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AT&T Offers $100 Bill Credit for New Next Line Activations
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Actually Verizon opted to not have it, this was what Verizon told me. I bought an iPhone 5S for my work line. I have a iPhone 5 on my Perosnal AT&T line. Watching the drop to 1X was annoying then the only doing data when I used the Hotspot. As a resulted I returned and went to a Note 3.
As for ATT Next I have used it and paid the phone off in 3 months. I will use on my IPhone 6 and that line will be out of contract at launch.
Math
T-Mobile has 4 lines with 2.5GB high-speed data & unlimited mins/text for $100/mo. I pay $86, incl. tax (with my loyalty discounts) plus I get service for one iPad with a small amount of data for free.
I generally buy used phones that are about 1.5 to 2 years old for $200-$250. Currently all four lines have the 4S which are fast enough and do everything we need with no issues.
You cannot beat that math. Period. Plus data and text are FREE when traveling overseas and calls are only 20¢/min which has saved me big $$$.
Only caveat? T-Mobile data can suck outside of major metro areas. Although this is steadily improving, it can be a serious pain when driving in between cities.
T-Mobile has 4 lines with 2.5GB high-speed data & unlimited mins/text for $100/mo. I pay $86, incl. tax (with my loyalty discounts) plus I get service for one iPad with a small amount of data for free.
I generally buy used phones that are about 1.5 to 2 years old for $200-$250. Currently all four lines have the 4S which are fast enough and do everything we need with no issues.
You cannot beat that math. Period. Plus data and text are FREE when traveling overseas and calls are only 20¢/min which has saved me big $$$.
Only caveat? T-Mobile data can suck outside of major metro areas.
Although this is steadily improving, it can be a serious pain when driving in between cities.It can even suck in metro areas. I get no service at all with T-Mobile inside my house (while no issues with Verizon or AT&T) and have to move at least a few feet away outside the house to get a signal--and the coverage in the area is fairly good overall too. But, that alone pretty much trumps any and all math right there unfortunately.T-Mobile has 4 lines with 2.5GB high-speed data & unlimited mins/text for $100/mo. I pay $86, incl. tax (with my loyalty discounts) plus I get service for one iPad with a small amount of data for free.
I generally buy used phones that are about 1.5 to 2 years old for $200-$250. Currently all four lines have the 4S which are fast enough and do everything we need with no issues.
You cannot beat that math. Period. Plus data and text are FREE when traveling overseas and calls are only 20¢/min which has saved me big $$$.
Only caveat? T-Mobile data can suck outside of major metro areas.
Help-I am wary of NEXT even though I will pay off early
I think I am going to switch to AT&T (from Sprint) and get six iPhone 6s for my family. I tried the T-Mobile test phone, but didn't have great signal at my house (no signal at all in the basement). Maybe in another year or two I can switch to them when they fully upgrade all of their towers.
I told the AT&T salesman that I would buy all six phones unlocked from the Apple online store and then bring them in to do the plan switching (10GB mobile shared plan with the company discount comes to $166 plus tax per month or $188 for 15GB). I have been paying Sprint $315 a month with unlimited data and so-so network speed. 3 of the 6 lines are out of contract and 3 are halfway through. So I anticipate having to pay about a $400 early termination fee.
He recommended I sign up for AT&T NEXT for 4 of the phones to get the $100 promotion ($400 back total) and then after 45 days I can go ahead pay it all off. Since I am willing to pay for all the phones outright at the beginning, then this is one way to get some money back according to him.
Is there any negative catch to this?? I am wary for some reason. I want no contracts or hidden gotchas...Can you tell I don't trust the companies?!
Thanks! Opinions welcome--
I think I am going to switch to AT&T (from Sprint) and get six iPhone 6s for my family. I tried the T-Mobile test phone, but didn't have great signal at my house (no signal at all in the basement). Maybe in another year or two I can switch to them when they fully upgrade all of their towers.
