It is a good value for me. 5 smartphones one of which is LTE capable. 6gb plan saves me money over prior family plan on Verizon. I pay less than before.
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I CANNOT BELIEVE How Much of a Rip-off Shared Data Plans Are!
- Thread starter opeepingtomo
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It is a good value for me. 5 smartphones one of which is LTE capable. 6gb plan saves me money over prior family plan on Verizon. I pay less than before.
Considering I now can actually pay for a plan that is closer to actual data used, it can save me upwards of $50 bucks on the family plan with 3 iPhones.
My old plan was the 700min family plan for $70, then $10 bucks for each additional phone (so $20 more). Then paying $20 for family unlimited texts and then $30 each for 3gigs of data per line.
70 + 20 + 20 + 90 = $200 + taxes and fee's landed my monthly bill around $217.
Since I rarely used more than a gig or two and my other two lines rarely use more than 200mb each, I can swap to the 4gig shared plan at $70 and pay the $30 per phone.
70 + 90 = $160 + fee's likely end up around $175 vs the old $217. Not sure how that is a rip off but I'm very happy to have access to making my iPhone a hotspot when/if i need it and saving around $40 per month. The new plan may be worse for people with 2 phones but clearly overall savings for 3+ if your realistic about what data you use vs what data you want to have people "believe you use.
My old plan was the 700min family plan for $70, then $10 bucks for each additional phone (so $20 more). Then paying $20 for family unlimited texts and then $30 each for 3gigs of data per line.
70 + 20 + 20 + 90 = $200 + taxes and fee's landed my monthly bill around $217.
Since I rarely used more than a gig or two and my other two lines rarely use more than 200mb each, I can swap to the 4gig shared plan at $70 and pay the $30 per phone.
70 + 90 = $160 + fee's likely end up around $175 vs the old $217. Not sure how that is a rip off but I'm very happy to have access to making my iPhone a hotspot when/if i need it and saving around $40 per month. The new plan may be worse for people with 2 phones but clearly overall savings for 3+ if your realistic about what data you use vs what data you want to have people "believe you use.
Same here. We have 4 lines each with unlimited data and the 25% discount I get applies to each line. So each line costs $22.50 X 4= $90.
The only reason to get on a family mobile share is tethering on our iPad's.
Just checked my usage. 75 gb since I got the iPhone 5 two weeks ago. Sure glad I kept the unlimited data now!
75GB in two days? You stupid or something?
Agree with OP.
Can you say, duopoly.
Fascinating coincidence that AT&T's prices are almost exactly the same.
When carriers came out with family plans, the pool of minutes was CHEAPER than two individual plans totalling the same amount. I had assumed they'd do the same thing with data.
I totally did not expect the price to be $20 MORE expensive than two individual plans. On the old plan, my wife and I could both have smartphones with unlimited data for $130/mo. Even their tiered plan was $130/mo for 2GB each, 4GB total. So Verizon some out with the forced plan at $150/mo for 4GB total.
I'm staying at the moment because I don't have an alternative. But after forking over full price for my iPhone 5, I'm eyeing T-Mobile if they can refarm their 1900mhz spectrum and get decent speed out of it.
Can you say, duopoly.
Fascinating coincidence that AT&T's prices are almost exactly the same.
When carriers came out with family plans, the pool of minutes was CHEAPER than two individual plans totalling the same amount. I had assumed they'd do the same thing with data.
I totally did not expect the price to be $20 MORE expensive than two individual plans. On the old plan, my wife and I could both have smartphones with unlimited data for $130/mo. Even their tiered plan was $130/mo for 2GB each, 4GB total. So Verizon some out with the forced plan at $150/mo for 4GB total.
I'm staying at the moment because I don't have an alternative. But after forking over full price for my iPhone 5, I'm eyeing T-Mobile if they can refarm their 1900mhz spectrum and get decent speed out of it.
Its worse for me. I will end up paying $30+ to have 5 lines share 4gbs of data. 2 lines don't need data. I have 2 unlimited lines and 1 2gb line and pay $250. That's for that, 1400 minutes and unlimited texts.
