AT&T Doubling Data on Mobile Share Value Plans in Limited Time Promotion

[MattMJB0188]

So what's the difference between me using 10GBs and a person using 30GBs? Oh, they're paying $100 more. That's the difference? Got it.

Nothing. Maybe I should have been more clear. I'm concerned about the guys who would use >200GB in a billing cycle. Then you ask them why? They respond because they can. A guy using 30GB on his unlimited plan is no different than the 30GB mobile share plan.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Nothing. Maybe I should have been more clear. I'm concerned about the guys who would use >200GB in a billing cycle. Then you ask them why? They respond because they can. A guy using 30GB on his unlimited plan is no different than the 30GB mobile share plan.

If a person is on an unlimited plan, why should it matter to you how much data they are using on a plan endorsed by the company via a contract? Their data usage has no bearing on your contract and usage.

 

[quecmo]

Next not worth it for everyone

We have 8 lines sharing 10GB of data on the old share plan. Even the guy I spoke at AT&T admitted we shouldn't switch to Next.

Anyone want to show me numbers that make Next worth it for me?


We get new phones every 2 years at $199 or some get whatever is free. (sell old phones for no less than breaking even so far)

Our plan:

$120 a month for 10GB
+ $30 a month per line (8 lines)(8x30=240)
= $360 a month
$360/8 lines = $45 per month per line

 

[MattMJB0188]

If a person is on an unlimited plan, why should it matter to you how much data they are using on a plan endorsed by the company via a contract? Their data usage has no bearing on your contract and usage.

WRONG! When a guy is using nearly terabytes of his data, it's going to affect my usage. FACT. Enough now.

 

[joshuaclinton]

Nothing. Maybe I should have been more clear. I'm concerned about the guys who would use >200GB in a billing cycle. Then you ask them why? They respond because they can. A guy using 30GB on his unlimited plan is no different than the 30GB mobile share plan.

I agree that 200GB is a bit excessive, but At&t's argument is that unlimited users 'cripple' the network, but a person on a 100GB plan can use all of it without being throttled? That doesn't make sense. Over the last 5 years, I've never gone over 10GB (average about 7GB, which is completely typically throughout the network due to streaming Netflix/iTunes Music/Spotify.)

----------

Anyone want to show me numbers that make Next worth it for me?

My roommate switched to Next because they are out of contract on their mobile share, so they get an additional $45 discount towards their bill as long as they're out of contract. Maybe that's where the advantage is?

 

[MattMJB0188]

I agree that 200GB is a bit excessive, but At&t's argument is that unlimited users 'cripple' the network, but a person on a 100GB plan can use all of it without being throttled? That doesn't make sense. Over the last 5 years, I've never gone over 10GB (average about 7GB, which is completely typically throughout the network due to streaming Netflix/iTunes Music/Spotify.)

I was simply stating that a person who is going to use greater than 200GB (the highest AT&T tier) is crippling the network. There are people on T-Mobile who use 500GBs, 800GBs, and even 1-5TBs on their unlimited plans. This is what I would not want to happen on AT&T if someone has unlimited.

Then these $$$holes brag on forums that they are using that much and use it "because they can".

 

[JavierDiaz4]

So let's start with the basics. You get a Mobile Share plan of some number of GB of data - for this example, let's say it's 10GB for $100.

Then you have an option, get the 64GB iPhone 6 with a 2 year subsidized rate plan, or choose Next 12 or Next 18.

Next gives you 0% interest and you amortize the full MSRP on the phone. For this device, that price is $749.99. Each month with Next 12, you'll pay $37.50 for the phone (for 20 months, at which point it is paid off) or with Next 18, you'll pay $31.25 for the phone (for 24 months, at which point it is paid off). You will NOT pay an upgrade fee to get the phone with Next. This is a $40 savings. The line charge for your number is $15/month with Next because you're basically just buying a line and have a separate zero interest financing agreement for the handset. These are unbundled from one another.

In a traditional two year agreement, you pay up front for the device a subsidized price of $299. AT&T takes on the subsidy and you are paying for it - for 24 months via a line charge of $40. That $40 is really like paying $15 + $25 for the subsidization of your device. You also pay an upgrade fee of $40.

Looking at the attachment - you are comparing how much you spend OUT OF YOUR POCKET for the line charge and the device price. It doesn't include the 10GB data plan for $100/month. As you can see, even if you didn't care about early upgrades, using Next gets you a total out of pocket spend of $1109.99 after 24 months, whether you used Next 12 or Next 18 and the two year subsidized phone results in an out of pocket cost of $1299.99. So if you pay outright for the phone, or finance it at zero interest on Next, you save $190.00.

