Looking for opinions here...

[btgrave]

So...... I did some mega thinking today: "What if I decided to switch to Verizon for their unlimited data plan vs. the 2gb only plan from AT&T?"

I decided to do this since it will not only affect me, but the 4 other phones on my family plan as well, but oddly in the end, AT&T's pricing was $20 cheaper per month than Verizon's (comparing 2gb vs unlimited, respectively) for the entire family plan.

Dammit! I'm pretty sure everyone else on my family plan won't ever reach the 2gb per month allowance, but myself on the other hand most likely will. BUT, since I can pretty much just use wifi instead of 3g/4g for the majority of my data/tethering, it wouldn't be a huge problem.

So, correct me if I'm wrong, but I think it would be better to stay on AT&T and grab the Atrix (for all) AND save $20 a month (despite not having unlimited [non wifi] data).

Anyone have opinions, one way or another?

Thx for reading.

 

[textiaac]

Yea the Atrix will be the best phone for a while. The bionic (the verizon equivalent) will not comout until q2/q3.

Also, if you download opera mini and you will save a bunch of data when browsing: "By using Opera Mini, our servers do most of the work. Pages are often smaller (saving you money) and faster to load due our server-side compression."

Opera Mini Help

 

[corneliusm]

only $20 cheaper PER MONTH for Verizon's unlimited plan vs a 2gb plan, overall for the entire family plan.

but I think it would be better to stay on AT&T and grab the Atrix (for all) AND save $20 a month (despite not having unlimited [non wifi] data).

I'm so confused...

Anyway, if you feel you won't be going over the 2GB, then no big deal. Verizon's pricing is getting pretty insane, and while they aren't nickle-and-diming you over data quotas (yet), they're charging considerably extra for LTE.

All of the major carriers, other than T-Mo are either jacking up their rates or removing unlimited entirely. You're bound to get screwed no matter who you pick...

 

[btgrave]

I'm so confused...

Anyway, if you feel you won't be going over the 2GB, then no big deal. Verizon's pricing is getting pretty insane, and while they aren't nickle-and-diming you over data quotas (yet), they're charging considerably extra for LTE.

All of the major carriers, other than T-Mo are either jacking up their rates or removing unlimited entirely. You're bound to get screwed no matter who you pick...

Lol I shall amend that poorly worded sentence, but you shouldn't quote parts of it anyways

came out in favor of AT&T at only $20 cheaper PER MONTH

I looked into Tmo's pricing and their pricing are pretty similar to AT&T for my situation.....and in that case since I've never had probs with AT&T on my end, it would be cheaper to stay than having to pay all the new customer activation fees for moving to a new carrier.

And so far Verizon hasn't announced any lte premium pricing, but I too feel like they will soon enough...

 

[vietalogy]

If you know someone with or can get a hold of a first gen iphone you could use that loophole to get unlimited data.

 

[btgrave]

If you know someone with or can get a hold of a first gen iphone you could use that loophole to get unlimited data.

Well one of the phones on my plan is an iphone 3G with the iphone data plan. Would that loophole still work?
(and can you detail that loophole for me please?)

 

[corneliusm]

Well one of the phones on my plan is an iphone 3G with the iphone data plan. Would that loophole still work?
(and can you detail that loophole for me please?)

Here's a link:
A Loophole Means Unlimited Data For AT&T IPhone : NPR

 

[btgrave]

Here's a link:
A Loophole Means Unlimited Data For AT&T IPhone : NPR

Ah, thanks. Though I hope they can transfer that plan to my line (or wishfully thinking on all 5 lines lol). That would sweeten my life with AT&T.

 

[john_v]

That is an interesting dilemma. I'm assuming you took into account any LTE charges from verizon?

My ATT rep is supposed to have release and pricing info by this friday. That's something I'm going to take into account when making my final decision. There was rumors not too long ago that ATT is going to go nuts with tiered pricing for "4g/LTE" phones. Obviously my unlimited plan probably won't fly with that, so if they offer a plan that's bigger than 2gb, but under the price of unlimited, I'd be willing to go with that, since eventually that's the way everything will be going.

However, if they would let me grandfather my current plan for the next 2 years, and have the Atrix, I'd be extremely thrilled.