If they wanted to they will just add on extra fees on top of the full price purchase requirement
Ill probably change to shared once I get my iphone 5.
Currently pay around total of 230-245 with 3 smartphone and ipad. It should become around 215 when I change to shared considering the amount of usage my other family members use. Cost of smartphone doesnt really change, but since ipad is only +10 dollars for shared compared to 30 dollars with individual data.
Currently pay around total of 230-245 with 3 smartphone and ipad. It should become around 215 when I change to shared considering the amount of usage my other family members use. Cost of smartphone doesnt really change, but since ipad is only +10 dollars for shared compared to 30 dollars with individual data.
I agree.
Since Tmobile is acquiring MetroPCS, I would LOVE for them to also team up with Sprint. At present, Sprint can hardly compete, and AT&T and Verizon easily dominate the discount carriers combined. Tmobile isn't even really in the picture without an iPhone subsidized (let alone compatible network, YET)
But if Sprint and Tmobile (w/ MetroPCS) joined forces, they would have a decent amount of some LTE rollout already, and even some solid "4G" (HSDPA) coverage. Although somewhat still inferior coverage, it would be far more solid than it is now, and could seriously put a dent into Verizon and AT&T!
Agreed. HUGE rip off. I have a single-person plan on Verizon.
Current plan: 450 Min (I use about 200 a month) + Unlimited text + Unlimited Data = $90 per month
If I decided to upgrade to a new Shared plan: Unlimited calling + Unlimited text + 2GB data= $110 month.
I'd rather buy my phone for full-price and keep my unlimited data and not have my bill go up $20 per month for less data.
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Also, the SHARED plans are ******** because they are the only option for single customers who don't share with anyone.
Current plan: 450 Min (I use about 200 a month) + Unlimited text + Unlimited Data = $90 per month
If I decided to upgrade to a new Shared plan: Unlimited calling + Unlimited text + 2GB data= $110 month.
I'd rather buy my phone for full-price and keep my unlimited data and not have my bill go up $20 per month for less data.
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Also, the SHARED plans are ******** because they are the only option for single customers who don't share with anyone.
Mobile share definitely isn't for single lines, nor is it for everyone. We had 3 iPhones and a dumbphone and we were paying $236 for 2 unlimited plans and 1 2 GB plan. I don't remember the minutes, but I think it was the 700 minute plan.
We replaced the dumbphone with an iPhone and if we added the smallest data plan at $20, it would put us over $250. Now with mobile share, we have 10 GB's to share and pay $240. I really only changed our plans for tethering and the fact that the other 3 lines don't use more than 2 GB's combined. I now have roughly 8 GB's per month of unthrottled data with tethering. Of course that number can change on a month-to-month basis, but damn it felt good finally dropping the unlimited plans. We've clenched those bad boys for far too long.
We replaced the dumbphone with an iPhone and if we added the smallest data plan at $20, it would put us over $250. Now with mobile share, we have 10 GB's to share and pay $240. I really only changed our plans for tethering and the fact that the other 3 lines don't use more than 2 GB's combined. I now have roughly 8 GB's per month of unthrottled data with tethering. Of course that number can change on a month-to-month basis, but damn it felt good finally dropping the unlimited plans. We've clenched those bad boys for far too long.
3G vs 4G usage is like comparing a cheap car to a sports car.
Sure the cheap car works as advertise not the fastest but gets the job done.
Now give that same exact person a sports car sure it gets the job done but "conveniently" faster. Now you can do things you couldn't do with the cheaper car, dodging in and out of traffic, beat that damn red light you seem to always hit, shoot across the road faster and smoother without worrying about your car hesitating when you gas it.
It's conveniently available so you'll be tempted to use it more, which means more data usage which equals $$$ for Verizon/AT&T shared plans.
Sure your saving money at first until you start using data at faster speeds, not paying attention.
