Re: Need help figuring out AT&T's wireless plans
Todd Allcock
<c_mulh...@nym.hush.com> wrote in message
news:5ek1o49011nu2knh8...@4ax.com...
>I am a little confused and need some help figuring out AT&T's wireless
> plans.
>
> A little background: my family currently have two Moto 557 GSM cell
> phones.
> All the data capability of these phones are turned off at AT&T's switch at
> my request. We were activating the data button on these phones resulting
> in
> unwanted miscellaneous data charges.
>
> We want to change phones. After careful research we plan on getting
> Blackberry Bold cell phones. We are pretty sure of this choice and would
> rather not discuss the Blackberry phone vs. a rival phone.
>
> A review of AT&T's literature shows multiple wireless structures and data
> plans.
>
> We currently have a 850 unlimited voice plan and have 5,000 rollover
> minutes
> so that seems to be plenty. We may even drop the unlimited minutes plan
> down somewhat.
>
> But, when we see things like Media Max Unlimited, AT&T messaging
> Unlimited,
> Media Net Unlimited it makes my head spin.
>
> Right now I am assuming what I want is:
>
> to be able to send and receive unlimited text messages for a set amount;
>
> to be able to send and receive unlimited pictures and/or videos for a set
> amount;
>
> to be able to surf the net getting unlimited web access for a set amount;
>
> and, to be able to watch a TV program if and when it becomes available for
> a
> set amount.
>
> Hope I am not asking too much. I hate restrictions and would rather pay
> for
> unrestricted access.
>
> Thanks in advance for your time, consideration and help.
>
> PS. I would rather ask folks on the net these questions before going into
> my local AT&T store. I don't want them to take advantage of me.
First, your brochures are outdated now- "MEdia Net" is gone and replaced
with new data plans. However, given that you want Blackberries, it doesn't
matter- they aren't allowed to any non-Blackberry data plans anyway.
Blackberries are fairly unique in that all email and internet service runs
through a special Blackberry server, so they don't work correctly with a
"regular" internet plan like MEdia Net.
So, you're pretty much stuck with the "Blackberry Personal" data plan on
each phone @ $30 each, plus Unlimited Messaging for Families @ $30 (cheaper
than 2 unlimited messaging individual plans @ $20 each.)
So, your bill will rise $80/month to add unlimited internet and messaging on
both lines.
The real question, IMO, is how much messaging do you think you'll need.
While you've said "you don't like restrictions" you obviously don't have a
problem with "restricted" voice minutes, since you don't have an unlimited
($99/month/phone) voice plan. For example, there's a 200 messages bundle
for $5/month per phone. Unless you're a teenager, can you picture yourself
sending or receiving more than 200 texts or picture messages a month? If
not, $5 x 2 phones saves $20/month over the $30 unlimited family messages
bundle. Besides- if you think you'll mostly be texting/picture messaging
each other, you can just use email instead- Push (instant) email is the
Blackberry's forte, and can send text or pictures, just like a computer can.
As far as data prices go, you don't really have any options with the
Blackberries- it's $30 each for unlimited, regardless.
Good luck!
do...@55.usenet.us.com
...
> Blackberry Bold cell phones. We are pretty sure of this choice and would
> We currently have a 850 unlimited voice plan and have 5,000 rollover minutes
If you change to another plan, you will lose any rollover minutes beyond
one month of the new plan. You have 5000 rollover minutes. If you change
to a 550 plan, you will lose all but 550 of those banked rollover minutes.
> But, when we see things like Media Max Unlimited, AT&T messaging Unlimited,
> Media Net Unlimited it makes my head spin.
The MEdiaNet is all being retired. None of those apply to the BlackBerry.
You should only use a BlackBerry plan. The BlackBerry Personal Data Plan
is $30 per month. That does not include text messaging, which is available
in different packages, from $5 for 200 to Unlimited for $20. Family
unlimited messaging is $30.
> PS. I would rather ask folks on the net these questions before going into
> my local AT&T store. I don't want them to take advantage of me.
Amazon has them much cheaper, but not for Family Plan.
letstalk.com has them for free. I have no knowledge of letstalk, other
than that they showed up as a link on a review of the Bold.
You might also see what plans you have through a company discount, if you
work for a large company. The stores generally can't offer the company
discounts on phones, although they will talk about the discount on the
monthly charges, which can be confusing.
--
Clarence A Dold - Hidden Valley Lake, CA, USA GPS: 38.8,-122.5
do...@55.usenet.us.com
> So, your bill will rise $80/month to add unlimited internet and messaging on
> both lines.
That depends on what he had on the old phones. My bill went up $10.
The Bold might also have free WiFi access at AT&T hotspots, including
McDonald's and Starbucks. That might be a separate plan that could be
dropped.
> ($99/month/phone) voice plan. For example, there's a 200 messages bundle
> for $5/month per phone. Unless you're a teenager, can you picture yourself
I have that, and it usually means I am overpaying compared to
pay-as-you-go, but I continue. My family certainly would not get value
from a $30 unlimited plan.
I forgot to mention that wireless.att.com offers refurb Bold for a straight
price of $50 less than the rebated price of the new one. That's $50 plus
the sales tax on $150. For me, that's $61 difference to get a unit that's
a little better tested than a new one, and at this point, not much older.
Todd Allcock
> That depends on what he had on the old phones. My bill went up $10.
He said he had data access disabled on both lines to avoid accidental pay-
per-use data charges.
I assume that means he has no data plan at all.
I also assumed he did not have a texting plan, because he tolds us in
detail what his voice plan was and didn't mention any add ons, but I
could certainly be wrong there.
> The Bold might also have free WiFi access at AT&T hotspots, including
> McDonald's and Starbucks. That might be a separate plan that could be
> dropped.
> > ($99/month/phone) voice plan. For example, there's a 200 messages
bundle
> > for $5/month per phone. Unless you're a teenager, can you picture
yourself
>
> I have that, and it usually means I am overpaying compared to
> pay-as-you-go, but I continue. My family certainly would not get value
> from a $30 unlimited plan.
I've avoided any texting add-ons, myself. Even at 20-cents each, I don't
use even a dollar's worth a month.
> I forgot to mention that wireless.att.com offers refurb Bold for a
straight
> price of $50 less than the rebated price of the new one. That's $50
plus
> the sales tax on $150. For me, that's $61 difference to get a unit
that's
> a little better tested than a new one, and at this point, not much older.
Nice catch.