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AT&T Launches Lower-Cost Mobile Share Value Plans for Families
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No. It remains at $15 if you commit to two years.
BTW. Best Buy has a deal right now, if you register your phone number with them you will get a $50 gift card when you purchase your new phone from them that can be applied to the price of the new phone. Good until the end of the year but you must register in the next two weeks. If you are planning on upgrading to a 6 later this year you'll save $50 if you buy it from them.
http://www.bestbuy.com/?ref=30&loc=KW-4327
Yeah it's pretty sweet to shift more price to data ($100) and less to the lines ($15) when FAN discounts apply to the data but not the per line price. That's awesome
Hoping someone can explain this to me...
I have 3 lines. Myself, Wife and Mother. All have iPhones.
If I switch and I will save some cash,
However, looking at ATT NEXT, it gives me 12 and 18 month options of payment, however it says "Tax due at sale. If you cancel your wireless service before your 20-month plan is completed," Why is it showing 20 months when I select 12?
I have 3 lines. Myself, Wife and Mother. All have iPhones.
If I switch and I will save some cash,
However, looking at ATT NEXT, it gives me 12 and 18 month options of payment, however it says "Tax due at sale. If you cancel your wireless service before your 20-month plan is completed," Why is it showing 20 months when I select 12?
AT&T's play here seems to be to get people to pay for more data (10GB) than they would otherwise, and to further break the back of "unlimited" data plans and the subsidy model.
If there was any question of why mobile operators want to make your monthly bill all about data and kill "unlimited", this chart should clear that up:
Operators love having customers pay every month for capacity they don't use, and actively encourage the fear of throttling or draconian overage charges. In reality, most subscribers would be better paying for extra data only when they need it.
When I purchased my current phone, it was just after AT&T announced the Next 18 plan, and I geeked out on the math a bit. While I only did individual and not Mobile Share plans, the fundamentals remain the same, so I'll post it here in case anyone cares to wade through it. One thing to note is that while there is no "activation" fee for the Next plans, you are responsible for any applicable sales tax on the full retail price of the device up front ($46.75 in my case). Also, they have a built-in buy back program at 12 or 18 months, and if you don't nail that window, you'll either be giving away your old device or paying a higher monthly bill than necessary. For instance, the Next 12 is hard to optimize unless you switch platforms or time your upgrades closer to mid release cycle.
-----
m = number of months on a given plan
b = number of days in the initial billing period
p = monthly cost of the plan
d = retail price of the device
s = subsidy amount
for smartphones, p starts at $60 ($40 plus data)
d = $649.99, $749.99, or $849.99 for current gen iPhone depending on NAND capacity
s = $450.00 for iPhones
Subsidy model:
Old
for m <= 3/b: m*p + 35
for 3/b < m <= 14/b: m*p + 36 + 35 = m*p + 71
for 14/b < m < 24: m*p + (d - s) + 36 + (325 - 10*⎣m⎦) = m*p + d - s + 361 - 10*⎣m⎦
for m >= 24: m*p + d - s + 36
New
for m <= 3/b: m*p + 35
for 3/b < m <= 14/b: m*p + 36 + 35 = m*p + 71
for 14/b < m < 24: m*p + (d - s) + 36 + (325 - 10*⎣m⎦) = m*p + d - s + 361 - 10*⎣m⎦
for m >= 24: m*p - 15*(m-24) + d - s + 36 = m*p - 15m + 360 + d - s + 36 = m*p - 15m + d - s + 396
New subsidy model is less expensive than old subsidy model where m > 24
Bring Your Own Device:
Old
m*p + d + 36
New
m*p - 15m + d + 36
New BYOD model is less expensive than old BYOD model where m > 0
Old BYOD model is less expensive than old subsidy model where s < 0
New BYOD model is less expensive than new subsidy model where s < 360
Next plan:
Old
for m <= 14/b: m*p + 35
