Carrier New ATT Plans Feb 2, 2014

[ugcop]

I have been running numbers on the new ATT offer. It isn't so much the money it saves me per month but the fact that I would no longer be under what has essentially become a life time contract. I know I could have bought my phones out right at any time and ended the contract but there was no incentive to do so.

My other consideration is one of my two phones has grandfathered unlimited data. One side of my brain says "never give it up" while the other side says " you never use that much data on the phone".



Decisions, decisions making my head hurt 😀

 

[dangerfish]

I don't disagree with your observations. All I can tell you is that two AT&T reps quoted me $40. But I'm the guy that can't get activation fees waived so maybe it's me. 😀 I'll check the website.

Screw the rep. Log in to your account and change it yourself.

I can work through the monthly charge discrepancy, it's the "what happens at the end of my contract date" that's unclear. Must I go to Next, or enjoy my contract-free phone, or choose to show up with a new non-subsidized phone (and if so what happens to my old one).

That was my question as well. Look at my post on the previous page and the answers I got. You essentially have 3 options when it comes to upgrading in the future. You just have to decide which is best for you.

 

[aneftp]

I can confirm that even if you are on contract, just need to be before 2/2/2014 （which mean all of us would be if you haven't sign a new contract today). you can be in the $15 per line, ~ super!!!! see attachment for my old 10 GB and new 10GB plan comparison.

all 8 lines are on contract and I got to my confirmation page and still shows $15. Got that page saved and hit submit in case they shows something different on next month's bill.

You have 8 lines. You are giving up $18.75 subsidy per line per month. So you are giving up $150/month with the subsidy upgrade cycle.

ATT has done their math. They aren't losing any money for those who love their subsidized $199 iPhones.

 

[PNutts]

Screw the rep. Log in to your account and change it yourself.

lol - I pulled up the site and it does show $15 per month. I also read the FAQ and found out why the discrepancy (I called to confirm my FAN discount still applies and the rep confirmed it).

Per the FAQ, there is a $25 credit for each line that comes over for phones on contract with unlimited data. (It applies to more conditions but that's how it applies to me.)


From the link:

Will customers currently on a 10GB or higher Mobile Share Value plan be eligible to receive these additional savings?
Existing customers (two year service agreement & no annual service contract customers) who were already on a Mobile Share Value 10GB or higher plan or who migrated to a plan prior to 2/2/14 will receive the $25 Mobile Share Value savings credit discount.

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20% FAN discount not shown below.

Currently $200/mo:

• iPhone on contract unlimited data - $120
• iPhone on contract unlimited data - $40
• iPhone off contract 200 MB data - $25
• iPad 250 MB data - $15

It's done.

New Mobile Share Plan 10 GB - $155/mo:

• $100
• iPhone on contract - $15
• iPhone on contract - $15
• iPhone off contract - $15
• iPad - $10
• Mobile Hotspot (yay!)

Not bad. The three of us use about 2GB a month.

 

[siroht]

AT&T New Value Share Plan is a Plus for Everyone!!!

Chiming in again to say that I've been with all 4 major carriers spanning back when Sprint kicked off the 4G craze with ClearWire a few years ago, and based on my personal usage the clear winners have always been Verizon and AT&T. I have always had a personal preference towards GSM technology opposed to CDMA(Now CDMA/LTE) and chose to stick with AT&T...even with Verizon exceeding AT&T in some areas like subscriber base and LTE buildout.

I travel frequently in the lower 48/Europe/India, and never had a complaint with AT&T other than their atrocious prices and nickel-diming services. I can without shame say that as of today I'm a proud and happy customer all around with AT&T's new pricing plans and the savings that I'm now receiving.

I must first thank T-Mobile, because without their aggressive tactics (aimed primarily towards AT&T's customer base) we wouldn't be seeing these savings. However, this is a great example of Capitalism at its best. We can spam forums arguing about which carrier has more color on their maps and offer the best bang for the buck, but at the end we the Consumer end up benefiting. You can bet your fancy that now Verizon will get off of their laurels and respond to AT&T's move, and soon Verizon customers will benefit.

When you hear that arguably the 2nd largest carrier in the US say that they must skate in the direction of the puck, this is a sign of better things to come. The only hurdle we have to overcome is for those who must have the latest and greatest smartphone; it appears we must still sell our soul to the devil at the end of the day, so to speak.

With that being said, phone manufacturers must now rethink their strategy since unsubsidized phone prices are now so transparent to the average consumer. I hope that by the time all dust settles, we the consumer, will drive the smartphone market in the direction like major phone carriers are now taking. Example: look at Google's business model with their Nexus lineup. Buy unlocked, unsubsidized and most importantly at a reasonable price, <$400. This is the business model I'm predicting that most phone manufacturers will soon adopt, in response to the direction phone carriers are now taking.

