Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Data Plan Comparison: Unlimited Options From T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T and Sprint
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
No, they still have it. Just this past weekend I was switching from ATT to TMobile and they charged me a whopping $2.10 for SIM cards for the two phones I was bringing over. A minimal charge but I would agree with you...
My carrier tried to fool me into upgrading my contract which would mean that I'd lose the unlimited data plan. Glad I read the fine print on it. Only downside is I have to cash out the hole amount on the next phone I get without loosing the deal but I'm ok with that
I purchased my T-Mobile SIM cards from Amazon for under $10 (https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B002G7A1EA), they work great. No activation fee, at least for me. Although they seem to change their promos like I change my clothes.
I have been with T-Mobile for 4 years. I was initially drawn in by their international coverage (free roaming data!) and no contract. I fell in love with their Simple Choice plan, later with Binge On. Although, I switched to the One Plus to add a tablet, also with Plus, for the unlimited hotspot. Once T-Mobile got me hooked on Sling TV (via another promotion), I could finally ditch Comcast.
I basically use them as my ISP at home, between my phone and tablet hotspots T-Mobile is really all I need. I have experienced "throttling" a handful of times, and it has only been barely slightly annoying during those few times.
And now they have free Gogo Wifi in the sky, at least an hour on Gogo flights. Don't forget T-Mobile Tuesdays where they give away stuff weekly! They give so much more to their customers than their competitors ever did in the past.
I believe I am magenta for life!
You can not research every product you buy, and with stuff like fine print companies are using all the tricks in the book to fool you into understanding otherwise (unlimited but throttled?!). It should be clear as crystal with no confusions or hidden rules and policies. If you go to a company office/branch , by the time you ask your 3rd question the employee will start looking frustrated and upset.
You can do pretty good research on products that matter, especially the expensive ones. Obviously who is going to research a .99 cup of yogurt. You try it and if it doesn't work out move on.
But we are talking about cell service and plans here -- something that has become integral to functional life in 2017. So, yes, consumers can spend 20 minutes looking over the plans they are considering. It's not rocket science and there are multiple areas to do the research -- company web pages, 3rd party sites like this one, company on-line chat, 800 sales#, in-store.
I am not talking about needing to climb up into the public library's dusty stacks to find some obscure quote by Charles Dawes. It's a few clicks or a call. Usually it's right there on the home or plan page. I found it, no prob. Very clear once you take the time to understand it. If a consumer is so impulsive that he or she signs up without understanding their plan that is the definition of negligence. Sorry. Companies cannot be deceptive, but they don't have to, or should, hold every customer's lazy hand either.
[doublepost=1487854721][/doublepost]
Depends. The grandfathered plan is $40 for data + however much your talk and messaging plans are + tax. The new unlimited plan is $100 + tax for data, text, and talk. You'll have to do the math to see which is less expensive for you.
That said if TMOB or VZW is decent in your area those are less expensive than either. Even if you are on contract w/ ATT you have a get out of jail free card this month b/c they just increased grandfathered.
After eleven years with AT&T I finally took the plunge and am giving T-Mobile a try. AT&T didn't even try to get me to stay when I told them I was porting out. So far I have the same crappy signal at my house (thank goodness for WiFi calling) and far superior coverage at work. I'm getting 55megs down!
I guess the best thing about the cell phone companies not doing contracts anymore is that you can shop around for what suits your needs the best. Although, I must admit, if AT&T would match what the other carriers are doing I'd probably switch back.
I guess the best thing about the cell phone companies not doing contracts anymore is that you can shop around for what suits your needs the best. Although, I must admit, if AT&T would match what the other carriers are doing I'd probably switch back.
It'll be interesting to see AT&T's first and second quarter earnings. I'm sure they'll lose a lot of customers. And their plan doesn't even sound like a good deal anyway. They could have been a lot more competitive by giving their customers free tethering, etc. They just don't know how to compete.
OK--bare with me...
Long time ATT customer. I finally bailed and went to MetroPCS. Then T-Mobile drops two lines from $120 to $100. Now I want to switch to T-Mobile. I also want to take advantage of the $150 per line for porting. I don't qualify since MetroPCS is on the T-Mobile network. Can I port to a super cheap prepaid plan on Sprint/Verizon/ATT and then port to T-Mobile to take advantage of the $150 per line? Can I do this in one day? Also it is not clear to me if I can get a prorated refund from MetroPCS for leaving prior to the end of my month of service.
Long time ATT customer. I finally bailed and went to MetroPCS. Then T-Mobile drops two lines from $120 to $100. Now I want to switch to T-Mobile. I also want to take advantage of the $150 per line for porting. I don't qualify since MetroPCS is on the T-Mobile network. Can I port to a super cheap prepaid plan on Sprint/Verizon/ATT and then port to T-Mobile to take advantage of the $150 per line? Can I do this in one day? Also it is not clear to me if I can get a prorated refund from MetroPCS for leaving prior to the end of my month of service.
