AT&T Introduces Shared Data Plans ¹

by Dana Rock • AT&T • Tags: AT&T, Shared Data Plans

AT&T Introduces Shared Data Plans

Have you been looking for a way to share your data amongst all your devices? If so, you will be pleased to know that AT&T has introduced that shared data plans on 23 August 2012. Now you can manage all your data from one convenient location without the hassle of individual bills.

These plans are similar to Verizon’s “Share Everything” offer, allowing users to use a pool of data, voice or text on up to 10 devices. The only requirement is that one of these devices needs to be a smartphone. Customers are not forced to make use of these new plans, and can stay on their current plan if they wish to.

How Do They Work?

Shared data plans, dubbed “AT&T Mobile Share Plans” work by allowing users to share a single bucket of data across compatible devices, including smartphones (compulsory), tablets and notebooks. This means that you can easily manage data, voice, minutes and texting without the need for individual plans.

AT&T’s device upgrade policy will remain the same, meaning that eligible customers can upgrade to AT&T’s best device price without switching plans. Current customers can switch to a mobile share plan without the need for a contract extension. Business customers will also be able to make use of these new plans.

These new subscription plans allow customers to choose how much data they will require each month. They can then choose up to 10 devices to connect to their plan of choice. All plans feature unlimited domestic calls, text and tethering. The more data you buy, the less you will pay per GB. This means that data centric customers can choose a bigger data bucket. Voice centric customers can add multiple smartphones and opt for less data.

Cost

The best way to get started is to take a look at AT&T’s Mobile Share Planner Tool found here. It will allow you to select your device(s) of choice and estimate how much data you will use each month per device.

Offerings start at $40 monthly with an additional $45 per smartphone. This includes 1GB of data as well as unlimited voice and texts. The largest plan is charged at $200 monthly plus $30 per smartphone. This includes 20GB of data as well as unlimited voice and texts.

Additionally, charges are $15 for every extra GB used. Feature phones can be added at $30 per device. You can connect laptops at $20 each and tablets for $10.

Step 1: Choose your Mobile Share Plan Monthly Subscription

	1GB	4GB	6GB	10GB	15GB	20GB
Mobile Share, Unlimited Talk + Text	$40	$70	$90	$120	$160	$200
Each Smartphone	+$45	+$40	+$35	+$30	+$30	+$30

Step 2: Add Additional Devices to your Plan

Smartphones	Notebooks, Mobile Hotspots, Netbooks	Tablets and Gaming Devices
Shared Data, Unlimited Talk + Text	Shared Data	Shared Data
$30 per month	$20 per month	$10 per month

Additional Details

AT&T provides courtesy alerts to customers if they are nearing their data allowance for a particular month. Customers can also check their usage online, via the myAT&T mobile application or by dialing *DATA# from their mobile device.

All shared plans include access to over 30,000 AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots at no additional costs. Home, work or public hotspots do not count towards the monthly usage plan. Additionally, if you do not wish to be locked into a contract with AT&T or another service provider, you may want to consider a prepaid data plan. This means that you will only pay for your internet data when you want to and avoid monthly commitments.

About The Author

The author, Mike Dodd, has 11 years experience in the IT field and is pertained to themes relating to wireless internet, mobile data plans, smartphone applications and wireless hardware. You can view more of his work relating to prepaid internet by going here. You may find prepaid internet appealing if you are an on-the-go individual that doesn’t like the commitments to a recurring fee.

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