Best multi-line / family plans?

[sillyette]

This is not for me, it's for a family I know. There's five people in the family, currently paying around $250-$300 per month for cell service (post-paid Verizon). I made the mistake of telling them they could get cell service for much less if they moved to Prepaid. I was just mentioning it by-the-way, but now they expect me to figuratively take their hand and lead them to these fantastic monthly savings, , and I have no idea about multi-line / family plans.

The husband and wife both need about 10GB data per month with unlimited talk and text. They want the 3 kids to have unlimited talk and text too. One kid needs 5GB data, the other two don't need much data so about 500MB to 1GB max per month.

They're on Verizon currently, they get all three carriers at their location. I looked on prepaidcompare.net but since I've never needed multi-line plans, I would really appreciate getting your inputs on the best course of action for this family. Thank you very much for all your suggestions!!

[hapollo8]

Extended family switched to T-mobile from VZW wireless after nearly 2 decades and I believe they're paying about $25 per line after discounts for unlimited Data and 40GB hotspots, Netflix, Apple TV streaming included and enjoy those T-mobile Tuesday offers.

Seems your "friend's family" might be able to pay around $120 for T-mobile Essentials 5 line plan AND if they are Military & veteran
or First responder or over 55 they can add streaming for about the $200 price point.

https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans

I'm not sure Post Paid gets much cheaper than the $20-$25 per line rate taxes included because then you might just have them look into Pre-paid or Pay as you go plans for less than $25. Even Spectrum is even offering that Unlimited Plan at $30 these days, so that's clearly an upper limit. I think these days, everyone is cheaper than VZW who refuses to budge on their prices.

[VisionsDivine]

Since they use Verizon, I would assume Verizon coverage is adequate. US Mobile has some good family plans and runs on the Verizon network. They can get unlimited for $25 per line. If they don't need unlimited, they have some data share plans with unlimited talk and text for well under $100 a month combined.

[sillyette]

Seems your "friend's family" might be able to pay around $120 for T-mobile Essentials 5 line plan ....
https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans

Thanks, hapollo8. I have zero experience with multi-line plans, so when it says 50GB premium data on the web site, are they referring to "shared" data across the 5 lines, or something else? Thanks!

[sillyette]

Since they use Verizon, I would assume Verizon coverage is adequate. US Mobile has some good family plans and runs on the Verizon network. They can get unlimited for $25 per line. If they don't need unlimited, they have some data share plans with unlimited talk and text for well under $100 a month combined.

Thanks. USMobile's plans and website always confuse me!
They get good coverage on all carriers at their location, so does USMobile have better pricing/speeds on Verizon versus TMobile? Thanks!

[rpz1]

Thanks. USMobile's plans and website always confuse me!
They get good coverage on all carriers at their location, so does USMobile have better pricing/speeds on Verizon versus TMobile? Thanks!

Pricing's the same, speed will still depend on the network even if they get good coverage on all 3.
US Mobile shared data plan for 5 lines UTT and 30GB shared $82 out the door. Premium data and hotspot.
Shared data plans on USM use to be Verizon only but I think it now includes T-Mobile. You'll need to ck.

[hapollo8]

so when it says 50GB premium data on the web site, are they referring to "shared" data across the 5 lines, or something else? Thanks!

They are referring to prioritized data for EACH LINE (non throttled) so long as there is a strong signal. That terms is usually used across all carriers

[VisionsDivine]

Thanks, hapollo8. I have zero experience with multi-line plans, so when it says 50GB premium data on the web site, are they referring to "shared" data across the 5 lines, or something else? Thanks!

Each line would get 50GB of prioritized data.

[VisionsDivine]

Thanks. USMobile's plans and website always confuse me!
They get good coverage on all carriers at their location, so does USMobile have better pricing/speeds on Verizon versus TMobile? Thanks!

Speeds will almost always vary across carriers depending on a multitude of factors. Pricing is the same on both luckily.

[hapollo8]

Generally, I think these days Unlimited Talk, Text and Data can be had across the board with the major carriers and MVNOs in the $20-$30 range and ultimately comes down to how much is Premium Unlimited before throttling. After all if average usage is less than 1GB, do they need unlimited data?

Any savings to be had really comes down to analyzing each lines usage patterns and going with cheaper plans that cover what they need on a monthly basis with a little buffer for occasional overages

However, when you start to factor in the multi-line discounts offered, the savings are getting smaller and smaller as competition increases from all these MVNOs, ISPs and cable companies.

But, for some, just the convenience of not having to switch plans or carriers or MNVO too often is good enough. After all, I think that many of the regular members here are more hard core about finding the best deals than most! You have no idea how long I told my extended family they were overpaying with Verizon. Even now with Tmobile I think they still are overpaying with their usage patterns. But hey, it's their money and time.

[robbyrobby]

based on the low usage needs I would suggest looking into Mobile X

i do not believe family plans are supported but each line separately should be under $ 100 total with the usage described

[kaZZoo]

If they want to stay with Verizon, their no thrills unlimited plan is 135.00 for five lines,
Check the web sight.
Post paid.

I myself would go to US Mobile, 82.00, 30gb or 98.00 40gb, shared plan.

[rpz1]

I myself would go to US Mobile, 82.00, 30gb or 98.00 40gb, shared plan.

Agree. For everything being recommended, for the usage the OP mentions, you can't beat that.
I have a Mifi hotspot on Verizon prepaid. My data on US Mobile beats the speed of that during congested times of day.

[rpz1]

I was just mentioning it by-the-way, but now they expect me to figuratively take their hand and lead them to these fantastic monthly savings, , and I have no idea about multi-line / family plans.

Another thing you need to ask them (or be prepared for) is are they ok with not having a store to walk into if they have a network or phone issue or getting a new compatible phone. I think many people stay with the name network because they don't want the hassle of fixing an issue whether network or phone related themselves.
I always would recommend that someone that doesn't have the slightest clue about the things we discuss in these forums, "or interest in learning them", to stick directly with the mother ship. That's the only reason they pay the premium.

Also are their Verizon phones free and clear to move.

[robbyrobby]

Also are their Verizon phones free and clear to move.

this part is critical, the main reason people have an expensive bill on postpaid(especially family plans that get big per lien discounts) is that they are either paying installments on devices or they are locked into premium plans that got them the discounts on the devices based on remaining on the higher tiered plans.