Other topic was too old to bump, but feel free to delete and combine.

I'm few months away from being out of my contract with AT&T and I'm looking to get a cheaper plan. What does everybody have and what do they pay?

I'll start. First, I've been with Cingular/AT&T since I was 16 (now 27). Never had any problems with them, always had good plans in the past, and generally have no ill feelings towards their company/product, but also don't mind leaving them if I find something better.

I've had a blackberry with them for about 4 years now. For the first three years I pretty much had their lowest minutes plan, unlimited text, and data...and usually paid right around $100-$105 a month. I NEVER went over my minutes. However, about 6 months ago a $180 bill rolled in and had me like, "wtf??". So I called them, we went over the bill and the numbers called and it was legit. I'm an attorney and I just got a divorce case and both sides were treating me like a fucking counselor instead of an attorney and it jacked up my minutes. Either way, I bumped up my plan so I wouldn't have to pay the high bill, and I so my monthly payments are around $130 now. I figured I would keep it there considering that I use my cell phone a lot more as an attorney, but since then I've been very good about making sure my long calls are done at the office and I don't "counsel" anymore. Been telling the clients to cut the bullshit and get to the problem. So my minutes usage is back to normal when I had my $100 plan.

I just feel like there have to be much better plans out there than what I'm paying (cheaper than $100). What is your plan and what are you paying?

As far as the phone goes, I have a feeling by the time my contract is up I'll probably want an iphone or droid...but I'm content with my Blackberry.

10/28/2010 3:05:24 PM

I'm with Sprint. I pay $50/month for my plan. Includes unlimited data and nights and weekends. I rarely call people though so the data is all I really care about. The only issue I've had is my office seems to be the one dead one for Sprint in Raleigh

10/28/2010 3:06:46 PM

my wife and i pay $80 (AFTER taxes and fees) for two lines, unlimited text/video/photo, 10 "my circle" (or whatever they're called) numbers, and 1200 nationwide minutes

we're on verizon, but this is a legacy alltel plan (which is why it doesn't suck)...i imagine that in another year when our 2 years are up, we'll seriously consider going somewhere else unless verizon gets its act together and becomes reasonable with its data plans (under their current pricing scheme, my "free" flip phone would cost an extra $10 for the minimum data tier...which is horseshit)

10/28/2010 3:23:49 PM

i remember hearing good things about this site http://www.billshrink.com/cell-phones/plans.html but i've never used it...soooo idk

10/28/2010 3:28:30 PM

Sprint. Unlimited Everything $70 + $10 for whatever they charge the extra $10 for because I have a smartphone. Haven't gotten my first bill yet, but I expect it to be around $90 after taxes/fees.

10/28/2010 3:59:08 PM

I used ATT with just the most basic talk plan as I rarely text and do not have a data plan. I pay $39.99/month for 450 min and $0.20 per text. I have rollover minutes, but I only use about 100-200 minutes a month so I've banked 2500+ minutes. Service for ATT is not great where I live so I am looking to go to Verizon. I get a 19% discount through my company on Verizon plans as well.

Trying to decide now what Verizon plan to get. The data plans are overpriced on Verizon. Thinking about getting the most basic voice plan (450 min $39.99) and adding 250 text a month for $5/more. With my 19% discount, it'll work out to $36.45/month before taxes. Not bad for just the basics.

The other option is a pre-paid plan, but I am wary on those.

If I were you jbrick83 and you want a data plan, I'd go with the all in one Sprint plan for $69.99/month. I don't think you'll beat that price and I assume the Sprint coverage will be good in your area.

10/28/2010 5:31:50 PM

if coverage is good in your area, Sprint is the cheapest. Can't beat unlimited everything for $70/month.

[Edited on October 28, 2010 at 10:36 PM. Reason : .]

10/28/2010 10:36:02 PM

If you use blackberry instead of Android you can do a SERO plan off ebay for peanuts. I got mine from ambrosia for like $60, and I'm paying $50/month; 500 minutes, nights @ 6, unlimited everything else. That includes a $10 buy-up for blackberry and $5 total replacement warranty.

10/29/2010 1:01:08 AM

Believe Android phones can go on Sero as of Oct 1st. There is a clause that you had to be on an existing Sero plan prior to then though.

10/29/2010 1:30:33 AM

t-mobile seems like a good value...whose network do they use?

10/29/2010 7:14:57 AM

Their own, plus AT&T for extra coverage. And yeah, they're a real good deal if you have a phone already (or are willing to pay full price for a phone). Unlimited everything for $80 with no contract, so you can switch to a lower plan later on when you're done playing babysitter for grown adults.

10/29/2010 7:59:45 AM

spriiiiiint. I have the Samsung Epic 4G which works in RDU.

10/30/2010 8:59:33 PM

T mobile lied to me. There is no university discount on the no contract plans.

Still have them though. About $130 a month incl taxes for 1500 minutes, unlimited texting, web, etc. for 2 smartphones.

10/30/2010 9:16:05 PM

i have tmobile, switchin to verizon in about a week due to shitty coverage.

11/1/2010 7:46:14 AM

Why would you use anything besides Verizon?

11/3/2010 2:17:01 AM

There is no reason other than price to use anything besides Verizon. Price could be a reason, but that should be with the understanding you WILL GET inferior service.

11/3/2010 2:21:27 AM

^

11/3/2010 7:41:27 AM

Unless you're referring to customer service (which I've actually gotten great customer service...contrary to popular opinion of AT&T), I've always had really good service/coverage with Cingular/AT&T. I can't remember the last time I had a dropped called or no service unless I was in a building where nobody had service.

11/3/2010 7:46:08 AM

I use straighttalk. 30/month for plenty of minutes/text/web. It uses Verizon towers, so coverage is great. You have to use their phones (1 shitty samsung smartphone and some decent texting phones) though and there are alot of data restrictions.

It's a good deal for basic talk & texting.

11/3/2010 5:06:06 PM

Quote :

"spriiiiiint. I have the Samsung Epic 4G which works in RDU."

I, too, have the Epic. It has changed my life.

11/3/2010 5:18:17 PM

Sprint is even cheaper for data plans if you enter a shared or family plan, since Verizon charges for each line.

11/3/2010 6:03:47 PM

I have Virgin Mobile. I don't think they offer the plan I have to the public anymore, but they do have a good plan that is unlimited texts, unlimited data, and 300 minutes for 25 bucks. If you need more minutes you can get more, with 1000 I think it's 40 a month and unlimited minutes makes it 60 a month. They only have a couple good phones, but for me the cheap plan makes up for it.

It runs on the Sprint network. It's not great, but not horrible either, especially for the price.

11/3/2010 7:23:52 PM

sprint ftw. plus military discount. woot.

11/6/2010 9:10:14 AM