Need some advice on data plans please

[lucasbuck]

I've been on a family plan for years,4 phones. My Galaxy Nexus with an unlimited data plan, and my mothers, fathers, and wife's phone which are all older basic phones with no data plans. My wife's has just about his its lifespan, and she can't really find any 'non data plan' phones that she likes. She wouldn't be using much data at all.

I'm paranoid to ask a Verizon person what to do, as I'm sure I will get pushed into giving up my unlimited. I'm not even sure how all the plans are working now. Is there an easy way for my wife to get a phone with a data plan and I keep my unlimited without it costing a fortune, or will I have to let her drop off of the family plan and just get her own?

Thanks for any advice before I have to contact Verizon.

 

[Eclipse2K]

I've been on a family plan for years,4 phones. My Galaxy Nexus with an unlimited data plan, and my mothers, fathers, and wife's phone which are all older basic phones with no data plans. My wife's has just about his its lifespan, and she can't really find any 'non data plan' phones that she likes. She wouldn't be using much data at all.

I'm paranoid to ask a Verizon person what to do, as I'm sure I will get pushed into giving up my unlimited. I'm not even sure how all the plans are working now. Is there an easy way for my wife to get a phone with a data plan and I keep my unlimited without it costing a fortune, or will I have to let her drop off of the family plan and just get her own?

Thanks for any advice before I have to contact Verizon.

She should be able to upgrade her line and move to a 2 GB plan for $30. You would not lose unlimited data on your line by doing so and this should be easy enough to do.

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX using Tapatalk 2

 

[lucasbuck]

Thanks for the fast reply. I checked the past 3 months, and I personally have only used 1/2, 3/4, and just slightly (1.01) of a gig in each of those 3 months. So it's not really like I NEED unlimited. I don't use it that much, or for anything intensive. Just some web browsing and email. That 1.01 was when we were on vacation, and I was using the navigator.

Would I be better off looking into another plan rather than me staying unlimited and her paying $30? Money wise that is?

 

[carracerz14]

If you don't need the unlimited I would get her a smart phone and go to the shared data plan. Would probably be cheaper because you two could share the data

Sent from my RAZR MAXXIMUS

 

[Eclipse2K]

You may benefit from a Share plan but it depends how many lines are on there. I personally feel $50 for a gig is ridiculous so I wouldn't change. Unless you have 4 smartphones it won't be worth it because you'll be paying $60 for 2 GB I believe. You could just pay $60 for her to have 2 GB and you unlimited.

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX using Tapatalk 2

 

[YourMobileGuru]

You may benefit from a Share plan but it depends how many lines are on there. I personally feel $50 for a gig is ridiculous so I wouldn't change. Unless you have 4 smartphones it won't be worth it because you'll be paying $60 for 2 GB I believe. You could just pay $60 for her to have 2 GB and you unlimited.

Sent from my DROID RAZR MAXX using Tapatalk 2

It's $50 for the FIRST gig, The second gig is only $10, and thereafter it is $10 per 2GB.

The OP might save money on a shared plan rather than pay $30/per line, especially if more than just his wife moved to a smartphone. 3 lines is when most people (who are not data hogs) tend to save money.

So he is on a family share plan with 4 devices so let's do the numbers

For the sake of discussion I am assuming Nationwide Talk and Text 700

That's $99 + $20 for the additional lines = $119
Now add on one unlimited data plan for $30
and one 2GGB plan fir $30

That brings your total before taxes, fees, and other plan features to $180

Now on the shared every thing plans lets assume
His phone $40
His Wife's phone $40
Moms phone $30
Dad's phone $30
So that's a sub total of $140

Since he has 2 smartphones and he says his usage is under 1gb and his wife will not use a lot of data then let's figure 2GB of shared data

Phones $140
Data (2GB) $60
Total $200

Looks like his bill would go up $20 switching so at this time it is probably best to stay where he is for now, but if he wants tethering or more voice minutes it may end up being cost effective to switch.

 

[Eclipse2K]

I was waiting for you to come in here VZW and clarify.

Always so informative.

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[Eclipse2K]

To the original poster, as VZWRocks said above, it's not worth it unless at least 3 lines use smartphones.

