Carrier New ATT Plans Feb 2, 2014

[easy-peasy]

So if I switch two lines (that upgraded to 5s's the past Oct) to this new $130 plan, are they still under contract with ETF's until Oct 2015?

Also if I switch to this $100 + $15 + $15 plan (for 2 lines) and want to upgrade to the iPhone 6s in 2015, does that mean I will pay $200 upfront for each iPhone and my monthly payment will then be $100 + $40 + $40?

 

[T5BRICK]

So if I switch two lines (that upgraded to 5s's the past Oct) to this new $130 plan, are they still under contract with ETF's until Oct 2015?

Yes.

Also if I switch to this $100 + $15 + $15 plan (for 2 lines) and want to upgrade to the iPhone 6s in 2015, does that mean I will pay $200 upfront for each iPhone and my monthly payment will then be $100 + $40 + $40?

Yes.

Alternatively, you could pay $650 up front for the phone you buy and save about $150 compared to $200 + $25 x 24 months per line.

 

[bobright]

here's what the change plans screen shows for me (NOTE: I am currently on this new 10 GB plan, if I select the 2 GB plan, it's actually more expensive).

It looks like the reps were right it'll be $40 under the 2 GB plan they sure know how to do it. I wonder what it'd cost my wife with a basic flip phone with no data under this plan, does it show that by any chance? BTW where are you viewing your account I'd check myself but can't seem to pull up the mobile share plans


Thanks co

 

[CosmoPilot]

Yes.



Yes.

Alternatively, you could pay $650 up front for the phone you buy and save about $150 compared to $200 + $25 x 24 months per line.

Actually, you will not be able to subsidize to new phones until your upgrade eligibility date (which does not change based on switching to these new plans). However, you will be able to upgrade to the new iPhone 6 if you elect to use NEXT or pay for the iPhone outright.

 

[T5BRICK]

Actually, you will not be able to subsidize to new phones until your upgrade eligibility date (which does not change based on switching to these new plans). However, you will be able to upgrade to the new iPhone 6 if you elect to use NEXT or pay for the iPhone outright.

The person I replied to was asking about the iPhone 6s in 2015, after they were eligible for an upgrade.

 

[co.ag.2005]

It looks like the reps were right it'll be $40 under the 2 GB plan they sure know how to do it. I wonder what it'd cost my wife with a basic flip phone with no data under this plan, does it show that by any chance? BTW where are you viewing your account I'd check myself but can't seem to pull up the mobile share plans


Thanks co

https://www.att.com/shop/wireless/data-plans.html#fbid=AO12NNBD6cs

according to this website, basic/messaging phones are $20/month (for plans under 10GB) and $15/month for plans 10GB or more

 

[bobright]

https://www.att.com/shop/wireless/data-plans.html#fbid=AO12NNBD6cs

according to this website, basic/messaging phones are $20/month (for plans under 10GB) and $15/month for plans 10GB or more

Got it looking at $105 as opposed to FamilyTalk on our 2 lines at $90 now with unlimited data. I think I'll stay where I am at now until shes eligible for the iPhone 5c subsidized upgrade in May then well switch over.

 

[easy-peasy]

Yes.

Yes.

Alternatively, you could pay $650 up front for the phone you buy and save about $150 compared to $200 + $25 x 24 months per line.

Wow, so if you subsidize you end up paying $800 for a basic 16gb iPhone?!

Wonder why anyone would actually subsidize then instead of simply going with AT&T NEXT program to only pay $650 (instead of $800) spread out over 24 months

 

[bobright]

Wow, so if you subsidize you end up paying $800 for a basic 16gb iPhone?!

Wonder why anyone would actually subsidize instead of simply going with AT&T NEXT program to only pay $650 (instead of $800) spread out over 24 months

Lots of people like myself sell their old devices and put them toward the new one so the difference isnt that much monthly bills lower as well.

 

[KeepCalmPeople]

Wow, so if you subsidize you end up paying $800 for a basic 16gb iPhone?!

Wonder why anyone would actually subsidize then instead of simply going with AT&T NEXT program to only pay $650 (instead of $800) spread out over 24 months

I think, because if you want to upgrade early on the Next program you HAVE to trade-in your phone. You can't sell it. It you buy it with the subsidized plan it's yours, so you can sell it to pay off the ETF after a year, for example, so you can get the latest iPhone.
With Next you have no equity built up with your phone payments until the phone is paid off.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this.

