Walmart Family Mobile Information Thread

[brg88tx]

My question is, as it relates to those grandfathered on the old plan, will we have to buy webpacks for data, or we have to switch to the new plan to get data included? I would love to have data continued to be free, but I have a feeling this will be their way of making us switch to the new plan.

i called the other day and asked the same question. without the cs rep coming right out and saying it sounds like we will never have to buy and datapacks again and will still be grandfathered in at the $25 per additional line. i mentioned i got an email about the free data through 3/31/12, and they said it's free indefinitely. he told me the only thing i'd need to buy an extras packs if for international calls and 411.

[Kolt Seavers]

I had an Optimus One on VM, and my wife currently has an Exhibit 2 on FM. The Optimus was the perfect "basic" Android, and never gave me any issues whatsoever. The Exhibit 2, on the other hand, has more bells and whistles, but can be problematic at times. My person opinion is the Exhibit 2, but my wife would tell you the Optimus.

The white phone you saw at Best Buy was likely the HTC Wildfire. From what I hear about it, I would go with the two above over it.

[Kolt Seavers]

Sounds promising. Thanks!

[ajaxmonkey]

I had an Optimus One on VM, and my wife currently has an Exhibit 2 on FM. The Optimus was the perfect "basic" Android, and never gave me any issues whatsoever. The Exhibit 2, on the other hand, has more bells and whistles, but can be problematic at times. My person opinion is the Exhibit 2, but my wife would tell you the Optimus.

The white phone you saw at Best Buy was likely the HTC Wildfire. From what I hear about it, I would go with the two above over it.

Awesome, thank you for the help. Also thanks for remembering the white phone as well . So these reps need to come out and give the full info.

[CAL7]

Keep in mind we are all speculating, some with more inside knowledge than others; I don't claim to have any particular insight, just an opinion. So, FWIW, my feeling is that this new plan is bad news for us on the old ($45+25) plan. I think that they are searching about trying to find the sweet spot in the market - hard to do as the 3rd party reseller market is quickly evolving. The free data began to be offered last fall in response to competitive pressures and I was glad to see it extended through March since this reflected their analysis that the market demanded $70/pair pricing that included unlimited data.

Now, they are telling us that they don't need to offer unlimited data at the old price point. The new plan is not much different than the old plan, it just packages a small amount of data at an increased price. I tend to believe this signals no more renewals of free data on the grandfathered plan. I look to their pricing for new customers as the best reflection of the competitive environment - so I don't see why they should offer us a better deal than new customers.

However, even if they currently think they can charge for data (or bundle it at an increased price, "six of one, half dozen of the other"), sooner or later the competitive pressures will force better pricing. Note to consumers: Never, ever sign a contract!! Perhaps by the time free data ends in March, the market will have changed. I think we are in an epoch period of mobile phone pricing upheaval. Twenty-five years ago, the industry depended on contracts and subsidized phones. It's only in the last six months that the consumer has regained control with prepaid or monthly subscriptions and equipment purchased independently. Therefore, the change is coming at an increased pace and this can only mean better pricing the consumer that stays flexible.

Other opinions?

[ajaxmonkey]

Keep in mind we are all speculating, some with more inside knowledge than others; I don't claim to have any particular insight, just an opinion. So, FWIW, my feeling is that this new plan is bad news for us on the old ($45+25) plan. I think that they are searching about trying to find the sweet spot in the market - hard to do as the 3rd party reseller market is quickly evolving. The free data began to be offered last fall in response to competitive pressures and I was glad to see it extended through March since this reflected their analysis that the market demanded $70/pair pricing that included unlimited data.

Now, they are telling us that they don't need to offer unlimited data at the old price point. The new plan is not much different than the old plan, it just packages a small amount of data at an increased price. I tend to believe this signals no more renewals of free data on the grandfathered plan. I look to their pricing for new customers as the best reflection of the competitive environment - so I don't see why they should offer us a better deal than new customers.

However, even if they currently think they can charge for data (or bundle it at an increased price, "six of one, half dozen of the other"), sooner or later the competitive pressures will force better pricing. Note to consumers: Never, ever sign a contract!! Perhaps by the time free data ends in March, the market will have changed. I think we are in an epoch period of mobile phone pricing upheaval. Twenty-five years ago, the industry depended on contracts and subsidized phones. It's only in the last six months that the consumer has regained control with prepaid or monthly subscriptions and equipment purchased independently. Therefore, the change is coming at an increased pace and this can only mean better pricing the consumer that stays flexible.

