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The $25 off the $40 subsidized line fee is a 62.5% discount, for those playing the numbers game at home.

A few more numbers of note:
The unsubsidized line discount of $25 totals $600 over 2 years, while the difference between the subsidized iPhone and the unsubsidized iPhone is only $450, so if you subsidize without a corporate discount, you're paying an extra $250 for your phone.
A 22% discount makes the line fee $35.20 per month. The unsubsidized line fee at 22% off is $13.20. The difference ($22) over two years comes to $528, which means even if you have a corporate discount, if you're subsidized you're still paying $178 more than you should for your phone.

This doesn't sound right. Everything I see is more than my legacy plan. If I get off contract, they aren't going to discount me $25 per line. So I am not sure where you are getting your numbers. Maybe you need to show us your phone bill.. :)
 
This debate between 2 yr contracts and Next is getting old. For those on grandfathered plans, the 2 yr contract can still make sense. For those on the newer Mobile Share Value plans of at least 10GB (now 15GB for the promo going on), it's cheaper to either buy at full retail or use Next as an interest free payment plan.

Add users with multiple lines and that has been my position for quite awhile.

The posts are more a response to the "Next is always cheaper" crowd. It increasingly is, but certainly is not always.
 
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This doesn't sound right. Everything I see is more than my legacy plan. If I get off contract, they aren't going to discount me $25 per line. So I am not sure where you are getting your numbers. Maybe you need to show us your phone bill.. :)

That's because you have unlimited data, which you can't have on a shared data plan (which gives the $25/line discount for not being on contract for 10GB and up plans). A contract as opposed to Next makes sense for people on unlimited data plans if they're really using a lot of data. I just don't think that people should fool themselves into thinking they're not paying for the phone over that 2 year contract.
 
I just don't think that people should fool themselves into thinking they're not paying for the phone over that 2 year contract.
The issue is total cost of ownership. If my total monthly bill is less than another single line user's monthly bill, who's being fooled?

I can allocate the "costs" anyway I want. If I cost in the full value of the subsidy, my total phone, UDP and UTP charges are less than $50/month before taxes and fees.
 
This doesn't sound right. Everything I see is more than my legacy plan. If I get off contract, they aren't going to discount me $25 per line. So I am not sure where you are getting your numbers. Maybe you need to show us your phone bill.. :)
It's for the Verizon plans. There's a mix of Vz and ATT in this thread. If you don't have VZ the math won't work for you.
 
That's because you have unlimited data, which you can't have on a shared data plan (which gives the $25/line discount for not being on contract for 10GB and up plans). A contract as opposed to Next makes sense for people on unlimited data plans if they're really using a lot of data. I just don't think that people should fool themselves into thinking they're not paying for the phone over that 2 year contract.
I only use around 6GB a month, so I'd need a 10GB for my average usage. Which is $100 just for the data. That doesn't include access charges which for me would be another $30, So I'd pay a total of $130. That doesn't even include the payment for next 24 which would add at least another $30. So I'd be paying at least $160 a month, plus have to pay off the phone if I want to sell it in 12 months and upgrade. Staying with a 2 year contract I get unlimited data, my phone cheaper up front and can sell it after a year without paying anything more, all for $92 a month. So for me next and MSV plans are a ripoff.
 
That's because you have unlimited data, which you can't have on a shared data plan (which gives the $25/line discount for not being on contract for 10GB and up plans). A contract as opposed to Next makes sense for people on unlimited data plans if they're really using a lot of data. I just don't think that people should fool themselves into thinking they're not paying for the phone over that 2 year contract.

They aren't paying for the phone and they are paying for the phone. If on legacy plans the no contract period does not reflect a change in price, then certainly they are overpaying, as the intent of the price original included the cost of the phone, partially.

Thats the reason you should buy a new phone, as soon as your contract is up, to make use of those funds you are letting evaporate. Given my situation, needing 4 phones over 4 years, this is a logical conclusion. I am not spending upwards of $3000, once every 2 or three years, to cover members of my family. I am spending $199 to $399 once a year, and $17 to $34/mo the rest of the time. On top of that, if I change plans, as it is right now, I will pay $70 more per month without gaining services that I will actually use.