What are my other options if ATT's pricing goes whack? I'm looking at Sprint (roughly same amount, for more services, even with the smartphone tax) or US Cellular (same amount, with 5gb cap [so basically unlimited], and a few more perks to the plan).

I really hate the waiting game.

 

[textiaac]

That is an interesting dilemma. I'm assuming you took into account any LTE charges from verizon?

My ATT rep is supposed to have release and pricing info by this friday. That's something I'm going to take into account when making my final decision. There was rumors not too long ago that ATT is going to go nuts with tiered pricing for "4g/LTE" phones. Obviously my unlimited plan probably won't fly with that, so if they offer a plan that's bigger than 2gb, but under the price of unlimited, I'd be willing to go with that, since eventually that's the way everything will be going.

However, if they would let me grandfather my current plan for the next 2 years, and have the Atrix, I'd be extremely thrilled.

What are my other options if ATT's pricing goes whack? I'm looking at Sprint (roughly same amount, for more services, even with the smartphone tax) or US Cellular (same amount, with 5gb cap [so basically unlimited], and a few more perks to the plan).

I really hate the waiting game.

1)The hspa+ rates are the same as 3g MOTOROLA ATRIX 4G - Android 2.2 Smartphone - Wireless from AT&T

2)You should have no problem grandfathering your unlimited data

3)Sprint and T-Mobile are very spoty, don't bother with them

4)Do you really need mare than 2 Gb of data?

 

[btgrave]

That is an interesting dilemma. I'm assuming you took into account any LTE charges from verizon?

My ATT rep is supposed to have release and pricing info by this friday. That's something I'm going to take into account when making my final decision. There was rumors not too long ago that ATT is going to go nuts with tiered pricing for "4g/LTE" phones. Obviously my unlimited plan probably won't fly with that, so if they offer a plan that's bigger than 2gb, but under the price of unlimited, I'd be willing to go with that, since eventually that's the way everything will be going.

However, if they would let me grandfather my current plan for the next 2 years, and have the Atrix, I'd be extremely thrilled.

What are my other options if ATT's pricing goes whack? I'm looking at Sprint (roughly same amount, for more services, even with the smartphone tax) or US Cellular (same amount, with 5gb cap [so basically unlimited], and a few more perks to the plan).

I really hate the waiting game.

Yeah, seeing as to how without a LTE charge from Vzw, they would already be more expensive compared to AT&T. If they ended up charging a premium fee, then I'd definitely stay with AT&T unless AT&T also decides to do a premium charge for LTE. BUT since AT&T's LTE won't really come till a few years later, I feel that staying with AT&T now would be the cheapest route for me (I don't plan to get another phone after the Atrix unless an Octo-Core 5gb ram phone appears in the next year or two.

And as the other guy stated above me, you should be fine to move your unlimited plan over. Also, I don't believe AT&T will charge a premium fee for their HSPA+, so we're safe there.

And yes, I too hate waiting.....but do share with us what you end up learning from your rep.

 

[blopez24]

Yeah, seeing as to how without a LTE charge from Vzw, they would already be more expensive compared to AT&T. If they ended up charging a premium fee, then I'd definitely stay with AT&T unless AT&T also decides to do a premium charge for LTE. BUT since AT&T's LTE won't really come till a few years later, I feel that staying with AT&T now would be the cheapest route for me (I don't plan to get another phone after the Atrix unless an Octo-Core 5gb ram phone appears in the next year or two.

And as the other guy stated above me, you should be fine to move your unlimited plan over. Also, I don't believe AT&T will charge a premium fee for their HSPA+, so we're safe there.

And yes, I too hate waiting.....but do share with us what you end up learning from your rep.

Well they should allow you to grandfather your internet. Especially if your still under contract and are renewing with them. If they dont grandfather it, they're breaking their contract with you hence you should be allowed to leave to another provider with out a cancellation fee.

 

[corneliusm]

Well they should allow you to grandfather your internet. Especially if your still under contract and are renewing with them. If they dont grandfather it, they're breaking their contract with you hence you should be allowed to leave to another provider with out a cancellation fee.

Yup, if they change the terms, your contract is null and void. You would be free to re-sign or go to another carrier without penalty or ETFs.

So I wouldn't worry about it...