For you!
Me = 1 person; why would I pay for $100 2GB plan if I am paying as cheap as $60+ (with corporate discount even if it is throttled on a 5GB LTE cap)?
There must be a better or cheaper plan for solo / single user!
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I CANNOT BELIEVE How Much of a Rip-off Shared Data Plans Are!
- Thread starter opeepingtomo
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For you!
Me = 1 person; why would I pay for $100 2GB plan if I am paying as cheap as $60+ (with corporate discount even if it is throttled on a 5GB LTE cap)?
There must be a better or cheaper plan for solo / single user!
Smart phone plans in the US are a ripoff, period.
My girlfriend just came back from a year in the UK where she was using her unlocked 3GS. I don't remember exactly what she was paying, but it was a fraction of what it's costing us now (both with iPhone 5's) with her back in the US.
We're on the 4GB shared AT&T plan. It's the most economical of all the options that would fit us. On AT&T, anyway.
We will barely use any minutes, a fair amount of texts, and at the most only half of that data. But of course, there's no 2GB option.
I think the worst thing is having to track usage. I'm checking daily to see how much data we've used. After a while, I'll probably stop doing that, but being afraid of going over a bit and paying even more is annoying.
We live pretty frugally otherwise. No cable, cheap internet, old mismatched furniture. Our only other expensive vice is a steady stream of microbrew. I only mention that because we've adjusted our lifestyle to justify the expense of smartphones, but if it gets any more expensive, that's going out the window.
Of course, I'm sure all of these companies know exactly what they're doing. They set up these plans so that the apparent value seems big while our actual usage will never take advantage of that value (i.e. the unlimited minutes we're getting when we'll probably only use about 300 per month).
My girlfriend just came back from a year in the UK where she was using her unlocked 3GS. I don't remember exactly what she was paying, but it was a fraction of what it's costing us now (both with iPhone 5's) with her back in the US.
We're on the 4GB shared AT&T plan. It's the most economical of all the options that would fit us. On AT&T, anyway.
We will barely use any minutes, a fair amount of texts, and at the most only half of that data. But of course, there's no 2GB option.
I think the worst thing is having to track usage. I'm checking daily to see how much data we've used. After a while, I'll probably stop doing that, but being afraid of going over a bit and paying even more is annoying.
We live pretty frugally otherwise. No cable, cheap internet, old mismatched furniture. Our only other expensive vice is a steady stream of microbrew. I only mention that because we've adjusted our lifestyle to justify the expense of smartphones, but if it gets any more expensive, that's going out the window.
Of course, I'm sure all of these companies know exactly what they're doing. They set up these plans so that the apparent value seems big while our actual usage will never take advantage of that value (i.e. the unlimited minutes we're getting when we'll probably only use about 300 per month).
Originally:
Shared 1400 minutes
1 2GB data plan
1 Unlimited data plan
Unlimited messaging
The person with unlimited data maybe uses 300MB month and since we can't transfer that to the other line we gave it up.
Now we have shared 4GB which includeds unlimited minutes and unlimited messaging. If we went up to shared 6GB data it would cost what we were currently paying before shared data.
I'm sure there is something else I'm missing, but we save a little moving to shared 4GB. if it turns out we need 6GB because of my data usage it will cost the same. AT&T has alays been accomodating as we've adjusted or plans to save money; there are no fees for making changes and it doesn't affect our contracts.
It's called a SHARE PLAN. It's meant for TWO OR MORE PEOPLE!
Your opinion is meaningless as this plan is not meant for a single person to use. Look elsewhere. OBVIOUSLY it doesn't work for you as one person.
How exactly did you grow up sharing things with yourself?
The problem is that AT&T withholds features from non shared plans. So those of us who have no one to share the data with and have no incentive to switch, don't get the benefit of those features. It's unfair and discriminatory to certain users. I'm paying for a certain amount of data just like the shared plans are, and yet I'm unable to use FaceTime over cellular?
Do not expect it to last as AT&T is going to try to remove it as well in the future. They more than likely are going to give it some time to see the back lash Verizon really is going to eat and then follow suit.
DUH! It's a big ******* you look elsewhere single device customer!
The share everything plans are really only beneficial if you have a tablet. On Verizon a tablet used to be $30 now its only $10. Free hotspot is kinda nice too although its not really free they just want you to think your getting something for nothing. I agree with everyone else though share plans are not a bargain in most cases they cost more. I mean unlimited talk who needs that? Its unlimited data that I want.
I would drop my AT&T unlimited and switch to the shared data plan if they would implement "rollover" data similar to what they do for unused minutes under my existing plan. There are some months that we don't use much data but others when we consume a lot of data. It would be nice if I could get the 2GB shared pool and rollover what we didn't use and add it to the next month.