for m > 14/b: m*p + d
New
for m <= 14/b: m*(p-15) + 35 = m*p - 15m + 35
for m > 14/b: m*(p-15) + d = m*p - 15m + d
New Next plan is less expensive than old Next plan where m > 0
Old Next plan is less expensive than old subsidy model where:
3/b < m <= 14/b and 0 < 36
14/b < m < 24 and s + 10*⎣m⎦ < 361 ⇒ s < 361
m >= 24 and s < 36
New Next plan is less expensive than new subsidy model where:
m <= 3/b and m > 0
3/b < m <= 14/b and m > -2.4
14/b < m < 24 and 15m > s + 10*⎣m⎦ - 361 ⇒ s < 366
m >= 24 and s < 396
Next plans are less expensive than BYOD plans where 0 < 36
New Next plan is less expensive than old subsidy model where:
m >= 24 and 15m > s - 36 ⇒ s < 396
m > 27.6 and s !> 450
r = rebate credit issued for device
Next 12:
for m <= 12: r = 8d/20 = 2d/5
for 12 < m < 20: r = (20 - ⎣m⎦)*d/20
for m >= 20: r = 0
0.40d >= r >= 0.05d
Next 18:
for m <= 18: r = 8d/26 = 4d/13
for 18 < m < 26: r = (26 - ⎣m⎦)*d/26
for m >= 26: r = 0
0.3077d >= r >= 0.0385d
Next 12 offers higher rebate where m < 16
Next 18 offers same or higher rebate where m >= 16
If there was any question of why mobile operators want to make your monthly bill all about data and kill "unlimited", this chart should clear that up:
Operators love having customers pay every month for capacity they don't use, and actively encourage the fear of throttling or draconian overage charges. In reality, most subscribers would be better paying for extra data only when they need it.
When I purchased my current phone, it was just after AT&T announced the Next 18 plan, and I geeked out on the math a bit. While I only did individual and not Mobile Share plans, the fundamentals remain the same, so I'll post it here in case anyone cares to wade through it. One thing to note is that while there is no "activation" fee for the Next plans, you are responsible for any applicable sales tax on the full retail price of the device up front ($46.75 in my case). Also, they have a built-in buy back program at 12 or 18 months, and if you don't nail that window, you'll either be giving away your old device or paying a higher monthly bill than necessary. For instance, the Next 12 is hard to optimize unless you switch platforms or time your upgrades closer to mid release cycle.
-----
m = number of months on a given plan
b = number of days in the initial billing period
p = monthly cost of the plan
d = retail price of the device
s = subsidy amount
for smartphones, p starts at $60 ($40 plus data)
d = $649.99, $749.99, or $849.99 for current gen iPhone depending on NAND capacity
s = $450.00 for iPhones
Subsidy model:
Old
for m <= 3/b: m*p + 35
for 3/b < m <= 14/b: m*p + 36 + 35 = m*p + 71
for 14/b < m < 24: m*p + (d - s) + 36 + (325 - 10*⎣m⎦) = m*p + d - s + 361 - 10*⎣m⎦
for m >= 24: m*p + d - s + 36
New
for m <= 3/b: m*p + 35
for 3/b < m <= 14/b: m*p + 36 + 35 = m*p + 71
for 14/b < m < 24: m*p + (d - s) + 36 + (325 - 10*⎣m⎦) = m*p + d - s + 361 - 10*⎣m⎦
for m >= 24: m*p - 15*(m-24) + d - s + 36 = m*p - 15m + 360 + d - s + 36 = m*p - 15m + d - s + 396
New subsidy model is less expensive than old subsidy model where m > 24
Bring Your Own Device:
Old
m*p + d + 36
New
m*p - 15m + d + 36
New BYOD model is less expensive than old BYOD model where m > 0
Old BYOD model is less expensive than old subsidy model where s < 0
New BYOD model is less expensive than new subsidy model where s < 360
Next plan:
Old
for m <= 14/b: m*p + 35
for m > 14/b: m*p + d
New
for m <= 14/b: m*(p-15) + 35 = m*p - 15m + 35
for m > 14/b: m*(p-15) + d = m*p - 15m + d
New Next plan is less expensive than old Next plan where m > 0
Old Next plan is less expensive than old subsidy model where:
3/b < m <= 14/b and 0 < 36
14/b < m < 24 and s + 10*⎣m⎦ < 361 ⇒ s < 361
m >= 24 and s < 36
New Next plan is less expensive than new subsidy model where:
m <= 3/b and m > 0
3/b < m <= 14/b and m > -2.4
14/b < m < 24 and 15m > s + 10*⎣m⎦ - 361 ⇒ s < 366
m >= 24 and s < 396
Next plans are less expensive than BYOD plans where 0 < 36
New Next plan is less expensive than old subsidy model where:
