The cell phone industry has rapidly developed during the last couple of decades. From simple devices that could only make calls, most modern smartphones can now do anything you might need them for, from checking your e-mail and surfing the web to playing games or watching movies.
The prices have dropped significantly, allowing almost everyone in developed countries to afford one smartphone. However, even though more and more people are getting their hands on a mobile device, carriers often limit how much data you can use each month before reaching expensive overage costs. So even though low caps and high overage rates may seem like a bane rather than a boon for consumers, they play an important role in helping save money we could otherwise spend on cell phone bills.
The reason for this is simple. The most lucrative plans usually allow subscribers to use as much data as they want with only a slight increase in price each month. However, very few people actually need unlimited amounts of data per month unless they watch many videos online or regularly upload huge files. That's why cell phone companies limit their user's monthly consumption by implementing rather small caps at first.
With that being said, let's look at some of the best family plans available today.
Google Fi
One thing that makes Google Fi an exceptional value proposition is its use of both T-Mobile and Sprint networks simultaneously when transitioning between areas to balance network coverage. That said, the one thing holding this service back is that it requires you to have a Google-certified device to use it. This means either buying a new or using an old Nexus device. If you're already primed for Fi, though, it's definitely something you should check outcome 2022.
Verizon Wireless ' Share Everything' Plans
One of the most solid family cell phone plans options is Verizon Wireless. They offer great value on their multiple-line packages. In addition to having access to one of the largest 4G LTE networks in America, your monthly buckets of data are also shared between all lines, which means those extra phones don't affect your bill. You can also save more money by enrolling in auto pay and Edge billing. If these options don't suit your fancy, though, Verizon does offer other plans till 10GB per month, so you can customize this to suit your needs better.
Sprint Unlimited Basic Plan
If you're looking to take advantage of the Sprint network, this plan will suit your needs quite well. You'll get unlimited talk, text, and data for $60 a month (that's not a typo), and you can add up to 2 other people to your account at no additional cost. Of course, the biggest drawback is that you don't get access to 5G LTE, but if the speeds provided by the 4G network are good enough for you, then this shouldn't be an issue. If it does, though, remember that Sprint announced plans to have 5G coverage nationwide come 2022, so you'll have another option shortly after.
Verizon Wireless ' Beyond Unlimited' Plans
Another great option from Verizon Wireless, its Beyond Unlimited package, is maximum flexibility. You can upgrade or downgrade your plan at any time with no penalties, you get HD video streaming, and the biggest benefit is that the lines on your account don't share data with each other, which means more data for everyone in your family. There are a few downsides to this package, namely that there is no rollover data. Still, it's unnecessary when you have unlimited calling included in all plans.
eSIM Plans
If you're someone who's constantly on the move, then an eSIM might make sense for you because these plans are tied to your phone SIM card instead of having its own physical SIM card, allowing it to be used on multiple devices whenever necessary. This also means that if you decide to buy a new phone, you can simply pop out the SIM card and move it to your next device, which means no changing carriers every time you get a new phone. There are a few downsides, namely that eSIM plans tend to be a little on the expensive side because of their flexibility. Some phones require specific firmware to work with eSIM networks, so there's room for error there as well.
AT&''T Wireless
If the idea of sharing your smartphone's data with other people in your household sounds like something you'd be interested in, AT&''T is another carrier that offers similar plans. Their Mobile Share Value Plans allow users to choose a base fee and add smartphones, cell phones, laptops, and tablets to their accounts. The only difference between this type of plan and Verizon's is that once you hit your monthly cap, you can choose to continue using the data on your device for a reduced price. So, for example, if you chose a 10GBs plan and hit that limit, you'd have to pay $15 per 1GB before reaching overages.
