Did wireless plans just get more expensive??

[mizzou]

Looking at verizion Edge and AT&T Next additions...and I'm kind of baffled at how expensive it is to add a smartphone device to these plans.

They advertise lower prices, higher data caps, but in the fine print...it can get to be more expensive then what you have now. At best, maybe you break even.

AT&T next is especially hilarious because, they advertise that getting a SUBSIDIZED phone for no upfront cost, is somehow worse then AT&T Next 12 or 18, where you basically get put on a payment plan to pay the upfront cost of the phone. Of COURSE you can trade in your smartphone each year and get a new one, you just paid for the damn thing! lol

So basically, they will give you $15 a month off your bill if you agree to pay an extra $20-25 per month to pay off a new phone. Or, you could NOT get the discount, but also NOT have to pay monthly for the new phone. wtf?? :\

What is the problem we are having? Are we being taken for suckers now?

 

[poofyhairguy]

Are we being taken for suckers now?

Kinda. Those plans are for clumsy people that refuse to keep their smart device in a case.

 

[GregMal]

Especially for families, the new plans ARE more expensive once you figure in the full cost of new phones and financing them for 2 years.
Wasn't the idea for a 2 year contract to get the brand new phone cheap?
I have 5 on a Sprint family plan. Per month it would cost me $75 more and I'd get less than I have now. Don't tell me other wireless carriers are better. I've looked at them also.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

The best plans are the old grandfathered plans. However, the Next and BYOD plans now are better than what the old MobileShare forced you to do.

 

[cmdrdredd]

If you are buying Nexus devices or your own unlocked device to bring to ATT then I believe some of the plans work out cheaper because they aren't subsidizing your device and you don't have to pay the extra few bux per month on the bill.

The plans where they let you upgrade early are more expensive because you have to pay the extra $15 per month or whatever it is to pay for the cost of them giving you an early device discount. You have to pay half the device cost before you can upgrade which for most high end devices works out to 6months of payment.

I'd say for most people the best idea is to get a device from the carrier (or your preferred wireless store) and pick the plan with the lowest data cap you will never go over. This way you don't have to pay $600 for the iphone 5 if that's the device you want. Just to give an example. If you never use more than 5GB of data then why pay for 8GB? This is how I feel about it. I'm still on Verizon's unlimited plan and I hope I am able to keep it going forward after my next device upgrade.

 

[notposting]

I'm still on Verizon's unlimited plan and I hope I am able to keep it going forward after my next device upgrade.

Only if you buy your phone at full price or get a used one elsewhere.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Only if you buy your phone at full price or get a used one elsewhere.

I've read that people were still able to keep it even when they get the discounted price on a new device. I don't know the details of how, nobody has ever explained that. Either they are lying which may be likely, or they misunderstand what unlimited is.

 

[paperwastage]

I've read that people were still able to keep it even when they get the discounted price on a new device. I don't know the details of how, nobody has ever explained that. Either they are lying which may be likely, or they misunderstand what unlimited is.

they have a second or third line (used by someone else in the family, or just paying $10/month more for a dumbphone line on their current contract)

they then use that other line's discounted upgrade to get a new phone, and then switch that phone to the original unlimited line

if the other line is unused, after the swap, they can still continue paying $10/month as a dumbphone line. they are simply paying $10*24 =$240 more. $240 + $200 iPhone upgrade is still cheaper than paying $600 outright.

 

[cmdrdredd]

they have a second or third line (used by someone else in the family, or just paying $10/month more for a dumbphone line on their current contract)

they then use that other line's discounted upgrade to get a new phone, and then switch that phone to the original unlimited line

if the other line is unused, after the swap, they can still continue paying $10/month as a dumbphone line. they are simply paying $10*24 =$240 more. $240 + $200 iPhone upgrade is still cheaper than paying $600 outright.

Well, I have two lines but from what I remember...everyone who upgrades has no choice but to lose the unlimited once you change a device on a line which is currently unlimited. Then someone said that isn't true. I'll see when I do my upgrade.

 

[bearxor]

Well, I have two lines but from what I remember...everyone who upgrades has no choice but to lose the unlimited once you change a device on a line which is currently unlimited. Then someone said that isn't true. I'll see when I do my upgrade.

