Long iPhone bills go away

Users of Apple's hot-selling iPhone no longer need worry about getting a lengthy itemized bill from AT&T.;

The telecommunications giant on Wednesday said it's abandoning the practice of automatically sending iPhone customers voluminous statements that record every e-mail, text message and Web page customers access via their wireless devices.

Instead, beginning next month, the company will send a summary of charges unless the customer specifically requests the detailed statement.

AT&T; came under fire recently when iPhone customers began receiving bills -- some as long as 300 pages -- listing every wireless transaction made on the AT&T; network. Many criticized what they said was excessive use of paper for detailing essentially meaningless account activity.

But company spokeswoman Lauren Garner said the outcry had no bearing on AT&T;'s decision to send billing summaries rather than the full bills.

"This was something we planned all along," she said, adding that the company waited until it completed a test of the concept in the Northeast before rolling it out nationally.

She said iPhone customers were sent text messages Wednesday informing them of the change. But they and other AT&T; wireless customers can still opt to receive the detailed bills, or choose not to get any paper statements, and instead view and pay their bills online.

Current non-iPhone customers will continue, at least for the time being, to receive the detailed bills, Garner said. But after Sept. 28, customers who change their service plans will automatically receive the bill summaries. Those who still want detailed bills mailed to them will be charged $1.99 a month.

The same applies to new customers who sign up for service after Sept. 28.

AT&T; rival Verizon Wireless also charges $1.99 a month to mail detailed bills to its customers.

Kyle Pogue, a supervisor with the California Integrated Waste Management Board, said he was encouraged by AT&T;'s action.

"Not generating waste is the important thing. ... It's much better than recycling," he said. "We applaud any business efforts to eliminate paper. This seems to be a good effort to do that."

About the writer:

• The Bee's Clint Swett can be reached at (916) 321-1976 or [email protected].