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AT&T's 'Mobile Share' Service Plans Launching August 23

derondantzler said:
Negatives:
No visual voice mail, no tethering, no MMS. Can be resolved with Jailbreak.
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No LTE.
No guarantee of rates/terms not changing.

I'd imagine most iPhone owners don't care today about the lack of LTE, but I see this becoming a deciding factor for many when there is an LTE iPhone.

Since Straight Talk doesn't do contracts, you're free to leave at any time, and they're free to change their rates/terms each month that you re-purchase their service. I'm hoping that they don't just drop their data cap from 2GB to 1GB, like Red Pocket recently did, but there's nothing stopping them from doing that.

Straight Talk is currently a great money saver, if you can live with the negatives.
 
butterfly0fdoom said:
No, the upgrade to $30 was because AT&T's data plans for subsidized smartphones consisted of a single option at the time: $30 for unlimited data. Because the original iPhone was not subsidized, AT&T offered the iPhone with a less-expensive option since there was no subsidy cost to recoup.
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That’s why I said ostensibly.
 
Tronic said:
With an iPhone, blackberry and two iPads, I stand to save $35-$50 per month after after taxes considering my employee discount will now be applied to the total bill. (confirmed by csr last week)
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I thought I just read the opposite about the FAN discount, it was the data part only and no discount on the device.

Right now I believe I get the discount on my unlimited data and the 450 plan, but not the $20 text part. My understanding is that if I switch to a tiered plan, I do not get it on the $30 3gb, but I would get it with the $50 5gb plan.

With these new shared plans, it is not clear to me if i would get a fan discount on the phone, the data, or both. (Text is included already, so no factor). It is also not clear if other devices, (tablets, computers) get the fan discount.

I would imagine in a few days AT&T will post something official about it, before the actual release of the shared data plan.
 
derondantzler said:
Here's a little math for my 2 iPhones:

Straight Talk:

$495 Unlimited * 2 = $990 / 12 = $82.50/mo.
$200 iPhone 5 * 2 = $400
$325 AT&T Termination * 2 = $650

Assuming 2 years of usage (2 year contract):

$3030 total cost of ownership / 24 = $126.25/mo.

ATT:

Yearly service (see earlier post) = $1800 / 12 = $150/mo.
$200 iPhone 5 * 2 = $400

Assuming 2 years of usage (2 year contract):

$4000 total cost of ownership / 24 = $166.67/mo.

Savings:
$40.42/mo. * 24 = $970.08

Negatives:
No visual voice mail, no tethering, no MMS. Can be resolved with Jailbreak.

Summary:
Something to seriously consider. There are a lot of upfront costs to achieve those rates, though you could stick with the $45/mo. option instead of the $495/yr. ($41.25/yr.) option.
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Your math is a little off. You factored one new phone over 2 years with at&t but two new phones over 2 years with ST
 
PDXoPDX said:
Paying $120 now for two iPhones, 3Gb data on one and unlimited data on the other. I thought that was overpriced, but I guess not 😱
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Is that after taxes? I'm curious because I have two iPhones with unlimited and 2Gb and I'm paying $156 after taxes.
 
Cable bills got ridiculous. I canceled cable and still have a good life without it.

Got Netflix streaming with one disc per month. Then they jacked up the price. Now I have streaming only, and still have a good life without it.

I have two iPhones and I'm happy with them. Dear AT&T, please grandfather in my old plans. Otherwise, I'll have a good life without (you guessed it) my iPhones too.

Thanks.
 
Just did a little bit of the math here and it doesn't seem like much of a savings.

According to the ATT page, it's $40 for the 1gb mobile share + $45 + $45 for the two smartphones we have. That's $130. With FAN discount 21% that's about $103 (excluding taxes).
According to their site, the mobile share comes with Unlimited talk and text.

On my current Family plan 550 min, we pay $50 + $9.99 + $30 for 4G data (3gb) and $25 for iPhone data (2gb). That's about $115. If I add unlimited Family texting that's an additional $30, bringing it to $145. With FAN discount 21% that's about $115.


So $103 (1 gb to share + unlimited talk/text) vs $115 (3gb and 2gb for each phone respectively, + 550 min + unlimited text)

It's kinda tough. Unlimited talk/text might be nice, we don't use much data (less than 1gb combined per mo.), but I would lose 4 gbs of data play-time for a measely $12 in savings. 😡
 
DakotaGuy said:
How is this Google's fault? It seems to me that unlimited went away at AT&T after their network became saturated with iPhones and at Verizon when the iPhone showed up. If anything the popularity of the iPhone is what sold us out.
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Exactly. The iPhone popularity killed the unlimited plans.

Not to mention that before Apple proved that people would put up with a mandatory data plan, they were not required. Lots of folks used to buy a smartphone and use the data part just on WiFi.

As for the myth that Apple "took power from the carriers"... Apple bent over backwards for years to all of AT&T's "suggestions" about keeping data hungry apps locked to WiFi.

