sms
2021-07-19 18:17:36 UTC
≤ $100 4 line Family Plans with Hotspot and ≥ 25GB/line High Speed Data
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
<https://tinyurl.com/564ycvvc>
or
https://docs.google.com/document/d/175GlHnVqtxs-dhZsfXOuQMm-I-aXbi20cnMn9dKbaHk/>
1. Visible by Verizon, $100 including Taxes & Fees
--------------------------------------------------
Pros:
• Verizon's network so better coverage than AT&T and much better
coverage than T-Mobile
• Hotspot data is unlimited
• Unlimited unthrottled data for phone
• eSIM support for iPhone (coming soon for Android)
• $25 per line available even if you have less than four users by
joining a group (separate billing)
• All phones are sold unlocked
Cons:
• Hotspot data is throttled to 5Mb/s
• Limited support for Android devices
• No CDMA support
• No domestic roaming
• No international roaming
• No support for Apple Watch eSIM (coming soon)
• Minimal subsidies on phones
• Only sold online
2. Total Wireless, ≈ $98 including Taxes & Fees
-----------------------------------------------
Pros:
• Verizon's network so better coverage than AT&T and much better
coverage than T-Mobile
• Hotspot data is not throttled
• Limit of 100GB of high-speed data shared between four lines, then data
speed is throttled. Note that the average U.S. resident uses 7GB of
mobile data per month
<https://www.allconnect.com/blog/the-average-american-uses-7gb-of-cellphone-data-monthly>
so a 100GB high-speed four-user data limit is unlikely to be an issue
for the vast majority of users.
• CDMA support with limited domestic roaming for calls and texts (until
CDMA networks are shut down)
• Supports all Verizon compatible phones
• Wide range of phones for sale, including some low-cost models for
under $100 (Moto E, Moto G7), and some mid-range models for under $200
(iPhone SE2020, Moto G).
• Sold both in stores (Target, Walmart, Best Buy) and online.
Cons:
• Limit of 10GB of hotspot data per line
• Limit of 100GB of high-speed data shared between four lines, then data
speed is throttled. Additional high-speed data is $2/GB in 5GB increments.
• No international roaming
• No eSIM support (coming soon)
• No support for Apple Watch eSIM
• No subsidies on current flagship phones.
• Minimal subsidies on non-flagship phones, with some exceptions like
the iPhone SE2020
Other $100 or Less 4 Line Plans
-------------------------------
There are some other $100 4 line plans but they all have some
limitations. Metro and U.S. Mobile have 4 lines for $100 plans but they
don't include hot spot.
For veterans, T-Mobile postpaid has a 4 line postpaid plan for $100 with
taxes and fees included, which is an excellent price if you are okay
with T-Mobile’s more limited coverage.
4 Line Plan with Included International Data
--------------------------------------------
US Mobile, on Verizon, can be a good option despite the $10 per line
charge for 20GB of hotspot data which pushes up the price for four lines
to $140 because it includes 10GB per line per month of international
high-speed roaming data for eSIM capable phones (no international
roaming for voice or text, but Google Voice solves that issue).
Prepaid Compare Web Site
------------------------
Here is a comparison from <https://prepaidcompare.net/>:
<https://imgur.com/a/RKOcThc>. Note that while US Mobile is shown, they
don’t include hotspot, it’s
The site <https://prepaidcompare.net/> is an excellent reference that
the owner keeps up to date.
Comparison Spreadsheet
----------------------
<https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1z5kLNThPu6Oc9BgQ7PRgs_769A2UEHRTG5qD_z3zTgU/>
Overcoming Some of the Limitations of Prepaid
---------------------------------------------
International Roaming
---------------------
Even on postpaid plans, international roaming with high-speed data is
very expensive and is best avoided (T-Mobile includes low-speed
international data on some of their plans but it is very slow). Whether
on postpaid or prepaid, when traveling to other countries the best
option is to purchase a prepaid SIM card that is valid for the number of
days you will be traveling. Some prepaid SIM cards are country or region
specific and some are global.
Sometimes you can’t purchase a prepaid SIM until you arrive in your
destination country, so if you want service as soon as you arrive you
may want to sign up for an account with a service like Knowroaming
<https://www.knowroaming.com/product/travel-sim-card/>. Their rates
aren’t great though they do offer some good deals on eSIM roaming
packages if your phone supports eSIM.
If you are concerned about receiving calls on your U.S. number there are
several methods to achieve this using call forwarding and a VOIP service
like Google Voice or Localphone. Personally, I ported my main mobile
number to Google Voice which works best of all.
Apple Watch Support
-------------------
Normally the eSIM for the Apple Watch is programmed with the same number
as your iPhone, and the carrier must support the Apple Watch. However
now there is a workaround, at least in several countries (including the
U.S.). See <https://www.truphone.com/us/consumer/esim-for-watch/>.
