|
|
Updated 7/17/09 - The four major wireless service providers in the United States - Verizon Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile and AT&T Mobility - have each rolled out unlimited usage plans. Since all four carriers offer Windows Mobile Smartphones, we thought it would be worthwhile to briefly introduce you to each of the unlimited plans, including what each plan offers and leaves out.
Please note that these plans can change at any time and are covered below according to details available to date. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. |
Calling Plans, Data Plans, Tethering, etc...
Before we begin our breakdown of the four major carriers' 2009 unlimited plans, let's discuss some terminology. Unlimited sounds, well... unlimited, but some of the plans below limit exactly what unlimited means (confused yet?).
-
Calling plans are agreements for voice calling only; these do not include data services, text messaging, etc.
-
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).
-
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:
| |
|
|
|
|
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 U.S. service providers. Simply Everything includes unlimited voice, data, e-mail, text messaging, GPS navigation, Direct Connect, Group Connect, Sprint TV, Sprint Music, etc.
Until recently, the Sprint Unlimited Access Pack was available in only a handful of markets for $119; the new $99 Simply Everything plan is now available to all Sprint customers. Contact Sprint for more details on availability.
Sprint Simply Everything Web Page |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Verizon Wireless Unlimited - $99 - $149/Month
Unlike Sprint's straightforward "Simply Everything," the Verizon Wireless unlimited plan is actually three different plans. Here's the breakdown:
-
Unlimited Calling gives you unlimited voice calling and text messaging in the U.S. for a single line. Fee: $99/Month
-
Unlimited Data includes unlimited Internet activity on the phoen itself. Fee: $22/Month
-
Tethering allows you to connect your smartphone to a laptop for use as a wireless modem. This feature has a useage cap of 5GB per month and adds an additional fee: $30/Month
Verizon Wireless Web Site
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
AT&T Mobility Unlimited - $99/Month
AT&T Mobility's $99 Unlimited plan is restricted to voice calling only; text and data packages must be purchased separately. For an additional $30 you can get unlimited data and messaging; another $30 each month will give you tethering with a 5GB usage cap.
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.
AT&T Mobility Web Site |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
T-Mobile Unlimited - $99/Month
T-Mobile's Unlimited plan is similar to the AT&T plan, with unlimited text voice calling at $99. T-Mobile requires you to purchase an unlimited data plan in addition to the unlimited voice, but for an extra $19.95 you get unlimited data and text messaging.
T-Mobile U.S. Web Site |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
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 advertising is easy, but 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 to $149, but getting together a stack of product literature to compare what seven separate services from carrier A will cost compared to five 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 $99 per month. 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 more details about each wireless provider's rates, plans and total costs. 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.
Was
this brief helpful? Let
us know
Still
have questions? E-mail
us |