Other opinions?

Yeah that is true, that's what I was thinking about. I really hope they extend it again, but with the new plan and all, I doubt it.

[Pantechgirl]

Hi, Im am new to these forums. All the research I have done online has landed me here. So here goes:
I have an unlocked Pantech Impact phone.
I am on Walmart Family Mobile Plan
I need the settings to get MMS and Data
Although I have seen some info on this, I am asking for this info for this particular phone because I dont want to screw it up altogether!!! It is an awesome phone!!!
I appreciate all information you all are willing to give!!!!

Thanks!!!!

[ajaxmonkey]

Hi, Im am new to these forums. All the research I have done online has landed me here. So here goes:
I have an unlocked Pantech Impact phone.
I am on Walmart Family Mobile Plan
I need the settings to get MMS and Data
Although I have seen some info on this, I am asking for this info for this particular phone because I dont want to screw it up altogether!!! It is an awesome phone!!!
I appreciate all information you all are willing to give!!!!

Thanks!!!!

If you go to the Walmart FM site you can find some info that should work.

https://www.myfamilymobile.com/Suppo...3-7c8b7ac7b1f8

[TMOCustomer]

Can I Use a locked T Mobile phone or do I need to get it unlocked first? Thank you

[brg88tx]

Can I Use a locked T Mobile phone or do I need to get it unlocked first? Thank you

any locked tmobile phone works. i bought 2 exhibit II tmobile phones and it works fine.

[wpj20]

According to that, old users will be grandfathered. Nice move

It also says for new pricing, "Unlimited Web - up to 200MB of shared 3G speed"
Does that mean 200MB 3G and then unlimited 2G?

Right - Web access on the new plan is unlimited - just like T-Mobile plans, there is an allotment of high-speed access included, then the speed is slowed. With Family Mobile, the new plan includes the first 250MB at high-speed, then it's an unlimited web experience at 2G speed. The high-speed allotment is shared at the account level.

As far as the high-speed access goes, customers on the new plan are currently enjoying a promo where they get the first 5GB/mo at high-speed, and that continues through at least March 31. When that promo ends, they'll be able to buy additional high-speed access - one additional monthly charge that provides a pool of high-speed access for lines on the account to share. Pricing hasn't yet been announced.

Also, MMS (picture messaging) is now an included part of the monthly plan for all customers. Even after the Unlimited Web promo ends for Talk & Text customers, picture messaging will be included at no charge.

[brg88tx]

well, i'm on the original $45 + $25 additional line plan and if i ever have to buy "data packs" or "extras packs" to access the internet i'm just gonna switch to simple mobile.

[CAL7]

well, i'm on the original $45 + $25 additional line plan and if i ever have to buy "data packs" or "extras packs" to access the internet i'm just gonna switch to simple mobile.

Two phones on WFM (pre 12/27/11) are $70; two on Simple Mobile with unlimited 3g data are $80. So, the difference is the cost and value of data. The current unlimited web offer (through March) makes WFM the best deal; if $10 gets you just 200MB, then very likely the unlimited data on SM will be better.

If 4G is a factor (isn't for me at this time) then SM gets much more expensive.

I hope SM keeps the pressure on so that WFM is forced to keep the unlimited data plan indefinitely.

[brg88tx]

Two phones on WFM (pre 12/27/11) are $70; two on Simple Mobile with unlimited 3g data are $80. So, the difference is the cost and value of data. The current unlimited web offer (through March) makes WFM the best deal; if $10 gets you just 200MB, then very likely the unlimited data on SM will be better.

If 4G is a factor (isn't for me at this time) then SM gets much more expensive.

I hope SM keeps the pressure on so that WFM is forced to keep the unlimited data plan indefinitely.

but after you consider all the bs taxes and fees on wfm, the $70 turns into $84 for me here in texas. switch to the more expensive new plan and you're looking at around $95 after taxes/fees for 2 lines. simple mobile has no taxes or fees so it's $80.

[CAL7]

but after you consider all the bs taxes and fees on wfm, the $70 turns into $84 for me here in texas. switch to the more expensive new plan and you're looking at around $95 after taxes/fees for 2 lines. simple mobile has no taxes or fees so it's $80.

Communications taxes are huge here, also. But, the SimpleMobile site says that all federal, state, local taxes and regulatory (i.e. their own fees to cover their overhead for tax collection) fees are passed on to the consumer, additive to the $80 charges. I would love to hear I am wrong. Can you give me a citation of where they say the $80 is net?