Add a third line. Buy a smart device with it. Buy a cheap used flip phone. Out it on the third line after you get your smart phone. Then you can put the smart device on the plan you want.

As for the OP, this is where we're headed. Within three years, every carrier, including verizon, will be BYOD. It can be cheaper or more expensive depending on the phone you pick. Want a iPhone 5S or a SGS5 or a Note 3? More expensive. Pick a Nexus 5, MotoX or Lumia 521 and it will be cheaper.

 

[paperwastage]

As for the OP, this is where we're headed. Within three years, every carrier, including verizon, will be BYOD. It can be cheaper or more expensive depending on the phone you pick. Want a iPhone 5S or a SGS5 or a Note 3? More expensive. Pick a Nexus 5, MotoX or Lumia 521 and it will be cheaper.

Well, I hope in 3 years we all get VoLTE, ditch CDMA/legacy 2G/3G, and more phone choices that are compatible across networks. there will still be LTE band compatibility issues - hope Qualcomm and their 4th gen LTE modems/receiver can support more bands per chip (otherwise, we'll still end up with incompatible phones sold by different networks)

 

[Belegost]

Well it's saved money for my wife and I on ATT. Previously we had a subsidized contract for 2 lines and shared 6GB for 160/month. However, when ATT made changes in January we were able to move to the new plans and now have the 2 lines and 10GB/month for 110. My wife decided she needed a new phone, so that adds 28/month, and even if I added a new phone for the same we would still be less than the previous 10GB/month price (166/month vs 180/month) but I'm still happy with my 920 so we can save that.

The other benefit is that the payments on her phone end in 20 months. So over the course of a 2 year contract with 2 new 30/month payment phones we would save 24*10 (cheaper new rates) plus 4*60 (4 months of the 2 years not paying for phones), a savings of 480.

Obviously YMMV depending on number of phones, expense of phones, and amount of data - but there are conditions that save money.

 

[jpeyton]

I bought 3 GS4s off-contract for under $900 used (Craigslist), and put myself and my family on a 3-line unlimited talk/text/1GB plan for $90/month.

1GB of data per line is more than enough for our use.

That works out to roughly ~$3000 for three newer phones and 3 lines of service over 2 years. Considering that just 1 year ago, entry-level smartphone plans were still $80-$90 for a single line on-contract, I think Uncarrier has worked out well for consumers.

 

[Radeon962]

For the 10GB and up Mobile Share Value Plan, Next is a viable option based on the credit they now use for Next plan phones and/or BYOD.

The AT&T Next plan used to be a rip-off as there was no discount for having a phone on the Next plan and you were already paying to subsidize your phone through your plan, so essentially paying twice for the same phone.

Under the new Mobile Share Value Plan, Next phones are treated like BYOD devices for the 10GB and up options. You are now charged $15/mo for Next or BYOD. You get a $25 credit/month/device. If you do the old 2-year upgrade option then you pay the full $40/mo.

Depending on the phone and term 20 mo. or 26 mo. your Next payment typically runs $25-$32/mo. which gets you back to the old $40/mo that you paid under the old 2-year contract upgrade. There was no discount on the old plan for BYOD as you were still paying the same monthly rate for a contract upgrade of BYOD. Now you pay $15/mo.

The 10GB plan is $100/mo and each Next/BYOD phone is $15/mo.

If you had a phone under an existing 2-year contract prior to 02/01/2014 (when the new plan started) they grand fathered your contract phone into the plan if you switched and the phone is treated like a BYOD and billed at $15/mo.

I switched our 5 phones plus added a 6th and our monthly bill now for 10GB data, unlimited talk, unlimited text (3 smartphones - 2 under existing contracts prior to 02/01/2014, one BYOD and 3 basic texting phones) is $207 including taxes and fees (I also have a FAN discount of 17% which is applied to the $100 data portion).

5 phones with taxes and fees comes out to $20.65/phone/mo. or total of $103.25/mo.

Main line is $103.65 ($15 + $100 -17% + tax/fees)

Through the end of March (I believe that's when it ends) you also get a $100 credit (on the 3rd billing cycle) if you add a line to the MSVP.

 

[notposting]

Verizon is keeping their legacy network around until the end of the decade. On top of that, they are content with the subsidized model right now...I *highly* doubt you will be able to bring a phone from AT&T for example.

