AT&T and Verizon iPhone plans compared

#1 Macworld

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Posted 11 January 2011 - 09:40 AM

Post your comments for AT&T and Verizon iPhone plans compared here

#2 sirmarcos

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Posted 11 January 2011 - 09:48 AM

You should probably mention AT&T's voice plans include rollover minutes (Verizon doesn't, right?) even if none of call that much on our phones anymore...

This post has been edited by sirmarcos: 11 January 2011 - 09:48 AM

#3 spimster

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Posted 11 January 2011 - 09:53 AM

"but who buys a smartphone these days and doesn’t use text messaging?"

well ... at least me, for one

If I'm going to text, I'll just send an email.
I've never caught on to "texting" - I don't get it personally (just me - I have nothing against it - I'd just rather phone or email depending on urgency, etc.)

Just about the only texts I was getting were spams and they'd end up costing me, which I thought was ridiculous.

So, I turned off texting and saved the five per month.

This post has been edited by spimster: 11 January 2011 - 09:57 AM

#4 ddmcd

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Posted 11 January 2011 - 09:57 AM

Since I already have a verizon landline, Versizon DSL/internet/email, and a Verizon Wireless cellphone family plan, I called Verizon today to see what I would have to pay for exchanging to dumbphones for two iPhones.

They couldn't tell me what existing customers would pay for the iPhones since (and I quote) "we don't yet sell the iPhone." I explained that I would want to continue using my DSL, internet, and email service and that should qualify me for some type of discount on the monthly "data package" but they could not give me any information.

#5 Digital

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Posted 11 January 2011 - 09:59 AM

David, are you sure about the about the "whereas Verizon requires individual text message plans per line". I just checked on their site and they have a Family SharePlan® Nationwide Talk & Text 1400 that says it does have unlimited SMS/MMS.

http://www.verizonwi...erLineCost=9.99

#6 ehren

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Posted 11 January 2011 - 10:02 AM

Verizon also has talk and text plans which bundle unlimited messaging for an additional fee. On the 700 minute plan I share with my wife, it's an additional $20 for both of us.

#7 krvw

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Posted 11 January 2011 - 10:10 AM

How about comparing international roaming rates (voice and data) a bit? I'd love to see some serious competition there with AT&T.

#8 Stewsburntmonkey

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Posted 11 January 2011 - 10:12 AM

krvw, on 11 January 2011 - 10:10 AM, said:

How about comparing international roaming rates (voice and data) a bit? I'd love to see some serious competition there with AT&T.

It's not really comparable in most cases since CDMA, what Verizon uses, is not nearly as supported internationally as GSM is, which AT&T uses.

#9 RobK

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Posted 11 January 2011 - 10:14 AM

Digital, on 11 January 2011 - 09:59 AM, said:

I would hazard that unless it says that plan is "for the iPhone" you'll be told it's not.

#10 j1h15233

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Posted 11 January 2011 - 10:29 AM

When are they going to stop charging us all an arm and a leg for texts?

#11 rcgordon

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Posted 11 January 2011 - 10:36 AM

sirmarcos, on 11 January 2011 - 09:48 AM, said:

You should probably mention AT&T's voice plans include rollover minutes (Verizon doesn't, right?) even if none of call that much on our phones anymore...

I agree that considering rollover minutes is an important factor. It regularly pays for my vacation overuse.

This post has been edited by rcgordon: 11 January 2011 - 10:36 AM

#12 venividivici

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Posted 11 January 2011 - 10:42 AM

In summary,

Out of the 720 average hours per month

Usually, you'll be (in average):

Sleeping 240 hours
Commuting 45 hours
Eating 30 hours
Visiting the WC 5 hours
Working 240 hours

More or less you'll have 560 hours accumulated, which gives you 160 hours per month or basically close to 5 hours per day that we could use for ourselves, visit friends, family.

And according to these plans, give you an average of 2-3 hours per day of talking on the phone, sending Text Messages and consuming data online. Plus the average of 1-2 hours of daily TV consumption.

We deduct that on average Americans spend 0-1 hour per day of 'live' social life.

Pretty pathetic!

#13 entspeak

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Posted 11 January 2011 - 10:44 AM

It's also worth mentioning the lack of simultaneous voice and data on CDMA. This is why I won't be switching until there is an LTE phone. If I'm waiting for an important email, for instance, and I'm on a long phone call, on an AT&T phone, I'll know when an email comes in, can check it and decide to terminate the call or not. On a Verizon phone I won't know if an email has come in until I end the call. This may not be an important feature for some, but for me, it is.

#14 Motivated

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Posted 11 January 2011 - 10:49 AM

For my current AT&T family plan (2 iPhones with minimum data, unlimited texting), the Verizon plan would be $20 MORE per month ($240/year) - as noted in the article.

Do either AT&T or Verizon sell the iPhone 4 without a contract?