Are you sure you got grandfathered into NEXT WITH the unlimited data plan? Something really doesn't sound right there. As dfausty said, you can't do NEXT and keep your old unlimited data plan.
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AT&T Activation Fee for Contract Customers Rising to $45, New $15 Fee for 'Next' Customers
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Are you sure you got grandfathered into NEXT WITH the unlimited data plan? Something really doesn't sound right there. As dfausty said, you can't do NEXT and keep your old unlimited data plan.
Yes I'm sure, no doubt!!! But that was two years ago when I got the 5S. I was nervous when I got the 6 that they would want to change it but when I said my plans stay the same they said yes. Now I'll be holding my breath when I get the 6S and see what happens but that's the deal at the moment. If they do want to change it I'll look else where.
I am not trying to argue, but if what you say you have/did is accurate, you are the only one that I have heard of that got that deal.
The way the old 2 year contracts worked was you got a line of service and had to add a data plan. Originally AT&T offered unlimited data plans as well as tiered level plans. And those plans included a subsidy for purchasing a new device for $199... and an ETF for not completing the contract.
Then AT&T began offering the NEXT plan for device purchases. You have to pay the sales tax up front, and make payments on the full retail price of the device over a fixed number of months. About the same time, they began offering the Mobile Share plans as an alternative to the 2 year contract plans, based on the amount of data. The new plans were cheaper because they did not include any device subsidy, so there was not need to recoup a cost that AT&T did not incur.
So, from where I see it, there is no option for an unlimited plan with Next, unless you have the old 2 year contract (which includes the subsidy recovery cost) AND add the NEXT plan on top of that for your device purchase. I don't see any way to reconcile the two, and it just doesn't make sense.
Some people were able to get it done. But usually it comes with a cost of basically paying for the phone through Next and still paying the built-in subsidy that is part of the monthly cost of the grandfathered plan. So basically paying extra for the phone.
And of course AT&T isn't gonna turn down an opportunity like that. In the end they coming out winning two fold.
That's exactly what I've been saying all along. You CAN be on a 2 year plan AND use NEXT, but you are paying for a subsidy that you are not using, AND paying for the phone via NEXT.
And to clarify, NEXT is NOT a phone voice/text/data plan. NEXT is a way to finance your new device through AT&T at 0% interest. It's no different that being on a legacy 2 year contract plan for voice/text/data with grandfathered unlimited data and going down to the local bank and borrowing $1000 to pay for your device (except that the bank will not give you a no interest loan).
Right. It's not really being on a 2 year plan or a contract just on a grandfathered plan that doesn't have discounts for Next or owned equipment.
They have plans and can do things behind the scenes that they can do (but they don't always do). The question is does that person know how AND are they willing to do it for you AND how nice are you being at the time of the call. I plan to be super nice on my next call...
Gary
I hadn't heard of that either. Googling around, I found this.
Sounds weird, like they're paying the same amount as when they used to be able to get a subsidized phone (except they're not able to get the subsidized phone anymore). So that rate + their Next device installment on top of it.
You buy the phone unlocked, there's no activation fee to charge. I wish cell phones would just go this way, completely separate the phone from the service
So, then really the activation fee becomes something like a "loan setup fee" for those who need Next to finance their phone (or who are silly enough to purchase a phone from AT&T that requires "activation"). If you can afford to purchase outright, just go to Apple (or a third party) and buy the phone there and SIM-swap.
An activation fee is like a plumber showing up at your house and charging you an extra $45 for ringing your doorbell.
Actually they do that, lol. I will agree, 45 bucks though is pretty hefty for one of those BS type fees.
10 mins typing on the computer and 5 mins work on phone data transfer .... Those 15 mins are tough work ...
