Calling Plans, Data Plans, Tethering, etc...
Before we begin our breakdown of the four major carriers' 2008 unlimited plans, let's discuss some terminology. Unlimited sounds, well... unlimited, but some of the plans below limit exactly what unlimited means (confused yet?).
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Calling plans are agreements for voice calling only; these do not include data services, text messaging, etc.
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Data plans allow data reception and transmission with a wireless device such as a Windows Mobile Smartphone but does not include voice calling (outside of VoIP services where available).
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Tethering refers to some carriers' policy of allowing you to use a connected data device (phone, modem, one or both) as a wireless data connection for a desktop or laptop computer.
The Plans
Let's take a look at each of the four unlimited wireless plans:
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Sprint "Simply Everything"- $99.99/Month
Sprint's "Simply Everything" plan, formerly known as the "Unlimited Access Pack," is, by far, the most generous unlimited plan offered by the major service providers. Simply Everything includes unlimited voice, data, e-mail, text messaging, GPS navigation, Direct Connect, Group Connect, Sprint TV, Sprint Music, etc., etc.
Until recently, the Sprint Unlimited Access Pack was available in only a handful of markets for $119; the new Simply Everything plan is available to all Sprint customers beginning February 29, 2008. Contact Sprint for more details on availability.
Sprint Unlimited Access Pack Web Site |
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Verizon Wireless Unlimited - $99 - $149/Month
Unlike Sprint's straightforward Unlimited Access Pack, the Verizon Wireless unlimited plan is actually four different tiered plans. Here's the breakdown:
- Unlimited Basic Plan includes unlimited voice calling in the U.S. for a single line. Fee: $99/Month
- Unlimited Select Plan adds unlimited text messaging (SMS & MMS) to unlimited voice. Fee: $119/Month
- Unlimited Premium Plan includes unlimited calling and messaging along with VZNav, VCAST and e-mail. Fee: $139/Month
- Unlimited Total Plan includes everything from voice calling to data. Fee: $149/Month
Verizon Wireless Web Site
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AT&T Mobility Unlimited - $99/Month
Unlike Verizon and Sprint, AT&T Mobility's Unlimited plan is restricted to voice calling only - at least for now; text and data packages must be purchased separately.
Perhaps with competitors' unlimited voice, text and data all-in-one plans, AT&T might update their plan in the coming months to ease customer's concerns about hidden and confusing charges. Begins 2/22/08.
AT&T Mobility Web Site |
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T-Mobile Unlimited - $99/Month
T-Mobile's new unlimited plan is similar to the AT&T Mobility plan, except that it includes text messaging along with voice calling. Also like the AT&T plan, T-Mobile requires you to purchase data plans in addition to the unlimited voice and text option. Begins 2/21/08.
T-Mobile U.S. Web Site |
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Simplicity: Good for the Consumer - For the Carrier, Not So Much
It may seem like a no-brainer to consumers for service providers to offer unlimited "everything we sell" packages with clear and straight-forward pricing; but wireless carriers depend, at least in part, on a level of confusion when customers sign up for multi-layered plans. Grabbing you with $39/month advertisements is easy, and by the time you stack on insurance, data plans, per-message text fees, special e-mail services and pay-for-use GPS (like TeleNav), you could be looking at a bill well over $100 per month.
It's also the case that confusing, overly-complicated layered plans make comparison shopping more difficult. It's easy to compare $119 and $149, but getting together a stack of product literature to compare what seven separate services from carrier A will cost compared to six services from carrier B can take some serious homework.
We applaud the wireless carriers for working to make things simpler for consumers, most notably Sprint with their all-you-can-eat voice, text and data plan for $119 per month (if only it were available in more places we'd be elated). We hope AT&T Mobility and T-Mobile will also consider moving from a calling, or calling and data, only structure to an unlimited plan which includes data as well.
Final Thoughts
Even with the breakdown included on this page, there are many
details about each wireless provider's rates, plans and the total cost of most of the unlimited services. If you have additional questions, please contact the carrier of interest or e-mail us with your questions and we'll do our best to find an answer for you.
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