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Carrier New ATT Plans Feb 2, 2014
- Thread starter Diseal3
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If price is the only factor, this would be true. Unfortunately for T-Mobile, their coverage sucks in a lot of places; their coverage is so poor where I live that I can't use it indoors at home or work, and it only has EDGE speeds when I visit the beach. AT&T has functional LTE in all of those places(occasionally I fall back to "4G"), so I just can't justify using T-Mobile.
Fair point. We recently switched (in Dallas-Fort Worth, TX) to T-Mobile and have had no issues so far. One week in, but still.
There are a lot of places in the country that T-Mobile is great. I wish it were here, and I'd rock the $30 plan.
Where my wife lived in South Dakota, Verizon was the only good option. Last summer when we visitetd, AT&T worked better than it had in the past(which was to say that it actually worked as oppsed to not at all), but I still saw "EDGE" and "No service" more than I'd like.
Anyway, back on topic, I'll be calling AT&T tomorrow to see about transferring my wifes number from Verizon and switching my 5s from a regular old 450 minute plan to this new data share plan. We'll see how it goes.
Even with more than 2 lines T-Mobile is cheaper. But all these companies are clever at how they market so they compared their 10GB 3-5 lines plan to Tmobiles 5 line unlimited rather than their 2.5GB per line plans that would have been a more equal comparison. It's really up to the informed consumer to do their own research with these telcos.
So, I have 4 smart phones, all currently under contract with varying data buckets (Unlimited, 2 GB, and 2 300 MB). Can anyone confirm that I can switch to this and pay $160? I've seen people say that on-contract lines are $40 with this instead of $15 but I can't find that tidbit mentioned anywhere on AT&T's site.
Yeah, you're right. The fair comparison to four phones sharing 10GB on AT&T would be four phones each with 2.5GB on T-Mobile. Same amount of data, though it wouldn't account for one user in the family using more than their allotted quarter of the data and one using less on AT&T.
For 10GB total data (shared or 2.5GB/each), the comparison is:
AT&T: $160/month
T-Mobile: $140/month
According to this press release from AT&T, as long as you select the 10GB data plan, as an existing customer with subsidized phones, yes you can.
http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=25237&cdvn=news&newsarticleid=37411
Also from AT&T's website:
"If you are already on a 10GB or higher Mobile Share Value plan as of Feb. 2, 2014 - you don't need to do anything. You're automatically in."
That's me, I have 5 lines and 2 tablets on a 10GB plan, so I should save about $100 per month...!
This is perfect timing. I just got the text a few days ago that I could switch to AT&T Next and get annual phone upgrades. I'm currently on the original Mobile Share with a 10 GB bucket, 2 iPhones, and a tablet. I ran the math yesterday to try to justify annual phone upgrades on the Next plan. It didn't pencil out very well, until this new offer from AT&T hit the news. Let me explain.
My current Mobile Share plan: 10 GB data for $130, 2 smartphones @ $30 ea, 1 tablet @ $10, total of $190. (I also have a FAN discount but will leave that out of this discussion)
I consider phone upgrades every two years to be the baseline. I would love to upgrade every year but will only do so if most of the cost is offset. We have 32gb phones. I sell the old ones on eBay.
So to the number above, add: (300x2 - 200x2)/24= $8.33 per month. What I'm doing here is assuming two new 32gb iPhones every two years with two year agreements, and selling the old phones for 200 apiece after fees and shipping, divided by 24 months, equals the monthly adder to my baseline cost. This puts me at $198.33 (say $200) per month on the old plan assuming 2 year upgrades with subsidies.
Now, to get annual upgrades with Next, BEFORE AT&T's press release today, I'd be looking at a $5 discount per phone per month plus a $20 discount on the data bucket, offsetting a $75 per month adder for phone payments, leaving me with a $45 increase per month in the end. I can't sell old phones on eBay, so there is no offset to this increase. That equates to $560 per year more out of pocket, a bit too much to pay for annual upgrades which I want but don't need.
However, today AT&T just pushed the balance way further in my favor. Now it's a $15 discount per phone plus $20 off data. The bottom line increase in my bill is $15 per month (after accounting for the $8.33 adder to the base case). That equates to a $200 a year premium to get two new 32gb iPhones every year and not have to hassle with eBay sales (it takes a fair amount of time and there's always the chance of getting caught in a buyer dispute).
Also, if I understand correctly, the initial switch to this plan lets us KEEP our old phones that are still in contract (8 months left on term). Is that right? I know it's a one time deal, but that's pretty nice.
This looks really good to me. Pretty sure my wife and I are upgrading tomorrow!
If anyone sees a mistake in my logic, please point it out.
Edit: It has occurred to me that February isn't the best month to start a 1 year commitment on a 5s. Come September when the iPhone 6 is released, I'll still have 4 months to wait. The good side of this is plenty of new model phones will be available by the time I am eligible. Or I could upgrade in less than 1 year - what's the penalty on that?
