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Tony Adam
While both carriers announced these changes as efforts to simplify plans, the real truth behind the story
is that the profits are in the data: Verizon’s revenue is now up 24% (they reported $15.8 billion in
Q309), with 17% coming from data services.
I think that there is still a long way to go before it gets to a point where picking a cell phone plan is
simple, even after these various many attempts by the carriers in 2009. There are still way too many plan
combination. This is our best attempt to simplify all of the plan combination and it was painful, but here
it is, The Ultimate Cell Phone Plans Comparison:
Editor’s note: 6/15/10. The cell phone plan comparison graphic has now been updated to reflect
AT&T’s new data pricing that affects all new customers.
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Cell Phone Plans: The Ultimate Comparison Page 2 of 11
BillShrink can help you find cell phone plans that save you money and fit your needs, without
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Check out previous graphics comparing: Embed the above graphics on your blog:
Nexus One vs Droid vs iPhone vs Palm Pre <a
Droid vs. iPhone vs. Palm Pre vs. MyTouch 3G href="http://www.billshrink.c
om/blog/cell-phone-plans-
Do you think carriers are doing a good job simplifying rate plan combinations, or, are we still in a
dizzying mess?
Related Posts
← Previous Comments
I would like to see a chart by phone (and I know that is a lot of work), but a carriers charges
different rates for different phones. As an example, the Pre Plus on Verizon does not allow
tethering, but it includes MIFI for $40/month, and Sprint’s Pre does not allow tethering at all.
Other phones have tethering that costs only $15/month if you have the business data plan (Verizon
and there is another pet peeve).
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If you have to shell out an additional $40/month to connect your laptop, a lot of these plans start to
sound awful.
Reply
On the family unlimited plans there is a way big difference in plans like Sprint is $20/per/month
per/add on phone and big V and A are something like $40-45. Makes a big difference when your
like me with 5 add-on phones!
Reply
This matrix is worthless since cell phone carrier have their different incentives all over. For
instance, ATT has roll over, Sprint has unlimited calling to any mobile plus night and weekends
start at 7. ATT & T-Mobile have their refurbish/recertified phones at lower prices. Verizon
guarantees to be the most expensive EVER (oh wait that is not an incentive). Uhmm, they have
something (I think). Well someone will come up with something.
The sad part is I’m with Verizon and I can’t wait for my contract to expire. And for those who
think that Verizon ALLWAYS has better coverage. I am in hotels a lot and the Nextel/Sprint
combo seems to get better coverage there. I have had to borrow a Sprint phone to call from a
ballroom in Downtown LA (I guess Verizon does not cover that rural and very insignificant area).
He had 5 bars, mine had NONE, I had to go 3 floors up and close to a window to get a blinking 1
(it was going from 1 to none) and all the way outside to get 2. Granted not my experience every
time but Verizon is not the magical coverage people think it is. Also, I gone through 5 phones at
$50 to $100 each. I think Verizon gets the B quality phones since my partner that has the same
phone I have (but on Sprint) still in his original one and he treats his like crap (which shows, but it
works 100%).
I wish there was a way to compare coverage, price,features, perks, etc.. But I thnk the carriers
don’t want that.
Reply
If you have an IPhone you can tether for free if it is jailbroken, which is a huge plus because if
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you live in an area where you have good 3G coverage then that would pretty much eliminate the
need for paying for an internet service through any local provider.
Reply
Why not just get an android phone and dl a tethering app some of them are free and you DON’T
Have to jailbreak them!
Reply
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