AT&T, Sprint introduce cheaper unlimited calling plans on clarkhoward.com

MONEY-SAVING MOMENT: Still stuck with one of the Big 4 wireless carriers? AT&T and Sprint are making some new tweaks that may allow you to drop to a cheaper plan without losing touch with the people you call most often.

AT&T will introduce its "A List with Rollover" plan on Sept. 20, 2009. A List allows you unlimited free calling to the 5 numbers you call most -- regardless of whether they're AT&T customers or not. A minimum $59/month calling plan is required.

The ink wasn't dry on the AT&T plan when Sprint came out with its "Any Mobile, Anytime" plan. It offers unlimited calling to any cell phone on any network for $69/month. No need to designate "favorite" numbers or worry about which carrier your friends and family have.

Both the AT&T and the Sprint plans are clearly customer retention efforts. They're trying to preserve headcount without completing discounting to the $40-$50 range offered by Tier 2 providers like Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile, Straight Talk, Metro PCS and Cricket.

Most important of all, know that you must ask AT&T and Sprint for these plans if you're eligible. They probably won't tell you about them!

What others are saying

Response to "Warning about Straight Talk"
On 09/22/09 12:14:26 PM Shel wrote: ["Each monthly rate you pay is for just thirty days. So if there are 31 days in a month, you end up paying for more months than a 12-month year... I just got off the phone with them. I was told, say this month had 31 days and you signed up on the first and paid for one month of service. Your second month would have to be paid on the 31st as that would be the first day of the "new" month."]

Response:
There are 365 days in a year. If you divide that # by 30 you get 12.17 pay periods. By the calendar month it would be: 12mo. x $30 = $360. By 30 day periods it would be 12.167 pay periods x $30 = $365. The difference is $5! It's a dollar a day!? This is nothing to complain about. Do the math next time.
By Carter @ 11/10/09 02:05:08 PMreport abuse
Check out AT&T Go Monthly Unlimited Talk and Text
$60 Unlimited Talk and Text Feature Package on the Simple Rate Plan