I told the AT&T salesman that I would buy all six phones unlocked from the Apple online store and then bring them in to do the plan switching (10GB mobile shared plan with the company discount comes to $166 plus tax per month or $188 for 15GB). I have been paying Sprint $315 a month with unlimited data and so-so network speed. 3 of the 6 lines are out of contract and 3 are halfway through. So I anticipate having to pay about a $400 early termination fee.
He recommended I sign up for AT&T NEXT for 4 of the phones to get the $100 promotion ($400 back total) and then after 45 days I can go ahead pay it all off. Since I am willing to pay for all the phones outright at the beginning, then this is one way to get some money back according to him.
Is there any negative catch to this?? I am wary for some reason. I want no contracts or hidden gotchas...Can you tell I don't trust the companies?!
Thanks! Opinions welcome--
As someone that works for AT&T and gets no commission on any thing you do I have to say the next program is actually a pretty good deal.I understand people are use to paying the subsidized cost plus activation fee but what you don't see are the extra charges tacked on to your monthly bill for us to regain the money back on the phone since we have to buy it from the manufacturer at full cost which is the cost you would see on the next program. On the mobile share value plans we give discounts on the plan if you are ether out of contract or on the next because we don't have to gain back the money from the phone and the cost are more in the open. If you take a look at this page http://attcalc.com/next/#calculate it will show you the cost difference between the next program and the 2 year contract while on the mobile share value plans. For 6gb and below the discount is only $15 but on 10gb and above the discount comes out to $25 per line which equals out to $600 over 24 months. So if you got the phone at the lower cost and lost your discount you may pay 199.99 for the phone plus tax and $40 activation fee but then over the 2 years you would pay an extra $600 which would bring you up to about $860 over the period of time. I work for customer care so we never make any money on sales so I only say this to educated you on exactly how the figures are run and how it could benefit you in the long run.
If it is cheaper, then my payments will come down?
I have 3 subsidized iPhones on the ATT 15 gb share plan.. My contract is up in October. If I buy 3 subsidized phones and continue as I am, I'll be paying around 310 per month. If I go with 3 phones on the next plan using 18 month option, what will my payment be? Although I do have the AT&T insurance currently, this time I won't get that but will get AppleCare on the three phones
I guess I should call 611 to find out if you don't have an easy answer... But thanks for your post
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You can check online what the monthly Next payment would be for the phones you are interested in, and then subtract $25 from it as that is the discount you would get for being on Next on a current share plan with 10 GB or more.
T-Mobile Personal CellSpot
Did you see this?
Did you see this?
The company has also deployed a new product for customers who have bad cellular reception in their homes. The T-Mobile Personal CellSpot is a Wi-Fi router that can be used as a primary router or alongside an existing router, prioritizing voice calls and offering HD audio quality for calls. It has 802.11ac support, USB 3.0 ports, and covers up to 3,000 square feet.
tmobilecellspot
T-Mobile plans to begin selling the Personal CellSpot on September 17. It is available to be leased for free with a $25 refundable deposit, but customers can also purchase it outright for $99. T-Mobile will also be allowing one time upgrades for customers to get a Wi-Fi enabled phone, even those who are not signed up for the JUMP program.
tmobilecellspot
T-Mobile plans to begin selling the Personal CellSpot on September 17. It is available to be leased for free with a $25 refundable deposit, but customers can also purchase it outright for $99. T-Mobile will also be allowing one time upgrades for customers to get a Wi-Fi enabled phone, even those who are not signed up for the JUMP program.
That's great, but what if I'm in someone else's house where this isn't there and perhaps no WiFi even, and there's no reception then? A somewhat likely possibility, while hasn't happened yet in a decade with Verizon (which hasn't even needed that, in my case at least).Did you see this?
