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I'm switching over from Sprint to AT&T in order to get the new Winmo7 Phone, but I have no use for a data plan.
The phone has wifi.
My house has wifi.
My train was wifi.
My job has wifi.
My wife has mifi.
Someone said if you buy the Winmo7 phone, keep it for 30 days (paying data), and:
1. Take out the Sim card out and put it in a "dumbphone" (a RAZR), and make a couple of calls,
2. Call AT&T and tell them you want the data plan removed (do not mention that you have a smartphone, if they ask, say that you have a regular phone because you have lost your smartphone), and since they can't force you to keep a data plan on a phone that cannot use it, they'll remove it.
3. WARNING, if your carrier ever catches you electonically using their smartphone without the required data plan, they could proceed to automatically re-add the data plan on, with or without your notice. The worst case scenario would be they ensue an Early Termination Fee on you, and make you pay the difference of what you've paid for the phone and the retail price of it!
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Does this make sense?
Will Winmo phones have to be jailbroken so as not to report back to AT&T?
Will I be able to configure the phone to go to wifi, and not try getting AT&T data?
After I removed the data plan on Sprint, the phone still kept trying to get weather data, and I had to specifically ask for a "DATA BLOCK" to stop the phone from trying to get data!
Thanks
If you go into settings-mobile network
you can turn the data connection off. Your Phone will now only be able to do calls and texts.
I guess that would work, but I live in the UK and we aren't forced to buy a data plan, so I can't be certain.
The US carriers seem like a right pain in the backside with different frequencies and GSM vs CDMA etc. I don't know how you guys ever manage to get a fair deal when you are so locked down to one particular carrier.
You don't need a data plan if most places that you visit have a WiFi connection.
MSWarrior said:
I'm switching over from Sprint to AT&T in order to get the new Winmo7 Phone, but I have no use for a data plan.
The phone has wifi.
My house has wifi.
My train was wifi.
My job has wifi.
My wife has mifi.
Someone said if you buy the Winmo7 phone, keep it for 30 days (paying data), and:
1. Take out the Sim card out and put it in a "dumbphone" (a RAZR), and make a couple of calls,
2. Call AT&T and tell them you want the data plan removed (do not mention that you have a smartphone, if they ask, say that you have a regular phone because you have lost your smartphone), and since they can't force you to keep a data plan on a phone that cannot use it, they'll remove it.
3. WARNING, if your carrier ever catches you electonically using their smartphone without the required data plan, they could proceed to automatically re-add the data plan on, with or without your notice. The worst case scenario would be they ensue an Early Termination Fee on you, and make you pay the difference of what you've paid for the phone and the retail price of it!
----------------------
Does this make sense?
Will Winmo phones have to be jailbroken so as not to report back to AT&T?
Will I be able to configure the phone to go to wifi, and not try getting AT&T data?
After I removed the data plan on Sprint, the phone still kept trying to get weather data, and I had to specifically ask for a "DATA BLOCK" to stop the phone from trying to get data!
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was just on AT&T. This is all I will say, because I've been through this.
My Mom had a RAZR. She put her SIM Card in a BlackJack, and AT&T's system automatically added the data plan to her bill.
Your phone doesn't need to use data, they will know by the IMEI and other phone information that you have a smartphone. Everytime you phone connects to their network, it sends out the IMEI and the system will check that IMEI against you account. If you have a smartphone IMEI on a dumbphone plan, they will automatically add the smartphone packages to your account. You'll even get a text saying that you put you SIM in a smartphone yada, yada. The only way to have a smartphone without a data plan is to buy it outright off contract and activate it only with a voice plan on it.
There is no way to get around that. Swapping SIMs to make calls won't avoid that. Only modifying you phone IMEI and making it look like a dumbphone will do that. The process is automatic and happens instantly. Put you sim in, turn you phone on, turn it off... Too late. You have a smartphone plan on your account now.
My mom never used any data on her phone (no ActiveSync account setup, never used the browser... we checked for data usage - there was none), but AT&T simply told her if she puts her contract SIM in a smartphone, they have to add the data plan. She would have had to ETF her contract if she didn't want to pay for a data plan, so she went back to her dumbphone.
And to expand on some things, just in case you don't understand where I'm coming from:
Will Winmo phones have to be jailbroken so as not to report back to AT&T?
Will I be able to configure the phone to go to wifi, and not try getting AT&T data?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. That's impossible. AT&T (any cell carrier's) network checks the IMEI/ESN of every phone that connects to their network the minute it connects. They will know exactly what type of phone you have. It has absolutely nothing to do with what operating system is on the phone. It can be a WP7, WinMo, Droid, iOS, iBangedUrMom device... They will still know exactly what type of phone you're using the minute it connects to their network via the phone's IMEI (and probably even the Serial Number, but they shouldn't even need that).
2. See #1. The phone doesn't have to access data for them to know that you're usin a smartphone on a dumbphone plan. All it has to do is connect to their network, and they'll know by the IMEI that you're trying to gib them. They will then alter your plans as required to suite their smartphone requirements (Add Data Plan, etc.).
BTW, when AT&T automatically adds data plans, they add the highest data plan. So, even though you don't use data at all, they will add a $25 2GB data plan, not a $15 200MB data plan.
And there's nothing you can do about it. It's in the contract and the requirements are pretty much universal across carriers here.
No carrier allows you to have a smartphone on a dumbphone plan (a plan without a data package) if you're under contract. The only way to do it is to buy the phone outright and have a plan without a contract. In that case, you'll just have to pay overages everytime you use data - which can easily (and quickly) exceed the costs of a data package.
And TBH, it's not even worth it to use a smartphone without a data package, even if you have WiFi in most cases. I use my HD2 as an iPod of sorts right now and there's no way it would be usable without a data package even though I have WiFi in most places I go. Missing an email I could have checked at a red light telling me soandso isn't feeling well and isn't going to be there, so I can spare myself the 45 minute drive is just not acceptable for me.
That bull**** about them just removing the data plan is false. That's what warranty is for and if you're a dumbphone user you should be getting a brand new dumbphone everytime you contract is up for renewal basically for free. Either you get a new one (they can give you a loaner phone until then, and it won't hurt since you use dumbphones, right?) or pay the price. They won't let you breach you contract. That would be negligent of them, and unfair to all of their other users.
If they do take it off (probably assuming you will take the SIM out) the system will automatically add it the minute you turn the phone back on - and the next CSR may not be as willing to break the rules (and none of them can just "change" the system).
thanks n8ter
lots of good advice
one thing though, I have a sprint Wm 6.5 Touch Pro 2 on sprint, with no data, and it works great! My contract ran out a year ago, though.
So you think if I buy a Winmo7 phone for $499 and try to join AT&T without a contract, they might allow it?
I asked Sprint and they said some smartphones like the Wm 6.5 Touch Pro 2 they allow to connect without data plan, but others like the droid they do not allow.
in any case thanks, I learned alot.
MSWarrior said:
lots of good advice
one thing though, I have a sprint Wm 6.5 Touch Pro 2 on sprint, with no data, and it works great! My contract ran out a year ago, though.
So you think if I buy a Winmo7 phone for $499 and try to join AT&T without a contract, they might allow it?
I asked Sprint and they said some smartphones like the Wm 6.5 Touch Pro 2 they allow to connect without data plan, but others like the droid they do not allow.
in any case thanks, I learned alot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but you will be responsible for any overages.
I'm not sure how willing they are to put Data Stops on accounts/phones. I've never asked about that. My mom just ETF'd her account and went with Boost Mobile and got a Blackberry Curve instead.
Her AT&T bill went from $80/mo to $120/mo after she put her SIM in that BlackJack, and since her plan was altered her contract was extended.
Just don't try it. You're going to end up on the losing end of that battle.
That is why lots of people do like to buy phones outright. It does offer you a lot of flexibility and doesn't tie you to one carrier (though your phone's hardware may do that job for them ).
