AT&T; introduces shared data plans, sets launch for late August
AT&T; announced it will introduce shared data plans, a month after Verizon began offering its own shared data plans.
The Texas-based carrier said it will start selling AT&T; Mobile Share plans in late August.
“New and existing customers can share a single bucket of data across smartphones, tablets, and other compatible devices, plus get unlimited talk and text,” AT&T; said in a release.
The plans will allow for up to 10 shared devices, but they must include at least one smartphone.
Adding one smartphone starts at $45, but gets cheaper if you buy more data -- it can go as low as $30. Adding other phones costs $30 each, laptops and Internet cards for computers is $20 each, and tablets and gaming devices are $10 each.
As for data, the plan starts at $40 for 1 gigabyte and jumps to $70 for 4 gigabytes. It also offers 6 GB for $90, 10 GB for $120, 15 GB for $160 and 20 GB for $200.
“With these new plans, the more you share, the more you save,” said David Christopher, AT&T; Mobility’s chief marketing officer. “They’ll be a good fit for a variety of new and existing customers. But if customers want to stay on their current plan or choose from our existing plans, they can do that, too. It’s their choice.”
The Mobility Share plans will also include tethering, just like Verizon’s Share Everything plans.
Verizon’s plans are cheaper in some instances but more expensive in other parts. Adding regular phones, laptops and tablets all cost the same, but adding a smartphone is fixed at $40, which is cheaper for customers who get a low amount of data but more expensive for a family or group looking for 6 GB or more.
As for data, Verizon starts off more expensive, offering 1 GB for $50. However, its plans get cheaper after 6 GB, which go for $80. The Share Everything plans go up to 10 GB for $100.
And like AT&T;, Verizon limits its shared data plan to 10 devices. More information on Share Everything can be found here.
[Update, July 18, 9:21 a.m.: The add-on cost for each device is on a per-month basis. AT&T; charges $15 for each gigabyte that customers go over on their plans.]
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