The company has also deployed a new product for customers who have bad cellular reception in their homes. The T-Mobile Personal CellSpot is a Wi-Fi router that can be used as a primary router or alongside an existing router, prioritizing voice calls and offering HD audio quality for calls. It has 802.11ac support, USB 3.0 ports, and covers up to 3,000 square feet.
tmobilecellspot
T-Mobile plans to begin selling the Personal CellSpot on September 17. It is available to be leased for free with a $25 refundable deposit, but customers can also purchase it outright for $99. T-Mobile will also be allowing one time upgrades for customers to get a Wi-Fi enabled phone, even those who are not signed up for the JUMP program.
If you click the link above it would tell you what you would save. Simple fact of the matter you are going to pay at least $25 per month more on your service every month unless you buy it outright weather it be for the installment plan or because you chose to sign a contract and not get the 25$ credit. if you buy the phone at $199 plus upgrade fee at $40 plus tax you are looking about 235$ in all plus 600$ over 24 months that you lose in credits for signing the contract so you are looking at over 800$ over the 2 years instead of 649$ . But if you want someone to look at your account and explained all that I agree with the other poster you could always dial 611 and they can go based on your particular account.
I called yesterday, and after 30 minutes, I was scratching my head even more. But it sounded like with either option from ATT my payments will go up 100 plus dollars per month.
I'm now convinced that I should by the phones full price from Apple and just swap out sims, keeping the plan as is. Will that work?
Guess what... you'll live if that happens.
God forbid you don't have reception for every second of every day. The world will go to pieces without you, I guess. You originally presented a problem at your home and there's the solution.Instead of workarounds and hoping for the best in other places, there's a simpler solution that I've already been employing for years--going with a carrier that actually provides good coverage at my house and all the other places I'm usually at or might go to, and pretty much everything in between.Guess what... you'll live if that happens.
First let me preface this by saying I am not an ATT employee but just customer. This is the new policy set forth by the 2 major carriers: ATT and Verizon. They will no longer "eat" the subsidized amounts, they WILL get their full price for the phone in some way shape or form. I can only speak for ATT as I have not done any research or am a customer for V. The example below pertains to a base iPhone 6 (16GB) for argument's sake.
From now on, Att no longer cares if you are in a contract. You will be forced into a contract under these two conditions: (A) You want to do an "early upgrade" roughly 1/2 way through your 2 year contract by paying upfront a $250 early upgrade fee +40.00 activation fee, on top of the subsidized price of your iPhone ($199.00). (B) You want to do a "standard" upgrade at the end of your current 2 year contract which will cost you upfront +$40 activation fee + subsidized iPhone ($199.00). (*This is important) because you paid subsidized price of ($199.00), your monthly "line" charge, which everyone pays at every telecom, costs $40.00/monthly (for 2 years duration).
From now on, Att no longer cares if you are in a contract. You will be forced into a contract under these two conditions: (A) You want to do an "early upgrade" roughly 1/2 way through your 2 year contract by paying upfront a $250 early upgrade fee +40.00 activation fee, on top of the subsidized price of your iPhone ($199.00). (B) You want to do a "standard" upgrade at the end of your current 2 year contract which will cost you upfront +$40 activation fee + subsidized iPhone ($199.00). (*This is important) because you paid subsidized price of ($199.00), your monthly "line" charge, which everyone pays at every telecom, costs $40.00/monthly (for 2 years duration).
First let me preface this by saying I am not an ATT employee but just customer. This is the new policy set forth by the 2 major carriers: ATT and Verizon. They will no longer "eat" the subsidized amounts, they WILL get their full price for the phone in some way shape or form. I can only speak for ATT as I have not done any research or am a customer for V. The example below pertains to a base iPhone 6 (16GB) for argument's sake.