So you are saying, if all my phones were BYO no contract phones, and I switch plans, my bill should drop $25 per line. And instead of paying $210 + Tax, I would be paying $110 + Tax per month. Seriously? (15GB + unlimited everything else) on 4 lines.

Legacy w/UDP - It's easy to accommodate, to budget. Not freedom, I know.
 
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My head is spinning. What are the chances of getting an in-store AT&T employee to go over the plans my 2 phones are on and give me honest answers about what is the best plan for us?

We both have iPhones on 2-year contracts, one of which is expiring and is being used to upgrade to the 6S Plus (from a 5). The other is one year into its 2-year contract and is a 6 Plus. Both phones are linked in one account that gets a "National Account Discount" of 26%.

Neither of us use large amounts of Data (we work in offices that supply Wifi):

The 6 Plus is on Nation 450 with Rollover with Unlimited Messaging and just 2GB of Data. The total bill on this account is $68.09/month after discounts.

The 5 is on an even smaller plan, Mobile Share Value 1GB with Rollover Data. The bill is just $46.76/month.

Because both our bills are so small we have never even considered switching to anything other than a subsidized 2-year contract.

Should we?
 
The $25 off the $40 subsidized line fee is a 62.5% discount, for those playing the numbers game at home.

A few more numbers of note:
The unsubsidized line discount of $25 totals $600 over 2 years, while the difference between the subsidized iPhone and the unsubsidized iPhone is only $450, so if you subsidize without a corporate discount, you're paying an extra $250 for your phone.
A 22% discount makes the line fee $35.20 per month. The unsubsidized line fee at 22% off is $13.20. The difference ($22) over two years comes to $528, which means even if you have a corporate discount, if you're subsidized you're still paying $178 more than you should for your phone.

You're comparing apples with grapes.
The unsubsidized line discounts $40 and $25 discount things have nothing to do with older plans that have no line access charges .
 
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You're comparing apples with grapes.
The unsubsidized line discounts $40 and $25 discount things have nothing to do with older plans that have no line access charges .

On Verizon, there are a number of different plans that are still in play but are no longer available. SOME older plans (the very old ones) do not have line access charges. MOST older plans still currently active do.
 
On AT&T & if you are using Mobile Share Plan,
  • If you are using 10GB or more data per month, paying full price(unlocked,next,apple lease,whatever) is cheaper.
  • If you are using less than 10GB data per month, 2 year contract plan is cheaper.

Old legacy plan vs Mobile Share Plan.
  • If you use text message a lot, Mobile share plan is cheaper.
  • If you don't get FAN discount, Mobile share plan may be cheaper.
  • If you get FAN discount & don't use text messages, old legacy plan is cheaper.
  • If you have 4 or more family lines, Mobile share plan is cheaper.
 
why do you want to renew a 2 year contract? if you sign up for a mobile share plan on Next or BYOP the line fee is significantly lower than on a 2 year contract. AT&T will get their money from you in line fees despite the subsidized initial purchase price. I recommend Next or purchase outright.
You don't even know what his monthly payment or plan details are. How could you assume Mobile Share is less than what he is paying right now?
 
Old legacy plan vs Mobile Share Plan.
  • If you use text message a lot, Mobile share plan is cheaper.
  • If you don't get FAN discount, Mobile share plan may be cheaper.
  • If you get FAN discount & don't use text messages, old legacy plan is cheaper.
  • If you have 4 or more family lines, Mobile share plan is cheaper.

I don't know about the text part. We get unlimited text with our legacy FamilyTalk Nation 700 with Rollover plan.

Also, not losing the grandfathered unlimited plan could be more important than whether it's cheaper or more expensive. However, purchasing outright doesn't reduce the monthly payments if you're on grandfathered unlimited.
 
However, purchasing outright doesn't reduce the monthly payments if you're on grandfathered unlimited.

I want an answer from AT&T on this. They clearly have told us the cost of the phone is included in the monthly fees. If you purchase the phone outright you should get this discount regardless what type of plan you are on. The only thing that makes sense is that they just want to screw the UDP people.
 
I want an answer from AT&T on this. They clearly have told us the cost of the phone is included in the monthly fees. If you purchase the phone outright you should get this discount regardless what type of plan you are on. The only thing that makes sense is that they just want to screw the UDP people.