My current Mobile Share plan: 10 GB data for $130, 2 smartphones @ $30 ea, 1 tablet @ $10, total of $190. (I also have a FAN discount but will leave that out of this discussion)
I consider phone upgrades every two years to be the baseline. I would love to upgrade every year but will only do so if most of the cost is offset. We have 32gb phones. I sell the old ones on eBay.
So to the number above, add: (300x2 - 200x2)/24= $8.33 per month. What I'm doing here is assuming two new 32gb iPhones every two years with two year agreements, and selling the old phones for 200 apiece after fees and shipping, divided by 24 months, equals the monthly adder to my baseline cost. This puts me at $198.33 (say $200) per month on the old plan assuming 2 year upgrades with subsidies.
Now, to get annual upgrades with Next, BEFORE AT&T's press release today, I'd be looking at a $5 discount per phone per month plus a $20 discount on the data bucket, offsetting a $75 per month adder for phone payments, leaving me with a $45 increase per month in the end. I can't sell old phones on eBay, so there is no offset to this increase. That equates to $560 per year more out of pocket, a bit too much to pay for annual upgrades which I want but don't need.
However, today AT&T just pushed the balance way further in my favor. Now it's a $15 discount per phone plus $20 off data. The bottom line increase in my bill is $15 per month (after accounting for the $8.33 adder to the base case). That equates to a $200 a year premium to get two new 32gb iPhones every year and not have to hassle with eBay sales (it takes a fair amount of time and there's always the chance of getting caught in a buyer dispute).
Also, if I understand correctly, the initial switch to this plan lets us KEEP our old phones that are still in contract (8 months left on term). Is that right? I know it's a one time deal, but that's pretty nice.
This looks really good to me. Pretty sure my wife and I are upgrading tomorrow!
If anyone sees a mistake in my logic, please point it out.
Edit: It has occurred to me that February isn't the best month to start a 1 year commitment on a 5s. Come September when the iPhone 6 is released, I'll still have 4 months to wait. The good side of this is plenty of new model phones will be available by the time I am eligible. Or I could upgrade in less than 1 year - what's the penalty on that?
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It's the same as the current mobile share value plans, but it's only $15/smartphone for 10GB and up - so it will cost you $130 plus $15 for each smartphone for the 15 GB plan.
Anyone on one of the <10GB share plans probably wants to do a bit of math - it may be cheaper for them to switch to the 10 GB plan, especially if you're already on the 8GB plan and paying $25/phone.
*yawn* Typical AT&T always making these plans super complicated with tons of fine print. Me no like. I'm good with my $30 (roughly $32.18 with tax) plan with T-Mobile. (100 mins, unlimited text, unlimited data). Simple.
What if on T-Mobile, user #2 and user #4 don't really need much data. 500MB is plenty for them.
$50 + $30 + $10 + $10
+ $10 for 2.5GB of data for user #1
+ $10 for 2.5GB of data for user #3
= $120
or what if user #3 use a lot of data and want unlimited data?
$50 + $30 + $10 + $10
+ $10 for 2.5GB of data for user #1
+ $20 for UNLIMITED data for user #3
= $130
If T-Mobile coverage is good where you live/work/play, T-Mobile plans save more and offer UNLIMITED data for the user that need it. It's more flexible compare to AT&T.
Though $160 on AT&T looks pretty good if T-Mobile coverage in your area is poor. $20, $30, $40, $50 more a month than T-Mobile but you get good coverage. But if your coverage is comparable, it's a no-brainer that T-Mobile is better price wise and flexibility wise.
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My brother had the 10gb mobile share with 4 lines previously. He did get automatically switched to new plan.
But rep says he's still under contract. So you don't necessary get out of your current contract to get onto these new plans. The originally etf terms still apply.
But rep says he's still under contract. So you don't necessary get out of your current contract to get onto these new plans. The originally etf terms still apply.
I'm liking these plans - I have 4 lines with Verizon all contracts except one ending by July - First one ending in 3 months - Hey ATT pay my eft and I'm all yours ###
Just changed my plan online. Was already on the mobile share plan. My monthly bill came down $5, but I picked up an extra 6gb in data. I've got two phones, one on contract and one off. Each were $15.
Well... T-Mobile is still cheaper than AT&T for me with 4 lines. Also I have unlimited everything as well as no extra charges or overages, even if we travel internationally. 2 of these phones go to Spain for 3 months every year, so that is really important to me. Also, free tethering.
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Easiest way to calculate whether to switch is this
New plans - ($18.75 (using iPhone $650 price ($199 contract price) subsidy per line per month).
So my plan is $70 (700 min) with any mobile rollover plus 10 landlines (essentially unlimited minutes) $20 unlimited family texts plus $30 data x 4 So $210 a month (before taxes, discounts etc).