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/go-phones/gophone-plan-details.jsp?q_sku=sku3950526&q_planCategory=cat20002
By J.M. Nolan @ 10/23/09 03:24:54 AMreport abuse
AT&T and Credit Bureau Reporting
Clark, Do you know if AT&T reports monthly payment history on cell accounts? I have heard they definately report if someone defaults. I am trying to build up my credit rating and was wondering if a contract with a cell phone with an excellent payment history would help my credit rating or not. Thanks Clark... :))))
By Sharon @ 10/03/09 02:09:46 AMreport abuse
Sprint
I had Sprint and they were the worst. They extended my contract w/out my ok, they charged me $5.00 to download a photo from a text because I did not have a text monthly plan at the time (I called Verizon and they told me they would have only charged me .25 cents!), and then they wanted to charge me the full two hundred dollars to cancel my service a year into the contract. I called Verizon and come to find out they charge two hundred the 1st month if you want to cancel, then it drops every month. In other words it's prorated. Sprint is the biggest ripoff out there. Stay away from them.
By Trace Farley @ 10/01/09 12:09:45 AMreport abuse
T-Mobile
Best prepaid plan. Never a problem, great service. My cost, less than $10/mo.
By Ursula Kerins @ 09/27/09 11:02:16 AMreport abuse
Tracfone
I've been using Tracfone service for about 8 years now. It's perfect. Every 90 days I buy a 60-minute card for $19.99, get double minutes on my 'double minutes for life' usage, and I have to check my phone to see what my cell phone number is, and I only use the phone for emergencies or someone who has to or wants to reach me on the cell phone. No monthly bill...currently 900+ minutes that will roll over as long as I purchase minutes every 90 days. I can even text my out-of-state cell-on-her-ear granddaughter.
By Pat @ 09/27/09 10:07:36 AMreport abuse
Boost
Like the Boost service (most of the time) but hate the low end phone. Seems they don't have a middle priced phone
By Ladyhawk @ 09/26/09 10:01:42 PMreport abuse
Keeping my cell phone
I've had my cell phone for 4 years now and still going good. All I use it for is to make calls around home and long distance calls. I'm still keeping my phone as long as I can and not spending money for an upgrade. I also am paying for two cell phones on the same minutes, my wife and me.
By Ross @ 09/24/09 01:51:53 AMreport abuse
Pay-as-you-go
I am not one of these people that feels the need for incessant meaningless chat. If I want to talk with someone for an hour or more, I will call them from my landline. Consequently, I use my cell phone only when I am away from home and only for important communication. Therefore, I don’t need 300 minutes per month, so TracFone is perfect for me. I buy 1,000 minutes at a time for $100; these minutes are good for a year and roll over if you add more before the year is up; however 1,000 minutes will last me for about a year. That figures out to about $8.50/month, a cost that is very hard to beat. In addition, TracFone provides excellent coverage.
By Ron @ 09/23/09 08:43:57 AMreport abuse
Sprint
I have been with Sprint for 10 years, primarily because when I started they had the best coverage areas for me. Now that is moot. However, My plan gives me 300 anytime minutes and unlimited nights and weekend for #30! I have never exceeded my 300 minutes so I see no reason to change. Obviously we are not big bandwidth consumers-- no texting, interenet,, etc.
By Jeff @ 09/22/09 11:46:55 PMreport abuse
verizon
I was a happy customer with Alltel for eight years, but since the buy out by Verizon it has been miserable! They add charges every month and when you call each rep has a different story about why the charges are there. I have two phones on Alltel contracts but they say I will be charge 200 dollars for each phone if I drop service even though I never signed a contract with Verizon and was never given an opportunity to opt out during the buy out. Aren't there laws in this country against this type of monopolizing?
By kim @ 09/22/09 11:43:28 PMreport abuse
TRACFONE
I USE A CELL PHONE MAINLY WHEN I TRAVEL AND BUY MINUTES WHEN NEEDED. THEY START IN QUANTITY OF 60 MIN. I THINK MINUTES ARE GOOD FOR 90 DAYS, AND IF NOT ALL USED AND YOU DON'T BUY MORE, YOU LOSE THEM. I HAVE ONLY BEEN IN 2 AREAS, BOTH,VERY REMOTE,WHERE I DID NOT HAVE A SIGNAL THAT'S ALL I PAY FOR. WORKS FOR ME.
By JANET @ 09/22/09 06:48:17 PMreport abuse
verizon?
I have never had to pay for cell phone before, had it through work. Now I need unlimited texting, lots of minutes for me and 2 daughters. What about Verizon? On att now through work, but all my friends are on V.
By Amber @ 09/22/09 03:59:05 PMreport abuse
at&t
once u sign w att youre doomed 2 their cotract + fictitions only high level scheisters can conjuret
By glen @ 09/22/09 12:23:18 PMreport abuse
Warning about Straight Talk
Each monthly rate you pay is for just thirty days. So if there are 31 days in a month, you end up paying for more months than a 12-month year... I just got off the phone with them. I was told, say this month had 31 days and you signed up on the first and paid for one month of service. Your second month would have to be paid on the 31st as that would be the first day of the "new" month.
By Shel @ 09/22/09 12:14:26 PMreport abuse
pay as you go phones
After a bad experience with Verizon I changed to Metro PCS. Left them eventually because service died when I left Atlanta. Been with Go Phone for years but am thinking of changing to Straight Talk. I called AT&T to see if they would offer me anything to stay with them and the answer was no. Of course there is a difference between contract phones and pay as you go phones. All they had to do was offer me a new phone or a discount on my monthly services (around 60.00) to keep me because I am too lazy to program a new phone, but they weren't willing to do anything.
By Megan @ 09/22/09 09:08:10 AMreport abuse
Current with t-mobile.
Just joined them in a contract, two actually as they suckered me into 2 contracts and wouldnt release me out of the one that they did not live up to their obligations of the contract. Very long fight but it all came down to that the techs never left notes saying i was unhappy. Despite calls every day for 2 months.
Anyways when it comes to phones I just need unlimited data, and unlimited or lots of minutes to just 1 number. The rest do not matter.
As mentioned tie it into google voice, just give out your google voice number and also use it to place all calls, send sms, 411 etc. All of that is now free in domestic with no roaming. Plus most international is only 2 cents a minute.