MSWarrior said:
So you think if I buy a Winmo7 phone for $499 and try to join AT&T without a contract, they might allow it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you buy a WP7 phone from Amazon for $99 and choose $15 data plan, you'll be paying $99 + $15 x 24 (2 years) + taxes which would be close to or less than the off contract price ($499) of the phone alone. This is a better way IMO if you can have a contract because you can also enjoy data service (200MB a month) for 2 years.
Yikes, how the hell are those costs justified?! I only pay £10 per month,in UK including unlimited data & texts, and 150mins talktime. That's like $7 usd!
plastix said:
Yikes, how the hell are those costs justified?! I only pay £10 per month,in UK including unlimited data & texts, and 150mins talktime. That's like $7 usd!
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Click to collapse
Um...what planet are you from? UK pounds are 1.61X US Dollars...which would mean that you are paying at least $16 dollars per month...which is still AMAZINGLY affordable for what you re getting...Although I doubt it is really unlimited data...STILL!
Here in Canada, you either buy a phone off contract and pay full price, or get locked in a THREE YEAR contract, with a minimum $50 plan, which has about 200 minutes, unlimited text, and 500MB of data...although, tethering is free...
plastix said:
Yikes, how the hell are those costs justified?! I only pay £10 per month,in UK including unlimited data & texts, and 150mins talktime. That's like $7 usd!
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Click to collapse
150 Minutes of talk-time are pathetic.
Lots of people here (in the US) are getting rid of landlines and using mobile phones almost exclusively, so the cost of the contract isn't all that high when you consider the cost savings on the other side of the coin (a landline with a Nationwide Long Distance etc. is around $30-40 a month from a good service and not one of those crappy small companies).
450 minutes is a decent minimum for the markets here considering how much people have gravitated towards using social medium, email, SMS, and IM.
Data Prices aren't as great here as some other places, but tiered data plans do allow those who use very little data the flexibility to pay less for their small data usage, instead of being forced to get the max package just because they brought a certain type of phone.
plastix said:
Yikes, how the hell are those costs justified?! I only pay £10 per month,in UK including unlimited data & texts, and 150mins talktime. That's like $7 usd!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here couple of WP7 phones were launched at $99 from reputed sellers (Amazon / Newegg) with a contract. With holiday season upon us I'd say more such deals will follow, may be even free. How much do you have to pay to get a WP7 phone with £10 plan (contract or not)?
150 mins talk time is not enough for me. We have a family plan and my wife uses 2/3rd of the minutes alone. £10 != $7, as long as you are talking about UK & US currencies.
plastix said:
Yikes, how the hell are those costs justified?! I only pay £10 per month,in UK including unlimited data & texts, and 150mins talktime. That's like $7 usd!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's it, I'm moving.
*conversion was not correct, but that's still insanely cheap!
the lady who bought her HD7 in line before I got mine on lauch-day, got hers without a data plan, they made her pay the un-subsidized price though
I ask because a lot of the promised discounts aren't materializing for me, so I might not be keeping this phone after all.
RIght now I pay $30 for a SERO plan on sprint. 500 minutes, unlimited text, unlimited data
The best I came up with on VZW was $40 for 450 minutes, $10 for 500 texts a months, and $30 for unlimited data: That's $80 a month, for less minutes and texts.
When I was asking about work discounts, the WZA people said it was 20% off evrything, which then became 19% everthing, then I found out that required a contract, the non contract discount was 17% and only on the voice plan, not the text or data plan. the $10 one bill disocunt required singing a new 2 year contract with FIOS with a $315 ETf, which I'm not signing, I am so sick of being locked into service contracts, I'm done with those things.
So with my big discount, my $80 bill turns into a $73.20 bill. Wheee.
Yes, the Incredible is a great device, but more than doubling my cell phone charges is a tough pill to swallow. Whats everyone else out there paying?
Well I too got tired of paying out the ass.. I took my ding and went to metropcs ( I know that's not an option for many) but 40 bucks a month rocks for unlimited everything. Ya it sucks using the slow 1x speed for data. But it works fine for emails and Facebook. Etc. I don't stream music or movies when I'm not home so it works for me.
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA Premium App
I am paying $88 a month
$40 for my half or a 700 shared minute Talk plan (again, the smallest as I do mostly in-network which is unlimited)
$30/month unlimited data
$10/month for 500 text mesasges (got the smallest as I just needed texting period, almost all of mine are in verizon network and therefore unlimited)
$8/month for Assurion insurance
I am locked in on this until July 2012 at which point I will be evaluating if I want to stay with Verizon or switch to sprint (ATT is out as their data plan disgusts me)
My wife tells me were paying 180 a month. For what I have no idea. Apparently I shouldn't of asked. What the hell Verizon. What the hell me why aren't I paying attention to our bills.
Sent from my Incredible using XDA App
My wife and I both have data plans and we are on my parents' plan to save money. We all split 1400 anytime minutes. We have have the $5/mo texting (gotta love GTalk), and unlimited data and it usually comes out to $120/mo for the 2 of us (in total). Too much, IMO, but I dont know what else to do. Dropping the minutes doesnt change the price THAT much.
Added to my parents plan after my ex shut off my sprint phone, pay $50 a month, love it!
Sent from my ADR6300 using XDA App
RyanTX said:
My wife and I both have data plans and we are on my parents' plan to save money. We all split 1400 anytime minutes. We have have the $5/mo texting (gotta love GTalk), and unlimited data and it usually comes out to $120/mo for the 2 of us (in total). Too much, IMO, but I dont know what else to do. Dropping the minutes doesnt change the price THAT much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Reason many pay out the ass for verizon is because they have good coverage and data speeds. No other carrier in my area has solid coverage, it's all spotty.
I seriously have not been in any place without a signal unless it was underground or inside a meat locker, so for now I'll swallow the big bill for what I'm getting. Hopefully other carriers will eventually widen their network range out so people like me can have more of a choice.
I pay ~70$ with corporate discount.
You guys got it good. I pay 200+ a month for 4 phones. 2 on unlimited android (25$ each)1 with 200mb(10) family txt (10) 750m shared (59) then 2 phones with insurance (7each) yep.. Tmobile isnt so vad with the bill they cut my android unlimited to 25 each instead of 30. But I'm getting sick of it going to make the fam pay soon (evil laugh)
I use swype so expect bad grammar and errors
125 a month. 900 minutes, unlimited data, 500 texts. Bout to drop my texting plan which will drop me 10 bucks. Not much but I'll take it. Google Voice ftw.
Im on an old allltel plan, 1200 sharrd, unlimited text n mms, data for the 2 phones cost $20 together and is unlimited. My bill is $180 a month for both smattphones. Is a little high, but as im sitting in the can typing this in the middle of nowhere, ks, i realize my coverage is superb.
Sent from my Incredible using XDA App
POQbum said:
Reason many pay out the ass for verizon is because they have good coverage and data speeds. No other carrier in my area has solid coverage, it's all spotty.
I seriously have not been in any place without a signal unless it was underground or inside a meat locker, so for now I'll swallow the big bill for what I'm getting. Hopefully other carriers will eventually widen their network range out so people like me can have more of a choice.
I pay ~70$ with corporate discount.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Funny, I get worse coveragr than I do with sprint, which I would think is impossible since they both roam with each other, right?
I took my ding and went to metropcs ( I know that's not an option for many)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How'd you get them to activate a non MPCS phone? I wish phones weren;t carrier branded so I could use my Dinc on Sprint.
I have the lowest smartphone plan on Verizon, 450 minutes, unlimited data and 500 texts for $79 plus tax which comes out to $81 per month. I came from Sprint and the cheapest smartphone plan they had ran $69 per month plus tax. The $10 difference in plans being Sprint includes texts and Verizon doesn't. The reasons I switched from Sprint were; one terrible service and, two they lacked a good choice in phones. The SERO plan you are talking about is not compatible with the new smartphones and you will have to upgrade to the $69 plan and sign a two year contract to get it.