It's true. On legacy plans the monthly cost is fixed and is not lowered if you buy the phone full price or bring your own phone.
 
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I want an answer from AT&T on this. They clearly have told us the cost of the phone is included in the monthly fees. If you purchase the phone outright you should get this discount regardless what type of plan you are on. The only thing that makes sense is that they just want to screw the UDP people.

We already know the answer to this. Those on grandfathered unlimited still pay $30/month whether they buy at the subsidized prices or purchase outright. If you want a discount on the monthly payments when purchasing outright, then switch to NEXT plan, but you'll also lose your grandfathered unlimited.

You can't eat your cake and have it too.
 
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Thanks! Do you know why they changed it? I HATE ordering through AT&T and prefer to do so through Apple. I suppose I'm forced to order through AT&T now.

The reason this is happening is because AT&T is phasing out 2 year contracts like all the other carriers. They should be gone by years end. They are just taking baby steps instead of ripping off the band aid and stop them like Verizon did.
 
On AT&T & if you are using Mobile Share Plan,
  • If you are using 10GB or more data per month, paying full price(unlocked,next,apple lease,whatever) is cheaper.
  • If you are using less than 10GB data per month, 2 year contract plan is cheaper.

Old legacy plan vs Mobile Share Plan.
  • If you use text message a lot, Mobile share plan is cheaper.
  • If you don't get FAN discount, Mobile share plan may be cheaper.
  • If you get FAN discount & don't use text messages, old legacy plan is cheaper.
  • If you have 4 or more family lines, Mobile share plan is cheaper.
Note also that right now, the 10gb plan is actually 15gb. It's a promo I believe, but you can keep it indefinitely.

I did the double data promo last year where I get 30gb for the price of the 15gb plan. I've kept that promo even when upgrading, etc.
 
We already know the answer to this. Those on grandfathered unlimited still pay $30/month whether they buy at the subsidized prices or purchase outright. If you want a discount on the monthly payments when purchasing outright, then switch to NEXT plan, but you'll also lose your grandfathered unlimited.

You can't eat your cake and have it too.

But there's a hidden subsidy fee included in my monthly bill - I don't understand why this wouldn't be removed if I'm off contract.
 
I know, but if you're not on a contract, why would they still make you pay the hidden fee?

Why ask why? That's why people have traditionally upgraded their phones at the two-year mark. Otherwise, they're wasting their money on the hidden subsidy fees. You can always recoup this cost from selling the new phone and putting the old one back on the line.
 
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So you are saying, if all my phones were BYO no contract phones, and I switch plans, my bill should drop $25 per line. And instead of paying $210 + Tax, I would be paying $110 + Tax per month. Seriously? (15GB + unlimited everything else) on 4 lines.

Before tax, we are at $142 for that exact scenario (with FAN discount of 18% and four phones). We actually have five phones on the plan, but with four phones it would be $82 (for the 15 GB + unlimited everything else) plus $15 per phone. This does not include the cost of buying phones, but we buy one phone per year, and the old ones get handed down to the kids' lines. This is not necessarily cheaper than some legacy plans, but the vast majority of people are not on those plans and can't get those plans. You'll have to cost it out and make decisions based on your own situation.
 
My head is spinning. What are the chances of getting an in-store AT&T employee to go over the plans my 2 phones are on and give me honest answers about what is the best plan for us?

We both have iPhones on 2-year contracts, one of which is expiring and is being used to upgrade to the 6S Plus (from a 5). The other is one year into its 2-year contract and is a 6 Plus. Both phones are linked in one account that gets a "National Account Discount" of 26%.

Neither of us use large amounts of Data (we work in offices that supply Wifi):

The 6 Plus is on Nation 450 with Rollover with Unlimited Messaging and just 2GB of Data. The total bill on this account is $68.09/month after discounts.

The 5 is on an even smaller plan, Mobile Share Value 1GB with Rollover Data. The bill is just $46.76/month.

Because both our bills are so small we have never even considered switching to anything other than a subsidized 2-year contract.

Should we?

You have a real weird situation with the two phones on different plans. I'm always wary of talking to employees at AT&T and believing anything they say, so I've always costed things out for myself.
 
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