AT&T Launches Lower-Cost Mobile Share Value Plans for Families

[GSPice]

Have to admit, when this new plan was announced it looked like a good deal. Here's my situation:

"Unlimited" data, 700 minutes, unlimited texting
2 lines: $150/month.

iPhone cost: subsidized @ $300 each, 2-year contract
Total 2-year cost (not including resale value of iPhones):
$150x24 + $300x2 = $4200

When I saw the 2-line 10GB unlimited talk & text plan for $130/mo, at first I thought, "wow, $20/mo savings - I'd be ok with going from "unlimited" to 10GB shared + hotspot capability."

Then I read this epic post:

this is a big up-front obfuscation of the details..

The existing mobile share plans with a two year contract are still cheaper for most people. This is why AT&T is pushing these new plans. Marketing through obfuscation.

I never looked into AT&T Next because I knew it was just a way to hide the cost of upgrading - and I never plan on upgrading more frequently than every 2 years, so I thought the BYOD plan would be a money-saving strategy. But:

10 GB shared data, unlimited minutes, unlimited texting
2-lines: $130/month.

iPhone cost: full retail @ $750 each
Total 2-year cost (not including resale value of iPhones):
$130x24 + $750x2 = $4620

Ignoring the AT&T next options, switching my plan from the $150/mo plan to the $130 plan would cost me ($4620-$4200)/24 = $17.50/mo more.

That $20/month plan "savings" evaporates when not using AT&T's traditional subsidized iPhone pricing.

So my bottom line? By switching to the 2-line $130/mo plan, I'd:

• Throw down $1500 every other year for new phones
• Go from "unlimited" data to 10GB/month
• "Save" $480 in plan cost over two years
• Pay that savings right back ($420) by buying iPhones at full retail.
• Net monthly savings ($4620-$4200 /24) over 2 years: $2.50

Suck it, AT&T.

 

[Scuba629]

Have to admit, when this new plan was announced it looked like a good deal. Here's my situation:

"Unlimited" data, 700 minutes, unlimited texting
2 lines: $150/month.

• Throw down $1500 every other year for new phones
• Go from "unlimited" data to 10GB/month
• "Save" $480 in plan cost over two years
• Pay that savings right back ($420) by buying iPhones at full retail.
• Net monthly savings ($4620-$4200 /24) over 2 years: $2.50

Suck it, AT&T.

For those with "unlimited" data the plan isn't really worth it. The only thing you really get is a hotspot option.

 

[Razeus]

If I understand you correctly, you bought an iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C recently at subsidized prices. Now in the last day or two you switched to the new ATT 10 GB family plan. ATT is only charging $15 per phone. This is correct. This is their way of enticing people who are on subsidized phones away from that model. You will see the big change two years from now when you want to upgrade and you will have to buy the new phones at full price. You are good to go till then.

I have no problem buying at full prices. I've been buying and selling iPhones every year so it works out the same in my mind. I buy new iPhones every year.

 

[saintforlife]

Yeah if you don't get it waived, the upgrade fee is $35 + $200 for a phone for $235.
You use the phone for 2 years
After the 2 years your phone would be worth probably about $200 but it costs you $200 for your next phone w/ contract

Under the new plan, if my $162 / year difference is correct, of course it's not as cheap as the subsidized route.

But in my opinion the delta is not a lot, and given the option to upgrade every single year for $162 and never pay the upgrade fee, I just think that's cool.

Do you realize you will be paying $35 per month per phone ($420/year) on top of the $162 extra cost per year for the higher data plan? Did you forget about the $35 monthly cost for a new iPhone on the NEXT plan?

----------

I just spoke with ATT (twice) and confirmed this is true. You do not lose your subsidized phone purchase option as long as you renew your two year commitment and your existing phone for is eligible for an upgrade. Same as before and includes iPhones. There is no add on for a subsidized phone.

Are you sure? I don't think the ATT rep understood you. From everything I have read online once you go with this new plan, you can never get a subsidized phone again. This is ATT's big plan to wean people away from phone subsidies. See this article on Android Police - http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/02/01/att-launching-new-mobile-share-value-plan-february-2nd-offers-reduced-rates-to-lure-you-away-from-subsidies/

 

[Scuba629]

Are you sure? I don't think the ATT rep understood you. From everything I have read online once you go with this new plan, you can never get a subsidized phone again. This is ATT's big plan to wean people away from phone subsidies. See this article on Android Police - http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/0...educed-rates-to-lure-you-away-from-subsidies/

Yes you can upgrade that way. But you won't get the $15 per phone pricing. Each phone you upgrade will go to $40 dollars.