From now on, Att no longer cares if you are in a contract. You will be forced into a contract under these two conditions: (A) You want to do an "early upgrade" roughly 1/2 way through your 2 year contract by paying upfront a $250 early upgrade fee +40.00 activation fee, on top of the subsidized price of your iPhone ($199.00). (B) You want to do a "standard" upgrade at the end of your current 2 year contract which will cost you upfront +$40 activation fee + subsidized iPhone ($199.00). (*This is important) because you paid subsidized price of ($199.00), your monthly "line" charge, which everyone pays at every telecom, costs $40.00/monthly (for 2 years duration)..
That means for you, early and standard upgrade people who pay a subsidized price of ($199.00), your final costs if you are
Early upgrade (A): 199.99+250.00 early up fee+40.00 act fee+(40Line fee x24months=) 960.00=$1,449+data package/talk/msg
Standard upgrade(B): 199.00+40.00 act fee+(40Line fee x24months=)960.00= $1,199+data pkg/talk/msg
Next 12 plan: Up front No activation fee (save 40.00), taxes for total unsubsidized price (around $50), around 32.00/monthly for the phone over *20 months (total: 640.00)+ *15.00Line fee x20months (300.00)= $990+data pkg/talk/msg.
Summary:
(A) $1449.00 + data pkg/talk/msg *early upgrade 2yr contract
(B) $1199.00 + data pkg/talk/msg *standard upgrade 2yr contract
(C) $990.00 + data pkg/talk/msg *NEXT 12 *No contract, 20 month payment commitment (after 12 months you can trade in your phone and upgrade for free as long as you stay out of contract and NEXT up again
*Yes it's true you have a phone you can trade in but you're breaking even compared to NEXT if you get around $200 Gazelle.com. With NEXT- if you stay with commitment for 20 months your phone is yours. So think about it.
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What you guys are not factoring in is the LINE CHARGE-
With subsidized price of $199.00 you pay $40/monthly LINE CHARGEx 24months (2 year contract)
NEXT12 plan you pay $15/monthly LINE CHARGEx 20months (NO contract)
From now on, Att no longer cares if you are in a contract. You will be forced into a contract under these two conditions: (A) You want to do an "early upgrade" roughly 1/2 way through your 2 year contract by paying upfront a $250 early upgrade fee +40.00 activation fee, on top of the subsidized price of your iPhone ($199.00). (B) You want to do a "standard" upgrade at the end of your current 2 year contract which will cost you upfront +$40 activation fee + subsidized iPhone ($199.00). (*This is important) because you paid subsidized price of ($199.00), your monthly "line" charge, which everyone pays at every telecom, costs $40.00/monthly (for 2 years duration)..
That means for you, early and standard upgrade people who pay a subsidized price of ($199.00), your final costs if you are
Early upgrade (A): 199.99+250.00 early up fee+40.00 act fee+(40Line fee x24months=) 960.00=$1,449+data package/talk/msg
Standard upgrade(B): 199.00+40.00 act fee+(40Line fee x24months=)960.00= $1,199+data pkg/talk/msg
Next 12 plan: Up front No activation fee (save 40.00), taxes for total unsubsidized price (around $50), around 32.00/monthly for the phone over *20 months (total: 640.00)+ *15.00Line fee x20months (300.00)= $990+data pkg/talk/msg.
Summary:
(A) $1449.00 + data pkg/talk/msg *early upgrade 2yr contract
(B) $1199.00 + data pkg/talk/msg *standard upgrade 2yr contract
(C) $990.00 + data pkg/talk/msg *NEXT 12 *No contract, 20 month payment commitment (after 12 months you can trade in your phone and upgrade for free as long as you stay out of contract and NEXT up again
*Yes it's true you have a phone you can trade in but you're breaking even compared to NEXT if you get around $200 Gazelle.com. With NEXT- if you stay with commitment for 20 months your phone is yours. So think about it.
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What you guys are not factoring in is the LINE CHARGE-
With subsidized price of $199.00 you pay $40/monthly LINE CHARGEx 24months (2 year contract)
NEXT12 plan you pay $15/monthly LINE CHARGEx 20months (NO contract)
Also with NEXT12, after 20 months you have a phone and can trade it in sooner compared to 24 months (2 year contract), presumably your iPhone will hold more value at 20 months as opposed to 24 months. Also under NEXT12 plan, you pay $300total LINE fee ($15 over 20months) as opposed to $960total LINE fee ($40 over 24months -2 year contract).
