AT&T is offering a new option for wireless customers who are itching to get their hands on the latest accessories but can’t afford a pricey payment upfront.
An AT&T representative on Monday confirmed the carrier’s consumer wireless customers can now secure installment billing for some of the more expensive accessories in its lineup.
The carrier is offering monthly payments and 0 percent financing for accessories in the $149 to $400 range. No down payment is required, but taxes are applied to the purchase.
But there are limits.
The offer is only available in stores and is only available to AT&T wireless customers. Customers may only purchase one accessory on installment billing per line or a maximum of two accessories per account.
AT&T appears to be following in the footsteps of T-Mobile, which began offering an equipment installment plans (EIP) for accessories in July 2014.
Like AT&T’s offer, the Un-carrier’s accessory EIPs are only available in T-Mobile stores.
But T-Mobile’s installment threshold is much lower than AT&T’s. The Un-carrier offers installment options on accessories starting as low as $69, but does require a down payment on purchases of more than $250.
The move comes as AT&T looks to capitalize on the success of its smartphone installment billing options. In the first quarter, AT&T CFO John Stephens said 90 percent of the carrier’s postpaid smartphone sales and upgrades were made via the carrier’s Next installment billing plan or bring-your-own-device options.