Lesson is just get google voice, use that as primary and for as cheap of voice plan you can get.
By David N @ 09/22/09 04:48:14 AMreport abuse
I Love T-Mobile
Clark, I love my T-Mobile, they showed me that they appreciated my business. My contract ran out after 2 years, but I was happy with my service and I stayed with T-Mobile without a contract. This is the good part. At just after the 5 year mark, for being a loyal customer, they offered me an anytime, UNLIMITED, local and nationwide calling plan with NO CONTRACT for $49.99. And then they also sent me a card to download 5 ringtones FREE. And I have always had great customer service. My husband has SPR---with only 400 minutes at $59.99, after 5 years they gave him an extra hour of free night time calling. His service is not all that great either. He drops calls and has no signal to or from Atlanta when he is in Macon. I have never had a dropped call and I get a signal in Macon. So, Unless I get the same plan with the same quality of service for at least $10.00 or more less than T-Mobile, guess who I'm keeping my calling plan with? It's refreshing when a big company shows their customer that they are appreciated. Kudos to T-Mobile!
By Laura McConley @ 09/21/09 10:39:40 PMreport abuse
AT&T
I live in VT - When AT&T took over unicel many of us were on a $50.00 unlimited plan. AT&T will honor it, but you must be a unicel cust (ends 12/31)and you must request it when you switch to AT&T. Required to sign 2 years, but settles the issue for 2 years at $50.00.
By Dennis @ 09/21/09 09:39:41 PMreport abuse
cell phone plans
Straight talk is the way to go! Check it out, walmart sells these systems.
By earl @ 09/21/09 09:08:20 PMreport abuse
Cell phone plans
Add everything up and there's really little savings. I use MetroPCS, $45 a month unlimited USA calling, plus free Directory Assistance. AT&T charges $1.79 per 411 call.
By Shel @ 09/21/09 08:30:58 PMreport abuse
TMobile
I'm with TMobile, I would LOVE to get an iPhone, but TMobile keeps me with $59 unlimited! BTW, they asked ME if I wanted it when I called about something all together different... that is their retention plan!! Love it!! Sprint, on the other hand, after having been with them for YEARS wasn't the least bit interested in keeping my business that's why I left them. I have been very happy with TMobile!!! I'd be theirs forever if they could get the iPhone... but, since I can't justify ATT's charges I'll stick with TMobile!
By LA @ 09/21/09 07:25:52 PMreport abuse
TMobile
They are all a rip but Tmobile is the cheap winner with $39 1000 min free N/w.
By Rick @ 09/21/09 05:55:31 PMreport abuse
Yea! I qualify!
We have an AT&T family plan so this will really help out. We qualify for the 10 number A-List. Woo Hoo!
By DeAnne @ 09/21/09 05:30:05 PMreport abuse
AT&T A-List
Wow! One simple phone call and I'm all set. I recently discontinued my land line so this will help enormously when some of my long-winded (but lovable) family members call from the east coast. Thanks, Clark, for the heads up!
By Dixie Darlin @ 09/21/09 05:27:46 PMreport abuse
cell phone plans
The AT&T and Sprint plans will not help here. The only one available is Verizon!!
By Pam @ 09/21/09 03:57:30 PMreport abuse
Doesn't help me
We pay $80 for 1,400 minutes on three lines and always have rollover minutes, so this plan wouldn't help us either. And if you try to reduce your minutes to eat up the rollover minutes, you can't: they delete the rollover minutes when you change plans.
By Ed @ 09/21/09 02:36:21 PMreport abuse
Sprint calling plan
Got my info from Sprint in the mail and via internet last week.
By Jerry Preuss @ 09/21/09 02:25:29 PMreport abuse
Inexpensive cell phone service
Consumer Cellular has fantastic basic plans starting at $20 a month for 250 min. There is no contract obligation, no gimmicks--just plain cell phone coverage. Sponsored by AAA. Plus free phone! Customer service was very accessible and straight-forward. I'm getting 2 phones/1,000 min./month for $50.00! (no free phone to phone or eve. or weekends in that). This suites my needs/budget perfectly. High appeal to casual cell phone users.
By Anna Long @ 09/21/09 02:20:36 PMreport abuse
Pay as you Go
I have an AT&T Pay as you Go Phone because I didn't like the monthly bill. But they charge a daily access fee (which they never told me about) of $1.00 so in one month, they charged $30.00. That is nuts! I'm fed up. I'm buying a throw-away for 30 bucks and buy minutes and if I don't like it, I can toss it. Amen to that.
By Carol Gamba @ 09/21/09 02:19:12 PMreport abuse
Alist
I have the 700 minute family plan and I am left out also.
By Garry @ 09/21/09 02:08:42 PMreport abuse
ATT Service
I agree ATT must improve customer service. I had a land line out of service for more than two weeks before ATT could do anything about it. A temporary telephone line is now laying across the street I live on and has not been completely fixed..not enough technicians. I need a totally new line. I also have a cell and internet w/them. So I am looking for better service!
By M Norwood @ 09/21/09 02:07:03 PMreport abuse
Clark left out part of it.
A-List is available ONLY with Nation plans $59.99 a month or higher and ONLY FamilyTalk plans $89.99 a month or higher. This leaves me out!
By Joyce @ 09/21/09 01:55:23 PMreport abuse
AT&T customer no service
AT&T needs to improve their customer service centers if the want to retain custmers.They transfer customers all over the network to get answers and do not call back with 48 hrs as promised .
By James Howard @ 09/21/09 01:35:43 PMreport abuse
..seems like cell phones are something people have but do not need. But look, at $40 a month, this is what you would pay for a stationary wall plug in phone.
By anonymous @ 09/21/09 01:16:12 PMreport abuse
A-list plan
Thanks Clark!

I just eliminated 60% of my monthly minute charges for FREE by adding my five most frequent out-of-plan numbers
By Pat Fantis @ 09/21/09 01:15:19 PMreport abuse
AT&T still too high
I have been an ATT customer for probably close to 10 years. Have seen at least 3 name changes, acquisitions, through that time. I have 5 phones on an older family plan-costs approximately $25 per phone per month, including taxes and fees, with unlimited text (100 min. per line + rollover-more than enough for us....) Trying to spin my kids onto their own plans, but to get the same service would cost well over $60 per phone.

They need cheaper plans, not more gimmicks.

