Cell phone plans / costs

[Eric Perry]

So in reading the Things you think are far too expensive thread, several people mentioned cell service, and costs associated. I'm just curious who everyone has, what options are on their plan, and roughly what they pay every month (and if there are any discounts).


I have AT&T, and from doing some reading recently, it seems pretty overpriced. I get 450 minutes/month, unlimited texts, and only 200MB of data transfer. I get a 17% (I think it's 17%) discount, and I still pay $80 a month.

For only 200MB of data, that seems kind of pricey.

[MatticusMania]

Im on Verizon, I have 450 min/mo, Unlimited Text, and 2GB of Data for $89 a month after my 17% discount.

Features included in my plan:

Ringback Tones
Caller ID
Call Forwarding
Unlimited Mobile to Mobile
National Access Roaming PAYU
Unlimited Night & Weekend Minutes
Unl Picture/Video Msg
Mobile IM Self Prov Flag
Visual Voice Mail
V CAST APPS
General IP Nat Address
Total Equipment Coverage

[elgecko]

Verizon, 450 minutes, 250 texts, 4GB data comes out to about $78/month.

I started my plan during a double your data promo.

[DwaynieAD]

get a pay as you go plan. its cheaper with better service. they still have android phones including the samsung galaxy s3 unlimited minutes, texting, and web.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by DwaynieAD

get a pay as you go plan. its cheaper with better service..

In what way is the service better?

[Strat-Mangler]

Rogers (Canada).

450 daytime min
Call-Forwarding
Voicemail
Call-waiting
Unlimited text
Nationwide 1000 free min
6pm early evenings free calling
Weekend free calling
500 megs of data

48$/month.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

£28 (~$45) a month
Contract comes with phone
Unlimited texts
300 minutes (unlimited minutes to phones on the same network)
2Gb data

[DwaynieAD]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

In what way is the service better?

it's better because its the same service for less money and I love you.

[hover]

Virgin Mobile.
$25 a month: 300 anytime min, unlimited text / data. Currently an Android running Gingerbread, upgrade to faster phone w/ 4G -ICS soon...

Sprint network. Great call quality and coverage for me. Outta site.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by DwaynieAD

it's better because its the same service for less money and I love you.

Can't go wrong with a little love!

I was just wondering if there was actually some measure of betterness there, other than cost, like less dropped calls or better reception or something.

[tplyons]

I just switched from AT&T to Verizon and am paying much more.

Was paying $81.18 a month on AT&T for 450 minutes, 1500 texts, and unlimited data on 3G. That was with my 17% discount.

Now I'm at $103.25 a month on Verizon for unlimited minutes and texts, and 2GB of data on LTE. My 17% discount hasn't kicked in yet, but I anticipate it being about $90-91 a month.

Data transfer is much faster and the service seems to be better on VZW around here. It only bothers me that they don't do contract plans that benefit people without families. Share Everything is great... IF you have a family or multiple lines. But frankly, a 450 minute plan with 1500 text messages is more than plenty for me. I just hate paying $60 for voice when I used to pay $45.

Which reminds me, I need to look into Canadian pre-paids. I'm supporting our Canadian division about once a month for about 2-3 days each. I would be able to expense a prepaid instead of expensing the roaming charges (tricky paperwork) but would need to know the most cost effective service, preferably with data.

[elgecko]

What is this 17% discount you guys keep referencing?

[tplyons]

Originally Posted by elgecko

What is this 17% discount you guys keep referencing?

AT&T I got 17% for being a full time college student. Verizon, I get a 17% corporate discount.

Seems to be the going rate cell phone companies hand out as a discount.

Check with your employer to see if they have deals with any of the major carriers.

[1958Bassman]

Originally Posted by Eric Perry

So in reading the Things you think are far too expensive thread, several people mentioned cell service, and costs associated. I'm just curious who everyone has, what options are on their plan, and roughly what they pay every month (and if there are any discounts).


I have AT&T, and from doing some reading recently, it seems pretty overpriced. I get 450 minutes/month, unlimited texts, and only 200MB of data transfer. I get a 17% (I think it's 17%) discount, and I still pay $80 a month.

For only 200MB of data, that seems kind of pricey.

Tell them that you can't afford to pay that much, but be aware of what the competition is offering. Also, rather than talking to Customer Service, ask for Customer Retention- they're the ones who can give you what you want. I pay $65/month with 2.5Gb, 450min/mo +100, but I don't have a text plan, so I pay 20¢ for each one and 30¢ for photos sent/received.

[DwaynieAD]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Can't go wrong with a little love!

I was just wondering if there was actually some measure of betterness there, other than cost, like less dropped calls or better reception or something.

in all seriousness the "straight talk" which is walmarts brand uses different networks depending on where you are located. my fiance has one that uses verizon. so its the same service as people paying for verizon except she gets unlimited everything for 45 a month on a very nice android phone. straight talk has the galaxy s2 on it as well

I use att go phone, 50 a month, i get the att network, i get unlimited everything. i dont have a nice smartphone or anything but they do have them available.

[MJ5150]

Verizon service. $173 a month for three smartphones (two Android, one Apple), unlimited text and data, 700 shared voice minutes.

-Mike

[Got2SadowskyNYC]

$45 USD a month, unlimited talk, text and 3G service.

No contract.

Straight Talk at Walmart.

I feel like a record mogul.

[Eric Perry]

Originally Posted by 1958Bassman

Tell them that you can't afford to pay that much, but be aware of what the competition is offering. Also, rather than talking to Customer Service, ask for Customer Retention- they're the ones who can give you what you want. I pay $65/month with 2.5Gb, 450min/mo +100, but I don't have a text plan, so I pay 20¢ for each one and 30¢ for photos sent/received.

Good to know. I just may look into that! Thanks.

[SoonerMatt]

$40 a month on AT&T for unlimited everything - $50 Go plan plus a 20% corporate discount. Awww yeeeeaaahhhh

Oh, and I'm using a Nexus 4.

[MX21]

AT&T
- 4 lines, 2 are smartphones
- 550 shared minutes
- unlimited text
- one smartphone has unlimited data (grandfathered)
- other smartphone has 2GB data.

$160