AT&T

Even more evidence points to a September 20 release date for the Apple iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C this fall. Not only has T-Mobile blacked out vacation dates for employees around this time, now BGR confirms AT&T has done the same. The second half of September will also be reserved for the iPhone, with no other high-profile devices seeing initial release.

This comes as no surprise, as AT&T has blacked out employee vacation dates around each iPhone launch since the very beginning in 2007. Back then, the carrier had an exclusive deal with Apple to offer the iPhone stateside. Apple's next generation iPhone media event is widely expected to occur on September 10. Additional reports have confirmed a September 20 release date in Japan and other countries outside of the US.

The announcement of T-Mobile's Jump device upgrade program has made some waves in the wireless market. Now AT&T has launched Next, which promises to allow smartphone and tablet owners to get an annual upgrade. For the most part, iPhones are now subsidized by AT&T in exchange for a two-year contract.

The subscriber pays $200 up front for the 16 GB iPhone 5, contributing to the purchase price. When it's time to upgrade, the old device is owned by the customer and the process starts all over again. AT&T Next operates differently. Participants in the program will pay monthly installments to cover the cost of the phone. There is no down payment at the beginning of service.

The original iPhone data carrier continues to improve its LTE and 4G service with numerous investments in network technology across the United States. AT&T has recently announced 4G LTE service in 30 new markets across the country, steadily rolling out the fastest data service to more customers.

Although Verizon Wireless is ahead in the coverage game with more markets on LTE nationwide, speed tests are different. AT&T dominates as the fastest mobile data service, according to independent tests by Consumer Reports, PC World, and Rootmetrics. So where can AT&T subscribers begin enjoying these fast LTE speeds on their iOS devices?

Remember the old Emergency Broadcast System that would interrupt your favorite radio station or TV show? Fast forward to 2013. AT&T customers with an iPhone 5 or iPhone 4S running iOS 6.1 or later are set to begin receiving government-issued safety messages with the next carrier settings update.

The software update will be automatically delivered to your iPhone, after which the message "Carrier Settings Update: new settings required for your device have been installed” will appear. The alerts are part of the Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS). Initially your iPhone will be set by default to receive all Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA).

A new fee has already been applied to AT&T wireless customers starting at the beginning of this month. Contract subscribers will see an increase of $0.61 per month, per line for a Mobility Administrative Fee. According to The Verge, AT&T told them the fee will "help cover certain expenses, such as interconnection and cell site rents and maintenance."

For those who don't feel like doing the math, this amounts to a total of $7.32 per year for the new fee. In a household with four AT&T cellular phones, the total additional cost for four lines amounts to $29.28 per year. While this may not sound like much for the average iPhone customer, AT&T stands to gain close to half a billion dollars from the charges.