AT&T has announced a new unlimited data plan for 5G, called “Value Plus Plan,” which is rivaling its competitors’ offerings. In comparison, the plan sits at a cost of only $50 rather than $60 or $70 from T-Mobile and Verizon. That’s quite significant when you take into consideration the fees of just about everything being raised due to the pandemic.
Be aware that the new “Value Plus Plan” isn’t advertised on the carrier’s website among its unlimited plans. Even though it includes unlimited talk, text, and data, look for it in the operator’s “other plans” category. The plan is also subject to being throttled during times of congestion, or what the provider lists as, “AT&T may temporarily slow data speeds if the network is busy.
While some analysts don’t expect a response from AT&T’s rivals, AT&T touted demand for the offering. “We have research that suggests an increase in market demand for access to a lower price point for unlimited postpaid, particularly for single lines and customers who prefer to bring their own devices,” explained an AT&T representative in response to questions from Light Reading on the new plan. “This new value plan is meant to serve those customers looking for a basic entry level unlimited plan.”
If you dig a little deeper into the cellular data plan options, you’ll actually find that there are lower cost alternatives, even to this new AT&T plan. That is because they’re not from the major carrier directly, but instead a MVNO – this stands for mobile virtual network operator. A MVNO is a wireless communications services provider that does not own the wireless network infrastructure over which it provides services to its customers. Essentially, these providers piggyback off the major carrier’s infrastructure to broadcast service to their customers, and they’re able to do so for a lower price.
T-Mobile, for example, has “Metro By T-Mobile.” They offer prepaid unlimited 5G service for one line at $60 per month. Also, Verizon’s Visible brand offers unlimited 5G services for $40 per month for one line of service.