However I'm also told you can switch your plan when you upgrade. So you could go to a lower data plan and try to keep the price down. i.e. 4GB is $70 dollars plus $40 per phone.

 

[DaveWonders]

Are you sure? I don't think the ATT rep understood you. From everything I have read online once you go with this new plan, you can never get a subsidized phone again. This is ATT's big plan to wean people away from phone subsidies. See this article on Android Police - http://www.androidpolice.com/2014/0...educed-rates-to-lure-you-away-from-subsidies/

Sure, you can't expect to get a subsidized phone and pay $15 a month when you get your next phone...but where does it say that you can't pay the $40? If the plan is cheaper it seems a no brainer to start it now and collect the savings until you upgrade your phone - whenever and however that is.

The wording in your linked article does not say otherwise...it says you can't renew the VALUE mobile share plan...not that you can't get a 2 year contract on another kind of plan.

 

[Scuba629]

Sure, you can't expect to get a subsidized phone and pay $15 a month when you get your next phone...but where does it say that you can't pay the $40? If the plan is cheaper it seems a no brainer to start it now and collect the savings until you upgrade your phone - whenever and however that is.

The wording in your linked article does not say otherwise...it says you can't renew the VALUE mobile share plan...not that you can't get a 2 year contract on another kind of plan.

The big question will be what plans will be available when we do want to change them. Sure a 4GB is $70 dollars now but maybe in 6 months its $80 dollars?

 

[street.cory]

10 Lines - for ~$300 a month - $145 in savings

This is a grand slam deal for me.
Currently have 10 Phones on 2 Family Plans (not share plan)

$475 a month (17% discount + taxes) for two 700 minute plans, messaging, and a combined 19 GB of data
8 Smartphones (7 iPhone + 1 Android) and 2 Basic phones.

All phones have at least 1 year on their contract.

New 20 GB Share plan puts me at $300 a month. (~$330 after taxes + discount)

If the contract was signed before February, they still give you the no contract $15/line pricing even though your line is still under contract. The way it will show up on your bill is $40 a line with a $25 discount.

I don't care about phone subsidies or whatever, I just want to pay for my service and be done with it.

 

[DaveWonders]

The big question will be what plans will be available when we do want to change them. Sure a 4GB is $70 dollars now but maybe in 6 months its $80 dollars?

That's a fair question. So much has changed in the past few months, who knows what the future will bring. But if you don't switch now and stay on a more expensive plan, wouldn't your options be the same when it's time to renew?

In my situation I'm under contract until November this year. Changing to the 10GB plan and saving about $25 a month for 10 months doesn't change my contract end date, so why not save the $250 between now and then and weigh my options at that point.

Personally, my plan now is to keep my iPhone 5 until the new one is released and jump to NEXT. I'll downgrade my plan back to 4GB because I don't need the extra data. Even though I'll be on Next I'm going to try to stick with a 2 year upgrade cycle. I'll pay $54 more at the end of the 2nd year but I'll have a lot more options and flexibility.

 

[redscull]

Holy crap. I always do all the math when the big carriers announce new plans, and it has thus far always been the case that all they did was find a new, less obvious way to screw you out of more money. But this plan is actually a hand-downs better option.

AT&T is effectively weaning customers off of contract-based subsidized device pricing and doing it with a plan that is actually cost-comparitive. Now, I say this in reference to the option where you bring your owned phone and pay them $15/mo to add it to the service. If you pay them $40/mo to subsidize a phone, you're screwing yourself. That option is no longer a good deal for anyone but AT&T.

What should be the catch is existing customers with on-contract devices. I expected my phones would be forced onto the $40 option since they're still paying off their subsidies, but an AT&T rep assures me that they'll roll over to the $15 option. I can only assume that this is their way of benefitting existing customers who can't take advantage of their current free-money promotions to new customers leaving other carriers.

For anyone interested in the math (applicable to my family), I assume 4 last-gen iPhones, each upgraded on a two year cycle, using 6-10GB shared data. On the old mobile share, using subsidized phone prices, this comes out to $5920 for 6GB or $6160 for 10GB every 2 years. The new plan comes out to $6040 for 10GB every 2 years. More expensive if you truly only needed 6GB, but barely so, and legitimately a better deal for 10GB users!