Me and my wife have a plan through my work (17% discount). our total is $130.50/month for 700minutes, my phone has unlimted (30$/month) my wifes has 150MB, and my wife added 200 texting for $5 but I use google voice since I have unlimeted data.
all in all not a bad price. as mentioned it has to do with the service. On AT&T I never got a signal at my families cottage, with verizon I do (Not sure if that was a good call since my wife can not get a hold of me on the guys weekends hehehe )
SoBBie
It is good to see that what I am paying is somewhat common on verizon and I am not missing some considerable discount haha
Also, with my circle and my 1200 min plan, my wife and i use about 5000 to 6500 minutes a month and never go over, thats a good plan
Sent from my Incredible using XDA App
Paying around 60$ /month with VZW. I got unlimited calling/data/texting though.
emkorial said:
Funny, I get worse coveragr than I do with sprint, which I would think is impossible since they both roam with each other, right?
How'd you get them to activate a non MPCS phone? I wish phones weren;t carrier branded so I could use my Dinc on Sprint.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to get the esn added to metro. then have it flashed.. .. I saved my apn's for data. so when i flash a new rom. I can restore them. and have working data again.. again. if you can put up with 1x speeds. and have metro coverage. then the price cant be beat...
kzoodroid said:
I have the lowest smartphone plan on Verizon, 450 minutes, unlimited data and 500 texts for $79 plus tax which comes out to $81 per month. I came from Sprint and the cheapest smartphone plan they had ran $69 per month plus tax. The $10 difference in plans being Sprint includes texts and Verizon doesn't. The reasons I switched from Sprint were; one terrible service and, two they lacked a good choice in phones. The SERO plan you are talking about is not compatible with the new smartphones and you will have to upgrade to the $69 plan and sign a two year contract to get it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can upgrade to SERO premium and get a new phone for $50 a month. I still have an ancient smartphone so I still get the $30 a month plan.
I just found out that with no contract I get no discounts at all, so I just cancelled with Verizon. I'll just play with my Inc over wifi I guess.
I think I'm just going to buy a TP2 on Sprint, it's the last smartphone they had that you could get that still works with the $30 SERO plan. The Inc is an awesome device, I love it, but I don't use my phone nearly enough to justify spending an extra $50 a month on it, that's crazy.
Prepaid is cheap!
I am on a prepaid plan that costs $27.70 per month, with no taxes, which can range from 15-20% on top of the post-paid rates. It is on the Verizon network with Verizon voicemail and 3G data, but I purchase it through a virtual network operator that buys Verizon network capacity at a discount and provides their own customer service. The company is PagePlus cellular. In turn, PagePlus cellular has dealers that are authorized to sell their plans, and the one I use is KittyWireless.com. KittyWireless offered a deal where I paid (one-time) $50 and now I get a discount on my monthly rate for life. PagePlus cellular charges $29.95 for the plan I described, and with my KittyWireless discount, I pay $27.70 per month.
I have 1200 voice minutes, 2000 text messages, and 100 MB of data per month, and I'm set up on an autopay plan that charges my credit card each month.
This plan works great if you have wifi at home and at work, and don't do a lot of music & video streaming, and you are smart about updating apps, etc. I just use email, Google navigation, and some light web browsing and come in well below the 100 MB. I also have three additional family members on the same plan, and we are all very satisfied (three of us use HTC Droid Incredibles, two rooted). There are no family plans or sharing of minutes, we each have the $27.70 plan.
The downside is that you have to provide your own device (buy on eBay, etc) and they only provide assistance if you buy a device through them, and they don't have Droid Incredibles, so you are completely on your own if you have any technical issues. Also, some of the Verizon "services" are not available, such as visual voicemail, and some other stuff that I consider as junk anyway.
Also, PagePlus cellular does not have the same level of customer service as Verizon. Expect to be on hold for 20 minutes before you get to talk to anyone. This is not for people that need hand-holding, but seems like it would be appropriate for a lot of people in the XDAdev community who are willing do research on forums, etc to solve any issues.
Hmmm, I'm paying $84.28 give or take a few cents from month to month.
Verizon Wireless
Nationwide Talk & Text 450 (unlimited text/picture messages) --- $59.99
Email & Web for SMARTPHONE --- $29.99
TEC Advanced Devices - Asurion --- $7.99
Taxes --
Then a nice 22% discount from company I work with
Back in february I was so happy to get 4GB at price of 2GB data and now Verizon made me really unhappy , I switched from AT&T to Verizon been happy ever since!
now the shared data plans are just awful.
Code:
http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Verizon-Wireless-Launches-Shared-Data-Plans-119891
see for yourself!
I have 3 LTE (4GB lines) = 12
one iPhone line = 2gb
together =14gb
If I switched to their new plan I would pay exactly SAME PRICE for 10gb shared between all 4 phones.
Only difference is unlimited minutes and hotspot -_-
Verizon is just padding their pockets. Almost nobody benefits from these plans.
When they had that "double the data" deal going on I got 10 gigs for the price of 5.
Only 1 phone on the plan and don't plan on changing that .
When it's time to re-up I'm certain that things will have changed (like 100 Mbit LTE and stuff).
T-Mobile suddenly looks so good.... I doubt I'll leave Verizon though, I am a sucker for coverage.
If they cut off my grandfathered unlimited plan, there's no question that I'll leave Verizon. With these plans, I'd be paying $110 for my one phone with 4GB of data. That's absurd. Unless I'm misreading the plan, which I don't think I am, that's my only option (as 4GB is roughly what I use monthly).
They've realized fewer and fewer people care about minutes and texting, so instead of offering lower tiers, they just opt everyone into unlimited as their only option, and brand it as a benefit for the consumer. No thanks.
copkay said:
If they cut off my grandfathered unlimited plan, there's no question that I'll leave Verizon. With these plans, I'd be paying $110 for my one phone with 4GB of data. That's absurd. Unless I'm misreading the plan, which I don't think I am, that's my only option (as 4GB is roughly what I use monthly).
They've realized fewer and fewer people care about minutes and texting, so instead of offering lower tiers, they just opt everyone into unlimited as their only option, and brand it as a benefit for the consumer. No thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They probably won't kill your unlimited but you can say goodbye to phone upgrades. Now you will have to buy phones full out to keep that unlimited
Bigjim1488 said:
They probably won't kill your unlimited but you can say goodbye to phone upgrades. Now you will have to buy phones full out to keep that unlimited
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It ends up being cheaper that way if he actually utilizes his unlimited data. Not really if he only uses 4GB.
This actually works out in my favor to the tune of $10/mo and I get an extra gig of data.
So total I pay $160/mo, which includes the 950 minutes with 5 free friends and family numbers, unlimited texting and 4 GB of data on the Nexus (due to double data), plus 5 GB on the Xoom.
If I added the numbers up right, my 9 gigs of total data would become 10 gigs, and I'd only pay $150:
$100 for the 10 GB of data with unlimited talk and text.
$40 smartphone fee for the Nexus
$10 tablet fee for the Xoom
I can live with saving $10/mo and getting an extra gig of data.
It would save me a total of 10 dollars a month to go with the 1gb shared, at the cost of my wife losing 4gb data, and me unlimited.
adrynalyne said:
It would save me a total of 10 dollars a month to go with the 1gb shared, at the cost of my wife losing 4gb data, and me unlimited.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In the end, this is about one thing and one thing only...which is getting rid of unlimited data plans. VZ knows that forcing people to buy phones at full retail is going to make people think long and hard about whether or not they really NEED that unlimited data, or those people will take their money elsewhere. VZ doesn't care.
For those of us who went to VZ after the unlimited jig was up though, I think most of us will see at least some level of savings, even if it's only $10/mo like in my case. I mean, for me, getting an extra gig of data for $10 less per month is a win. Getting unlimited minutes on top of it is gravy, even though I don't make many phone calls.
oldblue910 said:
In the end, this is about one thing and one thing only...which is getting rid of unlimited data plans. VZ knows that forcing people to buy phones at full retail is going to make people think long and hard about whether or not they really NEED that unlimited data, or those people will take their money elsewhere. VZ doesn't care.
For those of us who went to VZ after the unlimited jig was up though, I think most of us will see at least some level of savings, even if it's only $10/mo like in my case. I mean, for me, getting an extra gig of data for $10 less per month is a win. Getting unlimited minutes on top of it is gravy, even though I don't make many phone calls.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even if I was on the lowest tier of 2gb, its a lose.