I think they are a rip-off compared to corporate discounts that are able to be applied (to old plans).
Currently, we are on ATT with 5 iphones (4 x iPhone 5, 1 x iPhone 4S), with 2 iphones that have 250mb (parents) and 3 unlimited plans on with 1400 minutes and unlimited text messaging. It is costing up about $250 (tax included).
On verizon shared plan - it's $280 (not including tax) with 6gb data.
On att shared plan - it's $265 (not including tax) with 6gb plan.
That is still more expensive than we are paying.
Does anyone know if ATT Fan discounts apply to new shared data plans?
I would assume more phones = more discounts. Guess not.....
Currently, we are on ATT with 5 iphones (4 x iPhone 5, 1 x iPhone 4S), with 2 iphones that have 250mb (parents) and 3 unlimited plans on with 1400 minutes and unlimited text messaging. It is costing up about $250 (tax included).
On verizon shared plan - it's $280 (not including tax) with 6gb data.
On att shared plan - it's $265 (not including tax) with 6gb plan.
That is still more expensive than we are paying.
Does anyone know if ATT Fan discounts apply to new shared data plans?
I would assume more phones = more discounts. Guess not.....
My Verizon bill went down by $17/month. I'm on par to use a smidge more data than before. I think we'll still come in well under our limit.
What exactly do people do "on the go" (where wifi is unavailable) that consumes so much data? I must not be using my phone right.
What exactly do people do "on the go" (where wifi is unavailable) that consumes so much data? I must not be using my phone right.
Makes sense for my family. Because of the plan my mom was able to get her first smartphone.
4 smartphones on a 6GB plan cost the same as 3 smartphones and 1 dumb phone used to be (actually the share everything plan is $20 cheaper)
When only me and my brother use over 1GB monthly it makes perfect sense, but yes I think it's stupid verizon is forcing people into them.
4 smartphones on a 6GB plan cost the same as 3 smartphones and 1 dumb phone used to be (actually the share everything plan is $20 cheaper)
When only me and my brother use over 1GB monthly it makes perfect sense, but yes I think it's stupid verizon is forcing people into them.
Let's see for "on the go":
If i get an app udpate for one of my 150 games, it can be as much as 1.8gb for one update (NOVA 3).
If I want to stream Pandora instead of listening to the radio or my own songs.
If I want to watch Netflix and catch up on some 30 Rock episodes (mucho data).
If I want to watch the Thursday Night NFL Network game (we don't have cable) and i'm on Verizon. Pop up the NFL app and stream the game (LOTS of data).
Those are just 4 instances where I can use tons of data. Seriously if MC3 and NOVA 3 got an update on the same day and I didn't want to wait to get to a wifi hotspot that is over 3.5 gigs right there. In 2 downloads I just used up many of your MONTHLY FAMILY SHARE plans.
That's why shared data sucks.
And before someone says "you have wifi at home" or "wifi is everywhere", 2 things: 1) i cancelled my Comcast because they were charging me $55/mo. I could pay $20/mo if i wanted to be capped at 1.5mb down. So here now i'm saving over $20/mo adding unlimited mobile hotspot. and 2) my work blocks all gaming related stuff so downloads like that can't happen. And i'm not going to find a starbucks to do the download when i hate coffee, and starbucks
People know how to use data and it doesn't have to include torrenting or streaming porn.....
except they throttle you.
i'll gladly sell my phone for 400+ next year and pay $200 out of pocket for the next one and keep my true unlimited data
Let's see for "on the go":
If i get an app udpate for one of my 150 games, it can be as much as 1.8gb for one update (NOVA 3).
If I want to stream Pandora instead of listening to the radio or my own songs.
If I want to watch Netflix and catch up on some 30 Rock episodes (mucho data).
If I want to watch the Thursday Night NFL Network game (we don't have cable) and i'm on Verizon. Pop up the NFL app and stream the game (LOTS of data).
Those are just 4 instances where I can use tons of data. Seriously if MC3 and NOVA 3 got an update on the same day and I didn't want to wait to get to a wifi hotspot that is over 3.5 gigs right there. In 2 downloads I just used up many of your MONTHLY FAMILY SHARE plans.
That's why shared data sucks.
And before someone says "you have wifi at home" or "wifi is everywhere", 2 things: 1) i cancelled my Comcast because they were charging me $55/mo. I could pay $20/mo if i wanted to be capped at 1.5mb down. So here now i'm saving over $20/mo adding unlimited mobile hotspot. and 2) my work blocks all gaming related stuff so downloads like that can't happen. And i'm not going to find a starbucks to do the download when i hate coffee, and starbucks
People know how to use data and it doesn't have to include torrenting or streaming porn.....
You can't update/download apps over 50mb.
Instead of being such a jerk and walking around with blinders on, go find someone to "share" your plan with.
