Mobile data plans offer internet connectivity on the go and is an irrefutable part of all service carrier’s mobile plans. A data plan ensures that you are connected to the internet on the go and facilitates remote access. You will be able to access your email at all times and stay, browse the internet, stream videos, and be active on all social media platforms and apps.
How to choose the right data plan?
Choosing the right data plan can be tricky, but if not done with careful consideration can cost you a heavy amount. Moreover, you may be inclined to cancel your data plan subscription altogether because of the high cost. However, you can smartly choose a data plan that meets all your requirements and does not burn a hole in your pockets if you are aware of available data plans in the market. Read on to learn more about the factors you should consider while choosing a data plan.
- Reliable network coverage
Understand how your network provider fares when it comes to reliable network coverage across the country, especially in your city where you will be spending most of your time. In addition, if you travel abroad frequently, you should also consider the carrier’s international coverage. Moreover, also take into account international charges of a network provider. For example, if you’re a T-Mobile data plan subscriber, you will not incur any international charges.
- Accounting your data needs
While an unlimited data plan might seem attractive, chances are that they are expensive. Moreover, you can simply opt for other plans that are more suitable to your requirements and are affordable. This way you will avoid overpaying for data you have not used. Additionally, even if you exhaust your data limit, there are different top-up data plans that you can avail of which will still be more affordable than paying for an unlimited data plan. Also, take into account your home and offices’ WiFi connection while subscribing to a data plan as this will help you choose a smaller and affordable data plan.
- Review applicable additional data charges
Know the additional charges applicable if you exceed your data plan limit to ensure that you are not caught by surprise by your inflated phone bills. Confirm if the network carrier charges exponentially for data used over your limit as different carriers, charge you differently for over-usage. Therefore, you can easily opt for carriers that are more pocket-friendly.
- Know your smartphone’s configuration
Even before you subscribe to a data plan, understand your phone’s configuration and whether it supports the network carrier. For instance, if your phone supports only 3G, then there is no point in opting for a fast connectivity 4G network carrier. Likewise, as 5G becoming more widely available,
you might want to consider going for a 5G phone instead of a 4G one now.
The cost of using mobile data plans
Cost of mobile data plans vary across network carriers and depends if you opt for prepaid or postpaid plans. Usually, prepaid mobile data plans end up being the most expensive, but this again depends on which network carrier you choose. On the other hand, you can opt for postpaid mobile data plans and benefit from the various offers that service carriers provide. For instance, you can opt for the monthly contract of the 10 GB mobile data plan for USD 80 with Verizon. Alternatively, you can subscribe to Clear Wireless and get a monthly plan for as low as USD 35 with no data cap.
What are data plan caps?
All service carriers offer mobile data plans that come with a data limit. If you exhaust your data limit, then you incur additional charges, which vary from consumer to consumer. Generally, you are charged approximately 10% of your monthly plan per GB on exhausting your data limit. Additionally, on exhausting your data limit, your internet speed is reduced until the new cycle starts in the following month. Moreover, certain network carriers altogether suspend your mobile data plan until the following new cycle in the coming month.
How to monitor data usage on mobile?
The easiest way to not worry about exhausting your data is by opting for an unlimited mobile data plan. However, you can simply monitor your data usage on your mobile by setting a data limit. Every phone has this setting functionality, where you can limit your data usage on a monthly or even daily basis as per your convenience. You can configure your phone to turn your data off completely on reaching the data limit or have the phone show a warning when you are about to reach your data limit.
Another effective way of managing your data and optimizing your data limit is using the data saver mode on your phone. When you are not in a Wi-Fi zone, the phone can be turned to data saver mode, where it will only use data for the necessary functions like email, WhatsApp, and other functions of your choice. Other apps that you deem unnecessary will be barred from using data in the background.
If your phone does not come with a data limit functionality, you can use a dedicated app for data management. These apps track all apps that use data in the background and provide you with an option of eliminating these apps from data usage. Additionally, data limit apps help you figure out the amount of data you use in a day, giving you an opportunity to manage and optimize your data usage. However, note that if the phone has an in-built data manager, you should use that instead of a third-party app as this app will also use some data, which defeats the purpose altogether.
