Cell Phone Family Plans

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Family Cell Phone Plans: The Advantages

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Family cell phone plans are popular because of the convenience and cost savings they potentially provide for families. Typically, cell phone family plans allow family members to:


  • share the allotted anytime minutes within the same plan which provides a cost savings as the per minute charge is less with the "large buckets" of time allotted in the typical family cell phone plan


  • call each other without using any of those allotted minutes


  • receive a single bill

    • Cell Phone Family Plans: Potential Disadvantages 

    Despite the convenience and potential cost savings, family cell phone plans can present certain difficulties:

  • Difficulty tracking usage of allotted minutes; with multiple people using the minutes, it's easier to lose track of the time and exceed the plan allotment, incurring the higher per minute charge of the additional minutes

  • Difficulty tracking usage of text messaging features; again it is easier to exceed any limits with multiple people using the plan. This is especially true with kids.

    • What to Look for in Choosing a Cell Phone Family Plan 

    A Bit of a Buying Guide

    To avoid the problems of exceeding the cell phone plan limits that can occur as a result of multiple people using it, there are a few things to do and know before signing up:

  • Know how all of the phones will be used. Get a good estimate of how many minutes will be used and when they will be used. Be sure to account for nights, weekends, long distance, international calls, and so forth. A prospective plan should allot enough minutes to cover regular use so that the owner doesn't get smacked with the higher charges associated with exceeding the plan limits.

  • Know what special features the family might need and and how much they will be used. Know how much text messaging, internet access, downloading, picture messaging, and so forth will be used. Thinking through these special needs will allow owners to match their use to the cell phone family plan that they need.

  • Know exactly what the plan covers. When are roaming charges incurred, do unused minutes roll over form month to month, and who is considered "family" within the plan? Does the plans' definition include kids moving away to college?

    • How to Avoid Problems with Your Family Cell Phone Plan 

  • Educate kids about any rules: limits on calling, texting limits, restrictions on downloads, and so forth.

  • Some families may want to consider the parental controls available in some cell phone family plans that restrict usage. See AT&T Smart Limits as an example.


    • If you want to learn more about selecting cell phones and plans that are great for kids visit Best Cell Phones for Kids.

    Where to Find the Best Deals on Cell Phone Family Plans 

    All major wireless provider offer cell phone family plans. Shopping online often provides the best bargains and studies have shown that online stores tend to have higher customer satisfaction rates.

    We recommend TMIWireless at Home Media Store for great plans. This store allows you to shop and compare cell phone plans from all major US carriers: T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint-Nextel, AT&T, Alltel, and more in one convenient location.

    Unlimited Calling Plans for Families 

    For families who use a lot of talk time, most cellular providers now offer unlimited calling plans.

    Here are a few of the Unlimited Calling Plans available for families:

    AT&T Nation Family Talk: This plan offers 2 lines and nationwide coverage with a 2 year committment. It features unlimited shared minutes, unlimited nights and weekends, and free long distance for $199.99 per month.

    T-Mobile Family Time Unlimited: This plan also offers 2 lines and nationwide coverage with a 2 year committment. It too offers unlimited shared minutes, unlimited nights and weekends, and free long distance for $198.98.

    Sprint Simply Everything Family Plan: Same features as the plans above but the cost is slightly lower at $194.98.

    Verizon Nationwide Family SharePlan Same features as above with a cost of $199.98. Verizon also offers the Nationwide Select Family SharePlan which offers the two lines and nationwide coverage with unlimited shared minutes and messaging, unlimited nights and weekends, and free long distance for $229.98 as well as the Nationwide Premium Family SharePlan which adds in unlimited V cast for $269.98.

    Find these and more at TMI Wireless.

    Handy Links for Finding More Information 

    Below you can find links to some the major carriers offering cell phone family plans.
    T-Mobile
    Find the T-Mobile plan that is right for you. Priced from $59.99 to $139.99 per month.
    Verizon Wireless
    Verizon Wireless offers family plans priced from $69.99 per month to $299.99 per month.
    Alltel
    Find out about Alltel family cell phone plans priced from $59.99 to $209.98.
    AT&T
    AT&T family plans start at $59.99 and go to $299.99.
    Nextel
    Get the details about available Nextel family cell phone plans.

    Related Products

    What's the Best Family Cell Phone Plan? 

    Add Your Own!

    Knowing what others think of their own plans can give you valuable information as to which is right for you.

    1

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    Sprint Power Pack Family 3000

    2 points

    2

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    T-Mobile My Favs Family Time 3000

    1 point

    3

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    At&T Nation Family Talk 4000

    1 point

    4

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    Verizon Wireless America"s Choice Family Share Plan 4000

    0 points

    5

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    Alltel Greater Freedom 6500

    0 points

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    Lensmaster

    kristofwalker wrote...

    hey, this is an awesome lens. very professional , keep up the good work and check out my article when you have a chance: Cellular Family Plans. Thanks!

    ReplyPosted January 21, 2009

    Lensmaster

    EverythingMouse wrote...

    This page was very helpful. My daughter is constantly asking for a cell phone and I keep resisting - but perhaps not for much longer. Thanks for making it much clearer as to what my options are.

    ReplyPosted July 21, 2008

    Lensmaster

    Tiddledeewinks wrote...

    You have such informative lenses! Thanks for the help figuring out all this modern tech!

    ReplyPosted July 01, 2008

    Lensmaster

    Home-healthcare wrote...

    This will help guide my search for a family plan. Thanks!

    ReplyPosted January 24, 2008

     

    Photo Credits
    Introduction: compujeramey.
    What to Look For in Choosing a Cell Phone Family Plan: trekkandy.
    How to Avoid Problems with Your Family Cell Phone Plan: masochismtango.
    Where to Find the Best Deals on Cell Phone Family Plans: CommandZed.

    This site is listed at LensMasterWorld.com.

    by mulberry

    As webmaster of a communications and home electronics store I wanted to make a one page reference about family cell phone plans from any carrier. (more)

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