Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

stlwx21

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 24, 2008
80
11
Hello. Thanks for reading!

I currently own a 3G iPhone and will be eligible to upgrade to the new iPhone with the 18 dollar activation fee waived. Of course, I have the old 30 dollar unlimited data plan for the iPhone as well.

My brother who is on Verizon would like to get an iPhone as well. We were thinking about signing up for a family plan with the new phone launch, but I have some questions about the process.

Using my account as the main line, can my brother purchase a subsidized iPhone as well and add it on to my account. Or will he have to pay full price for the phone? Will I be able to keep the 30 dollar unlimited data plan even though we add a new line after the switchover date.

What options do I/we have?

If all else fails, I guess I can upgrade to the new iPhone, give him my old 3G, then add a new line.

Thanks for your time
 
He should be able to purchase it separately, and you call at&t to combine the two lines into a family plan. In theory, you should be able to keep your $30 unlimited data plan but he'll have to get the limited data plan.
 
Short answer is Yes to both you and your brother for the iPhone 4.

Yes, you can switch to a FamilyTalk rate plan and add a new line of service for your brother. Each line maintains it's own contract and equipment upgrade status. So you will keep your existing upgrade status and your brother will be a new customer activation, so he will also qualify the full discount for the iPhone 4.

Based on the statments from AT&T you should be able to keep your existing $30 Unlimited Data plan but your brother will not have that option.

Also, please note that both of your lines will have the new $325 ETF

Dave
 
Thanks for the replies.

There is another issue we may run into. I live in TX and he lives in OR. Do the numbers have to be from the same area code to be put under the family talk plan?
 
Anyone happen to know this?

Do both phones on a Family talk plan have to have the same area code. I live in TX and my brother is in OR
 
i'm in a similar situation where I want to port my wife over from VZW to get the 4g at discounted rate. I'm grandfathered in for the unlimited but if I give her my 3gs and take her 4g, can i keep the unlimited on the 4g and she get the $25 for the 3gs?
 
Well port her and buy the 4g. After all the process has been done. You willbe able to make all the changes you want. I don't think they will change your plan because the one you have is comptible with the 4g. The only problem I see is that you may need to change the sim cards. I will suggest doing one on one store and the other in different store. Sometimes desk people don't understad or don't know what they are doing so keeping in simple(one by one) will help. I'll say go to the first and tell them you wanna change to the 4g you just need for them to get your info in a micro simcard(since the plan you have is good for a 4g). After that's done. Go to a different store and do the same for the 3gs. Hopefully they will get what they have to do but it is possible. Also they will be a $5 fee for each simcard if the micro is not more expensive. Hope this helps
 
For the area code part if he is keeping his number then there will be no problem, but if your just adding him then for him y get his area code the account has to be done in tx. There is another way to do this. He does the account for himself as undividual and after you can take over(he hand you over his line meaningyou are responsibble for it) after that is done change to family plan and that's it. Is easier if he keeps his number. And yes you can keep you data plan.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.