I remember my first cell phone-I thought $30 a month was awfully high. With technology advances, it really should be not much more than this now.

We are now addicted....this is why it costs so much
By Debbie @ 09/21/09 01:10:59 PMreport abuse
Boost tried to boost me
Boost Mobile was a total nightmare for me. Two phones and too many phone calls later, I wound up cancelling the service (a word I use laughingly) and demanding a refund. "Refunds aren't our policy." I replied, "It's not my policy to pay for services you can't render." There are endless complaints, and lots of excuses, documented on the web. I got the same over the phone. One operator had the gall to tell me that mine was a "conditional enrollment." Clark should think twice before putting their name on his website, or his show. I finally, successfully, disputed the charge with my credit card company. We need fewer companies like this in the country.
By Robert Goldberg @ 09/21/09 12:21:43 PMreport abuse
Google voice
If you can get Google voice on your PDA phone (I think iPhone block it due to AT&T's request), you can have a dial back service calling international. Prepaid $10 and pay pennies on a minute, voice quality better than Sprint's pin drop.
I am getting my G Phone from T-Mobile to try this out.
If you want unlimited domestice, T-Mobile is the way to go. When I had Voicestream years ago, they mess up my bill but it was never as BAD as Sprint. I was billed close to $800 and need 3 times dispute with my credit card company. I will never use Sprint again in my life!!!
By Ian @ 09/15/09 12:18:59 AMreport abuse
AT&T / Sprint price reduction
Still too high! They could do better. Take a look at the Asian priced plans---why not have prices like that in the US?
By John Haeger @ 09/13/09 10:00:31 AMreport abuse
$40
I have a plan with AT&T for $40/month. It's no secret.
By Mike @ 09/11/09 08:33:15 PMreport abuse
Boost Mobile
I had been with MetroPCS and got frustrated because they had terrible customer service, when you COULD reach someone. Charged by day when you changed plans, either up or down..so a 40 dollar plan cost 76 dollars because I changed 7 days before the month anniversary.

With Boost, it is a straight $50...no taxes, no fees - just $50. Not $43 for a $30 plan like MetroPCS. Includes walkie talkie, internet, and everything else you could want. I am glad I changed.
By Trendsetters2 @ 09/11/09 07:27:58 PMreport abuse
Cricket
Cricket is absolutely the worst cell carrier I've ever experienced. Quality is important and missing phone calls that never ring and getting texts 10 hrs later is piss poor performance.
By Sean Pelusi @ 09/11/09 07:03:25 PMreport abuse
Cheaper phone calls
I like TMobile for the pricing vrs other carriers. The fav 5 in any carrier is nice because if you have a google voice number u could make free phone calls within the option when u call your google voice. google it you will find out what I am talking about.
By Nelo @ 09/11/09 05:05:59 PMreport abuse
international plus cell
in 2 years all international calls will be free. right now i use TM 39.99 secret plan with IDT's mega clean ppd card and call all over the world for 1.5 cents to 7 cents for India. And it beats Skype for clarity and holding calls.
By john @ 09/11/09 02:57:01 PMreport abuse
cell charges
TM has a secret rate plan. 39.99/mo, unlimited roaming, minutes. (only if u ask, and only if u hv been a cust for 2 years-no contract required). thats fixed rate calling. second line is 49.99.
By john @ 09/11/09 02:54:27 PMreport abuse
Better Cel Deals
Thanks Clark
By Sam @ 09/11/09 12:43:02 PMreport abuse
Yeah, T-Mobile Pulls 3rd Party Stunts
Yeah! We are looking for a new cell phone company. Because T-Mobile has pulled a 3rd Party monthly charges stunt starting in October of 2008! Yep, $9.99 was "added" to our monthly bill from 10/2008 to 07/2009 until we caught it. They only wanted to give us a mere $29.97 dollars back, but they owe us the entire thing--so we have filed an complaint with the F.C.C.
By Ken & Barbie @ 09/11/09 12:08:12 PMreport abuse
Cell Plans
What strikes me as interesting is that the US cell providers charge for incoming calls, while the Europeans do not. This is a MAJOR difference for those using their minutes and a pretty schrewd tactic by the companies. Hopefully, this will be one of the future marketing efforts to obtain/retain customers
By Gian @ 09/11/09 09:29:10 AMreport abuse
Just another stepping stone
It is deja vu all over again. The cell phone companies are acting like the long distance companies of the mid 90s. It is my prediction that in the next 5 years you will not be charged by the minute for domestic calls much as domestic long distance charges are pretty much a thing of the past for land lines unless you are still paying for some crazy plan you should not be paying for.
By Ben @ 09/10/09 07:14:31 PMreport abuse
Cell phone "don't ask, don't tell" policy
I love that the phone companies will give us "better service" and not even spend the money to inform us about it.

