Want a New Smartphone? Upgrade Now

By Doug Ehrman – Jul 31, 2013 at 5:15PM

NYSE: T

AT&T

Market Cap

$120B

Today's Change

(1.88%) $0.31

Current Price

$16.81

Price as of April 24, 2024, 4:00 p.m. ET

Some evidence exists that another major wireless carrier may be on the verge of ending phone subsidies.

With Verizon (VZ -0.53%) and AT&T (T 1.88%) following T-Mobile's (TMUS 0.57%) move to offer "early upgrade" plans, the entire landscape of wireless is likely to change. If these new options are adopted, as it seems likely that they will, the end of smartphone subsidies is likely to become permanent. This means that if you want a new phone, the time to buy is now, but as an investor, it is important to consider what this will mean for the wireless carriers.

In the following interview with the Fool's Alison Southwick, Fool.com contributor Doug Ehrman discusses the changing options from these carriers and what they mean for consumers and investors.

Fool contributor Doug Ehrman has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.