For anyone doing a payback period of 24 months (or longer) I can't really make it clearer than that.

Does this line charge you mention apply to grandfathered unlimited plans? I dont see such a charge on my bill showing that I'm paying an additional fee.

 

[macconservative]

After reading more about Next I realize I made a mistake going with the 2 year contract.

Is there any chance I can call ATT and pay off my two new iPhones and get to have the lower access cost per iphone?

Or perhaps take my iPhone's back to Apple and return them and then rebuy them under the Next plan or full price? I'm all about savings and I screwed the pooch on this one.

I am not sure about this but you may be able to pay the ETF for each line which would basically take you off contract

 

[A MacBook lover]

You want a 50GB Plan, they offer a 60GB Plan now for the price of the 30GB Plan. Go for it.... Or do you think it is only fair for you to pay $30 (the cost of the 2GB Plan) and then you get a 50GB Plan?

I think I would like to tell Apple I want a 2014 Macbook Pro retina for the cost of a 2007 Macbook.

LOL

Why is 70% of your post history (dating back to your account creation) either bad mouthing other cellular carriers or putting AT&T on a pedestal?

I think I and everyone else will take any input you have with a grain of salt.

 

[Management]

Does this line charge you mention apply to grandfathered unlimited plans? I dont see such a charge on my bill showing that I'm paying an additional fee.

No it doesn't. I have a grandfathered unlimited plan and I am not charge a line access fee but did get charged a $40 upgrade fee. If you complain you can possibly get it waived. I only got $5 off the upgrade fee.

 

[itjw]

IF Unlimited was tied just to a device and if they kicked you off the moment you tethered... and IF they charged what would be a "reasonable" amount for it (rather than the $30 everyone expects) then fine.

The trouble if they unthrottled it would be that every person on here with the "because I can" attitude would set up a hotpsot, ditch their home internet, and go nuts.

The original unlimited plan was never designed for 3G even! It was setup for EDGE. If you want all you can eat on EDGE (2G), I'm sure they'd be happy to oblige for $30 a month...

Keep in mind you'd be getting .25Mb(b!)ps... and would probably go batpoop crazy with whining, but that was the original plan.

Because AT&T is actually pretty cool about old plans, they kept it for 3G, but started to see an opportunity to make more $$$. If you blame them for that, go to Russia, as they never promised it'd be "Unlimited FOREVER".

They still let people keep it, but in an attempt to make more money, they THROTTLE in the hopes people would abandon the plan. It's still usable, still faster than EDGE (about .5Mbps), and they even kept the costs the same...

If you wanted an unlimited LTE package today, unthrottled, and were going to pay a REASONABLE market rate based on data charges for TODAY, it would probably be $149 per line.

So stop whining about the throttling. I AGREE it's not about network congestion, it's about AT&T wanting to make more money off the data hogs. They let you keep a plan they didn't have to, and they throttle because if they didn't, it would be literally flushing $$$ down the toilet for them.

AT&T, like Apple, is a business. They want your $$$. If you are ALSO happy, so be it, but primarily, they want your $$$.

Unlimited (unthrottled), is a dying breed, and one day all the carriers will eliminate the grandfathered plans too (kicking and screaming to follow). That's why when an opportunity like this came along, I jumped. 40GB should be plenty.

 

[Carlanga]

Nope. Just somebody who prefers a working/stable network.

They definitely caught a big one!

 

[cubedweller]

AT&T upgraded me to 40GB with no questions asked.

 

[Señor]

Am I the only one who raid the title "AT&T Doubling Down on Mobile Share Value Plans in Limited Time Promotion"?

 

[MattMJB0188]

They definitely caught a big one!

I sure did.

 

[A MacBook lover]

IF Unlimited was tied just to a device and if they kicked you off the moment you tethered... and IF they charged what would be a "reasonable" amount for it (rather than the $30 everyone expects) then fine.

The trouble if they unthrottled it would be that every person on here with the "because I can" attitude would set up a hotpsot, ditch their home internet, and go nuts.

The original unlimited plan was never designed for 3G even! It was setup for EDGE. If you want all you can eat on EDGE (2G), I'm sure they'd be happy to oblige for $30 a month...

Keep in mind you'd be getting .25Mb(b!)ps... and would probably go batpoop crazy with whining, but that was the original plan.

Because AT&T is actually pretty cool about old plans, they kept it for 3G, but started to see an opportunity to make more $$$. If you blame them for that, go to Russia, as they never promised it'd be "Unlimited FOREVER".

They still let people keep it, but in an attempt to make more money, they THROTTLE in the hopes people would abandon the plan. It's still usable, still faster than EDGE (about .5Mbps), and they even kept the costs the same...