 

[easy-peasy]

I think, because if you want to upgrade early on the Next program you HAVE to trade-in your phone. You can't sell it. It you buy it with the subsidized plan it's yours, so you can sell it to pay off the ETF after a year, for example, so you can get the latest iPhone.
With Next you have no equity built up with your phone payments until the phone is paid off.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong on this.

Of course I can't speak for anyone else, but it seems like AT&T NEXT is a much less costly option than subsidizing (even for those getting a new phone after 12 months)
1. $0 down payment
2. Spread out payments at 0% APR
3. Can pay off the remaining balance of the phone at any time

With subsidizing you end up paying $200 upfront and an additional $300 over 12-months ($25 increase from $15 per line to $40 per line). While with ATT NEXT you pay $0 upfront and $325 over 12-months ($27 per month).

My math might be off so if it is feel free to correct, but it seems like there is no point to ever subsidizing instead of going through ATT NEXT and simply selling / paying off the remain balance on the phone when you want to upgrade.

 

[AnthroMatt]

Of course I can't speak for anyone else, but it seems like AT&T NEXT is a much less costly option than subsidizing (even for those getting a new phone after 12 months)
1. $0 down payment
2. Spread out payments at 0% APR
3. Can pay off the remaining balance of the phone at any time

With subsidizing you end up paying $200 upfront and an additional $300 over 12-months ($25 increase from $15 per line to $40 per line). While with ATT NEXT you pay $0 upfront and $325 over 12-months ($27 per month).

My math might be off so if it is feel free to correct, but it seems like there is no point to ever subsidizing instead of going through ATT NEXT and simply selling / paying off the remain balance on the phone when you want to upgrade.

No $36 phone upgrade fee with NEXT either, as opposed to buying subsidized and getting charged the $36 upgrade fee. Though lots of people can get that waived....

 

[aneftp]

Of course I can't speak for anyone else, but it seems like AT&T NEXT is a much less costly option than subsidizing (even for those getting a new phone after 12 months)
1. $0 down payment
2. Spread out payments at 0% APR
3. Can pay off the remaining balance of the phone at any time

With subsidizing you end up paying $200 upfront and an additional $300 over 12-months ($25 increase from $15 per line to $40 per line). While with ATT NEXT you pay $0 upfront and $325 over 12-months ($27 per month).

My math might be off so if it is feel free to correct, but it seems like there is no point to ever subsidizing instead of going through ATT NEXT and simply selling / paying off the remain balance on the phone when you want to upgrade.

Hook line and sinker. Att is counting on Americans and their bad math.

You don't own iPhone on next program at 12 months. You are simply in a bad leasing deal. You own it after 20 months or until you pay it off early in its full price.

Subsidy model. You own the phone on day one. . At 12 months you can easily resell the iPhone for $300-400. No sweat. You can use the funds to buy new iPhone at full $650 price. Than wait another 12 months and get new iPhone for another subsidy $199.

 

[T5BRICK]

You don't own iPhone on next program at 12 months. You are simply in a bad leasing deal. You own it after 20 months or until you pay it off early in its full price.

Just pay it off early and it's yours. With Next, you only have to pay $650 for a $650 phone, it's spread out over 20-26 months or until you pay it off.

Subsidy model. You own the phone on day one. . At 12 months you can easily resell the iPhone for $300-400. No sweat. You can use the funds to buy new iPhone at full $650 price. Than wait another 12 months and get new iPhone for another subsidy $199.

It may SEEM like you're paying less, but throughout the 24 months you're paying the higher rate plan so you can get your subsidized phone at a discount. Overall you spend more than $650 on your $650 phone, it doesn't matter that you can sell it.

If you're really concerned with cost, you're not going to be using AT&T anyway. AIO and StraightTalk offer cheaper plans and run on the AT&T network anyway.

*edit* I should clarify that I'm comparing the data share plans now, not the previous plans that didn't have unlimited minutes.

 

[CosmoPilot]

The person I replied to was asking about the iPhone 6s in 2015, after they were eligible for an upgrade.

Sorry, you are correct.

 

[CosmoPilot]

Hook line and sinker. Att is counting on Americans and their bad math.

You don't own iPhone on next program at 12 months. You are simply in a bad leasing deal. You own it after 20 months or until you pay it off early in its full price.

Subsidy model. You own the phone on day one. . At 12 months you can easily resell the iPhone for $300-400. No sweat. You can use the funds to buy new iPhone at full $650 price. Than wait another 12 months and get new iPhone for another subsidy $199.

It's absolutely not bad math. Run the numbers. If you upgrade every year, NEXT is not that far off, if you upgrade every 2 years, NEXT wins hands down.