As expected, the shared data plans are a rip-off for 90% of use cases. I'm happy to have left VZW behind.
Okay, some fine print time.
Fine Print #1
Those who wish to stay with their current setup of 4GB of double data are able to do so. You will be allowed to upgrade with it, keep it, etc. So if the shared plan is not financially beneficial to you, don't sweat it.
Fine Print #2
Yes, those with unlimited will lose it. ONLY WHEN THEY UPGRADE. So if you never upgrade, you don't lose it for the foreseeable future. Do what I've been doing for years. Buy your phones off craigslist. Meet the seller at a Verizon, let a rep check the ESN and make sure you're not getting scammed with a stolen phone, and call it a day. I picked up my Nexus for $200 on Craigslist, the same cost it sells for at Verizon WITH CONTRACT. This will enable you to keep your unlimited.
The prices on this benefit a lot of people. Consider this:
2 line family plan, both smartphones
99.99 for 700 minutes & unlimited texting
30 for 2GB
30 for 2GB
=$160 a month
Under new plan:
$70 for unlimited talk and text, 4GB of data shared, now with free tethering
40 for 1 phone
40 for other phone
= $150 a month. $10 savings, same GB overall, now unlimited minutes.
I'm not saying it works for everyone, but it does work for a lot of people, and if it doesn't work for you, there are still other options available. Let's not all cry doom yet.
Very disappointing. Currently have a family plan of two smartphones and a feature phone. Before data, the cost for everything (shared minutes, 3 texting plans, line access charges) is $105. That's with the minimal texting plans that everyone needed. Data is currently 2x$30, one unlimited, the other 4gb (total bill:$165). I was hoping that family data meant I could cut that extra $60 and have a shared pool in the 4gb range. Our normal usage would realistically do well with a 3gb/month cap. 2gb would be realistic with some attentiveness to usage.
Nope! If we switched, the base price before data is $110. 1gb shared is a $5 savings off our current bill and that's just asking for overage charges. Anything more than 1gb and it's just more expensive than current. "Pay less and use less" was my theme for how I hoped to change things. Verizon managed to make that impossible in their new system for me. Over a year until my contract is up, but if it was expiring sooner I'd be looking for a change.
Maybe I should find some light data users/non-smartphone users and ask them if they want to join our family plan.
firelightx said:
Okay, some fine print time.
Fine Print #1
Those who wish to stay with their current setup of 4GB of double data are able to do so. You will be allowed to upgrade with it, keep it, etc. So if the shared plan is not financially beneficial to you, don't sweat it.
Fine Print #2
Yes, those with unlimited will lose it. ONLY WHEN THEY UPGRADE. So if you never upgrade, you don't lose it for the foreseeable future. Do what I've been doing for years. Buy your phones off craigslist. Meet the seller at a Verizon, let a rep check the ESN and make sure you're not getting scammed with a stolen phone, and call it a day. I picked up my Nexus for $200 on Craigslist, the same cost it sells for at Verizon WITH CONTRACT. This will enable you to keep your unlimited.
The prices on this benefit a lot of people. Consider this:
2 line family plan, both smartphones
99.99 for 700 minutes & unlimited texting
30 for 2GB
30 for 2GB
=$160 a month
Under new plan:
$70 for unlimited talk and text, 4GB of data shared, now with free tethering
40 for 1 phone
40 for other phone
= $150 a month. $10 savings, same GB overall, now unlimited minutes.
I'm not saying it works for everyone, but it does work for a lot of people, and if it doesn't work for you, there are still other options available. Let's not all cry doom yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We aren't crying doom, we are being realistic.
I have five lines, with two of them being smart phones, and the rest feature phones with no data plans. My wife has 4gb, I have unlimited. Under no circumstance is this advantageous, by any reach. Verizon is just fattening their pockets.
Using Droid Life's method of calculating, I have 170 bucks in device fees alone before even selecting a plan.
Don't they plan to make calls routed through LTE Advanced soon? So heavy talkers who think they have "unlimited" minutes will find out they are burning gigs of data per month just on phone calls.
Just to give you an idea, streaming music for one hour a day equates to 1 gig of data per month. A family of five can easily use of gigs of data just on voice calls.
Maybe Verizon will exempt this type of data, though I doubt it.
They are giving away voice as unlimited because data is their money maker and they know it.
adrynalyne said:
We aren't crying doom, we are being realistic.
I have five lines, with two of them being smart phones, and the rest feature phones with no data plans. My wife has 4gb, I have unlimited. Under no circumstance is this advantageous, by any reach. Verizon is just fattening their pockets
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then, realistically, don't switch to the new plan structure. This plan is essentially giving data plans to those feature phones, and as a result, costs more. If that's not what you want, stick with the plan setup you have now. Verizon isn't taking away individual data plans. They're just taking away unlimited.
I've already come up with a few loopholes to keeping unlimited. Will be anxious to try them out.
firelightx said:
Then, realistically, don't switch to the new plan structure. This plan is essentially giving data plans to those feature phones, and as a result, costs more. If that's not what you want, stick with the plan setup you have now. Verizon isn't taking away individual data plans. They're just taking away unlimited.
I've already come up with a few loopholes to keeping unlimited. Will be anxious to try them out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just because they aren't taking away 'insert' individual feature, doesn't mean we shouldn't complain about them effectively finding a way to screw people.
I've said it before, I am not one to side with the folks who are OK with bending over.
My mom's phone doesn't require a data plan and she plans to upgrade to a smartphone in October. I have the Nexus with unlimited. We are on the same plan.
So my question is when she upgrades will that affect me?
Verizon Wireless’s Monthly Line Access Charge (MLAC). What is a MLAC? It’s a user fee for the privilege of using their network. Of all the pieces of the Share Everything puzzle, the MLAC is the part that really rubs me the wrong way. If the fee itself isn’t bad enough, the egregious amount they are charging, forty dollars per smartphone, is quite frankly, obnoxious. Because smartphone users will be the biggest piece of the data pie, Verizon Wireless believes they can rake those users over the coals. Once again, this fee is obnoxious. It really does shock me that Verizon would impose such egregious fee on their customers – it’s a real slap in the face to long time loyal customers.....saw this on rootz I just copy and pasted the last paragragh...will something like this let us get out of our contract assuming it happens?
Its not even a "possible", it is a "will be" when the shared data plans come into effect.
http://rootzwiki.com/news/_/article...g-proposal-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-r881
Original article if anyone cares.
No, it won't get you out of your contract, because you would have signed a new contract under the new conditions.
Wait, so all of a sudden if you're on this share everything plan, you get smacked with an additional $40? Good thing none of us are on it and will not be on it.
I Am Marino said:
Wait, so all of a sudden if you're on this share everything plan, you get smacked with an additional $40? Good thing none of us are on it and will not be on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
40 dollars per smartphone, 30 per feature phone. The 50+ on top of that is the actuall plan.
So...if you were on a shared plan with one smartphone and nothing else (why the hell would you do this), you would pay 90 bucks a month plus taxes and surcharges for unlimited voice, text, and 1gb of data. If on a feature phone, it would be 80 a month. It goes up from there.
Edit: Oh and the employee discounts? Only apply to the plan and not the device fees.
That shared plan is for the birds...keeping my unlimited data plan. Who still talks that much on phones these days anyway to need unlimited voice.
No, it won't get you out of your contract, because you would have signed a new contract under the new conditions.
OK so until we end our existing contract not much is gonna change then?I got in past the unlimited data so not to worried bout that right now....guess I should have posted the hole article sorry for any confusion guys..
evolving said:
No, it won't get you out of your contract, because you would have signed a new contract under the new conditions.
OK so until we end our existing contract not much is gonna change then?I got in past the unlimited data so not to worried bout that right now....guess I should have posted the hole article sorry for any confusion guys..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right. You are safe for your current contract period. IF additional charges are levied against current contracts, you can walk away with no ETF. If you renew before the end of this month (26, or 28th, I forget), you can get in on the old plans.
Right. You are safe for your current contract period. IF additional charges are levied against current contracts, you can walk away with no ETF. If you renew before the end of this month (26, or 28th, I forget), you can get in on the old plans.
