AT&T and Apple finally released the rate plans, making it possible for would-be iPhone owners can do more than guess about how much it will cost to buy and operate. The structure represents a shift for AT&T: voice and unlimited data are included in the same plan at rates ranging from $59-$99 a month depending on the amount of minutes. Those of us with other high-end AT&T phones have separate voice and data plans. A quick comparison shows that while AT&T and Apple aren’t subsidizing the cost of the phones, they are providing more favorable rate plans. Still, as seemed likely, the cost of a two-year contract without extras and taxes will run from $1,440 to $2,400 plus the $500 or $600 cost of the phone. Release.

Some details:
-- The 4G model is $499; the 8G version runs $599.

-- All of the plans come with something the companies call Visual Voicemail, an email equivalent that allows users to scan and pick which messages to listen to.

-- All three also come with a $36 activation fee.

-- Individual plans are priced at $59.99, 450 minutes; $79.99, 900 minutes and $99.99; 1,350 minutes. Family plans with shared minutes are available. (Not sure how that will work since my current family plan doesn’t allow shared data.) By comparison, the 700-minute family plan we’re on runs $60 for voice, and $50 for PDA unlimited data. 

-- As we have noted before, the plans require a new two-year contract.