Now if only AT&T could change to a any mobile plan like Spring it might keep me as a customer. Otherwise VZW is looking better and better to me.
By Ron @ 09/10/09 06:22:15 PMreport abuse
Good move Sprint
I grow tired of the my faves and top friends and how some carriers let you call a select few without being charged. I always wondered how much of a pain it is because i would look at my bill every month to see the top 5 people i called most. I would'nt want to change those numbers every month. Seems like ATT is copying everyone else meanwhile Sprint is raising the bar. Hats off to Sprint
By jamie @ 09/10/09 04:58:39 PMreport abuse

Response to "Warning about Straight Talk"

On 09/22/09 12:14:26 PM Shel wrote: ["Each monthly rate you pay is for just thirty days. So if there are 31 days in a month, you end up paying for more months than a 12-month year... I just got off the phone with them. I was told, say this month had 31 days and you signed up on the first and paid for one month of service. Your second month would have to be paid on the 31st as that would be the first day of the "new" month."]

Response:
There are 365 days in a year. If you divide that # by 30 you get 12.17 pay periods. By the calendar month it would be: 12mo. x $30 = $360. By 30 day periods it would be 12.167 pay periods x $30 = $365. The difference is $5! It's a dollar a day!? This is nothing to complain about. Do the math next time.

By Carter @ 11/10/09 02:05:08 PMreport abuse

Check out AT&T Go Monthly Unlimited Talk and Text

$60 Unlimited Talk and Text Feature Package on the Simple Rate Plan

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/go-phones/gophone-plan-details.jsp?q_sku=sku3950526&q_planCategory=cat20002

By J.M. Nolan @ 10/23/09 03:24:54 AMreport abuse

AT&T and Credit Bureau Reporting

Clark, Do you know if AT&T reports monthly payment history on cell accounts? I have heard they definately report if someone defaults. I am trying to build up my credit rating and was wondering if a contract with a cell phone with an excellent payment history would help my credit rating or not. Thanks Clark... :))))

By Sharon @ 10/03/09 02:09:46 AMreport abuse

Sprint

I had Sprint and they were the worst. They extended my contract w/out my ok, they charged me $5.00 to download a photo from a text because I did not have a text monthly plan at the time (I called Verizon and they told me they would have only charged me .25 cents!), and then they wanted to charge me the full two hundred dollars to cancel my service a year into the contract. I called Verizon and come to find out they charge two hundred the 1st month if you want to cancel, then it drops every month. In other words it's prorated. Sprint is the biggest ripoff out there. Stay away from them.

By Trace Farley @ 10/01/09 12:09:45 AMreport abuse

T-Mobile

Best prepaid plan. Never a problem, great service. My cost, less than $10/mo.

By Ursula Kerins @ 09/27/09 11:02:16 AMreport abuse

Tracfone

I've been using Tracfone service for about 8 years now. It's perfect. Every 90 days I buy a 60-minute card for $19.99, get double minutes on my 'double minutes for life' usage, and I have to check my phone to see what my cell phone number is, and I only use the phone for emergencies or someone who has to or wants to reach me on the cell phone. No monthly bill...currently 900+ minutes that will roll over as long as I purchase minutes every 90 days. I can even text my out-of-state cell-on-her-ear granddaughter.

By Pat @ 09/27/09 10:07:36 AMreport abuse

Boost

Like the Boost service (most of the time) but hate the low end phone. Seems they don't have a middle priced phone

By Ladyhawk @ 09/26/09 10:01:42 PMreport abuse

Keeping my cell phone

I've had my cell phone for 4 years now and still going good. All I use it for is to make calls around home and long distance calls. I'm still keeping my phone as long as I can and not spending money for an upgrade. I also am paying for two cell phones on the same minutes, my wife and me.

By Ross @ 09/24/09 01:51:53 AMreport abuse

Pay-as-you-go

I am not one of these people that feels the need for incessant meaningless chat. If I want to talk with someone for an hour or more, I will call them from my landline. Consequently, I use my cell phone only when I am away from home and only for important communication. Therefore, I don’t need 300 minutes per month, so TracFone is perfect for me. I buy 1,000 minutes at a time for $100; these minutes are good for a year and roll over if you add more before the year is up; however 1,000 minutes will last me for about a year. That figures out to about $8.50/month, a cost that is very hard to beat. In addition, TracFone provides excellent coverage.

By Ron @ 09/23/09 08:43:57 AMreport abuse

I have been with Sprint for 10 years, primarily because when I started they had the best coverage areas for me. Now that is moot. However, My plan gives me 300 anytime minutes and unlimited nights and weekend for #30! I have never exceeded my 300 minutes so I see no reason to change. Obviously we are not big bandwidth consumers-- no texting, interenet,, etc.

By Jeff @ 09/22/09 11:46:55 PMreport abuse

verizon

I was a happy customer with Alltel for eight years, but since the buy out by Verizon it has been miserable! They add charges every month and when you call each rep has a different story about why the charges are there. I have two phones on Alltel contracts but they say I will be charge 200 dollars for each phone if I drop service even though I never signed a contract with Verizon and was never given an opportunity to opt out during the buy out. Aren't there laws in this country against this type of monopolizing?