The primary change that Apple made was to create their own walled garden and keep it tighter than any the carriers had made (prior to the iPhone, smartphones could download software from anywhere).
 
We're paying $262.50 for 5 iPhones (3@5gb, 1@200mb, 1@ 300mb) and unlimited text, with 25% discount.

With the shared plan, we can get 10gb at $90 (discounted) and 5 lines @ $150 line charge for a total of $240. Out of our 5 lines, only 1 (mine) really use significant data. Shared plan works better for us and save us money.
 
Let's see...1) more expensive plans 2) smaller discounts for contract upgrades/renewals 3) Mandatory upgrade fee 4) dwindling employer discounts

VZW and ATT can shove it. I have VZ with 5 lines. I'll keep my unlimited $30/month plan with 23% discount off of the entire bill until they offer something enticing. 😡
 
Its actually funny how much ATT and VZ think they can charge people now. Unfortunately, theyre right. So many VZ and ATT customers love their stupid service that they refuse to look anywhere else no matter how much these companies stick it to them. For $40-45 a month, you can get a prepaid GSM phone and get a solid 2 gbs of data (plus throttled after that), unlimited talk and text using the same towers. For the same price, you get one GB of data on ATT- not even including the right to use it, thats another $40. Why are people still going for this crap?
 
i do not understand why people quote things either before or after taxes. Taxes vary by location.

All comparisons should be BEFORE taxes.

Right?
 
iEvolution said:
That is pretty sad, you could actually get a pretty good (used) car for the price you pay for 2 years worth of cell phone + data plans. Something is seriously wrong with this picture. Through in a typical 5 year loan and you'd have over $8,000 that could go towards a car rather than a show for nothing cell phone.

I think the most ridiculous aspect is the fact you still end up paying close to retail on the nicer phones when you sign another two year contract. I've been using the 3rd party market for cell phones just on the simple fact these companies are such a rip-off (all of them).
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Yep...most people do not realize how much they are paying over 2 years let alone 4-6-8 years...it IS a huge amount like you said.

Meanwhile, $20 prepaid phone = $240 year. It does everything I need which is make calls. The rest I do on an iPad considering everywhere you go has WiFi now.

npro1464 said:
Its actually funny how much ATT and VZ think they can charge people now. Unfortunately, theyre right. So many VZ and ATT customers love their stupid service that they refuse to look anywhere else no matter how much these companies stick it to them. For $40-45 a month, you can get a prepaid GSM phone and get a solid 2 gbs of data (plus throttled after that), unlimited talk and text using the same towers. For the same price, you get one GB of data on ATT- not even including the right to use it, thats another $40. Why are people still going for this crap?
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Because most people are lazy and honestly stupid. I had a huge argument about this at work one day at the lunch table and explaining to people how much they are paying and how they are really getting screwed over and their typical response is that they need their iPhone and the plans and my reply back is..do you REALLY need that as a necessity (like say a sales person or emergency response, etc) or just because you really feel naked with out and most to me had a real hard time justifying their 'need'. Most are only in their car for less then 45 min and I asked..do you REALLY need data then..you can't go without your phone having for 45 min to and from work? Wifi at home..wifi at work and other places.

I explained to them that they could go to another carrier and get on a cheaper plan and just buy the phone upfront...too much work according to them. I guess saving $1500+ a year is too much work for most.
 
nostresshere said:
i do not understand why people quote things either before or after taxes. Taxes vary by location.

All comparisons should be BEFORE taxes.

Right?
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Correct, so as posted before, take the tax & fees amount from your bill and add it to the new total to see a more realistic total. Not exact, but closer to actual.
 
So if they still allow us to keep our grandfathered unlimited plans, will we still get 5GB of lte data before they throttle?
 
No point quoting anyone. Nearly all of the complainers are confused. Just because you have 3 phones with 2GB plans now, does not mean you need 6GB of shared data. Look at how much you are actually using. For most people it is likely less than 2GB total (for the group above). If you have a 3G iPad this is becoming a no-brainier.

If you are any plan using more than like 600 shared minutes today, it is a complete no-brainier.

I know people will come and claim the use the full 2GB on every phone, every month. Those are people just to lazy to look up their actual usage.

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noripwr said:
Just did a little bit of the math here and it doesn't seem like much of a savings.

According to the ATT page, it's $40 for the 1gb mobile share + $45 + $45 for the two smartphones we have. That's $130. With FAN discount 21% that's about $103 (excluding taxes).
According to their site, the mobile share comes with Unlimited talk and text.

On my current Family plan 550 min, we pay $50 + $9.99 + $30 for 4G data (3gb) and $25 for iPhone data (2gb). That's about $115. If I add unlimited Family texting that's an additional $30, bringing it to $145. With FAN discount 21% that's about $115.


So $103 (1 gb to share + unlimited talk/text) vs $115 (3gb and 2gb for each phone respectively, + 550 min + unlimited text)

It's kinda tough. Unlimited talk/text might be nice, we don't use much data (less than 1gb combined per mo.), but I would lose 4 gbs of data play-time for a measely $12 in savings. 😡
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You are also comparing unlimited voice to 550 min voice.

