I've had an iPhone for just over two years and just upgraded to the 3GS. Over those two years, I've noticed an interesting trend -- my phone utilization for voice calls is down. And, more importantly, the number of peak hour minutes (day time minutes that I get with my plan) that I use is WAY down. What's up with this?I hypothesize that SMS, email, Twitter, and Facebook are supplanting the voice calls for my choice of a communication medium. Further, the iPhone, in comparison to my previous phone, a Razr, makes it much easier to message, email, tweet, and (update) Facebook. So, I use these media channels a lot more. And, consequently, I'm talking on the phone less. I'm not sure if this is a particularly novel insight.
More interesting, I think the lower (day time) phone utilization is the (unintentional?) consequence of AT&T's exclusive relationship with Apple with respect to the iPhone. This consequence is quite round-a-bout: It turns out, that many of my friends bought iPhones and were forced to become AT&T Wireless customers. Certainly, many more of the people I talk to regularly are iPhone users, and, hence AT&T Wireless subscribers. Second, in my plan, I have free "mobile to mobile" minutes." So, for any call with someone who is also on the AT&T wireless network (e.g. iPhone users) does not result in a charge against my day time minutes. Maybe this hasn't decreased the total amount of time I spend on the phone (maybe I talk even more) but it decreases the number of day time minutes that I use.
The accumulative effect of all of this: The decrease in day time minutes was significant enough that it made sense for me to go to a cheaper plan. Okay, it's only $20/month less, but for the
Now, when the exclusive arrangement between AT&T Wireless and Apple ends, this will probably change. I'll enjoy it while I can...
Wow. Buying an iPhone saves me money. Never thought I'd say that!
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