OK thanks for the clarification, I was assuming that anyways but was thinking they may try to force it on us whenever they felt like it.I looked it up and the shared plan takes my bill to 220 or 240 with 10 gb shared..they are gonna make us go broke or go back to ****ter phones.
evolving said:
Right. You are safe for your current contract period. IF additional charges are levied against current contracts, you can walk away with no ETF. If you renew before the end of this month (26, or 28th, I forget), you can get in on the old plans.
OK thanks for the clarification, I was assuming that anyways but was thinking they may try to force it on us whenever they felt like it.I looked it up and the shared plan takes my bill to 220 or 240 with 10 gb shared..they are gonna make us go broke or go back to ****ter phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed. There are only a few circumstances I see this being advantageous. I am definitely not one those circumstances.
Definitely gone from Verizon once my contract is up.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW
That charge isn't new. The family plan I'm on now is $9.99 per line.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
Smokeey said:
That charge isn't new. The family plan I'm on now is $9.99 per line.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not what we are talking about,yours is 9.99 for add a line.what we are talking about has not started yet
nothing to see here, move along
1) There is NOTHING to indicate that verizon will end or take away anyone's current unlimited data plan, if you want to continue with it, even beyond when your contract expires. Keep your current phone, keep your current contract, unlimited, forever. (or until they make further changes). Same phone, some contract, no change.
2) Want to keep your unlimited plan, AND get a new phone? Go ahead, buy a new phone, keep your unlimited plan. Forever. You just have to pay full price for that new phone.
So the only REAL change coming for current, unlimited data subscribers is they won't be able to keep their current plan AND get a new subsidized phone. They are not taking away your unlimited data plans, they are taking away subsidized future phones.
REMEMBER Verizon hasn't sold new unlimited data subscriptions for a year or so now, so for most new customers unlimited data isn't an issue.
Moving forward ......
3) For NEW customers, or old customers that don't have unlimited data, the new plans look like they will save a bunch of money for (a) families and (b) users with tablets. The new plan for a smartphone + tablet will likely be cheaper than a current smartphone plan PLUS a separate tablet data plan, and, the new plans will likely be much more convenient, you won't have to worry OK, I'm at 4.7 gigs on the tablet this month, better start using the 5 gb smartphone data allowance ...
4) Verizon is expensive. Yep. We got all kinds of threads touting the unlimited Straight Talk plans, or the $30 Tmo plan. LOTS of reasons knowledgeable folks are going for the prepaid plans these days, IF you're looking to get a new, cheap plan.
5) IF you have an unlimited plan, AND you use close to or more than 5gb of data, verizon today is the best deal going, and will continue to be the best deal going. I regularly get 20 MBS 4g lte on unlimited verizon. My neighbors unlimited DSL is 6 mbs. I don't have to pay for home internet ....
I'm not seeing any reason for current unlimited users to panic, for new users the new plans are an improvement over current family and multi line plans, and there are plenty of prepaid cheaper options, have been for months now, the new verizon plans don't make the prepaid look any MORE attractive.
EXAMPLE - Galaxy Nexus + xoom lte tablet
CURRENT
Tablet 3GB plan, $35
Smartphone - unlimited talk and txt = $90
Smartphone Unlimited data = $30
Smartphone Hotspot = $30
TOTAL = $185
NEW PLAN, 10 GB
unlimited 10 GB = $100
smartphone +$40
tablet +10
TOTAL = $150
SO which plan is better? 10 GB is a lot of use a month .... and a lot more for the tablet to use if the phone hotspot isn't around.
For some folks, the unlimited IS worth the extra $35 per month, no doubt, but, for many users, looks to me like the new plan might be better ....
SO, if you have no unlimited home internet, and need to make sure you can download the 40GB MOP expansion pack for World of Warcraft when it comes out, or, have no unlimited home internet to DL HD video with every night, by all means, keep your current unlimited verizon wirless plans.
At 20 mbs dl, popping over 30 mbs in the wee hours when downloading HD video, I'll likely keep my unlimited plan for many many more months.
HAVE FUN!
noneone said:
nothing to see here, move along
1) There is NOTHING to indicate that verizon will end or take away anyone's current unlimited data plan, if you want to continue with it, even beyond when your contract expires. Keep your current phone, keep your current contract, unlimited, forever. (or until they make further changes). Same phone, some contract, no change.
2) Want to keep your unlimited plan, AND get a new phone? Go ahead, buy a new phone, keep your unlimited plan. Forever. You just have to pay full price for that new phone.
So the only REAL change coming for current, unlimited data subscribers is they won't be able to keep their current plan AND get a new subsidized phone. They are not taking away your unlimited data plans, they are taking away subsidized future phones.
REMEMBER Verizon hasn't sold new unlimited data subscriptions for a year or so now, so for most new customers unlimited data isn't an issue.
Moving forward ......
3) For NEW customers, or old customers that don't have unlimited data, the new plans look like they will save a bunch of money for (a) families and (b) users with tablets. The new plan for a smartphone + tablet will likely be cheaper than a current smartphone plan PLUS a separate tablet data plan, and, the new plans will likely be much more convenient, you won't have to worry OK, I'm at 4.7 gigs on the tablet this month, better start using the 5 gb smartphone data allowance ...
4) Verizon is expensive. Yep. We got all kinds of threads touting the unlimited Straight Talk plans, or the $30 Tmo plan. LOTS of reasons knowledgeable folks are going for the prepaid plans these days, IF you're looking to get a new, cheap plan.
5) IF you have an unlimited plan, AND you use close to or more than 5gb of data, verizon today is the best deal going, and will continue to be the best deal going. I regularly get 20 MBS 4g lte on unlimited verizon. My neighbors unlimited DSL is 6 mbs. I don't have to pay for home internet ....
I'm not seeing any reason for current unlimited users to panic, for new users the new plans are an improvement over current family and multi line plans, and there are plenty of prepaid cheaper options, have been for months now, the new verizon plans don't make the prepaid look any MORE attractive.
EXAMPLE - Galaxy Nexus + xoom lte tablet
CURRENT
Tablet 3GB plan, $35
Smartphone - unlimited talk and txt = $90
Smartphone Unlimited data = $30
Smartphone Hotspot = $30
TOTAL = $185
NEW PLAN, 10 GB
unlimited 10 GB = $100
smartphone +$40
tablet +10
TOTAL = $150
SO which plan is better? 10 GB is a lot of use a month .... and a lot more for the tablet to use if the phone hotspot isn't around.
For some folks, the unlimited IS worth the extra $35 per month, no doubt, but, for many users, looks to me like the new plan might be better ....
SO, if you have no unlimited home internet, and need to make sure you can download the 40GB MOP expansion pack for World of Warcraft when it comes out, or, have no unlimited home internet to DL HD video with every night, by all means, keep your current unlimited verizon wirless plans.
At 20 mbs dl, popping over 30 mbs in the wee hours when downloading HD video, I'll likely keep my unlimited plan for many many more months.
HAVE FUN!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tablets are an exception to these plans. The advantage quickly disappears when have multiple smartphone lines.
As for what I have highlighted...I promise you it will not last forever. I have been with Verizon since analog signal was all the rage. They don't roll like that.
Smokeey said:
That charge isn't new. The family plan I'm on now is $9.99 per line.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
9.99 per line ( I have five lines) is 49.95.
New device fees: 170.00. Three of my lines don't use or need data. Yet, I am being forced to pay 60 bucks extra on those 3 lines.
So currently between my wife, me, daughter, and two nieces, I pay about 235 bucks after surcharges and taxes for 1400 minutes, unlimited text and MMS. My wife has 4gb of data and I have unlimited.
With the new plans, I would pay 220.00 before surcharges and taxes for just 1gb shared. We would actually pay more than we do now once surcharges are applied. Surcharges for me are just shy of 30 dollars for 5 lines.
adrynalyne said:
Tablets are an exception to these plans. The advantage quickly disappears when have multiple smartphone lines.