See no one cares about unlimited text messaging because iMessage/FB is free, unlimited voice calls? Tell me what you do more of, making phone calls or texting.. Exactly, read previous statement about text messaging, even then most calls are to relatives that are on the same phone company which means free cell to cell phone calls. So because of this users chose cheaper plans as they had no use for unlimited calling and texting. The money is in the data because everyone now has a computer in their hands and they can Facebook, YouTube, etc. So these phone companies are try to sell off shared plans as "UNLIMITED EVERYTHING...except data" and "saving money" ..which on paper yes you are.. Then over time you conveniently used the 4G data a bit too much, or your relative did, kid, whoever is part of your plan.
Now you are paying overage fees. And if you are one of these people who only uses 1gb between 3 people, you have a smart phone and hardly use it for anything but basic websites that isn't media driven. Add streaming music, Netflix, Hulu, etc. now you'll use data like the people they are going after.
Sure the cheap car works as advertise not the fastest but gets the job done.
Now give that same exact person a sports car sure it gets the job done but "conveniently" faster. Now you can do things you couldn't do with the cheaper car, dodging in and out of traffic, beat that damn red light you seem to always hit, shoot across the road faster and smoother without worrying about your car hesitating when you gas it.
It's conveniently available so you'll be tempted to use it more, which means more data usage which equals $$$ for Verizon/AT&T shared plans.
Sure your saving money at first until you start using data at faster speeds, not paying attention.
See no one cares about unlimited text messaging because iMessage/FB is free, unlimited voice calls? Tell me what you do more of, making phone calls or texting.. Exactly, read previous statement about text messaging, even then most calls are to relatives that are on the same phone company which means free cell to cell phone calls. So because of this users chose cheaper plans as they had no use for unlimited calling and texting. The money is in the data because everyone now has a computer in their hands and they can Facebook, YouTube, etc. So these phone companies are try to sell off shared plans as "UNLIMITED EVERYTHING...except data" and "saving money" ..which on paper yes you are.. Then over time you conveniently used the 4G data a bit too much, or your relative did, kid, whoever is part of your plan.
Now you are paying overage fees. And if you are one of these people who only uses 1gb between 3 people, you have a smart phone and hardly use it for anything but basic websites that isn't media driven. Add streaming music, Netflix, Hulu, etc. now you'll use data like the people they are going after.
My wife and I are saving $25 a month on Verizon by sharing 2 GB between us. We each have an iPhone. Previously, we had Family Share with 1,400 minutes per month, unlimited texting, and unlimited data. This month has been the closest we've been to going over 2 GB. I suspect some of that is due to the LTE data "leaks" while the iPhone 5 is on Wi-Fi that have been addressed.
Anyway, the automated texts from Verizon have been good about keeping us informed of our data usage. I thought about a week ago that I'd have to preemptively bump us up to 4 GB to get us through this billing cycle without overages, but it appears that after the carrier settings update, my data usage as reflected by Verizon is much more typical of what it traditionally has been.
All that said, we much prefer having unlimited talk and text and are on Wi-Fi a good chunk of the time anyway so Share Everything was a no-brainier for us. And saving about $300 a year over our previous Family Share plan with "unlimited" data makes the Share Everything proposition that much sweeter for us.
Anyway, the automated texts from Verizon have been good about keeping us informed of our data usage. I thought about a week ago that I'd have to preemptively bump us up to 4 GB to get us through this billing cycle without overages, but it appears that after the carrier settings update, my data usage as reflected by Verizon is much more typical of what it traditionally has been.
All that said, we much prefer having unlimited talk and text and are on Wi-Fi a good chunk of the time anyway so Share Everything was a no-brainier for us. And saving about $300 a year over our previous Family Share plan with "unlimited" data makes the Share Everything proposition that much sweeter for us.
My Wife and I took a look at the share plans, we have 5 lines with 3 smart phones with 700 minutes, unlimited texting w/ the unlimited mobile to any mobile plan, I have the 2 GB plan with my iPhone 5, my wife has a 3 GB plan with a Galaxy S 2 Skyrocket, and I passed down my iPhone 4 to my sister in law (previously had a 3GS), who also has the 3GB Plan.
