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?

Truphone
 

Found a VOIP application on the iPhone/iTunes App Store called Truphone....uses WiFi and says calls to a USA cell phone run 6 cents per minute from anywhere in the world. The price to call a USA landline is a bit vague but may also be 6 cents per minute.

See it for yourself in the iTunes App Store. It's not Skype but this confirms the fact that WiFi calling is officially sanctioned by Apple and is a good sign for those waiting for Skype....in the meantime, this app appears to get the job done.

I have ATT. Less than 1 year. Will I get a discount on the cost of the new phone? My store says no. Say I need to sign a new 2 yr agreement and buy the phone - my new plan will have discount for voice only. Anyone?

According to AT&T the $199/$299 (8GB/16GB) is only for:
-New AT&T customers
-Current iPhone customers who purchased one prior to 7/11/08
-Current AT&T customers who qualify for an upgrade (usually at your 2-year mark)

If you are not one of these three, then the price is $399/$499.

The discount I mentioned at the start of this post, is for practically ALL AT&T plans and phones and can be applied at any time.

Can someone passing through MEM tomorrow get on the company computer and send me a copy of this http://hronline.corp.fedex.com/benef...life/att.shtml?

I printed a copy for myself, but left it in the AOC!:mad:

Thanks

Sean, send me a pm with your email address and i'll scan it in and send it. I printed out a copy today while I was doing a standby

I bought my Apple 3G iPhone at an Apple store on 6/11. After I had it activated and set up I used the email that AT&T sent me to activate my FedEx Discount. Do a search on this forum on the 3G iPhone and you should find the thread with a link to the AT&T Premier website. Once there, follow the directions. Here is part of the email I recieved from AT&T:

From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Subject: Discounts from AT&T
Date: Fri, 13 Jun 2008 01:35:16 -0700 (PDT)


Save this Email
This email is your exclusive link to our AT&T Premier website. Here
you will find discounts available to you as an employee or student of
Federal Express Company, in addition to other web-only offers, on
select products and services.
To start shopping, click the link below.
Shop AT&T Premier Today!
Please note: this link is to be used exclusively by you. The
information transmitted herewith is sensitive information intended for
the use by the individual or entity to which it is addressed. If the
reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby
notified that any review, retransmission, dissemination, distribution,
copying or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon this
information is strictly prohibited. If you have received this
communication in error, please contact the sender and delete the
material from your computer.

The FAN number is on the green screen, which you can access from home.

Mail|Bulletin Boards|Discount-Corner-NATL|AT&T

The Premier website address is also in that same letter.

If you're a PC guy! :)

Sorry, I forgot that Macs can't do everything.

I bet you could still find the dial up number for the old terminal connection. :p

Got an email with the page and info I needed. Local ATT out of iPhones though!

Same here. Apple store is out too.

Same here - minimum 7 business days... :(

Actually, they can access the "green screen," LMS, and anything else FedEx can throw at it.

ies4osx

Is all you need to run, "Internet Explorer" in X11, and install the Bluezone stuff.

Great Tip!
 

Maybe Macs CAN do everything....I just installed ies4osx and it worked like a charm. Now if I could only remember all that archaic Green Screen stuff...anyone have a cheat sheet they can share?

I'm all set up with the FedEx discount and I never went to the green screen for the FAN #. You don't need the FAN # if you do it online. It will be entered by ATT after going through the steps. All you need to do is go the the Premier ATT website and enter your company email address. You will recieve an email back to your company email inbox and you can forward that email to any of your other email addresses and use it from there to access the link to get your discount. You DON'T have to buy the phone at an AT&T store and you don't have to have the FAN # ahead of time. I bought my phone at an Apple Store and 3 days later I had the full 22% FedEX discount applied to my AT&T account.

https://www.wireless.att.com/business/authenticate/

Yep, Runs like a champ! Thanks!

You're lucky. I just "pre-ordered" 2 today, told 21 days!

@pilot.fedex.com and/or @fedex.com

By the way, I used truphone VOIP (free app) from Paris on Sunday on the "old iphone". It worked excellent, call quality equal or better than skype. When you register, they give you $4.00 free credit. This one is worth trying for sure even if you just use the free four bucks.

The price per minute is more than skype, I think it is 6 cents a minute to home phones and 15 or so for mobile phones (but still cheap). Not quite sure about all of the details, but is nice being mobile and being able to use your cell phone at less than $2.00/minute. The only catch is that you need wifi for it to work. A good feature is that you use your regular contacts when you make a call.

Give it a try, and at least use the free credit.....

Is that one of the iPhone apps?

Yes it is. Someone mentioned it on this thread earlier. It works very good. I have been waiting for skype on the iphone for awhile, this is just as good, but a little more expensive. The app is free (app store) and, like I said earlier, they give you some free credit to try it. I will buy more for sure.... I looked at their website briefly, and depending on where you travel, it may or may not be a good deal. For some reason, calls to mobile phones are usually more expensive (maybe 15-30 cents per minute). Check out their website, seems most calls are 6 cents/minute.

Give it a shot, at least use their free credit. I called home once to try it.... Has anyone else used truphone and if so, do you have any more details????

Isn't there a hack/crack/back door way to get skype on the Iphone?

Also, for the guys that have one, I heard that when you are out of the country, just having the phone on you can get billed int'l charges when your phone downloads voicemail even though you never made/received a call.

Is that true?

yes that is very true. If you got the ATT web site there is a link that tells you what to do when you travel int. One of the things to do is to shut the auto data function off. Take a look at the web site, I can't remember everything it tells you to do. I don't have my iphone yet but am going to try and get one this week.

I just tried ies4osx and it works GREAT!!! Now I have to figure out how to take Windows off my MacBook Pro!

Yes it's true, see my post #26 here - the youtube video tells more about it. Hopefully, the new iPhone apps will do the same - without having to 'crack' a phone...

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/ha...tml#post409007

I just ordered my iphone today and my wife got one too. Thanks to everyone here for the good info. :)

Make sure the account is in your name and your wife added to your account and not vice versa - otherwise, no FedEx discount!

Will do thanks again

No Apple store in Kona, so I went to the sole AT&T store here and had not a lick of trouble. Good gouge for the real world though