As for what I have highlighted...I promise you it will not last forever. I have been with Verizon since analog signal was all the rage. They don't roll like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL OK, I'll give you that I too, am expecting to get stabbed in the back by verizon and to have my currently unlimited, UNCAPPED superfast 4g to be taken away at some point. ATT was much more evil much sooner, they simply started capping "unlimited" plans at caps that were below what lower cap plans would cost, i.e. a $60 unlimited plan would get capped at 2 GB, but a new 3GB plan would cost $30.
SO FAR, verizon has been pretty good to me with unlimited data and fast speeds.
My big point was that these "NEW POOLED PLANS" aren't the end for current verizon unlimited customers. There is no sky falling for unlimited users, and for some customer the rates may go up, for other customers the rates may go down, there is no clear "we verizon are putting new screws on the customers".
For many many folks, the current prepaid plans are already the cheapest way to go, but for some folks, the new verizon plans make sense, especially for families that currently pay for multiple lines with their own (non unlimited) data caps on verizon.
It's really not THAT bad. Under the new plans, my current plan would be $10 less a month. If I added unlimited voice right now, it'd be roughly the same.
New Plan: $40 for the phone, $100 for 10 GB's x 20% discount = $112 + taxes.
This would give me unlimited data and WiFi Tether (useful if I was a fan of stock)
Current Plan: 900 minutes, unlimited text, 10GB x 20% discount = $110 with taxes.
Now, it sucks to be forced into unlimited voice. But the total bill isn't unreasonable. What's unreasonable is having the only voice/text plan offered be an all you can eat buffet. They're essentially raising the cost of data and making it palatable by charging a reasonable amount for voice and text.
All that said, I'm a HUGE proponent of not having a contract and being able to say, "See ya later". When I had my MiFi without a contract, I got GREAT customer service. I went ahead and signed a contract for my GNex only because I frankly need Verizon's network for work purposes so it's not like I can really go anywhere. And, compared to T-Mobile, which I totally dig, Verizon's network is far superior and I think they're entitled to charge a premium for that fact. The best way to avoid the new plans is to exercise a concept called "saving" and put back a few bucks every month to afford a non-subsidized phone the next time you want to upgrade. Considering I'm on Verizon and a Nexus freak, I don't imagine I'll be upgrading any time soon.
If I ever decided to get a tablet, and I doubt I would, being able to add one on for only $10 really is pretty freaking awesome. Right now, I wouldn't fathom it. Even if I wanted to blow several hundred on a iPad or a Xoom, it's a novelty that I'm not going to pay $600/year on for data access. But $10/month, well that's actually reasonable.
I'm all for blasting networks, but Verizon should get some props for certain aspects of this change in my opinion.
KWKSLVR said:
It's really not THAT bad. Under the new plans, my current plan would be $10 less a month. If I added unlimited voice right now, it'd be roughly the same.
New Plan: $40 for the phone, $100 for 10 GB's x 20% discount = $112 + taxes.
This would give me unlimited data and WiFi Tether (useful if I was a fan of stock)
Current Plan: 900 minutes, unlimited text, 10GB x 20% discount = $110 with taxes.
Now, it sucks to be forced into unlimited voice. But the total bill isn't unreasonable. What's unreasonable is having the only voice/text plan offered be an all you can eat buffet. They're essentially raising the cost of data and making it palatable by charging a reasonable amount for voice and text.
All that said, I'm a HUGE proponent of not having a contract and being able to say, "See ya later". When I had my MiFi without a contract, I got GREAT customer service. I went ahead and signed a contract for my GNex only because I frankly need Verizon's network for work purposes so it's not like I can really go anywhere. And, compared to T-Mobile, which I totally dig, Verizon's network is far superior and I think they're entitled to charge a premium for that fact. The best way to avoid the new plans is to exercise a concept called "saving" and put back a few bucks every month to afford a non-subsidized phone the next time you want to upgrade. Considering I'm on Verizon and a Nexus freak, I don't imagine I'll be upgrading any time soon.
If I ever decided to get a tablet, and I doubt I would, being able to add one on for only $10 really is pretty freaking awesome. Right now, I wouldn't fathom it. Even if I wanted to blow several hundred on a iPad or a Xoom, it's a novelty that I'm not going to pay $600/year on for data access. But $10/month, well that's actually reasonable.
I'm all for blasting networks, but Verizon should get some props for certain aspects of this change in my opinion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not that bad? Maybe for you.
adrynalyne said:
9.99 per line ( I have five lines) is 49.95.
New device fees: 170.00. Three of my lines don't use or need data. Yet, I am being forced to pay 60 bucks extra on those 3 lines.
So currently between my wife, me, daughter, and two nieces, I pay about 235 bucks after surcharges and taxes for 1400 minutes, unlimited text and MMS. My wife has 4gb of data and I have unlimited.
With the new plans, I would pay 220.00 before surcharges and taxes for just 1gb shared. We would actually pay more than we do now once surcharges are applied. Surcharges for me are just shy of 30 dollars for 5 lines.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I posted this earlier but this question probably deserves its own thread as I'm not sure yet why more people aren't considering it here for the Note2 (up front cost of unsubsidized device? - there seems to be plenty of people either buying or considering buying unlocked international models in XDA forums)?
- Someone I met at BestBuy while marveling at the Note2 for ~2hrs told me about a $30 T-Mobile plan :http://www.gottabemobile.com/2012/07/04/t-mobile-monthly-4g-review-30-per-month-bargain (He praised Verizon local coverage but is grandfathered into their unlimited plan)?
" For $30 per month, including taxes and fees, I could get unlimited messaging and Web. The plan includes just 100 minutes of voice calls per month, but that’s plenty considering my use-case for this phone. Extra minutes cost just 10 cents each. The mobile hotspot feature is a $15 add-on."
Anyone using this $30/mo T-Mobile plan with their Note2? Any issues besides buying an unsubsidized device to use it?
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/monthly-4g-plans
" Get talk, text and high-speed web on any capable T-Mobile phone.
It’s a better way to do prepaid. Compare Monthly4G plans.
$50/mo
Unlimited Talk Text & Web
$30/mo
Unlimited Web & Text with 100 Minutes Talk
Great for video chat, streaming
music/movies/TV, playing
online games, and more."
Also found the following related thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1892968&page=2 ( T-Mobile 30 dollar plan for gs3???) - Babydoll25 mentions no Wi-Fi calling but I think I can live without it & use Skype or other alternatives if needed
I am on the $30 a month 100 minutes talk 5GB 4G plan from Walmart, which is the same plan as the one on that link, with the Note II and no issues here. Obviously I had to pay a huge unsubsidized chunk of change for the device itself but I'm glad to only be paying $30 a month for everything.
I almost never go over the 100 minutes and I do keep an extra $10 on the account just in case I do go over and run into the 10 cents a minute after the 100 minutes are up but I've only had to dip into that a little bit once.
BTW the 'unlimited' data you will find in the fine print is the first 5GB is 4G, then thereafter you get throttled to slower speeds, but I still find 5GB is plenty enough for me.
Also, you can do wifi calling if you use a different app like Google Voice + GrooveIP. IIRC you do have to root also to keep it from deducting from your minutes though. I did it on my old phone but I haven't messed with it on the Note II yet because like I mentioned I just really don't talk that much.
Hotspot you can also do either with root and some finagling or if you don't mind a cord you can do cabled usb tether.
Sorry to disappoint you buddy, but a lot of people here including myself is been using this plan for a long time now. I've been using it myself for almost a year and half, so far I have used this plan with the galaxy s 2, Galaxy Note AT&T, Galaxy note T Mobile, and now Galaxy Note 2 T Mobile. It's a great plan for people that doesn't talk much on the phone hahahahaha.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
We all have been using this plan for awhile lol.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2
_Motoki_ said:
I am on the $30 a month 100 minutes talk 5GB 4G plan from Walmart, which is the same plan as the one on that link, with the Note II and no issues here. Obviously I had to pay a huge unsubsidized chunk of change for the device itself but I'm glad to only be paying $30 a month for everything.
I almost never go over the 100 minutes and I do keep an extra $10 on the account just in case I do go over and run into the 10 cents a minute after the 100 minutes are up but I've only had to dip into that a little bit once.
