TIME Companies

AT&T to Stop Offering 2-Year Contracts

TIME.com stock photos Social Apps iPhone
Elizabeth Renstrom for TIME

AT&T is the only major U.S. phone carrier to still offer subsidized two-year contacts

Phone carrier AT&T will stop offering two-year contracts in 2016.

According to Engadget, beginning Jan. 8, 2016, customers will need to pay the full price upfront for a new cell phone from AT&T or pay in installments over time. This applies to all phones, both smartphones and flip phones.

AT&T is the only major U.S. phone carrier to still offer subsidized two-year contacts, USA Today reports.

“With $0 down for well-qualified customers, the ability to upgrade early and down payment options available with even lower monthly installments, our customers are overwhelmingly choosing AT&T Next,” AT&T spokesman Fletcher Cook told USA Today, referring to AT&T’s payment plan for full-price phones.

Tap to read full story

Your browser is out of date. Please update your browser at http://update.microsoft.com


YOU BROKE TIME.COM!

Dear TIME Reader,

As a regular visitor to TIME.com, we are sure you enjoy all the great journalism created by our editors and reporters. Great journalism has great value, and it costs money to make it. One of the main ways we cover our costs is through advertising.

The use of software that blocks ads limits our ability to provide you with the journalism you enjoy. Consider turning your Ad Blocker off so that we can continue to provide the world class journalism you have become accustomed to.

The TIME Team