I have an opportunity to join on a family plan through AT&T wireless. I did not want to get into a contract. My question is can I buy a phone separately and not get myself into a two year contract and still particpate on receiving services through AT&Twireless through the family plan? looking for options. sdg1051
You may be able to do that in an AT&T corporate store, although you're likely to face some resistance from the sales people.
You can buy a new phone and receive AT&T services, but getting into a 2 year contract is also beneficial. Talk about it to the customer service representatives. They may help you decide better. They will definitely give you more options.
What is beneficial about getting into a two year contract? Sent from my Lumia 900 using Board Express
Usually a new susbscriber joining a FamilyTalk plan incurs a contract. If an existing individual plan subscriber under contract joins a FamilyTalk plan, the existing contract continues. Since a secondary line in a FamilyTalk plan only brings in $9.99 per month compared to $39.99 for the lowest priced individual plan, they require a contract to increase the revenue. Two years on a secondary line only bring in as much revenue as six months on a individual line. That does barely brings in enough to cover the subsidy. Yet that line qualifies for an upgrade in twenty months.
Thanks for all the suggestions on contract vs. prepaid. I purchased a Pantech Go phone with no contact. I went to a local AT&T dealer and they were kind enough to add me to my son's family plan paying the $36 activation fee, line charge and sharing minute cost each month that we agreed on. I'm only using it for voice and texting so I'm happy not to be locked in for 2 years. Thanks for the advice! David
