AT&T Prepaid has launched a new $40 plan with 12GB of high-speed data, but it's filled with caveats. Let's take a look.
AT&T Prepaid's New $40 Plan Offer Fine Print
The plan does include unlimited everything, although data speeds slow to 2G or about 128Kbps once the high-speed data allotment gets used up. Unlimited calling and texting to Mexico and Canada and unlimited texting to over 100 countries are also included. Subscribers can use their phones in either country as well with no roaming charges for talk, text, or data usage. Up to 10GB of the plan's high-speed data allotment can be used for mobile hotspot. Mobile hotspot usage is available in the USA only. Video's stream at a resolution of 1080p with AT&T's Stream Saver disabled. Stream Saver limits video streaming to a resolution of 480p. The plan also comes with HD Voice and WiFi calling and data rollover for one billing cycle.
Now to the caveats.
The first catch with this plan is that it is exclusive to select authorized AT&T Prepaid dealers. It is not available on the AT&T Prepaid website or in AT&T corporate stores.
The next thing to know is that the plan is only available to new lines of activation or port-ins. It is not available to current subscribers.
It does not include access to AT&T's 5G network, but neither does any other AT&T Prepaid plan except for their most expensive offering which is the $75 unlimited plan. The $75 unlimited plan is currently available for $50 with autopay.
This plan is not eligible for an auto-pay discount.
The last big catch is that it appears to be a multi-month plan. At least that's how independent dealer Pioneer Mobile is offering it. It's a 3-month plan priced at $120 or an average cost of $40/month.
Editor's Take
To me, this plan is a little bit of a letdown. Verizon Prepaid is currently offering a plan with 16GB of high-speed data for $35/month. AT&T Prepaid's offer is not competitive by that aspect.
But perhaps the most confusing aspect of this new plan, is it is simply not competitive with what AT&T Prepaid is offering in another retail channel. For the same $40 price point (with autopay billing enabled $50 w/o) shoppers can head to Walmart and pick up an AT&T Prepaid plan with 25GB of high-speed data each month. The Walmart plan's features are basically the same as what is being offered with this new $40 plan.
Given the two points just mentioned and all of the fine print, I think AT&T Prepaid misfired with this new plan launch. Do you agree?