Straight Talk Wireless has made its first plan changes under Verizon's ownership. Leading the way with change is the $45 plan which now includes unlimited data. Verizon formally announced the closing of its acquisition of Tracfone and its associated brands on November 23. BestMVNO learned of this particular plan change through a Reddit user.
Straight Talk's $45 plan previously included 25GB of high-speed data before throttling to go along with unlimited talk and text. It also came with 10GB of mobile hotspot data. However, the hotspot feature has now been downgraded. With the plan update, the $45 plan now only has 5GB of hotspot data. Like all of Straight Talk's other unlimited plans, it may not be truly unlimited. The plan comes with the disclaimer from Straight Talk that "we reserve the right to review your account at 60GB." Furthermore, Straight Talk's terms and conditions state:
"In our sole discretion, we will presume you are engaging in an unauthorized use in violation of these Terms and Conditions if, during a 30-day period, you are using more than 60 GB of data, calling for 43,200 voice minutes, or sending over 30,000 text messages (or 3,000 over a 24-hour period), placing calls of an unusually long duration, or if your data, talk or text usage is otherwise harmful or disruptive to the Carrier’s network or to our customer service levels. If we determine, in our sole discretion, that you are using your Service in violation of these Terms and Conditions or in any other manner that we deem to be unreasonable or excessive, we may interrupt, suspend, cancel, or terminate your Service."
However, this 60GB cap, may be more of a soft cap. BestMVNO has heard several reports of customers using well in excess of that data limit without having their service interrupted. The cap may be network or location-dependent. For the time being, Straight Talk Wireless can still be used on the customer's choice of either the AT&T, T-Mobile or Verizon network.
Straight Talk Wireless does offer a new customer autopay discount on the plan. Customers who enable autopay billing will pay just $42.50/month for their first 3-months of service.
Straight Talk Has Also Adjusted Several Other Phone Plans
The $45 plan isn't the only plan to get updated. Straight Talk's $60/month "Unlimited International" plan also got updated from 25GB of data to "unlimited."
Another plan change is that Straight Talk's $55 Ultimate Unlimited plan now includes 100GB of cloud storage. It previously had none. There's also an unconfirmed change with the $35 plan. For months Straight Talk's $35 plan had a double data offer running on it. Straight Talk's homepage still lists the plan as having double data. However, the plan details page no longer shows the $35 plan as having double data, an it no longer shows an end date for a double data offer. Instead, the $35 plan just shows as coming with 10GB of high-speed data before throttling, and 5GB of mobile hotspot. Previously, the plan included 5GB of high-speed data, with the double data offer increasing it to 10GB. It is unclear at this time if the double data offer has been made into a permanent plan, or if the double data fine print was accidentally removed from the plan.
With the plan changes, Straight Talk Wireless now offers four different unlimited plans. They differ in price by the amount of hotspot data included with each plan, HD video streaming vs SD streaming, cloud storage, international calling, and device insurance. You can check out the dizzying array of options on Straight Talk's website, or review BestMVNO's breakdown of Straight Talk Wireless plans.