Like many other providers have already done this month, Red Pocket Mobile has updated its wireless plans. Several plans got a significant data bump. The biggest change occurred with Red Pocket Mobile's $19/month plan which now has triple the data of its previous allotment, but only on select networks. The plan now includes 3GB of 4G LTE data instead of 1GB if used on Red Pocket Mobile's GSMA or CDMAS networks which correspond to AT&T and Sprint respectively. Unfortunately, the data allotment is still 1GB if the plan is used on Red Pocket's CDMA or GSMT networks which correspond to Verizon and T-Mobile.
Red Pocket Mobile's Plan Updates Highlighted
Besides the change to the $19 plan, two other Red Pocket Mobile plans also got updated. Unfortunately, the positive updates also only apply to customers who wish to subscribe to the MVNO on either the AT&T or Sprint networks. Red Pocket actually downgraded the amount of data included with a couple of plans on the T-Mobile network.
Here is the full list of changes.
- $20/month ($19 with auto-refill) - 3GB of 4G LTE data if used on the AT&T or Sprint networks. Previously included 1GB, still includes 1GB if used on T-Mobile or Verizon
- $35/month ($30 with auto-refill) - 7GB of 4G LTE data if used on the AT&T or Sprint networks. Previously included 5GB, still includes 3GB if used on Verizon. Previously included 5GB if used on T-Mobile but now only has 3GB.
- $45/month ($40 with auto-refill) - 15GB of 4G LTE data if used on the AT&T or Sprint networks. Previously included 10GB, still includes 5GB if used on Verizon. Previously included 10GB on the T-Mobile network, but now only includes 5GB.
All plans just described come include unlimited talk, text, and data with the specified amount of data at 4G LTE data speeds before throttling to 2G data speeds. The plans also include unlimited international calling and texting. Mobile hotspot is supported on all networks with some stipulations. On the GSMA AT&T network hotspot is only supported with Andriod devices, not with iPhones. This is likely a restriction put in place by Apple, since MMS picture messaging is also not supported for iPhones used on the GSMA AT&T network. On the CDMA Verizon network, hotspot appears to be only supported for iPhones. On the GSMT T-Mobile and CDMAS Sprint networks, mobile hotspot is supported on both Android and iPhones.
Editor's Take
The data allotment increases on select networks are great. Red Pocket Mobile continues to offer subscribers great value with monthly plans priced $30 or less. But I am concerned with the downgrade to the allotments of data on the T-Mobile based plans. This is a pretty rare move for a well-established brand and I hope it is not indicative of things to come under the "New T-Mobile" post Sprint - T-Mobile merger.