AT&T introduces shared data plans
SALVADOR RODRIGUEZ
LOS ANGELES — AT&T announced it will introduce shared data plans a month after Verizon began offering its own shared data plans.
The Texas-based carrier said it will start selling AT&T Mobile Share plans in late August.
“New and existing customers can share a single bucket of data across smartphones, tablets, and other compatible devices, plus get unlimited talk and text,” AT&T said in a release.
The plans will allow for up to 10 shared devices, but they must include at least one smartphone.
Adding one smartphone starts at $45, but gets cheaper if you buy more data — it can go as low as $30. Adding other phones costs $30 each, laptops and Internet cards for computers is $20 each, and tablets and gaming devices are $10 each. The add-on cost for each device is on a per-month basis.
As for data, the plan starts at $40 for 1 gigabyte and jumps to $70 for 4 gigabytes. It also offers 6 GB for $90, 10 GB for $120, 15 GB for $160 and 20 GB for $200. AT&T charges $15 for each gigabyte that customers go over on their plans.
“With these new plans, the more you share, the more you save,” said David Christopher, AT&T Mobility’s chief marketing officer.
