Miguel Guhlin Another Think Coming Challenge Claims, Uncover Reality

by mguhlin

No New Phone for Me

EdTech

These past few months, I’ve been seriously considering HOW to get a new phone and/or provider for my family. If it was just me, there wouldn’t be a problem…I’d already have switched and been using a new device. Fortunately, it’s not just about me! 8->

Unfortunately, though, too. Here’s why (and “I” refers to my family and I):

Current Phone Situation:

  • I have service with AT&T and have a nice plan (1500 minutes, unlimited text) for about $215 a month.
  • 4 phones, all unlimited text and family plan.
  • My family and I don’t like AT&T (we dropped them and switched to Cingular but then they bought Cingular) because monthly charges just go up steadily (or at least, they did until we had a “Come to…” meeting with them and “locked” things in).

Where I’d like To Be with a Phone:

  • I want a phone that support Internet surfing, Gmail and other GoogleApps easily
  • I want a phone that supports MS Exchange (for work email)
  • I want a keyboard, not a virtual one but one similar to what you might see on a Blackberry.
  • I want to be able to use a Twitter app, as well as Facebook.
  • I want to be able to read RSS feeds on it
  • I want a camera that allows for still images and video recording

Now, to accomplish this with AT&T service (my contracts are about due up in February, so I’m free to move on):

  • To get 4 iPhones (3GS or 3G depending on person) would cost about $500 just for the devices. This includes 1500 minutes and unlimited text
  • Then, I’d have to get 4 x $30 per month, or $120 worth of data plans each month
  • Add the total cost of $215 regular plus $120 worth of data plan, that’s $335…unacceptable for a monthly bill for mobile phones.

Simply, this puts the iPhone out of my budget. I could be mean and tell my family, “No, you don’t get this,” but that’s not the way we do things. The killer isn’t the up front cost, it’s the monthly cost.

So, all along, I’ve also been considering T-Mobile and Verizon. I’ve heard many lousy things about Verizon, but T-Mobile keeps coming up on top.

I worked out pricing for T-Mobile, and it looks like this:

  • 4 G1 Android phones all with data plans
  • Total due monthly of $219
  • Startup cost is $549.96 ($399.96 + $150 activation fee)
  • Get all the Gmail compatibility with Android features

In reviewing this, T-Mobile looks like a better deal all around. What am I missing?

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Everything posted on Miguel Guhlin’s blogs/wikis are his personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the views of his employer(s) or its clients. Read Full Disclosure