For the nearest price share plan, we would only get 6 GBs of data and would cost $15 more per month, or we could move up to the 10 GB for $25 more per month. (I think a 4GB plan would put us right at the amount we paid)
We figured since we don't use all of our minutes, (typically the amount of rollover minutes that expire for us in one month is usually right around the amount that we don't use) and we already have unlimited texting, this plan wouldn't have been worth it except if we got another smartphone on one of the other 2 lines, or we got an iPad down the line.
(Additional note: I should also note that I am the heaviest data user, usually using around 1.8 GBs of my 2 GB plan per month, my wife and sister in law usually use only around .75 GBs a month if not less, but we have been know to have heavier usage some months.)
For the nearest price share plan, we would only get 6 GBs of data and would cost $15 more per month, or we could move up to the 10 GB for $25 more per month. (I think a 4GB plan would put us right at the amount we paid)
We figured since we don't use all of our minutes, (typically the amount of rollover minutes that expire for us in one month is usually right around the amount that we don't use) and we already have unlimited texting, this plan wouldn't have been worth it except if we got another smartphone on one of the other 2 lines, or we got an iPad down the line.
(Additional note: I should also note that I am the heaviest data user, usually using around 1.8 GBs of my 2 GB plan per month, my wife and sister in law usually use only around .75 GBs a month if not less, but we have been know to have heavier usage some months.)
Really? i guess i forgot about that. They changed that on android. Now there is just a popup suggesting you go on wifi, but you just click it off and download the whole thing. Damn, that's one less reason i have to jump back over the fence
Lol, how are my assumptions false? someone just asked, "How do people use that much data?" and I gave many scenarios which are totally normal. Now i didn't know about the 50mb download cap for ios devices. lol, that blows. Android doesn't have that and I guess I forgot about the cap from my 8 months of iphone 4s ownership.
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I just don't get what you are saying in your post at all. I responded to someone who said "How does someone use that much data?" and i gave perfectly normal scenarios. Who are you to tell me to have patience? If I have a smartphone and PAY for quality game apps and PAY to use a carrier's network, I can update WHEN I WANT TO. It is foolish to say, "Wait until you get to wifi."
My point is WHY would i pay even $53/mo for cable internet when I can get it from Verizon for CHEAPER and it's FASTER?
that makes NO SENSE!!!!!!!
I pay for my cellphone which i would have REGARDLESS of whether i had internet or not, and i will always have a smartphone because.....well because you can do 239482342 different things on it unlike a basic phone.
So now the choice is between paying Verizon $30/mo to make my phone a legitimate unlimited mobile hotspot where i get download speeds from 11mb to 39mb and can use it almost ANYWHERE i go (work, home, parents, friends, mall, restaurant, park, gym, etc) OR i could pay $53/mo to comcast to have internet in a 600 square foot area only.....HMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM, that's a tough one.....
My point is unlimited internet on your cellphone (when it's a hotspot and you have a carrier that has good data coverage/speeds) is worth more than it's weight in gold.
Anyone who says otherwise is Jelly. Sure, I could use 2gb a month but i would limit myself like crazy. And by the way, watching 30 rock on a 4.8in AMOLED screen is actually not bad and i can do a full episode if not 2 no problem. Yeah, it wouldn't be as enjoyable on the smaller iphone screen but it would still be doable.
That's another foolish argument, of COURSE watching it on a 50in HDTV with surround sound is BETTER but it's not always convenient or possible to do that when you want to watch it. That's like saying gaming laptops are stupid because gaming desktops are more powerful. Well DUH! But you can't take that desktop everywhere you can take your laptop.
Couldn't agree more with the OP. AT&T's share data plan isn't any better. It honestly feels like less data for more $$$ compared to tiered plans. It makes no sense and feels like us consumers are getting milked for every penny.
Data is the new minutes, it's their cash cow!
Data is the new minutes, it's their cash cow!
Guys, take a stand:
http://www.fcc.gov/complaints
It's VERY easy to file a complaint. If you want change, speak up!
http://www.fcc.gov/complaints
It's VERY easy to file a complaint. If you want change, speak up!
I streamed 2 TV shows last night on my iPhone 5 while on the train. Used 539 MB of data. I wouldn't trade my unlimited data plan for anything. With 4G/LTE, my usage has gone way up.