If you have multiple lines like me, I'll NEXT 2 lines every year, then sell the old models (2 year old phones) to pay off the previous years NEXT phones (1 year old). Those lines then go to $15 for the rest of the year. At the end of that year, sell them to pay off the remaining balance of the phones I NEXT'd 12 months earlier. Wash, rinse, repeat.

In terms of bad lease, just run the numbers compared to the old data plans pricing structure.

 

[aneftp]

It's absolutely not bad math. Run the numbers. If you upgrade every year, NEXT is not that far off, if you upgrade every 2 years, NEXT wins hands down.

If you have multiple lines like me, I'll NEXT 2 lines every year, then sell the old models (2 year old phones) to pay off the previous years NEXT phones (1 year old). Those lines then go to $15 for the rest of the year. At the end of that year, sell them to pay off the remaining balance of the phones I NEXT'd 12 months earlier. Wash, rinse, repeat.

In terms of bad lease, just run the numbers compared to the old data plans pricing structure.

Do the math. We have all done the numbers. The experts have done the math. NEXT only makes sense to certain people especially at the 12 month mark. You are probably better offer reselling a phone you own outright vs trading in the next phone for another phone.

The new mobile share plans are beneficial to some. They are not beneficial to people like me at this point. I have ability to mix and math smartphone and flip phone. I have ability to use full subsidy upgrade for new shiny top end smartphone on my flip line that I pay $10/month with no forced data.

----------

Just pay it off early and it's yours. With Next, you only have to pay $650 for a $650 phone, it's spread out over 20-26 months or until you pay it off.



It may SEEM like you're paying less, but throughout the 24 months you're paying the higher rate plan so you can get your subsidized phone at a discount. Overall you spend more than $650 on your $650 phone, it doesn't matter that you can sell it.

If you're really concerned with cost, you're not going to be using AT&T anyway. AIO and StraightTalk offer cheaper plans and run on the AT&T network anyway.

*edit* I should clarify that I'm comparing the data share plans now, not the previous plans that didn't have unlimited minutes.

I don't lose any sleep over the cost of ATT or even Verizon service. I carry both lines. Fortunate to have unlimited data on both carriers. Although I find verizon unlimited data more valuable than ATT and also more flexible. Because I can put verizon lte sim in any device I want. . Heck I just dropped almost $80k on new 2014 Range Rover Sport less than 2 months ago. But I am quirky about trying to get the best electronic and cellular deals.

I just want to educate people their options. My brother had old 10gb mobile share plan with 4 lines. So it was a no brainer to switch to new mobile share plan.

For others the math gets very complicated especially with older grandfathered plans.

 

[bobright]

It's absolutely not bad math. Run the numbers. If you upgrade every year, NEXT is not that far off, if you upgrade every 2 years, NEXT wins hands down.

If you have multiple lines like me, I'll NEXT 2 lines every year, then sell the old models (2 year old phones) to pay off the previous years NEXT phones (1 year old). Those lines then go to $15 for the rest of the year. At the end of that year, sell them to pay off the remaining balance of the phones I NEXT'd 12 months earlier. Wash, rinse, repeat.

In terms of bad lease, just run the numbers compared to the old data plans pricing structure.

Does anybody know if you go through Next but put a good chunk of money down on the phone say $300, would your monthly installment plans be less?

 

[CosmoPilot]

Does anybody know if you go through Next but put a good chunk of money down on the phone say $300, would your monthly installment plans be less?

Yes it would. AT&T will let you put down whatever amount you want at the time of purchase. Then the remaining balance is divided by 20 months (for NEXT 12) or 26 months (for NEXT 18). That figure is then added to your $15 line.

The biggest downfall I see in putting money down at the time of purchase is the requirement to go into an AT&T store to purchase your phone. Maybe others can correct me, but I don't see how an online purchase would be able to separate the two. This would make iPhone launch day buying more trouble in my opinion.

 

[CosmoPilot]

Do the math. We have all done the numbers. The experts have done the math. NEXT only makes sense to certain people especially at the 12 month mark. You are probably better offer reselling a phone you own outright vs trading in the next phone for another phone.

The "experts" did the math when NEXT and subsidized lines we're the same price. However, now NEXT lines are only $15. So the previous expert analysis isn't applicable anymore.

