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I switched our 5 line iPhone family plan to mobile share plan a few days ago. I also have a 3G iPad 2 that does not have AT&T service. We called (and went to the store) tonight to add the iPad onto the mobile share plan and I was told that there would be a $36 activation fee AND 2 year commitment.

And carriers wonder why we hate them. If they aren't subsidizing a purchase, there's absolutely no reason for a 2 year commitment.
 
These 2 phrases mean he same thing. This argument is pointless. Tethering is now "included at no additional charge". That should be clear enough. Let's move on.

Really? So the fact they have a fee that wasn't there before is "no additional charge".

Barnum & Bailey. Visionary. Whatever dude.
 
Really? So the fact they have a fee that wasn't there before is "no additional charge".

Barnum & Bailey. Visionary. Whatever dude.

Which fee are you referring to? The access fee to add an iPad? Not the same as charging for tethering. If it was, they would charge for adding a laptop as well. (and every other device you tether)

Argue against the access fees, I'll agree with you, but don't categorize it incorrectly as a renaming of the tethering fee.
 
I spoke with customer service and store manager. They both told me I have to pay $36 activation fee and 2 year commitment even though it's my own iPad.
 
I spoke with customer service and store manager. They both told me I have to pay $36 activation fee and 2 year commitment even though it's my own iPad.

They're wrong. Yes to the $36 activation fee, but no to the 2 year commitment. I'd bet my house on this that I'm right.
 
I'm not going to take a chance on that or go running around different stores until I find somebody. I don't disagree with you. I just activated 2 iPhones a few months ago that I brought in myself with no activation fee or commitment.

With tethering included I've decided to just tether instead.
 
Great saving

Just switched to the new mobile share plan for a saving of $17.
Old plan was 700 minute, unlimited text with 4 phones of 3gig data. That was $60+$30+($30x4)+(10x3)= $240. We then had 21% discount bringing price down to $202.
New plan is 10gig with 4 phones, $120 + $90= $210 and then the discount is only off the $120 main data plan (not each device added) so that brings my price to $185!
Great new plan for us.
 
I'm not going to take a chance on that or go running around different stores until I find somebody. I don't disagree with you. I just activated 2 iPhones a few months ago that I brought in myself with no activation fee or commitment.

With tethering included I've decided to just tether instead.

That all sounds wrong, I would try calling again and talking to someone different. I hate to say it but some of the customer service people don't understand the new plan well.

The purpose of the contract is mostly to recover the cost on the device. When you get a $600 iPhone for $199, the carriers have to make that back. However, with your own gear, that doesn't apply. If your iPad was not purchased on a contract, you don't need a contract. I have an iPad that I purchased from Best Buy on my plan. I also just called 611 to confirm that.

If you call back and they tell you the same thing, private message me and I'll get you contact info for a manager.
 
Just switched to the new mobile share plan for a saving of $17.
Old plan was 700 minute, unlimited text with 4 phones of 3gig data. That was $60+$30+($30x4)+(10x3)= $240. We then had 21% discount bringing price down to $202.
New plan is 10gig with 4 phones, $120 + $90= $210 and then the discount is only off the $120 main data plan (not each device added) so that brings my price to $185!
Great new plan for us.

10gig is $120 but 4 phones is also $120 ($30 x 4) so you will be paying $215, I believe, unless my math is off :)
 
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10gig is $120 but 4 phones is also $120 ($30 x 4) so you will be paying $215, I believe, unless my math is off :)

Th first phone is included in the data plan, so $120 is for 10 gigs and one phone, then 3 x $30 for the rest. At first I didn't realize that one phone is included in the plans price until I called them.
 
Okay, so it turned out to be great. Now all 3 lines can tether. I'm paying $180 for 10GB W/Unlimited talk, text and tethering. Pretty good to me AT&T. Plus the guy messed up my bill and gave me a $75 credit. I'm pretty happy right now. :D

I actually think this plan is for people that were paying "too much". Plus, the shareable data gives the incintive that you might buy a 3g/lte enabled tablet.

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Th first phone is included in the data plan, so $120 is for 10 gigs and one phone, then 3 x $30 for the rest. At first I didn't realize that one phone is included in the plans price until I called them.

Wait, it is?! I was told otherwise.
 
Th first phone is included in the data plan, so $120 is for 10 gigs and one phone, then 3 x $30 for the rest. At first I didn't realize that one phone is included in the plans price until I called them.

If that is the case then atts online calculator is wrong. I think the person on the phone is wrong but would be great of he/she is right.
 
I switched our 5 line iPhone family plan to mobile share plan a few days ago. I also have a 3G iPad 2 that does not have AT&T service. We called (and went to the store) tonight to add the iPad onto the mobile share plan and I was told that there would be a $36 activation fee AND 2 year commitment.

Someone lied to you. You only do that when they are subsidizing something.
 
Th first phone is included in the data plan, so $120 is for 10 gigs and one phone, then 3 x $30 for the rest. At first I didn't realize that one phone is included in the plans price until I called them.

Would be nice, but this is definitely wrong. I'm on the new Mobile Share plan at 10GB with 5 lines and all 5 lines are added on in addition to the shared data plan. ($120 for 10GB plan + 5x$30).
 