BTW the 'unlimited' data you will find in the fine print is the first 5GB is 4G, then thereafter you get throttled to slower speeds, but I still find 5GB is plenty enough for me.
Also, you can do wifi calling if you use a different app like Google Voice + GrooveIP. IIRC you do have to root also to keep it from deducting from your minutes though. I did it on my old phone but I haven't messed with it on the Note II yet because like I mentioned I just really don't talk that much.
Hotspot you can also do either with root and some finagling or if you don't mind a cord you can do cabled usb tether.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks _Motoki_ are you rooted or will you root the Note2?
For those who would rather not pay the full unsubsidized price upfront, couldn't they buy the Note2 for that T-Mobile in store price of $250 +$20/mo for 20 mo interest free (total $650 over ~20 months) with the no contract $49.99/mo plan (500 Whenever Minutes + unlimited data or $59.99/mo for no throttling if needed) & then just do this $30/mo plan thereafter if their use case supports it (or would the store let you immediately do it on that $250 +$20/mo for 20 mo interest free price)?
T-Mobile seems to offer more plan flexibility than the other carriers but they certainly did not mention any $30/mo plan to me when I was in their store..is it really only $30/mo total including taxes & fees?
SMARTPHONEPC said:
Thanks _Motoki_ are you rooted or will you root the Note2?
For those who would rather not pay the full unsubsidized price upfront, couldn't they buy the Note2 for that T-Mobile in store price of $250 +$20/mo for 20 mo interest free (total $650 over ~20 months) with the no contract $49.99/mo plan (500 Whenever Minutes + unlimited data or $59.99/mo for no throttling if needed) & then just do this $30/mo plan thereafter if their use case supports it (or would the store let you immediately do it on that $250 +$20/mo for 20 mo interest free price)?
T-Mobile seems to offer more plan flexibility than the other carriers but they certainly did not mention any $30/mo plan to me when I was in their store..is it really only $30/mo total including taxes & fees?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The $250 down with $20/mo times 20 months=$650 for phone is only available thru the value plan which requires a 2 year contract. So you are locked into a contract and pay full price for the phone.
The $30 4g monthly plan unl data, text, and 100 min is a prepaid plan requiring no contract. You bring your own phone- any gsm will do. Better if it works on tmo 3g.
An there are no taxes or fees. If you buy thru calling mart, with the right discounts which are sent to you via email if you are on their customer list- you can get refils for $28.50/month!
Also this plan is only available online or thru walmart stores. T-mobile stores will not offer it to you. Strictly do it yourself online.
xpprofessional1 said:
Sorry to disappoint you buddy, but a lot of people here including myself is been using this plan for a long time now. I've been using it myself for almost a year and half, so far I have used this plan with the galaxy s 2, Galaxy Note AT&T, Galaxy note T Mobile, and now Galaxy Note 2 T Mobile. It's a great plan for people that doesn't talk much on the phone hahahahaha.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would I be disappointed?:victory: Don't you think more people would consider trying the Note 2 on T-Mobile if they knew this plan was available for the Note2?
If the coverage isn't acceptable, the Note 2 could still be returned for a full refund within 14 days right with no activation fee right?
Sounds like a low risk way to try T-Mobile..
Also can't users just move up to other T-Mobile off contract plans if this $30/mo total plan doesn't best support their use case?:good:
No sim fees, no activation fees? All you have to do is pay the first month?
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
sashusmom said:
The $250 down with $20/mo times 20 months=$650 for phone is only available thru the value plan which requires a 2 year contract. So you are locked into a contract and pay full price for the phone.
The $30 4g monthly plan unl data, text, and 100 min is a prepaid plan requiring no contract. You bring your own phone- any gsm will do. Better if it works on tmo 3g.
An there are no taxes or fees. If you buy thru calling mart, with the right discounts which are sent to you via email if you are on their customer list- you can get refils for $28.50/month!
Also this plan is only available online or thru walmart stores. T-mobile stores will not offer it to you. Strictly do it yourself online.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks Ok she didn't mention that price required a 2 year contract (& was within a broader conversation of plans available outside of contracts).. well I guess if someone is unsure of how the Note2 on T-Mobile would work for them, they can could still get it for the above deal to test out for 14 days & return it for full refund to get out of that contract & then buy it online for full $650+tax if satisfied right?
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/monthly-4g-plans (not just Walmart it seems but $30/mo or $28.50/month for email discount refills is impressively less than I'm currently paying for my inferior EVO non-existent "4G"service on Sprint compounded by their slow 3G)..
Users can still easily go to other T-Mobile off contract plans if this $30/mo total plan doesn't best support their use case in following months right?
I don't think I want to deal with contracts if there is a better option for my use case..
SMARTPHONEPC said:
Thanks Ok she didn't mention that price required a 2 year contract (& was within a broader conversation of plans available outside of contracts).. well I guess if someone is unsure of how the Note2 on T-Mobile would work for them, they can could still get it for the above deal to test out for 14 days & return it for full refund to get out of that contract & then buy it online for full $650+tax if satisfied right?
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/monthly-4g-plans (not just Walmart it seems but $30/mo or $28.50/month for email discount refills is impressively less than I'm currently paying for my inferior EVO non-existent "4G"service on Sprint compounded by their slow 3G)..
Users can still easily go to other T-Mobile off contract plans if this $30/mo total plan doesn't best support their use case in following months right?
I don't think I want to deal with contracts if there is a better option for my use case..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Of course. It's a no-contract prepaid plan. Nothing keeping you from doing whatever you want. You could buy a Straight Talk sim and switch off between that and T-Mobile's $30 plan every month if you want.
BTW I'm on the $30 plan, bought the phone in store for $650. Best choice for me by far. The cost savings over 2 years will make the initial high price pay for itself several times over.
Also, don't completely discount T-Mobile stores. Some of them are greedy but mine had no problems activating the $30 plan. They even gave me the sim for free and had no problem adding insurance ($7) for me. My total in store was $649.99 + $30 + $7 + tax. Everything was set up in under 5 minutes. Maybe I just got lucky!
LucJoe said:
Of course. It's a no-contract prepaid plan. Nothing keeping you from doing whatever you want. You could buy a Straight Talk sim and switch off between that and T-Mobile's $30 plan every month if you want.
BTW I'm on the $30 plan, bought the phone in store for $650. Best choice for me by far. The cost savings over 2 years will make the initial high price pay for itself several times over.
Also, don't completely discount T-Mobile stores. Some of them are greedy but mine had no problems activating the $30 plan. They even gave me the sim for free and had no problem adding insurance ($7) for me. My total in store was $649.99 + $30 + $7 + tax. Everything was set up in under 5 minutes. Maybe I just got lucky!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow that's fast thanks, just wanted to make sure there are no complications-fine print (the T-Mobile store didn't mention the $250+$20/mo for 20 months would involve contracts & seemed to rather laud that it was an interest free way to buy the Note2 unsubsidized in these days of low interest rates)
Do you think it would be best to call some local T-mobile stores to see if they'll do it before showing up or will they be more likely to do it impulsively (there is at least one T-Mobile close to a frequented shopping center locally here)?
I actually noticed the $7/mo insurance including theft, loss, accidental damage etc..anything we should be aware of besides the below (people have had good experiences with it?):
Thnx
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-additional-services#Monthly4GHandsetProtection
http://www.t-mobile.com/Company/pdf/WP24276B_T-Mobile_NY_6.11.12.pdf
"Handset Protection* you won’t
miss a beat if your device is:
• Lost
• Stolen
• Accidentally damaged
(including water damage)
• Malfunctioning due to mechanical
or electrical failure**
Live Your Life With Confidence.
Enroll Today!
You can enroll in Monthly4G Handset Protection within
14 days of purchasing your T-Mobile®
phone with
an accompanying Monthly4G rate plan.
***
Handset
Protection is optional and is not required to purchase
the device or obtain T-Mobile wireless services.