Furthermore, we must compare Apples to Apples. It's a moot point to compare these new plans to plans created 10 to 15 years ago. It should be common sense to compare these new plans to the previous data share plans (where all smartphone lines were $30 per line...NOT $10 flip phone lines). So, doing an Apple to Apple comparison, your annual out of pocket expense to buy a new iPhone (32GB) every year is:

NEXT--$0 down + $60 tax + $450 ($37.50 x 12) = $510
Subsidized--$299 + $23 tax +$36 activation + $300 ($25 x 12) = $658

This is after 1 year! Now let's continue to the end of the second year.

NEXT--$300 ($37.50 x 8 remaining months to pay off).
Subsidized--$300 ($25 x 12 month remaining on contract)

That is the math! Subsidizing costs more. Furthermore, NEXT customers can pay off their phones early UNLIKE you. With NEXT, you own your phone from day one. It is no different than buying a car. You can sell it whenever you want and pay off the difference. Unfortunately, if you subsidize you are stuck with a $40/month line for 2-years and/or an ETF for canceling. Moreover, with NEXT, after you pay off your phone you can switch carriers because you are not tied to a service contract w/ETFs. Plus you can take your phone with you because you own it and it's now unlocked! I swear this concept seams foreign to some of you.

Again, this is an Apples to Apples comparison based on the NEW data share plans compared to the OLD data shared plans. Paying $10 per line for a non-smart phone that you purchased and then converting it over to an iPhone is against AT&T policy and a loop hole you are exploiting.

 

[easy-peasy]

Do the math. We have all done the numbers. The experts have done the math. NEXT only makes sense to certain people especially at the 12 month mark. You are probably better offer reselling a phone you own outright vs trading in the next phone for another phone.

For people who keep the same phone for 2-years it seems like the choice is simple. (Using 16gb version as the example below)

With NEXT you pay $0 upfront and $650 overall.

With subsidizing you pay $200 upfront and $800 overall.

 

[Prise]

Again, this is an Apples to Apples comparison based on the NEW data share plans compared to the OLD data shared plans. Paying $10 per line for a non-smart phone that you purchased and then converting it over to an iPhone is against AT&T policy and a loop hole you are exploiting.

This is all accurate for "new" subscribers starting today. I agree that if I were to sign up for ATT right now, I'd opt for Next on the 10GB shared plan, where an additional line costs an additional $15.

However, those on contract before 2/2, the options become less simple. Anyone on contract before 2/2, may opt for the 10GB shared with $15 per line. The longer a contract remaining, the more compelling value this becomes. For lesser data plans, the price per line is $40, unless one were on contract 6 months prior to 2/2, in which case it becomes $25. Which is the better course for these people depends on data use, time remaining on contract, and each respective case needs to be calculated on an individual basis.

Then, there are those (of which there are many), like me, who have the old grandfathered plans, 450 shared (with 7k rollover minutes awarded), 3GB data, and free 6 month texting for approximately $100 for 2 lines, once all discounts have applied with fully subsidized new iPhones at the $199 entry price. Throw in the orphan 3rd dumb-phone line for $9.99 for an early $199 iPhone upgrade, the case to switch to the new plans becomes much less compelling.

What you call exploitation, I prefer to refer to as maximizing value. Just as ATT has tried to maximize shareholder value (by exploiting consumers), I've chosen to maximize my own value in return, by exploiting them.

PS - It isn't as simple as declaring "everyone" will benefit with Next on this new 10GB shared plan, because some who would have benefited from older plans may unnecessarily lose their grandfathered plans by changing prematurely, especially with iPhone 6's upcoming launch, without first doing their own analysis based on their patterns of use, upgrade preference, and existing plan.

 

[aneftp]

The "experts" did the math when NEXT and subsidized lines we're the same price. However, now NEXT lines are only $15. So the previous expert analysis isn't applicable anymore.

Furthermore, we must compare Apples to Apples. It's a moot point to compare these new plans to plans created 10 to 15 years ago. It should be common sense to compare these new plans to the previous data share plans (where all smartphone lines were $30 per line...NOT $10 flip phone lines). So, doing an Apple to Apple comparison, your annual out of pocket expense to buy a new iPhone (32GB) every year is:

NEXT--$0 down + $60 tax + $450 ($37.50 x 12) = $510
Subsidized--$299 + $23 tax +$36 activation + $300 ($25 x 12) = $658

This is after 1 year! Now let's continue to the end of the second year.

