Hasta La Gadget!

This week AT&T has joined the “shared data” party that Verizon has been a part of for a few weeks, now it’s time to run down which of the two brings on a better deal for you. You’ll of course want to keep in mind first and foremost that these two networks have different coverage areas and that they’ve, for the most part, got a different device selection as well. If you’re looking for an iPhone or a Samsung Galaxy S III at this very moment, it’s the carriers you’ll be looking at – and both AT&T and Verizon are vying for your attention right this second.

If you are an individual looking for a data plan on either of these networks, you truly should be looking elsewhere. These Mobile Share plans are really a re-branded set of family plans, or group share plans, however you want to say it. If you’re a heavy data user part of a family of low-use users, you might also want to figure out a different situation. Otherwise have a peek here:

AT&T’s plan breaks down like so:

1GB Price per month: $40; Smartphone fee: $45
4GB $70;$40
6GB $90;$35
10GB $120;$30
15GB $160;$30
20GB $200;$30
Each GB overage on all plans: $15/per.

While Verizon’s list works like this:

1GB $50;$40
2GB $60;$40
4GB $70;$40
6GB $80;$40
8GB $90;$40
10GB $100;$40
12GB $110;$40
14GB $120;$40
16GB $130;$40
18GB $140;$40
20GB $150;$40
Each GB overage on all plans: $15/per, option for 2GB add-on $10 before going over.

Similarities include the cost of connecting additional devices, that being a tablet at $10 a month, USB card for $20, and laptops, netbooks, and basic phones for $30. Verizon’s shared data plans are active now, while AT&T’s “Mobile Share” program does not begin until August. Also note that AT&T has been clear in saying that grandfathering is indeed active, with everyone currently part of a data plan with them now able to keep their data plan and prices through the foreseeable future.

UPDATE – an AT&T spokesperson has contacted us with the following statement:

“The key advantage for AT&T customers is that we offer a broad choice of plans. Customers can choose a shared data plan or choose separate individual or family plans. And our upgrade policy is very friendly for existing customers. You can keep your current plan, including unlimited plans, without paying full retail price for the device when you upgrade.” – AT&T Spokesperson

Which will you choose?

AT&T vs. Verizon: Shared Data Showdown is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Pre-orders for FreedomPop’s WiMAX iPhone case began in May with the company offering 500MB of free data for those willing to pay $99 for the case. The company is hoping to shift free customers onto a paid model later on, but for now is offering the data for free. The case makes use of ClearWire’s WiMAX, but GigaOm reports that FreedomPop will be leveraging LTE in the future.

FreedomPop is said to have signed a deal with the Now Network that would make use of 3G and 4G services later on in the year. The company plans to offer an iPhone case that will have WiMAX, LTE, and CDMA radios for the best possible coverage. As the licensor’s LTE network becomes more robust in 2013, FreedomPop will begin to phase out the WiMAX radios and rely primarily on LTE.

500MB of free LTE access every month doesn’t sound so terrible. More data can be acquired too, with FreedomPop hoping users will leverage social networks to promote the brand and earn up to 1GB of access. FreedomPop customers can also transfer data between each other’s accounts if they’re feeling particularly generous. Even if you go over the free limit, data can be purchased outright as normal at one cent per megabyte.

FreedomPop to add LTE by the end of the year is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

T-Mobile just updated its prepaid data plans a month ago, and now it’s the corporate crowd’s turn for a shakeup. The new (and quite frankly daunting) array of primarily business-minded plans is based around whether or not you’d rather face throttling or overage fees if you push past a set cap. Overage Free plans for subsidized (Classic) and unsubsidized (Value) devices are largely self-explanatory and slow down that bandwidth cap-busting hotspot, modem or tablet until the next month. The High-speed plan range costs lower as a matter of course, but you’ll be dinged to the order of two to 10 cents for every megabyte over the limit. That said, there’s some bargains to be had versus other carriers, especially with the 5GB and 10GB plans. Provided you’re happy with T-Mobile’s coverage, it may be worth signing up to eke out a few extra dollars in savings every month.

T-Mobile brings out new mobile data plans mainly for the suits and ties, makes overage optional originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Jun 2012 07:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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