By kim @ 09/22/09 11:43:28 PMreport abuse

TRACFONE

I USE A CELL PHONE MAINLY WHEN I TRAVEL AND BUY MINUTES WHEN NEEDED. THEY START IN QUANTITY OF 60 MIN. I THINK MINUTES ARE GOOD FOR 90 DAYS, AND IF NOT ALL USED AND YOU DON'T BUY MORE, YOU LOSE THEM. I HAVE ONLY BEEN IN 2 AREAS, BOTH,VERY REMOTE,WHERE I DID NOT HAVE A SIGNAL THAT'S ALL I PAY FOR. WORKS FOR ME.

By JANET @ 09/22/09 06:48:17 PMreport abuse

verizon?

I have never had to pay for cell phone before, had it through work. Now I need unlimited texting, lots of minutes for me and 2 daughters. What about Verizon? On att now through work, but all my friends are on V.

By Amber @ 09/22/09 03:59:05 PMreport abuse

at&t

once u sign w att youre doomed 2 their cotract + fictitions only high level scheisters can conjuret

By glen @ 09/22/09 12:23:18 PMreport abuse

Warning about Straight Talk

Each monthly rate you pay is for just thirty days. So if there are 31 days in a month, you end up paying for more months than a 12-month year... I just got off the phone with them. I was told, say this month had 31 days and you signed up on the first and paid for one month of service. Your second month would have to be paid on the 31st as that would be the first day of the "new" month.

By Shel @ 09/22/09 12:14:26 PMreport abuse

pay as you go phones

After a bad experience with Verizon I changed to Metro PCS. Left them eventually because service died when I left Atlanta. Been with Go Phone for years but am thinking of changing to Straight Talk. I called AT&T to see if they would offer me anything to stay with them and the answer was no. Of course there is a difference between contract phones and pay as you go phones. All they had to do was offer me a new phone or a discount on my monthly services (around 60.00) to keep me because I am too lazy to program a new phone, but they weren't willing to do anything.

By Megan @ 09/22/09 09:08:10 AMreport abuse

Current with t-mobile.

Just joined them in a contract, two actually as they suckered me into 2 contracts and wouldnt release me out of the one that they did not live up to their obligations of the contract. Very long fight but it all came down to that the techs never left notes saying i was unhappy. Despite calls every day for 2 months.
Anyways when it comes to phones I just need unlimited data, and unlimited or lots of minutes to just 1 number. The rest do not matter.
As mentioned tie it into google voice, just give out your google voice number and also use it to place all calls, send sms, 411 etc. All of that is now free in domestic with no roaming. Plus most international is only 2 cents a minute.

Lesson is just get google voice, use that as primary and for as cheap of voice plan you can get.

By David N @ 09/22/09 04:48:14 AMreport abuse

I Love T-Mobile

Clark, I love my T-Mobile, they showed me that they appreciated my business. My contract ran out after 2 years, but I was happy with my service and I stayed with T-Mobile without a contract. This is the good part. At just after the 5 year mark, for being a loyal customer, they offered me an anytime, UNLIMITED, local and nationwide calling plan with NO CONTRACT for $49.99. And then they also sent me a card to download 5 ringtones FREE. And I have always had great customer service. My husband has SPR---with only 400 minutes at $59.99, after 5 years they gave him an extra hour of free night time calling. His service is not all that great either. He drops calls and has no signal to or from Atlanta when he is in Macon. I have never had a dropped call and I get a signal in Macon. So, Unless I get the same plan with the same quality of service for at least $10.00 or more less than T-Mobile, guess who I'm keeping my calling plan with? It's refreshing when a big company shows their customer that they are appreciated. Kudos to T-Mobile!

By Laura McConley @ 09/21/09 10:39:40 PMreport abuse

AT&T

I live in VT - When AT&T took over unicel many of us were on a $50.00 unlimited plan. AT&T will honor it, but you must be a unicel cust (ends 12/31)and you must request it when you switch to AT&T. Required to sign 2 years, but settles the issue for 2 years at $50.00.

By Dennis @ 09/21/09 09:39:41 PMreport abuse

cell phone plans

Straight talk is the way to go! Check it out, walmart sells these systems.

By earl @ 09/21/09 09:08:20 PMreport abuse

Cell phone plans

Add everything up and there's really little savings. I use MetroPCS, $45 a month unlimited USA calling, plus free Directory Assistance. AT&T charges $1.79 per 411 call.

By Shel @ 09/21/09 08:30:58 PMreport abuse

TMobile

I'm with TMobile, I would LOVE to get an iPhone, but TMobile keeps me with $59 unlimited! BTW, they asked ME if I wanted it when I called about something all together different... that is their retention plan!! Love it!! Sprint, on the other hand, after having been with them for YEARS wasn't the least bit interested in keeping my business that's why I left them. I have been very happy with TMobile!!! I'd be theirs forever if they could get the iPhone... but, since I can't justify ATT's charges I'll stick with TMobile!

