AT&T Rate plans vs competitors (Verizon)

[Wingnut330]

After reading for weeks now that all AT&T users are getting screwed by the new rate plans I decided to chime in because from my perspective the rumored new AT&T plans aren't that bad especially when compared to what I pay at Verizon.

* I pay $224 per month for a family plan with 3,000 minutes and unlimited data on ONE phone.

* Verizon charged $50 / month for their data plan for ONE plan

* Verizon charges me an extra fee for unlimited texts (I can't remember the price)

My point here is that the AT&T isn't doing anything that other carriers aren't. It's awesome that some folks had better deals with AT&T in the past - back when Apple was a part of the rate plan mix. But Apple isn't in the rate plan game anymore - it's all AT&T now and I don't think the new plans are that bad.

AT&T's new rate plan is not going to keep me from cancelling my contract with Verizon that's for sure!

I will likely end up spending the same with the new AT&T plans and have TWO phones with unlimited data packages not to mention all of the other features an iPhone has (VV, OSX integration etc).

I can't wait!

 

[Kupe]

* Verizon charged $50 / month for their data plan for ONE plan

In my experience, it's been $44.95/mo (undiscounted, for the last 4 years) on a family plan and is now $30/mo for many (select) PDA Phones. This is without any messaging.

However, I agree with your post. The AT&T rate plans are reasonable and in line with the industry (unless you're with Rogers in Canada ) - and won't prevent me from switch to AT&T from Verizon either.

 

[Scooterman1]

Yes, AT&T offered better deals in the past. Especially when you dealt with the agent directly, and asked what they could give you extra.

 

[aristobrat]

Verizon and AT&T remind me of two gas stations across the street from each other. Seems like when one changes prices, the other one changes their to match.

FWIW,

T-Mobile's unlimited PDA/smartphone data is $20/month (and includes HotSpots).

Sprint's unlimited PDA/smartphone data is $30/month (and includes unlimited texting).

 

[littlewaywelt]

Verizon
$40/month for unlimited data
2000 free sms messages per month PDASMS2000 plan for Treos

verizon's evdo network has far more coverage than AT&T's 3G network.

 

[Julien]

Yes, AT&T offered better deals in the past...

Same thing can be said for gas and groceries.

 

[aristobrat]

Verizon
$40/month for unlimited data
2000 free sms messages per month PDASMS2000 plan for Treos

How do you get the 2000 free SMS?

If you go thru the process of buying a Treo from www.vzw.com, the only SMS options I see are:

250 messages $5.00/month
500 messages PLUS Unlimited IN Messaging $10.00/month
1500 messages PLUS Unlimited IN Messaging $15.00/month
5000 messages PLUS Unlimited IN Messaging $20.00/month

 

[animenick65]

verizon's evdo network has far more coverage than AT&T's 3G network.

Really? I travel all over Massachusetts and find their EVDO coverage spotty at best.

 

[question fear]

Verizon and AT&T remind me of two gas stations across the street from each other. Seems like when one changes prices, the other one changes their to match.

FWIW,

T-Mobile's unlimited PDA/smartphone data is $20/month (and includes HotSpots).

Sprint's unlimited PDA/smartphone data is $30/month (and includes unlimited texting).

True. But then to further your analogy, Sprint and T-Mobile are like the off-brand gas station that's cheaper but might not be everywhere you go, leaving you stuck at the more expensive station to fill up anyway.

 

[aristobrat]

How do you get the 2000 free SMS?

Oh, never mind. I see from googling it that it's a legacy plan from two years ago meant to handle the situation of when an old version of Microsoft Exchange had to send a SMS to a Windows Mobile device in order to get it to check for new email.

03-17-2006, 03:28 PM

If you have an unlimited data plan, you can get a monthly 2000 text message allotment for free!

The feature is called "PDA SMS 2000 AllOWANCE".

For those of us using AUTD for push-like email, this is a nice feature, as a text message is sent every time a new email arrives. I believe that this feature is designed precisely for use with AUTD, but it just gives you 2000 text messages for whatever purpose you want, and they don't ask whether you're using AUTD.

In fact, as you might guess, the reps are pretty oblivious about this feature, and have to be convinced that it exists. The Wireless Data department is your best bet at 866-788-9387.

YOU MUST TELL THEM THAT YOU HAVE A Microsoft SERVER AT YOUR JOB AND THAT YOU NEED THE 2000 PLAN TO CORRECTLY HANDLE PUSH MAIL

http://pdaphonehome.com/forums/pdap...t-2000-free-text-messages-unlimited-data.html

 

[kdarling]

In my experience, it's been $44.95/mo (undiscounted, for the last 4 years) on a family plan and is now $30/mo for many (select) PDA Phones. This is without any messaging.

This needs to be pointed out again as a public service for the Verizon readers:

Verizon keeps expanding which PDA phones can use the new $30 data plan. It might pay to call and see if the new plan is available on the one you use.

(And if you are eligible for voice plan discounts, the data plan is discounted to $24.)

Moreover, the data plan's terms have apparently dropped the prohibition against apps like SlingBox... although you're still limited to 5GB a month, after which they reserve the right to throttle you down to 200Kbps for a while.

 

[littlewaywelt]

How do you get the 2000 free SMS?

If you go thru the process of buying a Treo from www.vzw.com, the only SMS options I see are:

250 messages $5.00/month
500 messages PLUS Unlimited IN Messaging $10.00/month
1500 messages PLUS Unlimited IN Messaging $15.00/month
5000 messages PLUS Unlimited IN Messaging $20.00/month

You have to have a Windows Mobile Treo. Since their verizon wireless sync process uses a ping to sync they began offering the plan for those that don't have an exchange server. If you go to Treo Central http://discussion.treocentral.com/index.php? you should be able to find some info on the plan. I've had it for about two years. I believe the code for it was PDASMS2000.

 

[know-it-all5]

On ATT with an iphone, do received texts count against your limit? Or can you open unlimited texts, but are just limited in how many you send?

 

[knelto]

On ATT with an iphone, do received texts count against your limit? Or can you open unlimited texts, but are just limited in how many you send?

I believe it's sending AND receiving/opening. One alleviation to this is for people who have a lot of friends on ATT is to ask for their unlimited M2M for texting, it's only $5 a month extra. I've got it and now I never run out of my standard 200 texts.

 

[citron230]

I believe it's sending AND receiving/opening. One alleviation to this is for people who have a lot of friends on ATT is to ask for their unlimited M2M for texting, it's only $5 a month extra. I've got it and now I never run out of my standard 200 texts.

Good to know, I didn't know there was unlimited M2M texting for ATT customers. I think I may go that route rather than the 1500 text messages. 90% of my texts are to ATT customers, so I think this may be a cheaper route for me to go.