NEXT--$300 ($37.50 x 8 remaining months to pay off).
Subsidized--$300 ($25 x 12 month remaining on contract)

That is the math! Subsidizing costs more. Furthermore, NEXT customers can pay off their phones early UNLIKE you. With NEXT, you own your phone from day one. It is no different than buying a car. You can sell it whenever you want and pay off the difference. Unfortunately, if you subsidize you are stuck with a $40/month line for 2-years and/or an ETF for canceling. Moreover, with NEXT, after you pay off your phone you can switch carriers because you are not tied to a service contract w/ETFs. Plus you can take your phone with you because you own it and it's now unlocked! I swear this concept seams foreign to some of you.

Again, this is an Apples to Apples comparison based on the NEW data share plans compared to the OLD data shared plans. Paying $10 per line for a non-smart phone that you purchased and then converting it over to an iPhone is against AT&T policy and a loop hole you are exploiting.

1. It's not a loophole to use a subsidy upgrade from flip line to buy iPhone at $199 price. You are free to use that subsidize iPhone on any of your other lines as long as u have data on those other lines. You are free to sell that iPhone you purchased on flip line and continue paying $10/month as long as flip line is active with a dumb phone. ATT can't have it both ways. You see smartphones didn't "require data" until around Sept 2009. ATT made the money grub decision back in sept 2009 to force data on all smartphones regardless if it was purchased on or off contract.

2. Mobile share plans introduced in August 2012 were not a good deal for a lot of customers. I do commend ATT for the new mobile share plans just introduced. They are more attractive.

But you see there are no "true savings" when you re add the subsidies you give up by switching. It's a lateral move.

$30x4 lines is $120. Plus 10gb data (forgot the price was ?$110 under old mobile share?). So $230 for 4 lines with subsides. Remember it's not $40/line. It's $30/line when you signed up for the 10gb data share under the old plan. $35/line with 6gb. $40/line with 4gb.

Vs $160/4 lines no subsidy.

You are giving up around $74/month with the new mobile share.

A lateral move.

3. With ATT NEXT. You do not own your phone on day one. You only own it after paying what amounts to the full price even though 20 months of installments or paying it in full.

You do have an option of trading it in and continue paying another monthly installment after 12 months at a bad lease residual value.

 

[CosmoPilot]

This is all accurate for "new" subscribers starting today. I agree that if I were to sign up for ATT right now, I'd opt for Next on the 10GB shared plan, where an additional line costs an additional $15.

However, those on contract before 2/2, the options become less simple. Anyone on contract before 2/2, may opt for the 10GB shared with $15 per line. The longer a contract remaining, the more compelling value this becomes. For lesser data plans, the price per line is $40, unless one were on contract 6 months prior to 2/2, in which case it becomes $25. Which is the better course for these people depends on data use, time remaining on contract, and each respective case needs to be calculated on an individual basis.

Then, there are those (of which there are many), like me, who have the old grandfathered plans, 450 shared (with 7k rollover minutes awarded), 3GB data, and free 6 month texting for approximately $100 for 2 lines, once all discounts have applied with fully subsidized new iPhones at the $199 entry price. Throw in the orphan 3rd dumb-phone line for $9.99 for an early $199 iPhone upgrade, the case to switch to the new plans becomes much less compelling.

What you call exploitation, I prefer to refer to as maximizing value. Just as ATT has tried to maximize shareholder value (by exploiting consumers), I've chosen to maximize my own value in return, by exploiting them.

Again, I'm illustrating a true comparison against the previous shared data plans versus the new shared data plans. If you didn't think the value was sufficient to switch from your "ancient" plan to the previous data shared plans, you probably have a difficult decision based on the new plans. However, if you are on the old data shared plan, then the switch in my opinion is a no-brainer. Furthermore, you can still subsidize your lines on the new data plans. It'll cost you $40/line, but it is still an option.

In terms of maximizing value...I say AMEN! However, please don't use that argument to to trash NEXT. Because in essence, you are getting the same deal as a NEXT customer. Whereas you are paying $10 per line, a NEXT customer is paying $15 per line. This is why NEXT is now a decent deal. Whereas in the past NEXT was a terrible deal because you had to finance your phone on top of a $30 line...which was the same amount a subsidize customer paid per line.

 

[Prise]

However, please don't use that argument to to trash NEXT. Because in essence, you are getting the same deal as a NEXT customer. Whereas you are paying $10 per line, a NEXT customer is paying $15 per line. This is why NEXT is now a decent deal. Whereas in the past NEXT was a terrible deal because you had to finance your phone on top of a $30 line...which was the same amount a subsidize customer paid per line.

Sure, I think Next now is an excellent deal (much better than it had been) with the new 10GB shared at $15 per line. If I were a new customer, I'd choose this plan.