VZWRocks, I should have been clearer on my posts. I actually meant to say what you said but in far less detail. I felt that it was not worth the $50 for 1GB of data or the $60 for 2GB of data just to switch over. That's why I mentioned not switching and going with a $30 unlimited data and $30 for 2GB of data on her line. The cost would be the same since only two of them have data plans.

But as you said, if more minutes were needed, it could be beneficial. Always depends on circumstances and it appears a lot (not all) don't get this.

 

[YourMobileGuru]

To the original poster, as VZWRocks said above, it's not worth it unless at least 3 lines use smartphones.

VZWRocks, I should have been clearer on my posts. I actually meant to say what you said but in far less detail. I felt that it was not worth the $50 for 1GB of data or the $60 for 2GB of data just to switch over. That's why I mentioned not switching and going with a $30 unlimited data and $30 for 2GB of data on her line. The cost would be the same since only two of them have data plans.

But as you said, if more minutes were needed, it could be beneficial. Always depends on circumstances and it appears a lot (not all) don't get this.

It's all good I am also assuming the OP isn't on something above 700 minutes or grand-parented into something smaller, that they have unlimited texting and that they dont have or want mobile hotspot.

It's like I always tell people, do the numbers and weigh your options. Some people save, some pay more and many it is about the same it all depends.

EDIT: and I get what you meant, it's just a personal pet peve of mine when people say "$50/gb" because it makes it sound worse than it is.

 

[Eclipse2K]

It's all good I am also assuming the OP isn't on something above 700 minutes or grand-parented into something smaller, that they have unlimited texting and that they dont have or want mobile hotspot.

It's like I always tell people, do the numbers and weigh your options. Some people save, some pay more and many it is about the same it all depends.

EDIT: and I get what you meant, it's just a personal pet peve of mine when people say "$50/gb" because it makes it sound worse than it is.

True, I tend to get a bit "lazy" when I type on Tapatalk rather than my PC.

 

[YourMobileGuru]

True, I tend to get a bit "lazy" when I type on Tapatalk rather than my PC.

LOL I know the feeling

 

[Eclipse2K]

LOL I know the feeling

I'll be typing a word and make a typo expecting spell check to fix it. All of a sudden, the word "Everything" is now "Evyujeghry" and I'm like ah screw it!

To the OP, sorry for high jacking. LOL

 

[TauntingBull]

It might be just me.... but I would hate to loose unlimited data and worry about if I should or shouldn't download a big email with attachments on the metered plans...

 

[lucasbuck]

Thanks for all the info! Very much appreciated.

 

[Jude526]

I am saving and its just myself. I got the 6 gig I have my smartphone and my jetpack. Corporate discount. Its a definite savings for me. I like the new plan. No problems

sent from my Rezound

 

[danhartman26]

I hated to give up unlimited on principal, but I just switched and it saves me $30/mo with 1 phone and a tablet. The tablet plan was $50 alone for 5gb (they never offered unlimited for it). My mom was paying $50/mo for a dumb phone - moved her over to my plan and got her a gnex for only $40/mo more.

It doesn't seem right, but it does make sense for some of us.

Google 'verizon shared data calculator' and you can find out what it will cost

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Android Central Forums

 

[YourMobileGuru]

Taunting you are never going to get an email with attachments big enough to matter. And you are goingto get plenty of warning before you reach your limit. All phones on the account get text warnings at 60 75 90 and 100% of your quota and the option to change to a hightt plen before the end of the billing cycle to avoid an overage.

 

[Droid3r]

tmobile has true unlimited beginning sept 5. If you live in a metro area you should consider them. If you live in a rural area then have your wife pick 2gb pack of data as the share everything is a ripoff.

VZW GALAXY S 3 4G LTE

 

[Eclipse2K]

tmobile has true unlimited beginning sept 5. If you live in a metro area you should consider them. If you live in a rural area then have your wife pick 2gb pack of data as the share everything is a ripoff.

VZW GALAXY S 3 4G LTE

I really wish T-Mobile was comparable to Verizon near the Chicago area but it's not. Oh well, at the moment, I still have unlimited data.

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[Jude526]

I can't switch to another carrier for unlimited. I chose to switch to the share everything. Verizon has the best service for me and has always done right by me. I sold for an indirect as well and verizon is the best. My opinion anyway

sent from my Rezound