What are your thoughts? The only reason I'm putting this out here is because in its current state (carrier plans and phone prices), eventually we will have to increase our monthly bill or pay high upfront costs for that new shiny iPhone 6,7,8. Of course I know the vast majority will prefer a substantial savings today and worry about tomorrow when it arrives, but tomorrow will arrive.....hopefully without a vengeance.

 

[Mr.Scarface]

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.

Tmobile Unlimited data is 2G data. Basically useless. They cap 4G at 2GBs.

 

[CEmajr]

Tmobile Unlimited data is 2G data. Basically useless. They cap 4G at 2GBs.

The $70 plan is totally unlimited 4G LTE data. The $60 is 2.5GB and then throttled to 2G after.

 

[philxor]

For NEXT...

If I trade in the phone after 12 months do I still pay the remaining 8? I don't get why anyone would trade in their phone every 12 months if they don't get a credit and have to continue paying on that phone as well as the new one purchased.

The trade-in option is pretty terrible from a money point of view. It's like a really bad lease like others have said. Now if you keep it for 20 months then you own it outright, and for some phones the 20-month pricing is the same or only slightly higher than buying it outright initially. For a device like an iPhone you can probably sell it and get a decent chunk of your money back.

These plans are really just setting things right as the carriers move away from subsidized phones. Paying the current rate plan prices along with something like ATT Next or buying a phone non-contract is terrible. From the getgo with these "Next" type plans people were calling for reduced contracts, now that ATT has done it the other carriers are going to have to follow suit.

 

[Bacong]

this is a great deal. switched to it today!

 

[nostresshere]

Hopefully people will stop doing the $40 per phone argument. As said many times, it is $15 for phones that are ALREADY on contract. Make me sad I did not upgrade my Mom's phone last month. I have a 4S sitting in the drawer. May as well give her that.

I will decide on getting a new phone next year, or maybe even longer.

On a side note, I think this whole thing will impact iphone sales more than many can see right now. Come back and look at this next year.

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Sorry you are correct, even if you are on a contract you can still get it at $15. Sorry for the misinformation. Just changed over, 3 devices for $145.00 for me.

Please go back and edit your earlier mis-information. It just clutters up the thread.

Thanks

And, for those not sure - save your time and do not bother calling the customer service people. Log into you account and it will give you YOUR pricing. Actually seeing the pricing online made me switch.

Easy stuff. Really easy.

 

[2298754]

Just got off chat. For those who want to continue the traditional 2 yr contracts, it can be done!

May Roberts: For all three lines that you have, you can take advantage of the 10GB + Unlimited talk and text for only $145/month
May Roberts: Are you logged in to your account online?
AU: I also have a FAN discount.
AU: does that apply?
May Roberts: Yes it will apply to the general plan price which is $100
AU: So it's 27% off that?
AU: So it's 100-$27 (FAN) + $45(3 lines)?
May Roberts: Yes you are correct.
AU: Ok, if I were to switch to this, can I still take advantage of the 2 year contract pricing
May Roberts: Yes you can.
AU: So I would not be forced to upgrade thru AT&T Next correct?
May Roberts: Yes. That is correct.
AU: Alright, thanks for the clarifications. I will consider changing my plan out soon.
AU: thanks for all your help!
May Roberts: You are welcome! 🙂

 

[ugcop]

Just got off chat. For those who want to continue the traditional 2 yr contracts, it can be done!

I guess I don't understand what you are saying based upon your chat.

 

[2298754]

I guess I don't understand what you are saying based upon your chat.

In all of the press material, AT&T only talks about buying an iPhone outright or via AT&T Next. But you can purchase them the same way as before. Spend the $199 and sign a two year contract. I prefer to do this, instead of doing the stupid monthly payments.

 

[yg17]

In all of the press material, AT&T only talks about buying an iPhone outright or via AT&T Next. But you can purchase them the same way as before. Spend the $199 and sign a two year contract. I prefer to do this, instead of doing the stupid monthly payments.

The guy in the chat didn't mention that your price per phone goes from $15 to $40 if you do a new contract. So if the Next installment price is under $25/mo, that's a better deal.

 

[2298754]

The guy in the chat didn't mention that your price per phone goes from $15 to $40 if you do a new contract. So if the Next installment price is under $25/mo, that's a better deal.

Hmmm....

this is a very good point.

iPhone 5S is exactly $25/month 😀

 

[redman042]

Just got back from the AT&T store. We are now on the new Mobile Share Value Plan with AT&T Next. Our existing two iPhone 5 phones are now released early from their contracts (they had 8 months left in a 2 year agreement). We can keep or sell these. We have brand new iPhone 5s which can be swapped annually. We went from an old 10gb Mobile Share for $30 per phone and $120 for data to $15 per phone plus $100 for data plus $75 for the finance of two new 32 GB iPhones. That's a $25 increase in monthly costs to be able to upgrade annually, but take $9 off of that for avoiding $300 per phone bi-annual upgrade cost every two years, minus sale price of the old phones.