6GB Old Plan:
$90/mo (service) + $35/mo x4 (phones) + $100 x4 (hardware) = $5920 2yr total cost

10GB Old Plan:
$120/mo (service) + $30/mo x4 (phones) + $100 x4 (hardware) = $6160 2yr total cost

10GB New Plan:
$100/mo (service) + $15/mo x4 (phones) + $550 x4 (hardware) = $6040 2yr total cost

10GB New Plan (subsidized):
$100/mo (service) + $40/mo x4 (phones) + $100 x4 (hardware) = $6640 2yr total cost (bad deal - don't let AT&T lend you money)

* all totals excluding taxes, activation fees, etc since that's the same new or old

 

[Lefty21]

This will be a great deal for me and my family.

We have been paying $170 a month for 2 GB on three lines (two smartphones, one dumbphone).

Now we will be paying $145 for 10 GB. The question remains what we will do when it is time to get new phones, but we will cross that bridge when our contract expires in September.

 

[MacManTexas56]

Holy crap. I always do all the math when the big carriers announce new plans, and it has thus far always been the case that all they did was find a new, less obvious way to screw you out of more money. But this plan is actually a hand-downs better option.

AT&T is effectively weaning customers off of contract-based subsidized device pricing and doing it with a plan that is actually cost-comparitive. Now, I say this in reference to the option where you bring your owned phone and pay them $15/mo to add it to the service. If you pay them $40/mo to subsidize a phone, you're screwing yourself. That option is no longer a good deal for anyone but AT&T.

What should be the catch is existing customers with on-contract devices. I expected my phones would be forced onto the $40 option since they're still paying off their subsidies, but an AT&T rep assures me that they'll roll over to the $15 option. I can only assume that this is their way of benefitting existing customers who can't take advantage of their current free-money promotions to new customers leaving other carriers.

For anyone interested in the math (applicable to my family), I assume 4 last-gen iPhones, each upgraded on a two year cycle, using 6-10GB shared data. On the old mobile share, using subsidized phone prices, this comes out to $5920 for 6GB or $6160 for 10GB every 2 years. The new plan comes out to $6040 for 10GB every 2 years. More expensive if you truly only needed 6GB, but barely so, and legitimately a better deal for 10GB users!

6GB Old Plan:
$90/mo (service) + $35/mo x4 (phones) + $100 x4 (hardware) = $5920 2yr total cost

10GB Old Plan:
$120/mo (service) + $30/mo x4 (phones) + $100 x4 (hardware) = $6160 2yr total cost

10GB New Plan:
$100/mo (service) + $15/mo x4 (phones) + $550 x4 (hardware) = $6040 2yr total cost

10GB New Plan (subsidized):
$100/mo (service) + $40/mo x4 (phones) + $100 x4 (hardware) = $6640 2yr total cost (bad deal - don't let AT&T lend you money)

* all totals excluding taxes, activation fees, etc since that's the same new or old

finally, someone who understands......

i'm glad they are finally making the hardware separate from the cell service. I don't mind paying apple for their devices....the less money to AT&T the better!

 

[Mainsail]

Holy crap. I always do all the math when the big carriers announce new plans, and it has thus far always been the case that all they did was find a new, less obvious way to screw you out of more money. But this plan is actually a hand-downs better option.

AT&T is effectively weaning customers off of contract-based subsidized device pricing and doing it with a plan that is actually cost-comparitive. Now, I say this in reference to the option where you bring your owned phone and pay them $15/mo to add it to the service. If you pay them $40/mo to subsidize a phone, you're screwing yourself. That option is no longer a good deal for anyone but AT&T.

What should be the catch is existing customers with on-contract devices. I expected my phones would be forced onto the $40 option since they're still paying off their subsidies, but an AT&T rep assures me that they'll roll over to the $15 option. I can only assume that this is their way of benefitting existing customers who can't take advantage of their current free-money promotions to new customers leaving other carriers.

For anyone interested in the math (applicable to my family), I assume 4 last-gen iPhones, each upgraded on a two year cycle, using 6-10GB shared data. On the old mobile share, using subsidized phone prices, this comes out to $5920 for 6GB or $6160 for 10GB every 2 years. The new plan comes out to $6040 for 10GB every 2 years. More expensive if you truly only needed 6GB, but barely so, and legitimately a better deal for 10GB users!

