Why I’m posting this
Every week a business owner asks me the same thing: “Can you just show me the real monthly number—and tell me if it’s better to order now or wait for the bill credits?” After one urgent onboarding where we had to ship before approvals—and the first bill looked higher than expected—I promised I’d publish a simple, transparent breakdown anyone could skim in 60 seconds.
Below you’ll see two side-by-side proposals for 7 new lines with the iPhone 16 (128GB). One shows the cost if we start immediately (no autopay, no credits). The other shows the cost when we enroll autopay via checking and apply ACT credits—so you can decide if waiting a few days is worth the savings.
For details on the device promo (no trade-in required), see the AT&T Business Promotions page. For plan tiers and an interactive calculator, see Business Unlimited Your Way.
ACT ≈ 3 business days • RCT ≈ 7 business days.
7 New AT&T Business Lines — Simple Cost Comparison
Two ways to run the numbers for the same devices and plan: A) start immediately (no autopay, no credits) or B) enroll autopay with a checking account and include approved ACT bill credits.
Why two proposals?
- Proposal A shows the cost if we need to order right away and can’t wait for bill-credit approvals.
- Proposal B shows the lower cost when autopay (checking) and ACT credits are approved and active.
Credit approval & timing: To receive Proposal B pricing from day one, ACT/RCT credits must be requested and approved before ordering any equipment.
- ACT credits: typically ~3 business days.
- RCT credits: typically ~7 business days.
- Plan: AT&T Business Unlimited Your Way — Standard (pricing shown uses the 5+ line multi-line discount). View plan tiers & calculator.
- Per-line plan price: $40 without autopay; $30 with checking autopay; $35 with debit card autopay; credit card autopay has no discount.
- Device: iPhone 16 (128GB), $5.99/mo for 36 months per line (no trade-in required). See current business promotions.
- ACT Credit: $150 per smartphone line, applied as $4.16/mo for 36 months. For 7 lines, total monthly ACT credit = $29.12.
Proposal A — No Autopay / No Credits
| Per Line | Qty | Monthly Subtotal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan (Standard, 5+ line pricing) | $40.00 | 7 | $280.00 |
| Device Installment (EIP) — iPhone 16 128GB | $5.99 | 7 | $41.93 |
| Estimated Monthly Total | $45.99 per line | 7 | $321.93 |
No autopay discount. No ACT credits applied yet. Taxes and fees extra.
Proposal B — Autopay (Checking) + ACT Credits
| Per Line | Qty | Monthly Subtotal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan (Standard, 5+ line pricing with Autopay & Paperless) | $30.00 | 7 | $210.00 |
| Device Installment (EIP) — iPhone 16 128GB | $5.99 | 7 | $41.93 |
| ACT Credit | –$4.16 | 7 | –$29.12 |
| Net Monthly Cost (after credits) | $31.83 per line | 7 | $222.81 |
Checking autopay earns the full $10/line discount ($30/line plan price). Debit card autopay earns $5/line ($35/line plan price). Credit card autopay has no discount. ACT credits typically appear within 2–3 bill cycles after approval. Taxes and fees extra.
Monthly Savings:
- Proposal A vs. Proposal B = $321.93 − $222.81 = $99.12 / month.
- Over 36 months (credits term): $99.12 × 36 = $3,568.32 in savings (before taxes/fees).
Want to compare checking vs. card autopay or run different line counts? Use the plan calculator.
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