Really? Isn't Sprint offering a share plan for up to 10 phones with 20gb data for $100 a month?
That is more than a $10 difference.
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Carriers making us pay full price
- Thread starter rhaezorblue
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Really? Isn't Sprint offering a share plan for up to 10 phones with 20gb data for $100 a month?
That is more than a $10 difference.
I see what you're saying, that makes sense. Hard to argue with that, I think it's more a mental thing than hard numbers
It's the American market. We have long been fed phone subsidies (since the beginning of cell phone, basically). It doesn;t end there, but this is a cell phone discussion lol.
For one thing, I don't really need 20GB. For another, there are line charges similar to AT&T. It's waived until Dec 2015 but after, it goes up to $15/mo per line or $160 total service. So basically, you only save the $60 for like 3 months. Less given shipping for 6+ is estimated at November now. Add $10 for tethering (couldn't find if that's per account or per line).
When you say "older phone no longer in contract", how much are you paying per month for that phone -- $15 or $40?
If you're getting the $15/month rate, then yeah, if you buy a phone at full cost, it stays at $15/month.
If your old phone was on the $40/month rate, I don't know if AT&T would just switch it down to the $15/month rate automatically, or if you'd have to call for that. But if you're out of contract, and you buy your own phone out-right (or use their Next program), you quality for the $15/month rate.
For one thing, I don't really need 20GB. For another, there are line charges similar to AT&T. It's waived until Dec 2015 but after, it goes up to $15/mo per line or $160 total service. So basically, you only save the $60 for like 3 months. Less given shipping for 6+ is estimated at November now. Add $10 for tethering (couldn't find if that's per account or per line).
December 2015 is more than 3 months away. More like 15 months away. That is a $900 savings if what you say is true.
You're right. I was kinda in vacation mode so I was thinking 2015 already. :facepalm:
That said, Sprint's coverage is just marginally better than T-Mobile for me so still a no go. Also, until their unlock agreement with the FCC takes full effect in Feb next year, I think I'll just steer clear of Sprint.
Whatever floats your boat, man. $900 savings and "marginally better" service for just a few minutes on the phone sounds good to me.
Sprint is only marginally better than T-Mobile for me. Both are noticeably worse than Verizon and AT&T. Sure, that's $900 in savings but no service/crappy service 80% of the time where I need it (had a Virgin Mobile hotspot to test). I think I'd rather fork over the cash for service that actually works where I need it.
Well, sure, but I suspect anybody doing that would have just bought it outright to begin with. The carriers are implementing these plans to get people that aren't in the practice of selling old phones on eBay to upgrade every year. And for a lot of people, that's fine, since it's much easier to just give a phone back to Verizon than to try to sell it on eBay/Craigslist. But it's still more expensive than buying outright and getting a solid prepaid plan in almost all situations.
Couple things...
First, if reception is "just a few minutes on the phone", why bother signing up for the thing anyway? If you just want the device, get the device and forget the monthly fee, no? Some people actually want/need service. While I don't talk on the phone an excessive amount, it's very nice, for more reasons than one, to know that if I need to make a call or someone needs to reach me, that will actually happen. Not to mention the fact that having data wherever you are is a good thing.
Also, you save $900, the price goes up, then what? This is what Sprint is counting on. They get you as a customer... and then you have a phone you can't use on other networks, so you can start paying the same for less with Sprint, or you can go elsewhere (again). For me it's certainly not worth the hassle to hop from carrier to carrier, getting subpar service to save some money.
I absolutely agree that $900 isn't nothing, but it's also not enough based on first hand experience of Sprint service in major metropolitan areas. That was years ago, but based on people's gripes, it hasn't improved much at all. Sprint has simply made too muany crappy business decisions in too short a time for me to want to use their service for anything much more than free.
I would LOVE the carriers to LET me pay full price (at launch).
It's ridiculous how we can't just all buy unlocked, full price, from any carrier, right up front.
It's ridiculous how we can't just all buy unlocked, full price, from any carrier, right up front.
Wouldn't that be likely to drastically increase the number of scalpers that are always there during launches? I mean, they're already sending in "mini armies" of people to stand in line for them and buy as many phones as they can (to be sold overseas in countries where the iPhone won't launch for another month or longer).
I guess...
Just frustrating for me as I'm on PrePaid and the only option is the Tmo selection from Apple.
Actually, the only place where you can't order full price for the different carriers is the online Apple Store and resellers such as Best Buy who make money from service. Both AT&T and Verizon allows you to buy full price both in-store and online (granted, still need to request unlock for AT&T). Caveat, you need to have service with them.
Nowadays, there's no difference between a Tmo and an AT&T iPhone is there? Are you on a CDMA pre-paid plan?
That's sort of the deal breaker my friend.
I'm on Prepaid
Wish Apple would just sell the devices at full price for any carrier.
Let people go to the carrier and get whatever service they want.
Apple gets nothing from carriers at this point (i.e. don't need their blessing on anything)
Actually my complaint is this:
Verizon and Sprint are pretty asinine with regards to allowing devices into their networks. There is no technical reason why a factory unlocked Apple iPhone 6 A1586 or iPhone 6 Plus A1524 model can't be used on all carriers in the US. Apple has shown they are entirely capable of supporting all the types of technology (CDMA, GSM, UMTS, LTE) and bands currently used by US carriers in a single device. The only problem here is Verizon and Sprint are refusing to embrace the GSM model.
Sorry, I haven't gone through the entire thread but...am I reading this right?...
For 2yr contract people now they have to pay additional $25 per month? really?
So that means...
$299 for Phone
$39.99 for voice
$30 unlimited data (Grandfathered)
$25 new fee?
Please someone tell me this is not correct. If so I am going to return this Phone.
For 2yr contract people now they have to pay additional $25 per month? really?
So that means...
$299 for Phone
$39.99 for voice
$30 unlimited data (Grandfathered)
$25 new fee?
Please someone tell me this is not correct. If so I am going to return this Phone.
No. This only applies to people who switched to the new Mobile Share Value plans and are currently receiving the $25 discount. Old plans stay the same.
Very true.
Verizon will have to be literally dragged, kicking and screaming, to *anything* that's consumer friendly.
They are red for a reason (= devil)
Yeah ATT has a new thing where when you buy the phone on contract you now pay $25 per month. That basically pays of the discount that you got when you buy the phone on contract.
In other words, the old smartphone subsidy is gone. But if you buy a full price phone, then this added fee doesn't come into play. Apple addressed this a while back and they said they didn't think it would impact the smart phone market.
In other words, the old smartphone subsidy is gone. But if you buy a full price phone, then this added fee doesn't come into play. Apple addressed this a while back and they said they didn't think it would impact the smart phone market.
haha!
So AT&T really doesn't even eat the cost of the smartphone as a lure to get you on a wireless plan anymore?
I totally missed that story.
Even more pleased to be on prepaid nowadays.
AT&T has never eaten that cost. Please see this summary to see bill increases as "subsidized" iPhones get added to the account.