Would be nice, but this is definitely wrong. I'm on the new Mobile Share plan at 10GB with 5 lines and all 5 lines are added on in addition to the shared data plan. ($120 for 10GB plan + 5x$30).

Something is weird here.

I have 3 (10gb)lines with a 21% discount....and my month bill is going to be $155/mo.:confused:

UNLESS the FAN is messing stuff up.
 
Th first phone is included in the data plan, so $120 is for 10 gigs and one phone, then 3 x $30 for the rest. At first I didn't realize that one phone is included in the plans price until I called them.

That is very definitely not right -- there are no phones included with the $120. That's the price for data alone. I have the same situation as you -- 4 phones on the 10GB plan. My line is the main one & I have the CSS for my line. It is $120 for the shared data & $30 for the phone.
 
Something is weird here.

I have 3 (10gb)lines with a 21% discount....and my month bill is going to be $155/mo.:confused:

UNLESS the FAN is messing stuff up.

I know FAN can vary in rates (mine is only 15%), but some have also said it varies in what it applies to. Previously the FAN applied to my Family plan core (meaning the $xx amount for the family plan with first line included in that price that showed on the bill) and also any iPhone data plans (my $30 unlimited and also each $25 2GB plan for the kids). It did not apply to feature phone lines. My understanding of the new Mobile Share plan is that the FAN will apply to the core data plan (for me, 15% off of the $120 10GB plan) but would not apply to any of the $30 cost of the 5 phones added onto the plan.

Also, you may not have meant it this way and I don't mean to be picky about semantics, but the way you've worded things is a bit confusing. You don't have 3 (10gb) lines in Mobile Share, but rather you have 3 lines sharing a 10GB data pool. Again, not trying to be picky, but just wanted to make sure we were on the same page.
 
I know FAN can vary in rates (mine is only 15%), but some have also said it varies in what it applies to. Previously the FAN applied to my Family plan core (meaning the $xx amount for the family plan with first line included in that price that showed on the bill) and also any iPhone data plans (my $30 unlimited and also each $25 2GB plan for the kids). It did not apply to feature phone lines. My understanding of the new Mobile Share plan is that the FAN will apply to the core data plan (for me, 15% off of the $120 10GB plan) but would not apply to any of the $30 cost of the 5 phones added onto the plan.

Also, you may not have meant it this way and I don't mean to be picky about semantics, but the way you've worded things is a bit confusing. You don't have 3 (10gb) lines in Mobile Share, but rather you have 3 lines sharing a 10GB data pool. Again, not trying to be picky, but just wanted to make sure we were on the same page.

You know what I meant :rolleyes:. Of course I know it's a shared pool, like Verizon. The 10GB WAS EXTRA info.
 
But that's not data only. That $190 is all inclusive.

Um, no.

Re-read my post: I figured the numbers for the data portion only since the additional cost for the voice portion is identical for both scenarios (current business plan and new AT&T pricing).

I can see now that the new plan will work for some people but in my case it's a lose-lose.
 
And carriers wonder why we hate them. If they aren't subsidizing a purchase, there's absolutely no reason for a 2 year commitment.

Go to a store and see if you get the same answer.

Also, with the shared data, I think tethering to an iPhone is free now. You could tether the data from the iPad to the iPhone for $0 per month (instead of $10).

I was wondering about activation fees, but usually I can get a local store to waive them...

Gary

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They both said it is required whether it is subsidized or not due to my FAN discount.

What parts of the shared data plan are covered by the FAN discount?

Gary

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I contacted AT&T and said that these new plans only help those with many devices and does a disservice to those with 1-2 devices.

For me it looked close for savings on my 2 iPhone plan with an iPad (just depended where the data was). 3-4 phones, seemed to clearly have some savings. If I tethered the iPad to the iPhone and not it's own $10 addition, it was clearly a savings.

Gary
 
Don't know if anyone will come back to read this but here are my experiences with the shared data plan.

1). My son's company is owned by AT&T so he gets a discount. The discount on the shared data plans don't apply to the 15G but do apply to the 10G

2). We have 4 phones (3 unlimited, 1 3G) and 3 iPads (3G each). Unlimited texting and I dont remember how many minutes because we never came close due to rollover.

3). Our total bill was running right at $300/month.

4). Out of the total data we had we used about 1G/month total on all 4 phones. 2 of the iPads were using about 1/2G per month unless we were traveling and then we used more. (yes, I know we could have changed the plans back and forth but since we didn't always know it would have been a hassle), the other iPad used all the data (3G) in half the month (that's the one the grandkids use, usually in the car).

We moved to the 10G plan. Although we have less data we can use it where we need it the most, the iPads. And if we need additional data it's $10/G.

Our total bill is now $200/month (including the discount).

Whoopee

I had to add two of the iPads to the plan because we were buying the data separately each month. I call AT&T and via a 20 min call they cancelled the current data plan (which were expiring so I didn't lose any data), reissued new phone numbers (so I didn't need new sims), and waived the activation fee.

Have to say, I know many may not like the new plans but for my family it's a definite win.
 
For those who have received their bill since switching to the shared data plan, can you confirm the FAN discount is still active?
 
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