I'm happy. This is a great deal.

 

[jbachandouris]

I called them and changed to the 10GB plan. I was paying $145 for 1GB and now it's $145 for 10GB.

It's nice to have the breathing room on the data. Maybe I'll tether more often. My iPad is lonely.

 

[philxor]

Just got back from the AT&T store. We are now on the new Mobile Share Value Plan with AT&T Next. Our existing two iPhone 5 phones are now released early from their contracts (they had 8 months left in a 2 year agreement). We can keep or sell these. We have brand new iPhone 5s which can be swapped annually. We went from an old 10gb Mobile Share for $30 per phone and $120 for data to $15 per phone plus $100 for data plus $75 for the finance of two new 32 GB iPhones. That's a $25 increase in monthly costs to be able to upgrade annually, but take $9 off of that for avoiding $300 per phone bi-annual upgrade cost every two years, minus sale price of the old phones.

I'm happy. This is a great deal.

You know you didn't have to go to the Next plan in order to sign up for the new plan, right? I'm assuming you wanted the new phones.

The Next plan itself is a terrible deal if you plan on getting a new phone every year. You aren't financing the phones if you trade them in every year, you are renting them and generally paying more than $300/year to do so. You are paying to not have to bother with figuring out what to do with your old phone. You are better off keeping the phone for 20 months and then selling it yourself to Gazelle or some other outfit.

 

[Mr.Scarface]

Hmmm....

this is a very good point.

iPhone 5S is exactly $25/month 😀

32GB version is $3 more...under the 18 month plan.

 

[PNutts]

The guy in the chat didn't mention that your price per phone goes from $15 to $40 if you do a new contract.

On a similar line of thought the only thing that concerns me about the new plans is the $25 credit I'm now receiving. When AT&T decides it doesn't need to be as competitive it's easy to end a credit and hard to raise the price. The fact that it's a credit tells me that they don't plan on it being permanent. But nothing is permanent with mobile data plans anyway so I'll enjoy the carrot until they get out the stick.

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Hopefully people will stop doing the $40 per phone argument. As said many times, it is $15 for phones that are ALREADY on contract.

To be precise (since this is a contract) the phone is $40 and there is a $25 credit. A big difference for those who it matters to and not a big deal at all to the other 99%. 😛

And, for those not sure - save your time and do not bother calling the customer service people. Log into you account and it will give you YOUR pricing.

Again, good advise for most people but because of some specific requirements on my lines (my account as been described to me as a pseudo-business account) and also because my FAN discount was not mentioned on the website I wanted to hear the details from someone and get their name so there would be no surprises and I could have a neck to grab if something turns up wrong.

I tried the mobile hotspot today and got 5MB down and 2MB up so plenty of pipe for the kids.

 

[dragon671556]

I don't like either of these new plans. Mobile share is not an option for me as I only have 1 line. I don't think the NEXT plan will save me any money. I have 450 min, 200 text and 200MB for @$68.91 a month. I never go over and just got my 4S in April 2013.

 

[thehype31]

I don't like either of these new plans. Mobile share is not an option for me as I only have 1 line. I don't think the NEXT plan will save me any money. I have 450 min, 200 text and 200MB for @$68.91 a month. I never go over and just got my 4S in April 2013.

You are the perfect candidate for prepaid... Aio's $40 a month plan out the door for unlimited, talk, text and 250 MB of data would be perfect. You would save 28.91 a month. Assuming a 325 ETF that went down 10 a month, you still owe about 225. You could make that back in less than 8 months by switching now, then reap the savings.

 

[dragon671556]

You are the perfect candidate for prepaid... Aio's $40 a month plan out the door for unlimited, talk, text and 250 MB of data would be perfect. You would save 28.91 a month. Assuming a 325 ETF that went down 10 a month, you still owe about 225. You could make that back in less than 8 months by switching now, then reap the savings.

I've never heard of this company. We only have ATT and a local carrier that uses CDMA.

 

[thehype31]

I've never heard of this company. We only have ATT and a local carrier that uses CDMA.

I don't want to hijack the thread, but it's an ATT- owned subsidiary that uses ATT's network- aiowireless.com

 

[bigcstyle4]

Our existing two iPhone 5 phones are now released early from their contracts (they had 8 months left in a 2 year agreement).

Are you sure they ended your contract early? I switched to this plan today with two launch day iPhone 5 and both lines still show a contract end date of 9/14/2014 on OLAM.