6GB Old Plan:
$90/mo (service) + $35/mo x4 (phones) + $100 x4 (hardware) = $5920 2yr total cost

10GB Old Plan:
$120/mo (service) + $30/mo x4 (phones) + $100 x4 (hardware) = $6160 2yr total cost

10GB New Plan:
$100/mo (service) + $15/mo x4 (phones) + $550 x4 (hardware) = $6040 2yr total cost

10GB New Plan (subsidized):
$100/mo (service) + $40/mo x4 (phones) + $100 x4 (hardware) = $6640 2yr total cost (bad deal - don't let AT&T lend you money)

* all totals excluding taxes, activation fees, etc since that's the same new or old

I think you got the math right for a two year hold period. In the near term, I think the deal is actually a little better, since they will move you to the new plan and take you off contract without having to buy a new phone right away. I just made the change this morning. Also, the new plan gives us some flexibility in handing down old phones to the kids.....so, I see it as a positive development brought about by competition.....finally!

 

[hashsi99]

finally, someone who understands......

i'm glad they are finally making the hardware separate from the cell service. I don't mind paying apple for their devices....the less money to AT&T the better!

Actually, you are incorrect. It will be the same because after you pay the device off (18 months) the remaining 6 months go back down to $15/month/line. You might have to keep track and call to get the adjustment. So paying outright or splitting the payments equal the same in the long run. Again, as long as you call at the 18 months.

The real benefit here is for existing customers who are under contract. For me I have 21 months left (just upgraded 4 lines to 5s). So I will be saving almost $90 a month for 21 months. Then I can either keep my phone or go the subsidized route for 18 months.

Make sense?

 

[SHirsch999]

Are you guys reading the same thread I am? The VAST majority of people commenting here and all over the tech sites are NOT coming directly from 10GB plans - they are 'upgrading' from smaller plans because AT&T is making it appear cost-effective to do so. The entire POINT of that post was to show what the REAL costs of that switch is. It's EXPENSIVE for the vast majority of people who don't need that much data, and aren't currently paying for it. They haven't discounted prices at all, they've just obfuscated the costs of moving into a more expensive plan.

You're right up to a point. In my case, my phone is still under contract for the next 20 months. So, for that time, we will be spending a few dollars more/month to enjoy 5 times the amount of data (2 Gb shared --> 10 Gb). After that time we will likely go back down to 2 Gb, unless we realize we need more (not likely). Besides, with the way things are going, who knows what plans will be around when the contract is done.

 

[cburton]

If I took this new 10GB plan I'd lose $420 over a two year period (I upgrade every non-S model release) with my current $150 450 minute family, unlimited text, unlimited data plan on two lines.

New phones bought in full = $1500
Monthly cost $100+$30 x 24 = $3120
Total = $4620

Current subsidised plan:
Subsidised phones = $300x2 = $600
Plan cost = $150x24 = $3600
Total = $4200

Think I must be missing the part that makes me want to jump on this ...

Chris

 

[macintologist]

2GB of data for 3 iphones?

Yep and it works great. All three of us mostly use wifi. If you want to pay 3x or more than what we pay, be my guest. That's what choice is all about.

----------

I can say you are a fool for having a smartphone when 3 lines only use 2gb in a month lol I go through that in like a week on one one, we have 15gb on 8 lines which is barely enough so what is your answer to that on a regional carrier nevertheless? and we use like 10k text a month minimum and unlimited voice, sounds like you have a pretty crappy plan, my speeds on LTE are 30gb what are yours?

to each their own, I don't appreciate people coming in here claiming their way is how everything should be, freedom of choice my friend, thanks to what tmobile started is WHY we are able to see this day and better ahead to begin with.

Simple economics, supply and demand can lead to better competition which ultimately benefits ME the consumer.

What the hell do you do on your phone, stream Netflix?? I mostly use wifi. My iPhone 4S doesn't have LTE, but if I had a 5S I would have LTE speeds. I used to pay $170/mo 3GBx3 (9GB combined) but we simply weren't using the data. I'm easily saving $700+ a year on this plan.

 

[GadgetGeek407]

Yep and it works great. All three of us mostly use wifi. If you want to pay 3x or more than what we pay, be my guest. That's what choice is all about.

----------



What the hell do you do on your phone, stream Netflix?? I mostly use wifi. My iPhone 4S doesn't have LTE, but if I had a 5S I would have LTE speeds. I used to pay $170/mo 3GBx3 (9GB combined) but we simply weren't using the data. I'm easily saving $700+ a year on this plan.