Best mobile data plans currently available for businesses
There are numerous network carriers that offer lucrative mobile data plans that are currently available in the market, making choosing the best one tricky. However, you need to choose the mobile data plan that manages to meet your requirements. To help you, here is a list of the best mobile data plans that are currently available in the market.
AT&T for full-featured plans
AT&T offers multiple lucrative mobile data plans, especially for corporations, irrespective of its size, making it a perfect fit for all. AT&T provides common features such as free roaming across the country, unlimited talk time, unlimited text messages, and unlimited international texting. As far as data is concerned, AT&T offers free rollover of data. This means that if you have unused data available from last month, you can use it in the following month.
For corporate use, AT&T offers the Mobile Share Flex mobile data plans, which is more affordable at USD 30 than the Mobile Share Plus plan at USD 50. With the Mobile Share Plus plan, you get a data limit ranging from 3 GB to 120 GB data, and there are no overage charges if you exceed your data limit. However, the speed will be reduced to 128 Kbps, which will slow down your connectivity, but is still better than paying exorbitant rates post your data limit.
On opting for the Business Unlimited mobile data plan, military veterans get a discount of 15%. Additionally, this plan comes inclusive with a number of renowned iOS and Android phones. You can also get your hands on stylish flip phones with this plan.
T-Mobile for flexible plans
If you are looking for a network carrier that is flexible with your on-the-move lifestyle, then you do not need to look farther than T-Mobile. T-Mobile is the third-largest wireless service network carrier in the country. It offers four categories of attractive business plans that come with a number of distinct benefits. Additionally, it offers impeccable and stellar customer service, which makes it stand out from the rest. Furthermore, to its credit, it was the first company that was successfully able to do away with yearly contracts, a practice that later became a norm among all service providers.
The basic features are the same for all business plans. These include visual voicemail, an hour of in-flight Wi-Fi, 4GB LTE hotspot data up to 3 GB, and unlimited texting and data in as many as 210 countries. In addition, there’s also a feature called DIGITS, which allows you to operate up to 5 phone numbers on the same device. Using DIGITS, you can also share your phone number on various devices including smartwatches, tables, or computers.
The plan that comes under the ambit of Magenta for Business on T-Mobile is available for up to 13 lines. For more than thirteen lines, the business has to register for the 13+ Plan, which is priced at USD 285 for 13 lines and USD 25 for every line thereafter. With T-Mobile, you can either use your own device or buy new phones with data plans, with nearly 40 iOS and Android phone options available.
Verizon for growing businesses
While it may not seem like the perfect choice for a small business, Verizon is in fact the best plan that a growing business can look at. Verizon has a reliable network coverage all throughout the country and offers affordable mobile data plans that are flexible. With Verizon, you can get an unlimited mobile data plan with good connectivity for multiple employees. Organizations with 4 to 40 employees can go for Verizon’s Business Unlimited plan, which starts at as low as USD 40 per line. Therefore, it works well for small, medium-sized, and big companies.
The plans also include the use of mobile hotspot, though the speeds vary depending on the plan in addition to unlimited talk-time and text. There are more than 100 Android and iOS devices that are available with Verizon’s mobile data plans. The mobile hotspot can connect as many as 10 devices in the 4G spectrum and five or more devices in the 3G spectrum.
Sprint for international plans
While Sprint provides only five lines, which is a limitation, the service is top-notch. Hulu subscription and Amazon Prime membership are just two of the many benefits that you get with Sprint. Also, there’s a discount on every new line on the network and, therefore, you end up paying a maximum of only USD 200 per month for the package. You get to choose from 40 Android and iOS phones as well as basic flip phones. This makes it one of the best deals out there.
Hotspot data included in the package goes up to 100 GB per month. One of the biggest perks is that it offers up to 1080p video calling, guaranteeing great user experience. The single-most popular feature of Sprint is that of Global Roaming. You can get free text and data in as many as 200 countries across the world, which makes Sprint the number one choice for companies doing business internationally. Calls from these countries can be made at just USD 0.25 per minute.
The merger with T-Mobile might positively change a lot of things for this service provider. Yet, the business plans, which are one of the best in the country at the moment, should definitely be one of the hallmarks that the company carries forward.