Bottom Line
-----------
If you're looking for a $100 or less family plan with hotspot included,
and unlimited data, you have only two choices: Visible by Verizon and
Total Wireless (Verizon MVNO), unless you qualify for a veterans
discount on the T-Mobile four line plan.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
<https://tinyurl.com/564ycvvc>
or
https://docs.google.com/document/d/175GlHnVqtxs-dhZsfXOuQMm-I-aXbi20cnMn9dKbaHk/>
1. Visible by Verizon, $100 including Taxes & Fees
--------------------------------------------------
Pros:
• Verizon's network so better coverage than AT&T and much better
coverage than T-Mobile
• Hotspot data is unlimited
• Unlimited unthrottled data for phone
• eSIM support for iPhone (coming soon for Android)
• $25 per line available even if you have less than four users by
joining a group (separate billing)
• All phones are sold unlocked
Cons:
• Hotspot data is throttled to 5Mb/s
• Limited support for Android devices
• No CDMA support
• No domestic roaming
• No international roaming
• No support for Apple Watch eSIM (coming soon)
• Minimal subsidies on phones
• Only sold online
2. Total Wireless, ≈ $98 including Taxes & Fees
-----------------------------------------------
Pros:
• Verizon's network so better coverage than AT&T and much better
coverage than T-Mobile
• Hotspot data is not throttled
• Limit of 100GB of high-speed data shared between four lines, then data
speed is throttled. Note that the average U.S. resident uses 7GB of
mobile data per month
<https://www.allconnect.com/blog/the-average-american-uses-7gb-of-cellphone-data-monthly>
so a 100GB high-speed four-user data limit is unlikely to be an issue
for the vast majority of users.
• CDMA support with limited domestic roaming for calls and texts (until
CDMA networks are shut down)
• Supports all Verizon compatible phones
• Wide range of phones for sale, including some low-cost models for
under $100 (Moto E, Moto G7), and some mid-range models for under $200
(iPhone SE2020, Moto G).
• Sold both in stores (Target, Walmart, Best Buy) and online.
Cons:
• Limit of 10GB of hotspot data per line
• Limit of 100GB of high-speed data shared between four lines, then data
speed is throttled. Additional high-speed data is $2/GB in 5GB increments.
• No international roaming
• No eSIM support (coming soon)
• No support for Apple Watch eSIM
• No subsidies on current flagship phones.
• Minimal subsidies on non-flagship phones, with some exceptions like
the iPhone SE2020
Other $100 or Less 4 Line Plans
-------------------------------
There are some other $100 4 line plans but they all have some
limitations. Metro and U.S. Mobile have 4 lines for $100 plans but they
don't include hot spot.
For veterans, T-Mobile postpaid has a 4 line postpaid plan for $100 with
taxes and fees included, which is an excellent price if you are okay
with T-Mobile’s more limited coverage.
4 Line Plan with Included International Data
--------------------------------------------
US Mobile, on Verizon, can be a good option despite the $10 per line
charge for 20GB of hotspot data which pushes up the price for four lines
to $140 because it includes 10GB per line per month of international
high-speed roaming data for eSIM capable phones (no international
roaming for voice or text, but Google Voice solves that issue).
Prepaid Compare Web Site
------------------------
Here is a comparison from <https://prepaidcompare.net/>:
<https://imgur.com/a/RKOcThc>. Note that while US Mobile is shown, they
don’t include hotspot, it’s
The site <https://prepaidcompare.net/> is an excellent reference that
the owner keeps up to date.
Comparison Spreadsheet
----------------------
<https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1z5kLNThPu6Oc9BgQ7PRgs_769A2UEHRTG5qD_z3zTgU/>
Overcoming Some of the Limitations of Prepaid
---------------------------------------------
International Roaming
---------------------
Even on postpaid plans, international roaming with high-speed data is
very expensive and is best avoided (T-Mobile includes low-speed
international data on some of their plans but it is very slow). Whether
on postpaid or prepaid, when traveling to other countries the best
option is to purchase a prepaid SIM card that is valid for the number of
days you will be traveling. Some prepaid SIM cards are country or region
specific and some are global.
Sometimes you can’t purchase a prepaid SIM until you arrive in your
destination country, so if you want service as soon as you arrive you
may want to sign up for an account with a service like Knowroaming
<https://www.knowroaming.com/product/travel-sim-card/>. Their rates
aren’t great though they do offer some good deals on eSIM roaming
packages if your phone supports eSIM.
If you are concerned about receiving calls on your U.S. number there are
several methods to achieve this using call forwarding and a VOIP service
like Google Voice or Localphone. Personally, I ported my main mobile
number to Google Voice which works best of all.
Apple Watch Support
-------------------
Normally the eSIM for the Apple Watch is programmed with the same number
as your iPhone, and the carrier must support the Apple Watch. However
now there is a workaround, at least in several countries (including the
U.S.). See <https://www.truphone.com/us/consumer/esim-for-watch/>.
Bottom Line
-----------
If you're looking for a $100 or less family plan with hotspot included,
and unlimited data, you have only two choices: Visible by Verizon and
Total Wireless (Verizon MVNO), unless you qualify for a veterans
discount on the T-Mobile four line plan.