By LA @ 09/21/09 07:25:52 PMreport abuse

They are all a rip but Tmobile is the cheap winner with $39 1000 min free N/w.

By Rick @ 09/21/09 05:55:31 PMreport abuse

Yea! I qualify!

We have an AT&T family plan so this will really help out. We qualify for the 10 number A-List. Woo Hoo!

By DeAnne @ 09/21/09 05:30:05 PMreport abuse

AT&T A-List

Wow! One simple phone call and I'm all set. I recently discontinued my land line so this will help enormously when some of my long-winded (but lovable) family members call from the east coast. Thanks, Clark, for the heads up!

By Dixie Darlin @ 09/21/09 05:27:46 PMreport abuse

The AT&T and Sprint plans will not help here. The only one available is Verizon!!

By Pam @ 09/21/09 03:57:30 PMreport abuse

Doesn't help me

We pay $80 for 1,400 minutes on three lines and always have rollover minutes, so this plan wouldn't help us either. And if you try to reduce your minutes to eat up the rollover minutes, you can't: they delete the rollover minutes when you change plans.

By Ed @ 09/21/09 02:36:21 PMreport abuse

Sprint calling plan

Got my info from Sprint in the mail and via internet last week.

By Jerry Preuss @ 09/21/09 02:25:29 PMreport abuse

Inexpensive cell phone service

Consumer Cellular has fantastic basic plans starting at $20 a month for 250 min. There is no contract obligation, no gimmicks--just plain cell phone coverage. Sponsored by AAA. Plus free phone! Customer service was very accessible and straight-forward. I'm getting 2 phones/1,000 min./month for $50.00! (no free phone to phone or eve. or weekends in that). This suites my needs/budget perfectly. High appeal to casual cell phone users.

By Anna Long @ 09/21/09 02:20:36 PMreport abuse

Pay as you Go

I have an AT&T Pay as you Go Phone because I didn't like the monthly bill. But they charge a daily access fee (which they never told me about) of $1.00 so in one month, they charged $30.00. That is nuts! I'm fed up. I'm buying a throw-away for 30 bucks and buy minutes and if I don't like it, I can toss it. Amen to that.

By Carol Gamba @ 09/21/09 02:19:12 PMreport abuse

Alist

I have the 700 minute family plan and I am left out also.

By Garry @ 09/21/09 02:08:42 PMreport abuse

ATT Service

I agree ATT must improve customer service. I had a land line out of service for more than two weeks before ATT could do anything about it. A temporary telephone line is now laying across the street I live on and has not been completely fixed..not enough technicians. I need a totally new line. I also have a cell and internet w/them. So I am looking for better service!

By M Norwood @ 09/21/09 02:07:03 PMreport abuse

Clark left out part of it.

A-List is available ONLY with Nation plans $59.99 a month or higher and ONLY FamilyTalk plans $89.99 a month or higher. This leaves me out!

By Joyce @ 09/21/09 01:55:23 PMreport abuse

AT&T customer no service

AT&T needs to improve their customer service centers if the want to retain custmers.They transfer customers all over the network to get answers and do not call back with 48 hrs as promised .

By James Howard @ 09/21/09 01:35:43 PMreport abuse

..seems like cell phones are something people have but do not need. But look, at $40 a month, this is what you would pay for a stationary wall plug in phone.

By anonymous @ 09/21/09 01:16:12 PMreport abuse

A-list plan

Thanks Clark!

I just eliminated 60% of my monthly minute charges for FREE by adding my five most frequent out-of-plan numbers

By Pat Fantis @ 09/21/09 01:15:19 PMreport abuse

AT&T still too high

I have been an ATT customer for probably close to 10 years. Have seen at least 3 name changes, acquisitions, through that time. I have 5 phones on an older family plan-costs approximately $25 per phone per month, including taxes and fees, with unlimited text (100 min. per line + rollover-more than enough for us....) Trying to spin my kids onto their own plans, but to get the same service would cost well over $60 per phone.

They need cheaper plans, not more gimmicks.

I remember my first cell phone-I thought $30 a month was awfully high. With technology advances, it really should be not much more than this now.

We are now addicted....this is why it costs so much

By Debbie @ 09/21/09 01:10:59 PMreport abuse

Boost tried to boost me

Boost Mobile was a total nightmare for me. Two phones and too many phone calls later, I wound up cancelling the service (a word I use laughingly) and demanding a refund. "Refunds aren't our policy." I replied, "It's not my policy to pay for services you can't render." There are endless complaints, and lots of excuses, documented on the web. I got the same over the phone. One operator had the gall to tell me that mine was a "conditional enrollment." Clark should think twice before putting their name on his website, or his show. I finally, successfully, disputed the charge with my credit card company. We need fewer companies like this in the country.