If you wanted an unlimited LTE package today, unthrottled, and were going to pay a REASONABLE market rate based on data charges for TODAY, it would probably be $149 per line.

So stop whining about the throttling. I AGREE it's not about network congestion, it's about AT&T wanting to make more money off the data hogs. They let you keep a plan they didn't have to, and they throttle because if they didn't, it would be literally flushing $$$ down the toilet for them.

AT&T, like Apple, is a business. They want your $$$. If you are ALSO happy, so be it, but primarily, they want your $$$.

Unlimited (unthrottled), is a dying breed, and one day all the carriers will eliminate the grandfathered plans too (kicking and screaming to follow). That's why when an opportunity like this came along, I jumped. 40GB should be plenty.

ATT is not like Apple. Apple doesn't lobby to against net neutrality. Whomever you put your money to supports their goals and agenda.

Remember the country we live in.

 

[cableguy619]

We have 8 lines sharing 10GB of data on the old share plan. Even the guy I spoke at AT&T admitted we shouldn't switch to Next.

Anyone want to show me numbers that make Next worth it for me?


We get new phones every 2 years at $199 or some get whatever is free. (sell old phones for no less than breaking even so far)

Our plan:

$120 a month for 10GB
+ $30 a month per line (8 lines)(8x30=240)
= $360 a month
$360/8 lines = $45 per month per line

4320 -Your total for year rt 8640 for 2 yrs


$100 a month for 10GB
+ $15 a month per line (8 lines)(8x15=120)
= $220 a month
$220/8 lines = $27.5 per month per line

2640 - for year or 5280 for 2 yrs


So ideally with no phone changes you save 3360 over 2 yrs.

on Sub plan you can also add the activation and taxes on phone as well as cost if any to the total, but if you are someone who changes phones every 2 years then the sub plan is for you. I did get the new iphone soyou could add another 750 say to the 2640 and I am still saving. Each case is different.

My case I am really the only one who gets new phones and I hand down from there, so the next works for me and saves me money.

 

[v3rlon]

NO! Then guys like you can use as much as you want bogging down the network, which nonetheless affects me. What's your excuse for using so much? "Because I can." Unlimited is GONE. Some of us prefer it that way.

Saw this on Ars Technica.

Sure makes a good point.


You see, when you use data on a Grandfathered Unlimited Data Plan, that's called "congestion," so you're throttled at 5GB to EDGE-like speeds to "prevent" it.

Note this "congestion" doesn't occur when you double a shared 15GB data plan to 30GB, or a 20GB plan to 40GB, or a 30GB plan to 60GB, or a 40GB plan to 80GB, or a 50GB plan to 100GB. It doesn't occur if you let both new and current customers keep this "doubled data" in perpetuity, or at least until they change their plan.

No, "congestion" only happens with Unlimited Data Plans throttled at 5 GB.

What a farce.

 

[technopimp]

So wait...AT&T wants $130 + $15/line for 30GB.

If I went to T-mobile, I could get 2 lines (both with unlimited data) for a total of $145/month.

And that doesn't require me to be on their "Next" or "Jump" or "whatever" plan.

Maybe I'm confused how this is a better deal?

 

[Yardman1977]

We have 4 lines on a grandfathered 850 rollover plan. And 2 are unlimited data ....couple weeks ago i called in about something and the att rep did an analysis on my bill and told me to just keep my plan. Cuz if i go on mobile share or next it wud cost me about 80 or 90 bucks per month more......he said its a bad deal when u have 3 or 4 plus lines......ive been told the same thing about 5 times now by att reps over the last year..i looked at my bill and im paying 32.86 per month for each of those 2 unlimited lines. after taxes and my fan discount. ....how cud i ever give that up?

 

[Moorepheus]

So wait...AT&T wants $130 + $15/line for 30GB.

If I went to T-mobile, I could get 2 lines (both with unlimited data) for a total of $145/month.

And that doesn't require me to be on their "Next" or "Jump" or "whatever" plan.

Maybe I'm confused how this is a better deal?

AT&T doesn't require you to be on any NEXT/JUMP plan either. It's just their Family Share plan.

If you want to upgrade, then you, for that new phone, are on the NEXT plan for just the Phone, which is split up over 20 or 24 months, depending on the NEXT Plan you choose.

----------

We have 4 lines on a grandfathered 850 rollover plan. And 2 are unlimited data ....couple weeks ago i called in about something and the att rep did an analysis on my bill and told me to just keep my plan. Cuz if i go on mobile share or next it wud cost me about 80 or 90 bucks per month more......he said its a bad deal when u have 3 or 4 plus lines......ive been told the same thing about 5 times now by att reps over the last year..i looked at my bill and im paying 32.86 per month for each of those 2 unlimited lines. after taxes and my fan discount. ....how cud i ever give that up?

