Mobile Phone Plans: Getting the Best Bang for Your Buck.

To determine the top mobile phone service rates, using AT&T as an example, the customer must compare mobile phone wireless plans best suited to his needs with the most economical value.

Let’s say that this particular customer wants wireless service for two lines with at least 3G data plan and unlimited talk and text. Comparing AT&T’s monthly billed plans versus prepaid GoPhone plans will help determine which has better value for the money.

Advantages of AT&T Mobile Share Value Plan:

• Unlimited talk and text.

• No contract if you have a smartphone already.

• Rollover data.

• Ability to finance the newest smartphones or upgrades .

• Option for up to four lines .

• Monthly billing.

• Cloud storage up to 50 GB included for free.

• Shared data up to 3G for up to 4 lines.

• Optional insurance available on smartphones.

• Wifi.

Disadvantages of AT&T Mobile Share Value Plan:

• Possible two year contract.

• Smartphone access fee for each line.

• Additional finance charges and interest monthly for new smartphones and upgrades.

• Every time the customer upgrades or purchases a new phone the contract automatically extends another 2 years.

• Fee to break contract.

Advantages of a Comparable GoPhone Plan:

• Unlimited talk and text.

• No smartphone access charge.

• No contracts.

• 1.5 G data.

• No smartphone access charge.

• GoPhones less expensive.

• WiFi.

Disadvantages of GoPhone:

• No shared plans. This particular customer would have to buy two GoPhones to meet his needs.

• Smartphone choices are usually limited and without all the bells and whistles of the newest phones.

• No free Cloud access.

• Must remember to purchase “refills” monthly to avoid service disruption.

• No insurance or warranty on smartphones.

Mobile Share Value Plan Pricing:

3G of data shared over two lines: About 40 dollars a month plus the access fee which could be another 40 dollars a month for each line and about 15 dollars for taxes and other fees. The bill goes even higher if financing a new phone as well.

GoPhone Plan Pricing:

For similar amenities of the Mobile Share Value Plan, the customer must buy two GoPhones. After the initial purchase the total cost: About 60 dollars a month for each phone.

Total Approximate Monthly Costs:

Mobile Share Value Plan: About 100 dollars a month.

GoPhone: For two lines about 90 dollars monthly.

Note, if a customer does not want the newest, trendiest smartphone, another way to save is to purchase a GoPhone and have AT&T Customer Service reassign its sim card usually at no cost.

The costs are about the same for each option; however, this is only one example. The determining factors depend on what services and smartphones meet the customer needs. It is always a good idea to compare rates.