AT&T has launched a new initiative called Mobile Share Value Plans that is designed to save customers money on their monthly AT&T mobile phone service bills. The following changes are specifically for the Mobile Share program, which allows devices to work under the same AT&T account and share data, talk, and text plans. Similar to T-Mobile’s “un-carrier” approach, the new AT&T plans separate the cost of the device hardware completely from the monthly service charges:
So, if you do not want your AT&T phone on a contract with a hardware subsidy, you will save $15 a month off the top. This applies to both new and existing customers (if they inquire) and supports devices brought to the network by a customer, AT&T Next devices, and phones bought at their full retail price. The most notable part of the new plans are the additional monthly savings. Depending on the plan you pick, you will be saving between $10 and $115 per month for one device or between $20 and $105 on an account with two devices.
For instance, the 300MB/month data version for one device currently costs $70 per month, but the new plans will drop this down to $60. At the high end, the $530/month 50GB plan will become $415. AT&T is also adding a new 8GB/month data tier for $130/month (1 device) and $170/month (2 devices). With the new approach of separating the phone cost from the monthly charge, the savings are even more significant if your phone is not subsidized. For instance, one phone on the 300MB/monthly plan will be $45 per month, and two phones on the 4GB plan will be $120/month.
In addition to the Mobile Share Value Plans, AT&T has announced a new tier for its AT&T Next program. AT&T Next allows a customer to pay (at minimum) $0 down for a device and roll the price of the phone into the service bill over the course of a 12-month period. The new tier allows a customer to pay over 18 months, and this means lower payment installments per month. This plan is meant for people who feel like they would be better suited to upgrading their device every year-and-a-half, rather than annually.
The Mobile Share Value Plans and new 18-month AT&T Next program become available on Sunday, December 8th. Full press release below:
With the ‘No Annual Service Contract’ options, smartphone customers can save $15 a month on Mobile Share Value plans.2 Customers can receive these monthly savings when they: Get a new smartphone for no down payment with AT&T Next; bring their own smartphone; purchase a smartphone at full retail price; or when their smartphone is no longer under contract and they switch to the new plans. All Mobile Share Value plan customers will benefit from shared data plus unlimited talk and text on their phones. Consumers will have the ability to connect up to 10 devices, including tablets and other wireless devices, while business customers will be able to connect up to 10, 15, 20 or 25 devices, depending on the plan.
It’s never been more affordable to get on the nation’s fastest and most reliable 4G LTE network. For only $45 a month, smartphone customers can now get unlimited talk and text plus 300MB of data.3 Qualifying smartphones can be added to any Mobile Share Value plan for $25 more a month per phone; tablets can be added for $10 more per device.
Customers with basic and messaging phones can enjoy a low monthly rate of $40 for unlimited talk, text and 300MB of data.3 For $20 more a month per phone, additional basic and messaging lines can be added to any Mobile Share Value plan.
In addition to the 300MB option, AT&T Mobile Share Value plans offer data options ranging from 1GB up to 50 GB, all with unlimited talk and text.
AT&T is also adding a new AT&T Nextsm plan with an 18 month upgrade option on Dec. 8. It will be available to consumers for up to four smartphones, and to select small business customers, who may provide employees with up to six company-owned devices.3 The new plan will make monthly smartphone payments even lower than the existing AT&T Next option, by spreading payments over 26 months and giving eligible customers a way to get a new smartphone after 18 monthly payments for no down payment, no upgrade fee, no activation fee and no financing fee.
“With our new Mobile Share Value Plans, customers don’t have to compromise,” said David Christopher, chief marketing officer, AT&T Mobility. “Our new no contract option lets customers add a smartphone to the nation’s fastest and most reliable 4G LTE network at a lower monthly cost. Customers want great value and a premium network – and now they can save more and get unlimited talk, text and data to share.”
The new Mobile Share Value plans make it easy for customers to manage their data without needing to keep track of multiple plans. Consumers, Individual Responsibility Users (IRUs), and Corporate Responsibility Users (CRUs) have different options to stay informed about their data usage and can check it anytime online through the my AT&T mobile app, or by dialing *DATA# from their mobile phone. AT&T also sends courtesy alerts as customers nearing their data allowance for the month.
All plans include access to AT&T’s nationwide Wi-Fi network at no additional charge.5 Customers can learn more about the new plans and determine which plan is best for them at www.att.com/mobilesharevalue.