By Robert Goldberg @ 09/21/09 12:21:43 PMreport abuse

Google voice

If you can get Google voice on your PDA phone (I think iPhone block it due to AT&T's request), you can have a dial back service calling international. Prepaid $10 and pay pennies on a minute, voice quality better than Sprint's pin drop.
I am getting my G Phone from T-Mobile to try this out.
If you want unlimited domestice, T-Mobile is the way to go. When I had Voicestream years ago, they mess up my bill but it was never as BAD as Sprint. I was billed close to $800 and need 3 times dispute with my credit card company. I will never use Sprint again in my life!!!

By Ian @ 09/15/09 12:18:59 AMreport abuse

AT&T / Sprint price reduction

Still too high! They could do better. Take a look at the Asian priced plans---why not have prices like that in the US?

By John Haeger @ 09/13/09 10:00:31 AMreport abuse

$40

I have a plan with AT&T for $40/month. It's no secret.

By Mike @ 09/11/09 08:33:15 PMreport abuse

Boost Mobile

I had been with MetroPCS and got frustrated because they had terrible customer service, when you COULD reach someone. Charged by day when you changed plans, either up or down..so a 40 dollar plan cost 76 dollars because I changed 7 days before the month anniversary.

With Boost, it is a straight $50...no taxes, no fees - just $50. Not $43 for a $30 plan like MetroPCS. Includes walkie talkie, internet, and everything else you could want. I am glad I changed.

By Trendsetters2 @ 09/11/09 07:27:58 PMreport abuse

Cricket

Cricket is absolutely the worst cell carrier I've ever experienced. Quality is important and missing phone calls that never ring and getting texts 10 hrs later is piss poor performance.

By Sean Pelusi @ 09/11/09 07:03:25 PMreport abuse

Cheaper phone calls

I like TMobile for the pricing vrs other carriers. The fav 5 in any carrier is nice because if you have a google voice number u could make free phone calls within the option when u call your google voice. google it you will find out what I am talking about.

By Nelo @ 09/11/09 05:05:59 PMreport abuse

international plus cell

in 2 years all international calls will be free. right now i use TM 39.99 secret plan with IDT's mega clean ppd card and call all over the world for 1.5 cents to 7 cents for India. And it beats Skype for clarity and holding calls.

By john @ 09/11/09 02:57:01 PMreport abuse

cell charges

TM has a secret rate plan. 39.99/mo, unlimited roaming, minutes. (only if u ask, and only if u hv been a cust for 2 years-no contract required). thats fixed rate calling. second line is 49.99.

By john @ 09/11/09 02:54:27 PMreport abuse

Better Cel Deals

Thanks Clark

By Sam @ 09/11/09 12:43:02 PMreport abuse

Yeah, T-Mobile Pulls 3rd Party Stunts

Yeah! We are looking for a new cell phone company. Because T-Mobile has pulled a 3rd Party monthly charges stunt starting in October of 2008! Yep, $9.99 was "added" to our monthly bill from 10/2008 to 07/2009 until we caught it. They only wanted to give us a mere $29.97 dollars back, but they owe us the entire thing--so we have filed an complaint with the F.C.C.

By Ken & Barbie @ 09/11/09 12:08:12 PMreport abuse

Cell Plans

What strikes me as interesting is that the US cell providers charge for incoming calls, while the Europeans do not. This is a MAJOR difference for those using their minutes and a pretty schrewd tactic by the companies. Hopefully, this will be one of the future marketing efforts to obtain/retain customers

By Gian @ 09/11/09 09:29:10 AMreport abuse

Just another stepping stone

It is deja vu all over again. The cell phone companies are acting like the long distance companies of the mid 90s. It is my prediction that in the next 5 years you will not be charged by the minute for domestic calls much as domestic long distance charges are pretty much a thing of the past for land lines unless you are still paying for some crazy plan you should not be paying for.

By Ben @ 09/10/09 07:14:31 PMreport abuse

Cell phone "don't ask, don't tell" policy

I love that the phone companies will give us "better service" and not even spend the money to inform us about it.

Now if only AT&T could change to a any mobile plan like Spring it might keep me as a customer. Otherwise VZW is looking better and better to me.

By Ron @ 09/10/09 06:22:15 PMreport abuse

Good move Sprint

I grow tired of the my faves and top friends and how some carriers let you call a select few without being charged. I always wondered how much of a pain it is because i would look at my bill every month to see the top 5 people i called most. I would'nt want to change those numbers every month. Seems like ATT is copying everyone else meanwhile Sprint is raising the bar. Hats off to Sprint

By jamie @ 09/10/09 04:58:39 PMreport abuse

Listen Live:

Clark On Demand:

Clark's Advice:

Consumer Action Center:

Quick Links:

Clark Media:

Call The Show:

Sep 10, 2009 -- AT&T, Sprint introduce cheaper unlimited calling plans

What others are saying