month on plans less than 10GB.
“Customer response to AT&T Next has been great. With a variety of payment options, they can choose the device and plan that fits their budget,” said David Christopher, chief marketing officer, AT&T Mobility. “AT&T Next gives customers flexible pricing options at an incredible value on a reliable network that keeps them connected.”
AT&T customers can choose the monthly installment plan that works for them – either AT&T NextSM 12 (a 20-month installment plan), AT&T Next 18 (a 24-month installment plan) or the new AT&T Next 24 (a 30-month installment plan). AT&T Next is available for new, qualified AT&T customers or existing customers who are upgrade eligible.
AT&T NextSM is available for any current smartphone in AT&T’s wide selection of devices. The interest-free device installments range from $10 to $50 a month, depending on the device selected.
Beginning today, customers who switch to AT&T and activate a new line of service with a smartphone on AT&T NextSM will receive a $150 bill credit.*****
AT&T customers have choices with buying a new device that fits their budget. In addition to AT&T Next, customers continue to have device purchase options, including a discounted device with a two-year service commitment; paying full retail price for a device with no commitment; a partial discount for an early upgrade after six months with a two-year service commitment; or bringing their own compatible device.
To experience our latest smartphones, the fastest way to order is att.com. Customers can easily change to one of our Mobile Share Value plans and manage accounts with our free myAT&T app.
More information is available at http://www.att.com/next or at any AT&T retail store.