m >= 24 and 15m > s - 36 ⇒ s < 396
m > 27.6 and s !> 450
r = rebate credit issued for device
Next 12:
for m <= 12: r = 8d/20 = 2d/5
for 12 < m < 20: r = (20 - ⎣m⎦)*d/20
for m >= 20: r = 0
0.40d >= r >= 0.05d
Next 18:
for m <= 18: r = 8d/26 = 4d/13
for 18 < m < 26: r = (26 - ⎣m⎦)*d/26
for m >= 26: r = 0
0.3077d >= r >= 0.0385d
Next 12 offers higher rebate where m < 16
Next 18 offers same or higher rebate where m >= 16
I have 2 lines that currently both have grandfathered unlimited data, 450mins talk, and unlimited text. I'm getting killed @ $200/mo. Been on same plan for years now. Can't wait to switch this up.
looks like a no go for me. 2 iPhones and an iPad. I meet all the criteria though, at least from what their press release says.
Contract or not, you've always been paying $650 for your phone whether it is an iPhone or Android. Your twenty-four month contract has $20 built into your monthly charge to pay back the $450 "discount" they provide you at the time you sign the contract. This is why it is a 24-month contract, they need you locked, obligated, and anchored to them for that time to repay the "discount". That's why the ETF is there if you decide to cancel service or switch carrier.
Are most people who are switching going to buy phone outright or next that have more than 5 lines and upgrade all?
I have 8 lines usually upgrade all. Currently on 15gb 160 a month minus 25% fan plus 8 lines at $30 plus insurance on one plus taxes is about $435 a month.
Under new plan would be $130 minus 25 % fan 8 lines at $15 plus insurance should be a savings of about $150.
Just debating forking out $4400 a year for phones although they would be unlocked so better resale value.
I have 8 lines usually upgrade all. Currently on 15gb 160 a month minus 25% fan plus 8 lines at $30 plus insurance on one plus taxes is about $435 a month.
Under new plan would be $130 minus 25 % fan 8 lines at $15 plus insurance should be a savings of about $150.
Just debating forking out $4400 a year for phones although they would be unlocked so better resale value.
But when you do those subsidized upgrades, you also won't be getting those new phones at $15 a month either; it'll be $40. So you can either pay up front, or have the costs amortized over the life of a contract.
I wanna clarify. You mean I can switch to this and if I later decide to buy a phone on two year subsidy my monthly stays at $15 and DOES NOT go up to $40 a month at that time? Cause that's untrue
That's what the rep told me over and over. She assured me that they received extensive training and she was answering that question all day. To be hones I don't believe it either and may call again in a few days when the dust settles.
But yeah according to her
If you get a new phone you have 2 options
Finance with next and have no contract
2 year contract pay subsidized amount for phone that you've always paid and plan stays at $15
Again I am just as skeptical here, I'm just relaying what I was told
Plus it says right on the site no contract or next $15 commitment $40. So I'm sure the site won't lie.
That's not true.
I'm about to find out since I switched over to the 10 GB plan with three phones (2 iPhones and one old non data phone) and am going to upgrade the old phone to an iPhone. ATT assured me I can do this after signing up for the plan anytime in the future and that line does not increase in cost when I add a subsidized price iPhone and make another two year commitment.
The new plan which comes out today would be $130 for 2 phones with 10GB shared data plus $10 to add an iPad. Total $140.
I'm struggling here.
two reps have told me that my 9 phones will be $40/mo because they're all in a 2-year service agreement.
two reps have told me that my 9 phones will be $15/mo.
According to the AT&T reps I spoke to you still have the same option to upgrade to a subsidized priced phone with a new two year commitment as you have on your old plan.
Isn't the Next plan's benefit you get to upgrade to new every year?