I have been with At&t since circa '03-'04 when they were Cingular. My first iPhone was the 3G but unfortunately I made the stupid decision to ditch my grandfathered plan for mobile share. I don't remember if it was for Facetime over cellular or tethering but I'm still regretting that decision. I'm taking a good look at T-Mobile right now since paying $100 for two lines for 3GB w/ useless rollover is a rip-off. At&t does have the superior network but with this amount of data, I am really limited with what I can use my phone for outside.
I don't know if Verizon offers data capabilities during phone calls since that was another reason why I have remained with at&t. I use this functionality all the time. I know they enabled it on some phones and the other party needs to also have one of these phones. Still not clear if it's on par with at&t's functionality.
I don't know if Verizon offers data capabilities during phone calls since that was another reason why I have remained with at&t. I use this functionality all the time. I know they enabled it on some phones and the other party needs to also have one of these phones. Still not clear if it's on par with at&t's functionality.
I guess this says it all:
Verizon Communications ( VZ) boasts the most reliable wireless network, according to the independent testing firm RootMetrics.
Verizon is "the undisputed leader in terms of coverage and network reliability," the firm said. The test is based on overall performance, network reliability, network speed, data performance, call performance and text performance.
AT&T ( T) came in second.
Verizon Communications ( VZ) boasts the most reliable wireless network, according to the independent testing firm RootMetrics.
Verizon is "the undisputed leader in terms of coverage and network reliability," the firm said. The test is based on overall performance, network reliability, network speed, data performance, call performance and text performance.
AT&T ( T) came in second.
Or for a slightly different perspective: https://opensignal.com/reports/2016/08/usa/state-of-the-mobile-network/
Wait, What? Old Grandfathered UDP does not have tethering either. I know new one doesn't, so how come that's the difference?
I'd have to agree but, I called and asked if they had any intention to add tethering to the unlimited plan and they responded with "we did on the 17th but just got the memo yesterday" so, I assume it will reflect on their page within the next couple weeks.
I am trying to compare. I have 3 lines on old grandfathered and 1 line with 3gb. It looks like the new unlimited has fourth line free. I am still reading all of the fine print. The old grandfathered unlimited did increase $5 per line recently. Also checking best coverage.
If it's something official it would really be reflected in official documentation much sooner than that, so I guess we'll see. Furthermore, it seems that far more than a single representative would mention it and all kinds of rumor sites would already be discussing it too--perhaps that's happening, but I can't say that I've really come across that so far.
I spoke to an AT&T retail rep today (about something else, but asked about the tethering at the end). He said that they still don't have tethering but that he's hoping they'll start offering it. He seemed unsurprised that I had left AT&T once they announced their unlimited plan.
If anyone is looking at T-Mobile as an option they are having a promotion right now. T-Mobile employees have been given a certain amount of codes that can be used for a 20% off for the life of the account. It applies to the new unlimited plans, too. So you can get two lines for $80.
You just have to do a little work to find a code. I suggest twitter. Search "tmobile hookup" and you'll probably find an employee sharing their codes. Took me about 10 min to find one.
I opened a new account yesterday and applied the code today and already got confirmation that it's been applied. Good luck!
You just have to do a little work to find a code. I suggest twitter. Search "tmobile hookup" and you'll probably find an employee sharing their codes. Took me about 10 min to find one.
I opened a new account yesterday and applied the code today and already got confirmation that it's been applied. Good luck!
Thank you! Just called the store where I went to port my account/lines from AT&T last week and they were able to give me one of their codes to apply the discount to my account!If anyone is looking at T-Mobile as an option they are having a promotion right now. T-Mobile employees have been given a certain amount of codes that can be used for a 20% off for the life of the account. It applies to the new unlimited plans, too. So you can get two lines for $80.
You just have to do a little work to find a code. I suggest twitter. Search "tmobile hookup" and you'll probably find an employee sharing their codes. Took me about 10 min to find one.
I opened a new account yesterday and applied the code today and already got confirmation that it's been applied. Good luck!
Woohoo T-Mobile!
And it's retroactive to accounts opened back to 2/1, so if you just got on T-Mobile, try it out. I believe you have to have ported at least one line, though.You're welcome. Always happy to help folks save some money!
Here are the acronym-filled details:
https://www.reddit.com/r/tmobile/comments/5v6qgv/20_hookup_offer_update2_for_100_update/
I live in san Francisco I need about 10-12GB of Data per moth for my job
My AT&T bit was about $95-$100 per month - I switched to t-Mobile for $70.00
TM is way slower than ATT conclusion by 300% - you get what you pay for...
My AT&T bit was about $95-$100 per month - I switched to t-Mobile for $70.00
TM is way slower than ATT conclusion by 300% - you get what you pay for...