3g vs 4g usage amounts- Decision Time

[duanedude1]

We use use very little data right now, and I thought the new plan might save us some money. However, I am very concerned about the amount of 3g data we use now compared to what we may wind up using on 4g with big screens and streaming, dropbox, working outside the home without wifi, etc. Am thinking it may be wise to keep one or two unlimited data lines, by upgrading now. Your thoughts?

We currently have 2 dumbphones... (no data)chrome-extension://chiikmhgllekggjhdfjhajkfdkcngplp/arrows/dual/arrow_only_blue.png

-One that is $9.99, plus taxes to come to 13.68 (we are about to cancel this unused one but are for now just avoiding the ETF).
-The other has messaging so is $9.99 + $10 + taxes = $24.28 We want this person to transition onto their own plan, but it won't happen by the 28th.
- If we change to the new plan, these would be upped to $30 each, plus taxes & fees.

As to smartphones...

- We have a BBerry the wife uses at the cost of $9.99+29.99 unlimited data.
Plus 7.96 for 411 use and 40 cents for texts on recent bill, + taxes/fees = $52.87 total.
She used 25,859 KB on recent bill. Not much in GB, but she expressed interest in
upgrading to a iPhone (that would still be 3g now) or an Android (likely 4g).
Either may up her usage.

- My line (Pre2) costs 9.99+29.99 unlimited data plus 1.99 for 411 & 20 cents for texts,
With taxes/fees adds up to $46.07 I used 382,975 KB on recent bill. A bit more to be
concerned about, especially if I get an Android 4g phone. I will hate watching the meter.

Note- We are starting our own business and may have to use our cells for data when
out in the field, and may have to use the cell data for a laptop. Options are pay for Mobile
Hotspot, get it free on the new shared data plan (but using a limited bucket of data),
or go rebel. Or, just use the phone's unlimited data.

- We have an old BBerry Storm mom uses mostly for email, at the expense of
$9.99+15.00 for "Exception Only Datapack 150MB", plus 20 cents for texts,
2.13 for surcharges/fees and 1.57 MD state tax = $28.89 total.
Not as expensive as our other smartphones, but mom doesn't use much data.
She prefers using the phone for email when she is out and about,
as opposed to using her laptop at home. We want to keep this for mom,
but don't want to extend the contract.

We share 1400 minutes of voice, but rarely go anywhere close to that with mobile-to-mobile
and Friends&Family. Recent bill all of us together only used less than 400 (338).
Using the phone for business may increase this a bit.

We might save money with the new plans, especially after dropping the dumphones.
We have gotten used to the upgradability of having subsidized phones.
It will be a hard sell to convince better half that from now on we have to pay full freight
($500-$600) for new phones. I know at least one of our smartphone lines is due for an upgrade.

However, the uncertainty of using more data with modern 4G phones, operating away from wifi out in the field for a new business, and other variables is scary. Once unlimited is allowed to go away, it ain't coming back. Do we bite the bullet and upgrade now, to try to save unlimited for me and the wife? Or switch to the new plan, and hope it wasn't the wrong decision? I'd be interested in someone else's opinion. Thanks!

 

[Kegman]

my wife uses about 1gb a month while I use about 3-4gb/month. Honestly, by the time we use more than 10gb/month, I highly doubt verizon will be offering unlimited data. In short, same applies to you.

i could be wrong, but you wouldn't use more data with 4g. 3g/4g is just a speed, you will be sending and receiving your data faster than 3g thats all. If you get you data faster you might consume more however.

btw, I called verizon and the 15% discount applies to the shared data as well. These were the break down of my wife and I on the new share everything:

6gb plan is $11 cheaper than my current plan today
8gb plan is $3 cheaper than my current plan
10gb plan is$7 more than my current plan

plus free tethering (what im getting from people is that tethering will use about 2gb of data a month with everyday use.)

 

[duanedude1]

Thanks for your input, Keg.
What 15% discount do you get?

Would be interested in other opinions as well.

 

[duanedude1]

I crunched the numbers, and it would be more expensive to go to the new plans, even if most of us use little data. We'd have to share only 1GB to save a measly $5 and that would be dangerous. Looks like we have to act now to get any subsidized upgrades.:-$