The End.
You can if you jailbreak. Not saying he has, but there are many legitimate ways to plow through a lot of data.
I know, but I'm talking about the general public, most people don't jailbreak, so most people won't be downloading apps over 50mb
I will never switch from my unlimited "5GB" of data on AT&T. My usage was usually close to 2GB/month a month before the iPhone 5 and now its closer to 3.5GB/month. My usage will only increase over time. My total AT&T bill for 450 minutes with (6,000 rollover minutes), unlimited data, and unlimited texts is $74 per month. Can't beat that!
Let's see for "on the go":
If i get an app udpate for one of my 150 games, it can be as much as 1.8gb for one update (NOVA 3). You cannot download that over cellular.
If I want to stream Pandora instead of listening to the radio or my own songs. Pandora does not take that much data, my wife streams it everyday at work and she isn't close to 4GB a month (not even near close).
If I want to watch Netflix and catch up on some 30 Rock episodes (mucho data). I watched Netflex the other night for two hours and it was around 400MB of data. You're STREAMING VIDEO, expect large data use.
If I want to watch the Thursday Night NFL Network game (we don't have cable) and i'm on Verizon. Pop up the NFL app and stream the game (LOTS of data). If you don't have cable maybe you should have a $500 smartphone with a $100 monthly bill.
Those are just 4 instances where I can use tons of data. Seriously if MC3 and NOVA 3 got an update on the same day and I didn't want to wait to get to a wifi hotspot that is over 3.5 gigs right there. In 2 downloads I just used up many of your MONTHLY FAMILY SHARE plans.
That's why shared data sucks.
And before someone says "you have wifi at home" or "wifi is everywhere", 2 things: 1) i cancelled my Comcast because they were charging me $55/mo. I could pay $20/mo if i wanted to be capped at 1.5mb down. So here now i'm saving over $20/mo adding unlimited mobile hotspot. and 2) my work blocks all gaming related stuff so downloads like that can't happen. And i'm not going to find a starbucks to do the download when i hate coffee, and starbucks
People know how to use data and it doesn't have to include torrenting or streaming porn.....
Responses in bold. You really need to do your research before posting "scenarios", most of your assumptions are completely incorrect and false.
All I can say is get used to it. The price of data is not going to go down any time soon. We all share a bucket of minutes but each have the unlimited LTE or which we use very little of.
I still have no clue how there are people here who are saying they're saving money with this.
I have 4 iPhones on my plan and currently pay $220.
To switch to sharing I'd pay $260 and end up with less overall data than I currently get.
An extra $40 to lose data. I keep hearing how it mainly benefits families with multiple lines. Well, I'm up to 4 phones and it's still terrible. What do you all have, 10 phones??
I have 4 iPhones on my plan and currently pay $220.
To switch to sharing I'd pay $260 and end up with less overall data than I currently get.
An extra $40 to lose data. I keep hearing how it mainly benefits families with multiple lines. Well, I'm up to 4 phones and it's still terrible. What do you all have, 10 phones??
Still not cost effective for us
When the AT & T plans first came out, I did the quick math and knew it wasn't for us. After reading this I figured I would do the math again and I actually can't believe how much more it would be.
Right now we have 3 lines under FAN discount (18%), 550 minutes:
Line # 1 voice $34 (with discount)
Line #1 data $15 (200 MB)
Line #2 voice $10
Line #2 data $15 (200 MB)
Line #3 voice $10
Line #3 data $15 (200 MB)
Unlimited Shared Text $30
TOTAL - $129 + taxes, charges, etc
Doing my math with the 1GB mobile shared plan ($40 plan + 3 phones @ $45/ea) the total would be $167 with the FAN discount on the plan amount. That is $38 more for only a tad more data! We never go over our 200 MB as we are on wifi most of the time, so that really is not a big deal. Just seemed like a pretty steep increase for just another 400MB.
Under the old rates, it would still be cheaper.
When the AT & T plans first came out, I did the quick math and knew it wasn't for us. After reading this I figured I would do the math again and I actually can't believe how much more it would be.
Right now we have 3 lines under FAN discount (18%), 550 minutes:
Line # 1 voice $34 (with discount)
Line #1 data $15 (200 MB)
Line #2 voice $10
Line #2 data $15 (200 MB)
Line #3 voice $10
Line #3 data $15 (200 MB)
Unlimited Shared Text $30
TOTAL - $129 + taxes, charges, etc
Doing my math with the 1GB mobile shared plan ($40 plan + 3 phones @ $45/ea) the total would be $167 with the FAN discount on the plan amount. That is $38 more for only a tad more data! We never go over our 200 MB as we are on wifi most of the time, so that really is not a big deal. Just seemed like a pretty steep increase for just another 400MB.
Under the old rates, it would still be cheaper.