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And NEXT12 is interest free. Theyre just breaking up the full unsubsidized price of the iphone over 20 month payment period.
**The absolute best bet is to get a deal on an unlocked iphone 6 -under $850.00 and switch out sims where applicable. AMAZON has them for lowest price I've seen around $819.00. The point of NEXT is Att will let you break up payments over a period of time cause most people can't afford $800 iPhone. Also, Att makes out when you want to upgrade and trade phone in at 12 months (*NEXT12), if you really got to have next iteration. But best bet is pay for a little lower than full cost of phone up front or take advantage of NEXT, but keep for 20 months and keep iPhone and never do NEXT and you will stay at NO CONTRACT rule and get $15 LINE charge in to the future.
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Unlimited sounds great on paper, but if your network is slow who cares if it's unlimited. I don't like Att that much, but their data service/speed is excellent in my coverage. Trust me when I say my network is way faster than yours and although my data is capped at 10GB, I'm not using nearly that amount of even close to it and I'm paying way less than or similar to your UNLimited plan. Also most companies will throttle you at some point usually around 2 or 3 GB, so when bottleneck on you and your network is slow, that's blah. Unlimited is just good marketing.
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And NEXT12 is interest free. Theyre just breaking up the full unsubsidized price of the iphone over 20 month payment period.
**The absolute best bet is to get a deal on an unlocked iphone 6 -under $850.00 and switch out sims where applicable. AMAZON has them for lowest price I've seen around $819.00. The point of NEXT is Att will let you break up payments over a period of time cause most people can't afford $800 iPhone. Also, Att makes out when you want to upgrade and trade phone in at 12 months (*NEXT12), if you really got to have next iteration. But best bet is pay for a little lower than full cost of phone up front or take advantage of NEXT, but keep for 20 months and keep iPhone and never do NEXT and you will stay at NO CONTRACT rule and get $15 LINE charge in to the future.
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Unlimited sounds great on paper, but if your network is slow who cares if it's unlimited. I don't like Att that much, but their data service/speed is excellent in my coverage. Trust me when I say my network is way faster than yours and although my data is capped at 10GB, I'm not using nearly that amount of even close to it and I'm paying way less than or similar to your UNLimited plan. Also most companies will throttle you at some point usually around 2 or 3 GB, so when bottleneck on you and your network is slow, that's blah. Unlimited is just good marketing.
Don't forget also that iOS8 enabled Wifi calling for TMobile, so you don't have to have their router to do it; most Wifi connections would work.
It's surprising how many people don't do the math with AT&T when deciding to either take the $199 subsidized deal or get the phone on NEXT/Pay up front.
They only see $199 and think they are getting a great deal, not realizing they are paying $40/mo for service vs. $15/mo on NEXT or Pay up front. That's an extra $600 over the 2yrs, plus the $200 they paid for the subsidized phone, that "good deal" is now $800 vs $649 had they just bought it outright.
I have 8 phones on my plan, none are under contract, and my iPhone 6 was purchased outright so as to get the best deal.
They only see $199 and think they are getting a great deal, not realizing they are paying $40/mo for service vs. $15/mo on NEXT or Pay up front. That's an extra $600 over the 2yrs, plus the $200 they paid for the subsidized phone, that "good deal" is now $800 vs $649 had they just bought it outright.
I have 8 phones on my plan, none are under contract, and my iPhone 6 was purchased outright so as to get the best deal.
After taxes and the carrier junk fees, the difference between the subsidized contract and buying the phone outright is probably less than $100. I can understand a person going the contract route, especially if they are happy with their carrier and don't want to shell out a bunch of money all at one time.