I wonder if Verizon will be selling off their old CDMA spectrum or refarming it for LTE. Would be a huge asset to them, I'm sure by then even the AWS they are using now will be getting strained.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Why do you guys make it seem like ATT and others don't offer subsidized phone prices with a contract agreement anymore? They still offer that model if someone doesn't want to pay big upfront costs for a phone. The difference is that now they have plans that work out pretty good for people who have a compatible phone and want to switch networks.

It seems to me that the big thing now is no annual contract. People don't want to be locked in with early termination fees etc if they aren't happy

 

[bearxor]

Verizon is keeping their legacy network around until the end of the decade. On top of that, they are content with the subsidized model right now...I *highly* doubt you will be able to bring a phone from AT&T for example.

I wonder if Verizon will be selling off their old CDMA spectrum or refarming it for LTE. Would be a huge asset to them, I'm sure by then even the AWS they are using now will be getting strained.

CDMA will be up through at least the end of the decade. But it will be refarmed to LTE in portions up until then.

And Verizon is simply not going to have a choice about phone compatibility in a year or so. Phones now can cover basically every frequency. The only thing stopping you from bringing a AT&T iPhone 5S over to Verizon is that the CDMA radio isn't activated but you could get LTE data. That's why VoLTE is so important for us. Once it's up and running and the devices support it, there would be nothing stopping you from switching phones to your hearts content, regardless of where it's from.

 

[cronos]

Once it's up and running and the devices support it, there would be nothing stopping you from switching phones to your hearts content, regardless of where it's from.

And finally the US will catch up with what the rest of the world could do in the mid 90s! :biggrin:

 

[cronos]

AT&T next is especially hilarious because, they advertise that getting a SUBSIDIZED phone for no upfront cost, is somehow worse then AT&T Next 12 or 18, where you basically get put on a payment plan to pay the upfront cost of the phone. Of COURSE you can trade in your smartphone each year and get a new one, you just paid for the damn thing! lol

So basically, they will give you $15 a month off your bill if you agree to pay an extra $20-25 per month to pay off a new phone. Or, you could NOT get the discount, but also NOT have to pay monthly for the new phone. wtf?? :\

I think you missed a few things about Next:

1. The payment is calculated for 24 months until the phone is fully paid off. By the time the Next period is up (depending if it's 12 or 18) and you're eligible to 'upgrade' and start a new Next plan, you *haven't* paid off that phone but you could get a new one by turning in your old phone. At that point you also have the option to pay off the rest of the value of the phone and keep the phone to yourself (or sell it/give it away) if you want.

2. With standard 2-year contract you have to pay the $36 upgrade fee or whatever it's called when you decided to get your new phone after two years and start a new 2-year contract. Next doesn't have an upgrade fee. You turn in your old phone, get a new one, that's it (your monthly payment will either stay the same or increase/decrease depending on the phone you get).

I actually think that Next is a much better choice than standard 2-year contract (of course, I think the best option is always the freedom of BYOD). Think about Next as a 'lease' option in getting automobiles. It's not for everyone, but there are people who will find it attractive for the way they use their phones, just like leasing a car.

 

[luv2liv]

im surprised nobody mentioned Republic Wireless for 10 bux per month. if you live in a big city, then RW should work great! it relies on wifi for indoor and Sprint network when outdoor. a friend of mine has RW and loves it.

 

[bearxor]

And finally the US will catch up with what the rest of the world could do in the mid 90s! :biggrin:

CDMA was the right choice in the US at the time. GSM networks in the US have been years behind of CDMA networks. It's only within the past five years they've caught up and now they're starting to come ahead. I can't go back to the decisions in the late 90's/early 2000's and judge based on a 2014 view.

I think you missed a few things about Next:

1. The payment is calculated for 24 months until the phone is fully paid off. By the time the Next period is up (depending if it's 12 or 18) and you're eligible to 'upgrade' and start a new Next plan, you *haven't* paid off that phone but you could get a new one by turning in your old phone. At that point you also have the option to pay off the rest of the value of the phone and keep the phone to yourself (or sell it/give it away) if you want.

2. With standard 2-year contract you have to pay the $36 upgrade fee or whatever it's called when you decided to get your new phone after two years and start a new 2-year contract. Next doesn't have an upgrade fee. You turn in your old phone, get a new one, that's it (your monthly payment will either stay the same or increase/decrease depending on the phone you get).

