AT&T Launches Lower-Cost Mobile Share Value Plans for Families

AT&T Launches Best-Ever Prices for Families on its Best-in-Class Network | AT&T

 

This looks like I can save $50 a month and get 4Gb more each month??? Being an ATT customer already, I don't have to switch to the Next upgrade plan either. Am I reading this correctly???

Current: 3 lines and 6Gb for $195
New: 3 lines and 10Gb for $145

Unlimited text and voice.

 

Just e chatted with an agent. I made the change on line starting today, and saved $50 a month. Doesn't change my upgrade in Oct either.

Woohoo!!!

 

So with this change, come upgrade time, you chose to keep the new lower rate and use att NEXT plan for your upgrade (or buy/bring a full price unlocked phone) OR go back to the subsidy model and back to the higher monthly rates. I think it is per line though. Not sure.

Anyways, my lifestyle has changed and here is my analysis. Did I make a mistake in the math or logic??? Please check me out here.

It's a choice. On the new plan you gain 4 Gb of data ( going from 6 to the 10 Gb plan) to share.

Option 1
Okay so you want to replace 3, 32 Gb every 2 years. If you stayed with the old plan you pay $50 more per month. That's 50*24= $1200 spent. Then you buy three phones 299.99 *3 = 899.97. Plus 36 *3 = 108. Rounding, that's 2208 spent. Divide by 3 that is $736 you've spent for your free phones. Basically the cost of a unlocked phone.

Assuming they are in mint condition and you can sell them for 400-500, then your free phone cost you 236-336 each. Maybe they are not mint. Or the market is flooded with phones. You'll get less. Maybe it's lost or broken. Zero on eBay. To make it work you have to sell the phone.

Option 2
So maybe pocket your saved money in a saving account to save for 3 new phones (1200) instead. The extra 1050 you'll need, 350 per phone, you can recoup on eBay when you sell the old phones. Maybe you'll get 400-500 on eBay as above.

In either case if you can sell three phones for 500 each, the first option costs you 236 and the second option 250 per phone.

So it's a wash. But you gain 4 Gb of data in option 2.

Option 3
With 12 month NEXT a 32 Gb will cost you 37.50 a month. 12 months is 450 and you can't sell the phone- you must turn in to att, in good condition. But then maybe you won't spend $100 on AppleCare. Make use of the apple 12 month warranty

So the newest model costs you $350. Every 12 months. And 4 Gb more data

But remember, for year one, you're saving 50 a month until your first upgrade. October 2014 for me so 350


Three options. Your choice to fit your lifestyle.


PS: if indeed come upgrade time you can do subsidy per line that would be 299.99 upfront plus 36 plus $25*24 months for a total of $936 per phone

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That was my thinking too dmapr! It seems that a lot of people are moving over. ATT made it attractive finally to move to a non subsidy option...and threw in the NEXT for those that may wish too. The good part, if I got it right, is that one can do the NEXT on a line by line basis. Or the subsidy.

Very happy to save $50 a month.

10 Gb??? I'm making great use of the iPad tethering over wifi/BT.


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Yes. I switched to the new plan. Then a few hours later I pretended to add a new line. For that line I could buy outright, use Next (at $37.50), or do the subsidy for $40 a month.

I didn't follow through to confirm that the other lines stay at $15, but I think that's the idea. I would keep the 10Gb, so I think I'm right.

What you save really depends on the plan and phone price and how much you can resale it for. For me, it's seems to work it close enough. Plus for a family not every one upgrades as much as I do

Good question.


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You are right. In my case, saving $50 a month in the new plan gives me 4 extra Gb and I save up $600 per year which is nearly enough for 2 unlocked iPhones every 2 years.


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:headscrat HEADS UP!!!

I got the ATT notice that my bill was ready (Feb 2 to Mar 1)...and it was HUGE!!!

Effectively they upgraded my data from 6 to 10 gB and my charge went up form $90 to 100 a month...that is okay.

But my per line went up from $35 to $40 a month!!!! WTF? Not $15?

So i called. They were very nice and said that it takes 2 billing cycles before you see the discount. ??? :loony:

So I said, NOOOOO way. After 20 minutes back and forth...they were saying it wasn't explained clearly...and I said no, it wasn't written that way...the bill is just wrong...you gave me half of the upgrade: one type for the data and it looks like the 2yr subsidy rate for the lines.

Anyhow, they agreed and reduced my bill to the $15 per line...So my bill for this cycle went from $260 down to $176 (taxes etc made the difference..still it went down $84).

The thing to note? The online bill was wrong, but it clearly said that my current plan was only $145 ( $100 + 3* $15).

So it is all mixed up...check your bill...

P.S. I did confirm with ATT that come Oct, I can go back to the subsidy (2 Year) per line..for $40... no other line affected. And it is NOT $40 + $15 per line.

BUT..I can do the NEXT option today (even saw that on line)...don't have to wait for my regular upgrade in Oct. And then it is about $32per line plus $15...So effectively I could get out of the ETF...well they didn't say anything about turning in my current iPhone 5.

Just some info for the 'rest of us'...

 

I had similar dreams. But I might wait to see why the new phone options are in the Fall.

Do keep in mind, that iPhone 5 prices on eBay will continue to drop...and, from my experience, selling an iPhone, with an AppleCare+ warranty with either fetch a better price, or sell faster....and most times do both! I normally advert that in the eBay title...it give an assurance to the buyer. You are allow to transfer it (AppleCare+) once only.

vf

I think my daughter will jump on this however. I would love to have the fingerprint sensor now though.

 

Ahhhh!

The joke of AT&T billing is that were prompt in charging me more $ for the extra data and the per line charge, but were saying that the discount was would take 2 months. I told them never has their billing cycle worked like that, etc, etc, and please I would like to cancel.

I was very polite, and I think it is important to be at first.

Amazing.


Btw, didn't realize you are such a big cheese at the AT&T forums.


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Joe can have his cut after mine...


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Anthro we are on the same wavelength. I may wait for the ip6, rumors are fall, but even this summer.

I think more like summer. I can sense you have the itch.

Btw I just picked up a JamBox. Costco has a $40 off price this weekend. Got it for $99.


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