* Benefits may also be purchased separately through an insurance
program that offers coverage in the event of accidental damage,
loss, or theft and is underwritten by American Security Insurance
Company for a monthly charge of $6; or through an extended
service contract that offers coverage against mechanical breakdown
for a monthly charge of $2. To enroll in the separate insurance or
extended service contract programs, please call 1-866-778-1044.
**Excludes mechanical or electrical breakdown covered by the
manufacturer’s warranty.
***Monthly4G Handset Protection is not available on the iPhone®
;
not all devices sold by T-Mobile are eligible for Monthly4G
Handset Protection Coverage.
More fine print:
http://wac.04c7.edgecastcdn.net/000...s/pdf/WP24276B_T-Mobile_All_States_online.pdf
SMARTPHONEPC said:
Thanks _Motoki_ are you rooted or will you root the Note2?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not rooted on the Note II. I don't want to risk messing anything up for the LTE software update T-Mobile should hopefully push, eventually.
I was rooted on my last phone which was just a cheap Samsung Exhibit II that bought when I switched over from Virgin until I could get something better.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 2
For what it's worth, I am running Solavei($49 unlimited everything including 4G) vs the $30 plan from T-Mobile (although I have the t-mobile sim, just in case). I am loving the coverage... and I am even more impressed with the download speeds. Attached a pic to show how good it is. (the 11mb speed is sitting in a dave and busters in columbia, MD, the slow 600k speed is sitting in the back corner of a pizza joint in columbia for lunch, with edge connectivity).
If you ask me, it's a better deal than the $30 plan.
mdt73 said:
For what it's worth, I am running Solavei($49 unlimited everything including 4G) vs the $30 plan from T-Mobile (although I have the t-mobile sim, just in case). I am loving the coverage... and I am even more impressed with the download speeds. Attached a pic to show how good it is. (the 11mb speed is sitting in a dave and busters in columbia, MD, the slow 600k speed is sitting in the back corner of a pizza joint in columbia for lunch, with edge connectivity).
If you ask me, it's a better deal than the $30 plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It depends on your individual needs. I don't use much more than 100 min and if I need more, I have a little extra balance and just pay 10 cents per minute. 5gb of 4g data is good for me, then it switches to unl. at edge speeds. $20 savings for 12 months is $360- half the cost of the phone off contract! A much better deal for me than Solavei's $50/month
SMARTPHONEPC said:
Wow that's fast thanks, just wanted to make sure there are no complications-fine print (the T-Mobile store didn't mention the $250+$20/mo for 20 months would involve contracts & seemed to rather laud that it was an interest free way to buy the Note2 unsubsidized in these days of low interest rates)
Do you think it would be best to call some local T-mobile stores to see if they'll do it before showing up or will they be more likely to do it impulsively (there is at least one T-Mobile close to a frequented shopping center locally here)?
I actually noticed the $7/mo insurance including theft, loss, accidental damage etc..anything we should be aware of besides the below (people have had good experiences with it?):
Thnx
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-additional-services#Monthly4GHandsetProtection
http://www.t-mobile.com/Company/pdf/WP24276B_T-Mobile_NY_6.11.12.pdf
"Handset Protection* you won’t
miss a beat if your device is:
• Lost
• Stolen
• Accidentally damaged
(including water damage)
• Malfunctioning due to mechanical
or electrical failure**
Live Your Life With Confidence.
Enroll Today!
You can enroll in Monthly4G Handset Protection within
14 days of purchasing your T-Mobile®
phone with
an accompanying Monthly4G rate plan.
***
Handset
Protection is optional and is not required to purchase
the device or obtain T-Mobile wireless services.
* Benefits may also be purchased separately through an insurance
program that offers coverage in the event of accidental damage,
loss, or theft and is underwritten by American Security Insurance
Company for a monthly charge of $6; or through an extended
service contract that offers coverage against mechanical breakdown
for a monthly charge of $2. To enroll in the separate insurance or
extended service contract programs, please call 1-866-778-1044.
**Excludes mechanical or electrical breakdown covered by the
manufacturer’s warranty.
***Monthly4G Handset Protection is not available on the iPhone®
;
not all devices sold by T-Mobile are eligible for Monthly4G
Handset Protection Coverage.
More fine print:
http://wac.04c7.edgecastcdn.net/000...s/pdf/WP24276B_T-Mobile_All_States_online.pdf
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just got done making a Loss claim with them about 2 weeks ago and they were VERY quick and the deductible was $130 and they shipped me a BRAND NEW Note 2 in it's original box w/all accessories included... Not too shabby.... Although seeing as the Note 2 just came out they def do not have any refurbs yet... I am sooooo glad I had it on my account cause I just paid almost $700 w/tax for the phone and I would much rather pay $130 rather then lose a brand new $700 phone! I woulda **** myself if I lost it with no recourse...
BTW: Their Monthly4g prepaid plans are through a different provider (insurance company) than their contract plans and I have heard of people having hassles with the other company but not through Assurance...
I use ensquared for my insurance. $58 a year. $75 deductible. 2 phones can be replaced. Covers loss, theft, accidents and the normal coverage. Hard to beat.
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
---------- Post added at 11:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:31 PM ----------
sashusmom said:
It depends on your individual needs. I don't use much more than 100 min and if I need more, I have a little extra balance and just pay 10 cents per minute. 5gb of 4g data is good for me, then it switches to unl. at edge speeds. $20 savings for 12 months is $360- half the cost of the phone off contract! A much better deal for me than Solavei's $50/month
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Recheck your math. Also, do you have a house phone?
Sent from my SGH-T889 using xda premium
Wish I signed up that $30 plan before signed my contract.
Is there a way to sign up for 2nd line under the $30 dollar plan and port my number to that 2nd line then cancel the 1st line?
I want to keep my same number.
mdt73 said:
I use ensquared for my insurance. $58 a year. $75 deductible. 2 phones can be replaced. Covers loss, theft, accidents and the normal coverage. Hard to beat.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like an interesting alternative but I'd have to read that fine print:
http://www.ensquared.com/catalog/phone-insurance/1-year-phone-insurance-smartphone
http://www.ensquared.com/1_Year_Phone_Insurance_Terms.htm
http://www.ensquared.com/catalog/phone-insurance/2-year-phone-insurance-smartphone
http://www.ensquared.com/2_Year_Phone_Insurance_Terms.htm
I picked up A Note II Saturday off CL for a decent price. White too...all the stores had were the grey ones. I had preordered a sim activation kit from T-Mobile http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/T-Mobile-Prepaid-SIM-Activation-Kit for .99 cents and then did the activation online when I got the phone. Smooth as silk and I am getting surprisingly good data speeds. 8-16MB
Cheers
shojus said:
I just got done making a Loss claim with them about 2 weeks ago and they were VERY quick and the deductible was $130 and they shipped me a BRAND NEW Note 2 in it's original box w/all accessories included... Not too shabby.... Although seeing as the Note 2 just came out they def do not have any refurbs yet... I am sooooo glad I had it on my account cause I just paid almost $700 w/tax for the phone and I would much rather pay $130 rather then lose a brand new $700 phone! I woulda **** myself if I lost it with no recourse...
BTW: Their Monthly4g prepaid plans are through a different provider (insurance company) than their contract plans and I have heard of people having hassles with the other company but not through Assurance...
---
Verizon S3 32gb in white w/unlimited LTE
T-mobile Note 2 16gb in Titanium
Apple iPad 3rd gen 64gb white w/Verizon LTE (For my 3 year old lil girl....)
Coming SOON: Nexus 4 16gb
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to read, so the deductible shouldn't be more than $130? I might not be as happy about getting a refurb in the future however. If it didn't cover theft, loss, accidental damage I wouldn't bother considering it but at $7/mo over T-Mobile competitive plans sounds like a more reasonable consideration to take some of the sting out of some unfortunate event.
I'm still somewhat debating the $30/mo prepaid for the Note2 which you point out uses a different insurer or some of their reasonable contract plans. I'm also considering a Nexus 4 as a second device which I'd likely do on this $30/mo prepaid plan likely without insurance considering its lower unit cost, are you planning on getting insurance for your Nexus 4?
Could you comment on your experiences with T-Mobile Vs your Verizon service? Thnx