AT&T should have a new Unity phone plan just in time for the release of the iPhone, the company has said in an interview. Initially citing problems with converting unused minutes and requiring long-distance, AT&T spokesman Rick Welday observed that a new plan should launch within the next two months and arrive roughly in time with the Apple handset. The service is currently designed to simplify calling by giving unlimited calls from cellphones to any AT&T customer without consuming minutes, but could change to include extra services such as home DSL access, Welday says.

Fellow AT&T representative Michael Coe explained, however, that the timing of the Unity plan was established with the iPhone in mind and should become an option close to the phone's late June launch. While compatible with any phone, the plan will be targeted chiefly at iPhone buyers since many of them will crowd AT&T retail stores or otherwise check with the carrier, Coe says.

The second spokesman was careful to avoid revealing specific details and warned that both the new Unity plan's features and its timing could easily change. No mention was made of whether or not the Unity plan was the only special accommodation in cell service made for the Apple device.