Lol I own a used car business so always on the internet but have 8 lines me myself I use like 3gb

 

[MacManTexas56]

Actually, you are incorrect. It will be the same because after you pay the device off (18 months) the remaining 6 months go back down to $15/month/line. You might have to keep track and call to get the adjustment. So paying outright or splitting the payments equal the same in the long run. Again, as long as you call at the 18 months.

The real benefit here is for existing customers who are under contract. For me I have 21 months left (just upgraded 4 lines to 5s). So I will be saving almost $90 a month for 21 months. Then I can either keep my phone or go the subsidized route for 18 months.

Make sense?

we don't know how big of a discount AT&T is getting on all iphones. I'd rather buy the device from Apple and have a cheaper monthly bill then to have AT&T handle all of it and tell me when I can/can't upgrade. i'm not talking about doing NEXT...i'll just buy unlocked iphone straight from apple.

 

[macintologist]

Lol I own a used car business so always on the internet but have 8 lines me myself I use like 3gb

If you can write off all your iPhone expenses, we're not talking about an even playing field here, price wise

 

[MacManTexas56]

If I took this new 10GB plan I'd lose $420 over a two year period (I upgrade every non-S model release) with my current $150 450 minute family, unlimited text, unlimited data plan on two lines.

New phones bought in full = $1500
Monthly cost $100+$30 x 24 = $3120
Total = $4620

Current subsidised plan:
Subsidised phones = $300x2 = $600
Plan cost = $150x24 = $3600
Total = $4200

Think I must be missing the part that makes me want to jump on this ...

Chris

for u it doesn't make sense...

 

[martinm0]

$15 or $40 device fee??

Can anyone confirm here if the monthly device fee for a subsidized phone is actually $15/mo under these new plans (10GB specifically)? The website makes it seem that you still pay $40/mo for subsidized phones, but $15 for NEXT or your own.

I just spent 20 minutes getting through to ATT where the offshore support rep told me that both my subsidized iPhones (5/5s) would be $15/ea per month, not $40. I had her note the conversation in my account history.

Anyone else ask the same questions and get the same answer? Or different answer?

 

[redscull]

I think you got the math right for a two year hold period. In the near term, I think the deal is actually a little better, since they will move you to the new plan and take you off contract without having to buy a new phone right away. I just made the change this morning. Also, the new plan gives us some flexibility in handing down old phones to the kids.....so, I see it as a positive development brought about by competition.....finally!

Sure, if you're just looking at the short term, it could be seen even better. But I always calculate everything out over time for a true, fair comparison. After all, no-money down is always infinitely better than paying for something up front.. when you don't consider the long term costs.

Again, for anyone who was already on the mobile share at 6GB or especially 10GB, this plan isn't some fantastic huge savings that we should cheer AT&T for, but it is a fair deal. And carriers have been screwing customers so long that a fair deal is quite a surprise.

If you were on a lower data plan, the new plan might seem enticing. But if you really don't need 10GB, don't fall for it. Paying more for data you don't need is not a good deal even if it's cheaper. I was already in the 6-10GB range so it was an easy choice for me.

 

[MacManTexas56]

Can anyone confirm here if the monthly device fee for a subsidized phone is actually $15/mo under these new plans (10GB specifically)? The website makes it seem that you still pay $40/mo for subsidized phones, but $15 for NEXT or your own.

I just spent 20 minutes getting through to ATT where the offshore support rep told me that both my subsidized iPhones (5/5s) would be $15/ea per month, not $40. I had her note the conversation in my account history.

Anyone else ask the same questions and get the same answer? Or different answer?

if you are under contract before 2/2/2014, then yes you're phone under contract is $15. If you sign a contract today under the new plan, it's $40....

attached is from my order yesterday....

Both iPhones are still subsidized and have the new $15 rate. My account today shows i am now eligible on NEXT for both lines.

 

[redscull]

Can anyone confirm here if the monthly device fee for a subsidized phone is actually $15/mo under these new plans (10GB specifically)?

I asked precisely this (and it seems some others in the thread did too) and got the answer that all my current lines will be $15/mo despite being on contracts with varying term lengths remaining. I assume (did not verify) that if I quit service with any of those lines before their contracts end, I am still liable to a fee. But the rep assured me that they would be only $15/mo, not $40/mo like a brand new subsidized line would cost.