When is ‘unlimited’ really ‘unlimited’?
Mobile phone carriers are big on promises. There are lots of plans that offer ‘unlimited’ data plans, but there always seems to be a catch, especially with plans that include 5G. Take, for example, AT&T’s (T) Unlimited plans, which start at $35/line and run to $50/line. The first catch is you have to sign-up for 4 lines (all unlimited plans) and with the $35 plan they add “AT&T may temporarily slow data speeds when network is busy”, while the $40 and $50 plans give the same caveat when you hit 50GB and 100GB respectively, and should you travel to Mexico or Canada you could see speeds down to 2G levels. As some folks figured out that they could use their smartphones as ‘hot spots’ for their tablets or laptops, these plans also limit the ‘hot spot’ data maximums so you can’t use your smartphone as your in-house 4G/5G network.
AT&T is no different than other plans, most of which bury the data limits in plan details far from the promotional advertisements, but now T-Mobile (TMUS) says they have unveiled a new plan that has absolutely no limits. The new Magenta Max plan costs $50/line, for those taking 4 lines, $57 for three lines, $70 for two and $85 for one, but ‘smartphone speeds can’t slow based on usage’ is the mantra for the new plan. There is a 40GB limit on ‘hot spot’ data, which would then switch from 4G speed to 3G, and 5G access (at no extra cost) is certainly a part of the plan, but the specifics as to whether you can be on a 5G network 24/7 without restrictions is a bit fuzzy, although 4G unlimited access is guaranteed. The Canada and Mexico restrictions hold even for this plan, but you get Netflix () for free on each line, or you can stream in 4K UHD for an additional $5/month, but T-Mobile is going to charge an additional $20/line if you run your tablet under the plan and an additional $10/month for any wearable that connect directly to the network.
We only point out the new T-Mobile plan because it moves consumers closer to what would be a true ‘unlimited’ data plan. As 5G coverage expands and consumers find value in the higher speeds, 4G becomes more of a throw away to carriers who figure high volume mobile data users will migrate to 5G and open bandwidth to 4G customers, reducing the ‘network congestion’ that gives most carriers the out to reduce mobile data speeds. Without that necessity carriers will be less subject to criticism for throttling data speeds and less prone to issues surrounding net neutrality that the new administration is expected to restore. Just make sure you read the fine print on any plan, even the really small print…
AT&T is no different than other plans, most of which bury the data limits in plan details far from the promotional advertisements, but now T-Mobile (TMUS) says they have unveiled a new plan that has absolutely no limits. The new Magenta Max plan costs $50/line, for those taking 4 lines, $57 for three lines, $70 for two and $85 for one, but ‘smartphone speeds can’t slow based on usage’ is the mantra for the new plan. There is a 40GB limit on ‘hot spot’ data, which would then switch from 4G speed to 3G, and 5G access (at no extra cost) is certainly a part of the plan, but the specifics as to whether you can be on a 5G network 24/7 without restrictions is a bit fuzzy, although 4G unlimited access is guaranteed. The Canada and Mexico restrictions hold even for this plan, but you get Netflix () for free on each line, or you can stream in 4K UHD for an additional $5/month, but T-Mobile is going to charge an additional $20/line if you run your tablet under the plan and an additional $10/month for any wearable that connect directly to the network.
We only point out the new T-Mobile plan because it moves consumers closer to what would be a true ‘unlimited’ data plan. As 5G coverage expands and consumers find value in the higher speeds, 4G becomes more of a throw away to carriers who figure high volume mobile data users will migrate to 5G and open bandwidth to 4G customers, reducing the ‘network congestion’ that gives most carriers the out to reduce mobile data speeds. Without that necessity carriers will be less subject to criticism for throttling data speeds and less prone to issues surrounding net neutrality that the new administration is expected to restore. Just make sure you read the fine print on any plan, even the really small print…
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