Have you used T-Mobile prepaid before? Because as I recall, there are usually no taxes on the prepaid plans.
By the way, T-Mobile does offer bring-your-own-device Value Plans. Unlimited Talk + Text + Data (throttled after 2GB) costs the same $60 as the prepaid plan. The nice thing about it is it's cheaper than prepaid if you need multiple lines.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rui-no-onna
Have you used T-Mobile prepaid before? Because as I recall, there are usually no taxes on the prepaid plans.
By the way, T-Mobile does offer bring-your-own-device Value Plans. Unlimited Talk + Text + Data (throttled after 2GB) costs the same $60 as the prepaid plan. The nice thing about it is it's cheaper than prepaid if you need multiple lines.
Thanks rui,
I have not yet used T-Mobile prepaid, but if no taxes (other than maybe sales tax for buying a reload card) then the savings are even more.
From my reading the T-Mobile Value plans require a 2 year agreement. I do agree that it can be good value, but I believe the 2 GB that is with the 2 lines for $50 per month is shared.
It can work well for many lines, but my focus overall is what I experience with individual lines on prepaid. Doing a family plan post might be a good idea to break it all down to see what it would cost.
Laws vary by state. Some collect taxes/fees when you buy the prepaid card, others deduct a monthly 911 charge, etc. I actually created a breakdown a while back here when the Galaxy Nexus was first released (and cost $800 unlocked from 3rd party sellers).
Here's the breakdown revised using the new cost for the Nexus along with a comparison to Verizon's new Share Everything plan:
T-Mobile Value 1000
1000 minutes + unlimited text, $59.98
Line 1: unlimited data w/hotspot (throttling after 5GB), $25
Line 2: unlimited data (throttling after 2GB), $10
Line 3: unlimited data (throttling after 2GB), $10
Line 4: unlimited data (throttling after 2GB), $10
Add-a-line fee: $10 ($5/line for lines 3&4)
TOTAL: $124.98/mo or ~$3,000 for 2 years
T-Mobile Value 1000 cost with 4x Galaxy Nexus:
$3,000 + $1,400 = $4,400
AT&T
700 minutes, $69.99
unlimited text, $30
Line 1: 5GB w/hotspot, $50
Line 2: 3GB, $30
Line 3: 3GB, $30
Line 4: 3GB, $30
Add-a-line fee: $19.98 ($9.99/line for lines 3&4)
TOTAL: $259.97/mo or ~$6,240 for 2 years
Verizon
700 minutes & unlimited text, $99.98
Line 1: 5GB w/hotspot, $50
Line 2: 2GB, $30
Line 3: 2GB, $30
Line 4: 2GB, $30
Add-a-line fee: $19.98 ($9.99/line for lines 3&4)
TOTAL: $259.96/mo or ~$6,240 for 2 years
Verizon Share Everything
unlimited talk, text + 6GB data, $80
Line 1: $40
Line 2: $40
Line 3: $40
Line 4: $40
TOTAL: $240/mo or ~$5,760 for 2 years
2-year savings on contract cost:
Verizon/AT&T Family 700 vs T-Mobile Value 1000
$6,240 - $3,000 = $3,240
with device (4x Galaxy Nexus)
$6,240 - $4,400 = $1,840 ($76.67/mo savings)
Verizon Share Everything vs T-Mobile Value 1000
$5,760 - $3,000 = $2,760
with device (4x Galaxy Nexus)
$5,760 - $4,400 = $1,360 ($56.67/mo savings)
Amount available per device:
$3,240/4 = $810
$2,760/4 = $690
ETF on smartphones are as follows:
AT&T: $325 (-$10 per month of service completed)
Verizon: $350 (-$10 per month of service completed)
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Thanks Rui for that!
The one concern I have is that the T-mobile value plan requires signing a 2 year contract with an ETF and neoted below:
Limited-time offers; subject to change. Taxes and fees additional. Domestic only. Not all features or plans available on all devices. Unlimited features for direct US communications between two people. General Terms: Credit approval, $35 per line activation fee, and two-year agreement with up to $300/line early cancellation fee required; deposit may apply. If you switch plans, you may be bound by existing or extended contract term (including early cancellation provisions) and/or charged a fee of up to $300. You may be unable to switch to some plans. Regulatory Programs Fee (not a tax or government-mandated charge) of up to $1.61 per line/month applies. Taxes approximately 6%–28% of your monthly bill.
This was taken right from the value plan page website in the fine print at the bottom.
My focus is on plans that do not require contracts or silly termination fees. I personally would get the prepaid T-mobile so I am free and clear on my terms, not theirs.
Prepaid carrier comparison blog
