Jim Cramer suggests iPhone may come with 18 months service free

When my colleague Scott walked by this morning and told me he heard a rumor via Jim Cramer that AT&T was going to provide 18 months of free cell service to iPhone buyers to encourage switching from Verizon, I'll admit that I didn't take it that seriously. Perhaps I should have had more faith. Now being reported widely, Cramer mentioned on his radio show yesterday that in an AT&T analysts call the company very clearly stated its intent to offer iPhone "customers" the 18-month service credit; it's not clear if this would be ALL customers, or just those with an existing Verizon Wireless account.

There's always the possibility that Cramer is talking out of a non-standard anatomical area, and this could be pure rumor (he's got another story on the AT&T situation here). Laurie has also pointed out to me that Verizon customers are the least likely to switch because of the reasons they became Verizon customers in the first place; coverage, EVDO, corporate standard, and voice quality. Even so, for those paying their own way, a year and a half of free service might sweeten the lure of a shiny new iPhone.

Thanks Scott!

[via Daring Fireball & Ars Technica]