And it still is, as the latest information was gathered by an internal document released to AT&T employees earlier this morning, and originally reported by Engadget. The document outlines that AT&T is indeed ditching two-year contracts for all of its phones, and that the change will take effect beginning January 8, 2016. Once that date rolls around, and any day after that, new and upgrading AT&T subscribers will not be able to sign up for a two-year contract — even if they want to upgrade to another one after the current one ends.
“With $0 down for well-qualified customers, the ability to upgrade early and down payment options available with even lower monthly installments, our customers are overwhelmingly choosing AT&T Next,†said AT&T in an email to Phonescoop. “Starting January 8, AT&T Next will be the primary way to get a new smartphone at AT&T. This does not apply to business customers under a qualified wireless service agreement.â€