He's lying to you. I switched earlier this year from the exact plan, w/ 5 phones, all smart phones. 2 of them unlimited, the other 2.5gb/3.5gb plans. I am now in the 15GB plan and I am paying almost $100 less then I was in that plan. Do the math yourself. It's not that difficult.

 

[franpincho]

This is extremely confusing. I've been reading that the whole Next deal has been explained over and over, but if somebody wouldn't mind explaining it to me once more based of my personal plan right now, it would be appreciated.

I currently pay $130 a month plus tax for the following:

Two lines, both iPhones.
One has unlimited data
One has only 300 mb of data
Unlimited messaging.
Family 550 minutes a month.

My line (unlimited) was recently upgraded to an iPhone 6. The $40 upgrade fee gets waived for me each and every single year if I ask, and I'm sure they'll waive it for anyone that asks too. Otherwise threaten to cancel. Therefore that fee is never a problem. I'm thinking on upgrading the other line come November when it's eligible.

We have so many rollover minutes at any given time that unlimited talk is really not a big deal.

The 300 mb a month for the second line would kill me. Luckily, my gf is rarely using it outside of wifi. Granted, more would be nice but hardly a deal breaker to go to a more expensive plan.

Text messaging? That's all we do.

Now, with the mobile share 15gb (now 30gb for a limited time) I would pay the same thing, PLUS an extra $55, correct? Just for the "smartphone access fee" (one at $40, the other at $15)

So? Besides the extra data, at higher price... How is the shared plan for two lines, or even Next alone a better deal for me?

Can anyone please explain that to me?

 

[Moorepheus]

This is extremely confusing. I've been reading that the whole Next deal has been explained over and over, but if somebody wouldn't mind explaining it to me once more based of my personal plan right now, it would be appreciated.

I currently pay $130 a month plus tax for the following:

Two lines, both iPhones.
One has unlimited data
One has only 300 mb of data
Unlimited messaging.
Family 550 minutes a month.

My line (unlimited) was recently upgraded to an iPhone 6. The $40 upgrade fee gets waived for me each and every single year if I ask, and I'm sure they'll waive it for anyone that asks too. Otherwise threaten to cancel. Therefore that fee is never a problem. I'm thinking on upgrading the other line come November when it's eligible.

We have so many rollover minutes at any given time that unlimited talk is really not a big deal.

The 300 mb a month for the second line would kill me. Luckily, my gf is rarely using it outside of wifi. Granted, more would be nice but hardly a deal breaker to go to a more expensive plan.

Text messaging? That's all we do.

Now, with the mobile share 15gb (now 30gb for a limited time) I would pay the same thing, PLUS an extra $55, correct? Just for the "smartphone access fee" (one at $40, the other at $15)

So? Besides the extra data, at higher price... How is the shared plan for two lines, or even Next alone a better deal for me?

Can anyone please explain that to me?

Looks like you are in a unique situation. You are probably better staying where you are at....

 

[wknapp0924]

I am not sure about this but you may be able to pay the ETF for each line which would basically take you off contract

I just got off the phone with ATT and they cancelled my contract. I paid them $650.00 for 2 iphone 6's and the rep even said the ETF cancellation charge of $325.00 is a loophole to get the phone for $125.00 off. I truely wanted to go onto NEXT, but when I crunched the numbers paying the ETF was money in the bank.

Now I have two iphone 6's off contract and only pay the 15 line charge.

 

[Teyla]

Called about an hour ago and switched over to mobile share 30gb (60gb under the promo) happily giving up grandfathered unlimited data on 2 of my lines. My reasoning? Historically, amongst the three smartphone lines on my account (including the two unlimited iPhones), we've never exceeded 11gb's at peak. This gives each of the three of us 20gb each (if split evenly) *and* hotspot functionality on all of our devices that I previously didn't have, *and* I shaved off $20 a month.

So, yes I lost unlimited x 2, but based on my historical usage I'm really not losing anything. The ability to now tether legitimately (and not via jb workarounds) plus the small savings was worth it to me.

I also have the Unlimited data plan and am thinking of giving it up for the 30gb of data (I have 2 users on this plan). I also love tethering and have jailbroken to use it. I never use more than 5-6 gb of data a month and this plan makes it look like I'll have plenty of data AND I can tether "legally!"

I now have my iPhone 6+ and the 2nd user is always hitting his 3gb data limit for the month...so tempting.

Anyone else pondering giving up their unlimited data plans for one of these gems?