I'd take AT&T official statement release over what a lowly customer service employee says.
Their statement was...
"AT&T will offer FaceTime over Cellular as an added benefit of our new Mobile Share data plans, which were created to meet customers' growing data needs at a great value. With Mobile Share, the more data you use, the more you save. FaceTime will continue to be available over Wi-Fi for all our customers."
Pretty clear, you want FaceTime over Cellular, you need a shared plan, otherwise, you're on WiFi only.
Let's see how this will work out for me. I have 5 phones on my plan, 4 of which are iPhones, 2 of them unlimited and 2 of the 2GB limited. The other phone is a DUMB phone w/ unlimited internet, which, is hardly used but only cost $10 a month to have...and it's used.....kinda. Also, I receive a 25% discount through work. But that only affects the Data plans and and any amounts over $30 on my bill...except my FAMILY Messaging Unlimited.
So on average my bill is about $255 give our take.....
Now lets see what the SHARED Plan has in store for me. First, I lose my unlimited plan on 2 of my smartphones. So, to me, that's a LOSS...already....Not saving anything...I know, your going to tell me, I get unlimited TALK....but you know what, it's a waste, as I don't use nearly the 1400 minutes I get on my plan now...I have 11000 roll over minutes now......so, it's a waste and is not an added benefit. Also, I already pay for unlimited texting.
I am going to go with the 10GB plan, becuase the 6GB will not be enough for the 4 smartphones. So, that 120$ for the plan and 120 for the 4 ($30 each) smart phones and $30 for the NON-Smart phone (HIGH WAY ROBBERY, this was only 9.99 on the other plans and shared the minutes). That brings my bill to $270 before taxes.
Ok, let's add in taxes....and these are best guesses
Federal Universal Service Charge 5.42
Regulatory Cost Recovery Charge 0.45
State Telecom Excise Surcharge: 5.30
911 service fee 1.20
County Telecom Tax 8.79
Local Wireless 911 surcharge 0.30
NY State Telecome Tax 19.07
grand total of $40.53
Yes, in Fees and Taxes, % based on what I am charged for the primary line on my bill. So, this part is a guesstamate.
Let's add that up....270+41 = 311 a month for service for my 5 phones where I am currently paying $255. That is $56 more a month than I am paying now.
Ok, let's see if I take my 25% off my base bill, that will bring me to 203 + 41 = 244....Yes, it saves me $11 a month, but i lose on my unlimited for 2 smartphones and one non-smart phone.
Ok, they said, they save the more data you use the more you save
1GB + 1 Phone = $85/GB, 2 = $130/GB, add $45 per phone after this
4GB + 1 Phone = $27.5/GB, 2 = 37.5/GB, add $10 per phone after this
6GB + 1 Phone = $20.83/GB, 2 = 26.67/GB, add $5.83 per phone after this
10GB + 1 Phone = $15.00/GB, 2 = 18/GB, add $3 per phone after this
15GB + 1 phone = $12.67/GB, 2 = 14.67/GB, add $2.00 per phone after this
20GB + 1 phone = $11.50/GB, 2 = 13/GB, add $1.5 per phone after this.
So, yes, they are not lying, but to me, this is not worth switching. Only way I am switching is if AT&T forces me out of my grandfathered unlimited data plan.
Ok, done with my rant..