iPhone 3G & Corporate Discount
 

Yup, I'm a geek. Today I went and got the new iPhone 3G and here is the scoop with the corporate discount. (I am speaking of the FedEx discount located on the Life/Benefits section, but it is the same type of discount United, American, etc. has.)

-iPhone, version 1 was NOT eligible for any discounts.
-iPhone, 3G IS eligible for the discount (22% off)

Here is the catch, and it's a BIG one...

You cannot get this discount at the Apple store! You must do it at an AT&T store. Also, my local AT&T guy said that he thought he read something about BOTH the voice & data plan will get the discount; however, he said that his only commitment at this point was that the voice plan was discounted for sure, but the data plan might be as well.

To get the discount, here is what you need and need 2 do...
-Print out your company's "Foundation Account Number" (FAN#)
FedEx guys, it's behind the firewall at:
http://hronline.corp.fedex.com/benef...life/att.shtml

-Bring a copy of your company ID

-Go to the AT&T store to buy your new iPhone and give them that number.
THAT'S IT!!



That being said, here was my ordeal today for reference...
-I went to my local AT&T store this morning, but they were sold out of the iPhone. I gave the guy my FAN number and inquired about the discount, and he put it in my account, and said, "the discount is in the computer." I then said I was going to the Apple store in town.

-I went to the Apple store - long line, but fun time. The Apple folks kept passing by saying that if your company pays for part of your phone, Apple cannot activate or sell you one. (Didn't say anything about the good-ole AT&T discount.)

-So I make it into the store, and as the lady was activating the phone, AT&T's computer wouldn't let her, and she had to call AT&T whose operator I spoke with said that only an "Enterprise Version" plan could be activated by Apple with a discount.

-I said, ok then take the discount away (I'm not paying $45/month for that.) I got the phone activated and out the door I went.

-I then stopped by my AT&T store on the way home, and they quickly re-applied my FAN discount to my account with no problems. Only downside is that they said that since it was put on AFTER a new activation, it may take 2-3 billing cycles for the discount to appear, but it is retroactive once it is applied.

Good Luck!

Nice work PN. Thanks for taking the time to share your experience.

Geeks Unite! :D

Good info Purple nugget. A few weeks ago I posted here somewhere about our (UPS) discount and it seems that it works pretty much the same.

Here’s my previous post:



“…You're welcome. I got some more info; I went back to the AT&T store to double check on the airline, etc. discounts. The 2G Phone (old phone) is NOT eligible for any discounts however the new 3G iPhone IS eligible for employee discounts.

We (UPS) get 20% off on all plans (added info -he said about 20% so maybe it’s 22% like y’all have? I didn’t have time to wait for him to check the exact discount percentage). However the discount does not apply to the internet plan which is an additional $30 a month. At Verizon I think we have 25% off and it's on the whole plan so the discount is not as 'generous'.

Had Verizon offered the iPhone I'd have stayed with them but I'll be switching to AT&T in mid July...”


Also, some info on Skype + iPhone if anyone is interested. I emailed Shape Services – the company that’s selling the web application for the iPhone. Basically the WiFi function will work but only if you want to text message through Skype.

So in other words, if you call someone overseas FROM THE US - both the voice and the text communication will work great since the program will be using regular AT&T network (you’ll be using ‘domestic’ minutes only so you won’t incur any international roaming calling overseas – you’ll just pay the regular Skype Out charges).

However, if you want to call someone here in the States FROM OVERSEAS then you’ll have to stick to chat (text) feature only for now. Make sure you connect through the WiFi (Starbucks cafes, etc) and then use it as much as you want for regular Skype OUT fees, or pennies.

However, if you want to actually talk instead of texting you’ll have to connect through any worldwide 3G⁄GSM⁄CDMA network, in other words you’ll have to sign up for an international plan at AT&T and roam – expensive and defeats the whole purpose of Skype.

They said they might tweak the software in the future so voice communication will be available through WiFi instead of network but for now… :(



Here’s a link to the application – it’s called IM+ for Skype (Apple - Web apps - IM+ for Skype)


My old post:
http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/ha...tml#post409007

VOIP on iPhone
 

Apparently a product called iCall has cracked the code on VOIP on the iPhone.

Read all about it here...iCall - Free iPhone VoIP

Thanks as well for the info. I am in PVG right now and my wife tried to get one for me as a surprise but didn't want to wait in line. I guess also the rates went up that scared her off. I will have to stop off at the ramp in ANC before I go home to get the info.

Now I will be able to get my new toy

Good work! I'll be going to AT&T on Monday (on a trip right now) and getting 2 phones - one for momma!

Thanks!

iCall has been out for a while, it's similar to Fring which is a software that works on jailbroken phones only.

The video below shows how to download Skype onto a 'cracked' or 'jail broken' phone (takes less than a minute or so to do, at least so I've heard... ;)).

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=SvzHemlOK7E


Hmmm, I might be wrong - looks like iCall is now working on an "official (and legal) application as well (still nothing on web apps?).

It looks though as the first call has to be through regular network and then switched over to WiFi, it’s very interesting, I'll definitely check it out!

3G and Skype
 

I've had my 8525 3G phone for 1 year and skype works great! WiFi and VOIP back to the US is what is used most. I went to get the new 3G Iphone at the AT&T store and they said $400.00. The $199 price is for new AT&T only or if your plan is 2 years old or more...who keeps a phone for more than 2 years! I guess I wait and try to sweet talk AT&T. Fli

Which program are you using? Just www.skype.com through WiFi?

I've been with VZ for years (22% ups discount btw not 25) and am thinking about making the change. I can't find info for the data plans needed to make the iPhone work. How much extra per month for the new phones' data plan and how much more to add international?