AT&T

Apple nows offers a single iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c version for AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile

As we continue to uncover interesting tidbits following Apple's introduction of the flagship iPhone 5s and the plastic iPhone 5c this morning, a little-appreciated fact has now come to light. Both new iPhones are offered in four different hardware varieties each versus three different cellular versions of the iPhone 5.

The consolidated 5s/5c models offer more LTE bands than before, but the coolest thing is that in the United States a single version now supports AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. Additionally, a different version of the handsets will provide compatibility with Sprint and Japan's KDDI and Softbank carriers.

Previously, there used to be two different US flavors of the iPhone 5, one for the AT&T and T-Mobile and the other for Verizon and Sprint networks...

Apple’s budget-minded iPhone 5C will fit T-Mobile ‘like a glove’

Apple's much-expected iPhone 5C, noted for its multi-colored plastic body and inexpensive price, could become known for something more: mortally wounding cellular contracts. The test could come this month as Apple unveils the less-expensive iPhone at around what analysts believe will be $400-$500, unsubsidized. For the first time, US carrier T-Mobile - which doesn't require subscribers sign a two-year contract - will go head-to-head against traditional carriers AT&T and Verizon.

Both carriers may lose customers to T-Mobile as all four domestic carriers offer the new iPhones simultaneously, analysts say. While both AT&T and Verizon provide a subsidy on the iPhone's price in return for a two-year contract, T-Mobile lauds its absence of such a requirement. T-Mobile began selling the iPhone in April of 2013...

AT&T’s new Aio Wireless prepaid brand goes nationwide mid-September

Responding to pressure from T-Mobile, AT&T in May announced Aio Wirelelss. The new wireless prepaid brand features data plans starting as low as $40 a month for 250MB and all the way up to $70 a month for seven gigabytes of high-speed data.

After having tested the service in Florida, Texas and Atlanta markets, AT&T said Friday that Aio Wireless will be available online to everyone beginning mid-September. And to raise awareness, AT&T is planning to give new customers their third month of service free.

More on that after the break...

AT&T vacation blackout confirms rumored September 20 iPhone 5S/5C launch

Following a report that T-Mobile is canceling vacations for store employees between September 20 and September 22, another story has affirmed that rival AT&T is now following suit. Specifically, the carrier is said to be blacking out vacation days for the second half of September, seemingly in preparation for the iPhone 5S/5C launch date.

That's a tell-tale sign of an impending iPhone launch: carriers want to ensure enough staff is on hand to handle an influx of customers at launch. Notably, AT&T did the same last year ahead of the iPhone 5 launch, as well as every single year starting with the original iPhone launch back in 2007.

Putting these pieces together, new iPhones are very likely going on sale in the United States and a few major international markets on Friday, September 20, which would be ten days after the official unveiling...

AT&T brings its 4G LTE to 13 new markets

If you're living in any of these areas, then you're in luck because AT&T just brought its 4G LTE to you:

Springfield, OH Corning, NY Mayfield, KY Paducah, KY Champaign-Urbana, IL Tifton, GA Moultrie, GA Whitewater-Lake Geneva, WI Stevens Point, WI Marshall, TX Longview, TX Tyler, TX Tupelo, MS

While AT&T is still trailing behind Verizon in terms of LTE coverage, recent studies have showed that its network is actually faster.

AT&T to offer refurbished iPhone 3GS models to GoPhone customers

AT&T will soon start offering refurbished iPhone 3GS models to prepaid GoPhone customers, according to a new report from MacRumors. The device will be sold full retail to those that don't qualify for a subsidized phone.

Quoting an anonymous tipster, the site says that the handset won't be openly available. Apparently the phones won't even be displayed publicly, but sales reps will be able to offer them to certain price-sensitive customers...

AT&T to roll out LTE to 50 new markets by the end of 2013

AT&T subscribers will be happy to hear that the carrier has just announced that it will be rolling out its LTE network to 50 new markets by the end of the year. It hopes to finish out 2013 with LTE in 420 cities and towns.

The news comes as the company finishes up its large-scale summer LTE expansion of 78 markets. In fact, it'll round out its itinerary this week as it launches the 4G service in Georgetown, SC and several other areas...

AT&T cuts Next pricing, iPhone 5 now $27 a month

AT&T's new device upgrade program called Next has managed to enrage rival T-Mobile, which thinks the initiative is just plain "sneaky and underhanded." The early upgrade program is indeed a bad deal for consumers so the nation's second-largest telco has tweaked pricing earlier today, making a number of devices more affordable.

This includes Apple's iPhone 5, which can be now had for $27 per month for the entry-level model with sixteen gigabytes of storage. That's $5.50 per month cheaper compared to the previous $32.50 per month iPhone 5 pricing under AT&T's Next.

Sticking it to Verizon, the new $27 per month tier is also a buck per year cheaper versus Verizon's Edge plan...

AT&T expands 4G LTE coverage

Despite falling behind rival Verizon Wireless in terms of the deployment of the fourth-generation Long-Term Evolution (LTE) cellular radio technology, AT&T's LTE is still the fastest and most reliable.

As for coverage, the nation's second-largest telco a week ago flipped the switch on LTE in ten new markets. This was just a week after the company had added seven new cities to the list of LTE-supported markets.

Looks like those weekly updates are becoming a thing for the telco as it announces expanded LTE coverage is now available in Washington, D.C. and San Francisco, with six new markets now LTE-friendly...

AT&T tops Verizon in customer satisfaction, Santa and Tooth Fairy rejoice

Although AT&T was the first U.S. carrier that sold the iPhone when Apple introduced the smartphone in 2007, Verizon Wireless quickly overshadowed the telecom giant. For the first time, AT&T has stolen the spotlight back, outranking rival Verizon in customer service satisfaction.

No, hell did not freeze over. And, yes, this is the AT&T that late last year was voted having the worst voice and data service, had all the tethering issues and is constantly sniping with about everyone...

AT&T’s 4G LTE coming online in more places

Just a week after adding seven new markets, the nation's second-largest telco today announced its fourth-generation Long-Term Evolution (LTE) wireless service is now available in an additional ten U.S. cities.

With Verizon's LTE now blanketing 500+ markets, AT&T certainly has some catching up to do. Customers in select cities located in the U.S. states of Oklahoma, Massachusets, Georgia, Arkansas and West Virginia should start experiencing increased download speeds using their LTE-enabled gear...

Mobile payment service Isis to go nationwide this year with iPhone support

Nearly three years after it was first announced, Isis is finally set to debut on the national stage. Bloomberg is reporting this morning that the carrier-backed mobile payment service will see a nationwide rollout this year.

For those unfamiliar with Isis, it's a joint venture between AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, looking to change the way consumers pay for things using NFC and other tech. And after 9 months in testing, it's ready for launch...