So if u factor the subsidy in
It works like this
$210 - ($18.75 x 4 lines) That's $210-75.
My "true monthly cost" when factoring subsidies is $135 a month
Compare this with the new mobile share plans which is $160/month.
So the new plans are not good for those who have older plans. It literally will cost me $25 more per month. $300 more each year. $600 more over 24 months.
That's why ATT is trying to be creative. It's a good deal for some. Not a good deal for others like me.
New plans - ($18.75 (using iPhone $650 price ($199 contract price) subsidy per line per month).
So my plan is $70 (700 min) with any mobile rollover plus 10 landlines (essentially unlimited minutes) $20 unlimited family texts plus $30 data x 4 So $210 a month (before taxes, discounts etc).
So if u factor the subsidy in
It works like this
$210 - ($18.75 x 4 lines) That's $210-75.
My "true monthly cost" when factoring subsidies is $135 a month
Compare this with the new mobile share plans which is $160/month.
So the new plans are not good for those who have older plans. It literally will cost me $25 more per month. $300 more each year. $600 more over 24 months.
That's why ATT is trying to be creative. It's a good deal for some. Not a good deal for others like me.
QuarterSwede hit it on the head....my first attempt to switch all 5 lines, 4 of which are still under contract, was a complete fail. Rep wouldn't bulge, didn't want to hear about what I read on the internet. He said he was going by his System and I was only eligible for 1 line to obtain the new discount.
I politely ended chat session and started another one, and the 2nd Rep without hesitation switched all 5 lines over to new Value Plan. We were small chatting while he was making changes in the system and I told him of my first encounter, in which he offered apologies for the inconvenience and stated that all Reps aren't aware that 2yr agreements are also eligible because the plan is so new. In return he applied a one time $30 discount towards my next bill, per his words, " for your inconveniences."
Before taxes I'm now saving $95 a month plus receiving 40% more data!!!! I can finally say I'm happy with AT&T's pricing compared to other providers. Heck I'm in the Dallas area where Tmobile has a strong and solid LTE network, and I was contemplating about jumping over via the un-carrier promotion simply to cut my monthly bill down. However AT&T's service and coverage has been exceptional for me in the past 3 years no matter where I travel in the USA. The only thing that held me back from switching was all the horror stories I read lately about people not having Tmobile coverage in rural areas(I sometimes travel to small towns in the Southeast).
Now I'm happy that I didn't bite the Tmobile bait. I now get the best of both worlds...a lower bill and exceptional service and coverage with AT&T!!!!
Cant decide what to do!
I currently have 2 iPhone 5's with unlimited data. We've never used more than 10Gb so I'm not too concerned with losing the unlimited. I would save $20/mo by changing to the new plans. But I'm unclear on what happens when I want a new phone. Are these my two options?
1. I can buy a new phone outright (full price) and my monthly rate does not change.
2. I can get a new phone on the Next plan and my monthly rate DOES go up? How much per phone? If I upgrade at 12 months, I turn the phone back in when I upgrade again? If I keep it 20 months, I get to keep the phone?
Thanks
I currently have 2 iPhone 5's with unlimited data. We've never used more than 10Gb so I'm not too concerned with losing the unlimited. I would save $20/mo by changing to the new plans. But I'm unclear on what happens when I want a new phone. Are these my two options?
1. I can buy a new phone outright (full price) and my monthly rate does not change.
2. I can get a new phone on the Next plan and my monthly rate DOES go up? How much per phone? If I upgrade at 12 months, I turn the phone back in when I upgrade again? If I keep it 20 months, I get to keep the phone?
Thanks
Not quite, there's a 3rd option. Sign a 2 year contract as you normally would, and your monthly cost goes from $15 to $40 for the duration of your contract.
Yes
Yes
Full cost of the phone divided by 20 if you want to upgrade at 12 months, divide by 26 if you want to upgrade at 18 months
Yes
Yes (or 26 months if you do Next 18)
Offering unlimited data for T-Mobile is the icing on the cake and where they best the competition. Too bad I travel all over the place or I would even consider T-Mobile.
While AT&T and Verizon are looking to milk the consumer for data usage, T-Mobile is giving it away. It will either bite them in future, or at some point they will just eliminate that option.
I currently have an iPhone 5 on my account, but like to swap to a Moto X at times.
Will swapping my sim from time to time impact this in anyway? I assume not.
Will swapping my sim from time to time impact this in anyway? I assume not.
Some account features are provisioned for the phone. For instance, I've had trouble with enabling "Hotspot" on my iPhone after switching from Android. It seems that feature has to be configured for the device. Other than that it seems pretty painless and I switch sims all the time.
It's easier to get it set up correctly for the iPhone at the account level as Android doesn't seem as picky about it.