I actually think that Next is a much better choice than standard 2-year contract (of course, I think the best option is always the freedom of BYOD). Think about Next as a 'lease' option in getting automobiles. It's not for everyone, but there are people who will find it attractive for the way they use their phones, just like leasing a car.

And I'd agree that the changes made to Next over the past year have been great. When it first launched, it was a massive rip off. Now, it would increase my bill by like $10/mo to have two new phones every year over what it was.

 

[Radeon962]

And I'd agree that the changes made to Next over the past year have been great. When it first launched, it was a massive rip off. Now, it would increase my bill by like $10/mo to have two new phones every year over what it was.

The big difference with Next on the 10GB and up plan as compared to the old plan is that there was no discount on your monthly bill for a Next phone so you essentially paid for it twice. Now you do get a $25 discount for the line and your Next payment puts you back at subsidized pricing.

With the $25 discount factored in it is a good option for users who don't purchase their phones outright.

 

[sm625]

What is the problem we are having? Are we being taken for suckers now?

Of course. It is a big money industry. AT&T stock is trading near its all time high, which is funny given the almost impossible 5 year growth and revenue projections. There is no way earnings are going to grow 10% per year for the next 5 years, unless the dollar gets cut in half. Verizon is puffing even harder on the crack pipe.

 

[cronos]

im surprised nobody mentioned Republic Wireless for 10 bux per month. if you live in a big city, then RW should work great! it relies on wifi for indoor and Sprint network when outdoor. a friend of mine has RW and loves it.

There's no BYOD for RW, which makes it really hard to suggest to anyone.

CDMA was the right choice in the US at the time. GSM networks in the US have been years behind of CDMA networks. It's only within the past five years they've caught up and now they're starting to come ahead. I can't go back to the decisions in the late 90's/early 2000's and judge based on a 2014 view.

That comment was clearly in jest. It's just always funny for me to remember how I've been doing the:

1. buy phone 1 at the store
2. go to carrier A to get SIM card
3. ditch SIM card and go to a competing carrier B to get their SIM card
4. stick with carrier B because I like this carrier much better
4. sell phone 1 cause I'm bored (hold on to the SIM) and because phone 2 just came out
5. buy phone 2 and use that SIM card from carrier B in it
6. repeat

for 4 years (95-99) and had taken for granted that it is how the system works. And then I moved to the US in 99 and found out that.. what? you can't do that here? Why does it have to be so difficult here?

Yes, I understand that the cellular infrastructure was already established in the US when GSM started to gain popularity in the mid 90s. I don't know for a fact if the SIM card system (which makes it trivial for users to switch phones whenever they want) was so disliked by the US carriers because it undermines them from being able to control their customers, but it's not a stretch to think that it's one of the main reasons why US carriers have been so slow in adopting GSM (in addition to building a whole new infrastructure, obviously). I choose to think this is the case.

And I'd agree that the changes made to Next over the past year have been great. When it first launched, it was a massive rip off. Now, it would increase my bill by like $10/mo to have two new phones every year over what it was.

Yes, AT&T had made several really positive changes to their plans just in the past 4-5 months or so.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Yeah I disagree heavily with the CDMA statement. It was clear in the 90s and 2000s that it was a disadvantage. You can't just judge the choice as good because technologically it was great back then. Adoption matters too (look at VHS vs. BetaMax).

The fact that you can swap SIM cards in a GSM phone means its carrier agnostic. CDMA phones helped tie the whole US cellular industry in to carrier branded phones. Worse, the manufacturers created US only phones, completely different from the worldwide market. Very few people here even remember the awesome phones of 2005 (Sony Ericsson K750), or 2006 and the Walkman phones, or 2007 with the Nokia N95. What's worse is the US was stuck in the dark ages up until after the iPhone launch when consumers started demanding phones across all 4 major networks. Even today we see people whining about "Is XYZ phone coming to Verizon???"

Even today people still don't understand you can just BYOD and think I'm being ripped off by buying a $349 Nexus 5.

This whole subsidy, locked device, contract model has really screwed the US market up. It's not that subsidies are bad. You see subsidies in Asia and Europe. Yet people are completely open to the idea of BYOD. In the US it's a completely foreign concept, so you can't just blame it on contracts and subsidies. That's only part of the problem.