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You're ignoring monthly access fees. T-Mobiles least expensive plan for a single phone is $60/month. You can get a cell/SMS plan (no data) for less, but then

You're ignoring monthly access fees. T-Mobiles least expensive plan for a single phone is $60/month. You can get a cell/SMS plan (no data) for less, but then you're relying on public wifi for internet access (and none at home, unless you buy a wired connection).

soylentcola 5y ago
It probably depends on the block of data you're paying for. At least where I'm located, I can pay $25/mo for unlimited voice/text and 5.5GB data. For 10GB it's $40/mo and for "unlimited" it's $50. Personally, I just use the cheapie plan because between home and work, the vast majority of my data usage is covered by WiFi so I never use 5GB just by streaming audio and looking stuff up when I'm out and about. Not saying it's as good as some other markets, but it can still be reasonably affordable if you just need to handle work-related things as outlined in the article. Budget and mid-range smartphones are incredibly cheap and run circles around the old PocketPCs and Android phones I was using to browse the web and stream media 10-15 years ago.
- alistairSH 5y ago
  Personally, I just use the cheapie plan because between home and work, the vast majority of my data usage is covered by WiFi Poor people don't always have in-home wifi. They can barely afford a phone, let alone a phone PLUS wired internet. And if they're work is physical, they probably don't have the luxury of using work wireless either. And even at your lower $25/month plan, that's still 3-4 hours of work at minimum wage. For somebody who likely has trouble meeting basic needs like food and shelter. And heaven help them if they get sick.
  - soylentcola 5y ago
    Not arguing with the fact that costs are high or worse than in many other countries. Just replying to the statement that TMo's lowest package was $60/month. I currently use them as my mobile carrier and they have options for 5.5GB-"unlimited" data for $25-50/month. Nothing more was implied.
ac29 5y ago
$40/month for single line here: https://prepaid.t-mobile.com/prepaid-plans https://prepaid.t-mobile.com/prepaid-plans T-mobile's post paid plans are a much better deal with multiple lines of service, though (the $60/month plan for 1 line is only $90/month for 3 lines, for example).
landemva 5y ago
$60 per month seems high. Cricket has plans for $25 and $30 per month.

soylentcola 5y ago

It probably depends on the block of data you're paying for. At least where I'm located, I can pay $25/mo for unlimited voice/text and 5.5GB data. For 10GB it's $40/mo and for "unlimited" it's $50. Personally, I just use the cheapie plan because between home and work, the vast majority of my data usage is covered by WiFi so I never use 5GB just by streaming audio and looking stuff up when I'm out and about. Not saying it's as good as some other markets, but it can still be reasonably affordable if you just need to handle work-related things as outlined in the article. Budget and mid-range smartphones are incredibly cheap and run circles around the old PocketPCs and Android phones I was using to browse the web and stream media 10-15 years ago.

alistairSH 5y ago
Personally, I just use the cheapie plan because between home and work, the vast majority of my data usage is covered by WiFi Poor people don't always have in-home wifi. They can barely afford a phone, let alone a phone PLUS wired internet. And if they're work is physical, they probably don't have the luxury of using work wireless either. And even at your lower $25/month plan, that's still 3-4 hours of work at minimum wage. For somebody who likely has trouble meeting basic needs like food and shelter. And heaven help them if they get sick.
- soylentcola 5y ago
  Not arguing with the fact that costs are high or worse than in many other countries. Just replying to the statement that TMo's lowest package was $60/month. I currently use them as my mobile carrier and they have options for 5.5GB-"unlimited" data for $25-50/month. Nothing more was implied.

ac29 5y ago

$40/month for single line here: https://prepaid.t-mobile.com/prepaid-plans https://prepaid.t-mobile.com/prepaid-plans T-mobile's post paid plans are a much better deal with multiple lines of service, though (the $60/month plan for 1 line is only $90/month for 3 lines, for example).

landemva 5y ago

$60 per month seems high. Cricket has plans for $25 and $30 per month.