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nostresshere said:
Okay, maybe I am stupid.

I have 4 iphones.

Two at $30 unlimited data
Two at $25 for 2gb

We never go over our allotment. The unlimited would be fine at 1gb and save money. I just hate to give up that "grandfathered" unlimited. Probably stupid as well.

This new plan would cost me way more, right?

Am I missing something here?
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It depends how much data you need for all 4 phones. We save money on our 5 phones on the new plan because 3 of them only use about 300mb a month and the other 2 never use more than 1.5. The whole history of your usage is on their web site. With the 6GB option, we save money on an plan over 800 minutes. We save a lot because we actually use 2000 voice minutes a month.

I should have mentioned I have an iPad on a 2gb data plan to. The 6GB will include that usage too.

It is important to rember most people on 2gb and 3gb data plans are only there because the need more than 200 or 300 mb. They will mosty be using well under a gb of data.

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Tapdawg said:
We have 4 iPhones on our plan; 3 are unlimited data the other has 250mb. Unlimited text and 700 mins (we've never used all the minutes). We have a 20% discount through my job.

We currently pay about $205/mo after discounts... Here's what we would pay for each new level of service after discounts but without taxes:

1GB Data - $212
4GB Data - $216
6GB Data - $212
10GB Data - $216
15GB Data - $248
18GB Data - $308
20GB Data - $280

The closest comparison to the amount of data we currently can use would be the 10GB Data (3 unlimited = 9GB + 250mb on last iPhone). So we would be paying $10 more (plus taxes) so roughly $30 more for 750mb... not worth it!
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You looked at your usage history and say you are using 3gb a month on your phones? That is amazing. How did you come up with the 3gb figure?

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jomirrivera said:
I currently have 5 lines with att, 4 iPhones and 1 basic phone and a pay $258 including taxes

My current plan is:
700 minutes with unlimited text messages
Rollover
The basic phone does not have data
1 iphone have 200MB plan
3 iphones have unlimited (being throttled after 3GB)

My best option would be going for the 15 gb plan and that would be:
160 + 5(30) = 310 plus taxes

Thats more than 60 dollars over my current plan, are you kidding me AT&T

Considering I still have unlimited data and the possibility of the next iphone having 4g lte, I wild be throttled after 5GB instead of 3GB so that make the new plans look even worse.
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You use very little voice, apparently massive amounts of data (did you actually check your usage?) and you have 3 phones on grandfathered unlimited plans. Maybe it is just not for you? I doubt you need anything close to 15gb of data. Just because you are paying for something now, does nt mean you are actually using it.

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lord patton said:
If/when the iPad mini comes out, the existence of plans like this will make me get a 3G model. For an extra 10 bucks a month? Why not?

And I'll do it in a hurry, too. No way tablets are going to remain just $10 for long. Watch AT&T jack that up in a hurry.
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Why would they? Most of the per phone fee is to cover unlimited voice/SMS...
 
carlemil said:
In Denmark you get 3 sims with your phone plan, which you can use on whichever devices you have. For free. So my 15gig plan is shared between my iPhone, iPad and my old iPad. No surcharges and way cheaper. I can't really fathom the price and quality of the us carriers.
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And your annual total tax levy is??? There is no free lunch...you just pay for it somewhere else...
 
Silly humans, did you actually think AT$T would make your little lives a bit easier by playing fair? They don't give a ****** about you, it's all about your hard-earned greenbacks. The Government broke up the "Bells" because of their monopolistic behavior, so what do they do? Move in lock-step with each other. Not much in the way of competition anymore. If Sprint were smart they would take this golden opportunity to do the right thing and benefit in the process. Veri$on and AT$T both suck.
 
faroZ06 said:
Haha
Reminds me of Burger King's 1-2-3 special. A hamburger is $1, but if you want it to have an extra patty, that's going to be $2. 3 patties is $3. So you pay triple to have triple meat. But 3 burgers > 3 patties on one burger....
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Great analogy! I can't believe they don't lower the smartphone price on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th phone. They try to make it a better deal by paying a higher base fee, but that is nothing compared to the cost of 3 phones @$40 each.

No thanks.

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kdannen said:
There goes those commercials of little orange roll-over minutes!
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Oh, yeah, If I switch to the new plan, do I get credit for my 3,000 roll-over minutes? ... NOT!
 
I am going to have to think about this. May be worth my time. Especially, to get tethering on my phone.

Currently I pay ~208 before taxes for 3 iPhones with 700 minutes and unlimited txt.
Mine : unlimited
Wife : 4GB Tethering
Inlaw : 200MB

Also, that include 2.99 each for roadside. Which we have used twice.

May drop that and get another service through insurance.

So for about the same $$ we can get 10GB which we rarely come close to save a couple times a year when we are on vacation and don't have wifi.

Think I may finally drop my unlimited, mainly to let me tether with my iPhone.
 
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