We almost made it to the end of a working day without a sniff of a new iPhone story on Tuesday, and then Apple announced the service plans for the device.

In keeping with Apple’s tactic of drip feeding new information as the final days to release tick down, revealing how much the device will set consumers back on a month by month basis will only fuel the hype even more.

The iPhone will be available on AT&T’s network on a two year service agreement with three special tariffs, all of which include unlimited data – identified as email and web usage, Visual Voicemail, 200 SMS messages, roll over minutes and unlimited on network calls.

Subscribers will pay $59.99 per month for 450 minutes, $79.99 for 900 minutes and $99.99 for 1,350 minutes. There is also a one -time activation fee of $36 as well as the cost of the device. The iPhone will be available in a 4GB model for $499 and an 8GB model for $599.

AT&T added that the iPhone will also be available on any of AT&T’s standard service plans.

“We want to make choosing a service plan simple and easy, so every plan includes unlimited data with direct internet access, along with Visual Voicemail and a host of other goodies,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO, in a statement.

Jobs also revealed that activation of the device will be carried out via iTunes. After buying the device the user goes home, installs iTunes and is then guided through a number of steps to choose their service plan, authorise their credit and activate the phone.

“Users will be able to activate their new iPhone in the comfort and privacy of their own home or office, without having to wait in a store while their phone is activated,” said Jobs.