Fast Forward: Cellphone Carrier Comparison
Review the latest wireless-phone service rates for voice and data plans. This chart lists standard calling plans under $80 for individual use and under $100 for shared use on two lines. Plans don't have long-distance or roaming fees, but both incoming and outgong calls count against minutes of use. Night and weekend calls are free unless otherwise noted. For analysis, read Rob Pegoraro's column: Wireless Choice is Far From Clear.
| Carrier | Individual Plans | Family Plans | Messaging | Smartphone Unlimited Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | $39.99: 450 anytime minutes (5,000 night/weekend minutes). $59.99: 900 anytime minutes. $79.99: 1,350 anytime minutes. | $59.99: 550 anytime minutes over two lines. $69.99: 700 anytime minutes over two lines. $89.99: 1,400 anytime minutes over two lines. | 15 cents per text message, 25 cents per picture or video message. $4.99 for 200 text, picture or video messages. $9.99 for unlimited messaging to other AT&T subscribers, plus 200 to others. $19.99 for unlimited messaging. | Add $39.99 to any voice plan. |
| Unlimited calling to other AT&T subscribers. Unused airtime is rolled over to the next month but expires if not used up after 12 months. | ||||
| Sprint and Nextel | $29.99: 200 anytime minutes (nights and weekends start at 9 p.m.). $39.99: 450 anytime minutes (nights and weekends start at 7 p.m.). $59.99: 900 anytime minutes (nights and weekends start at 7 p.m.). $79.99: 1,350 anytime minutes (nights and weekends start at 7 p.m.). | $59.99: 550 anytime minutes over two lines (Sprint only). $69.99: 700 anytime minutes over two lines. $89.99: 1,400 anytime minutes over two lines. | 15 cents per text message. $5 for 300 text messages. $10 for unlimited text messaging. Free picture/video messaging with Sprint Vision or Nextel Data Pack data plans. | Add $15 to a Sprint voice plan, $40 to a Nextel voice plan. |
| Sprint phones come with unlimited calls to other Sprint subscribers; Nextel phones come with unlimited push-to-talk walkie-talkie communication with other Nextel subscribers. | ||||
| T-Mobile | $29.99: 300 anytime minutes. $39.99: 1,000 anytime minutes. $59.99: 1,500 anytime minutes. | $59.99: 700 anytime minutes over two lines. $69.99: 1,000 anytime minutes over two lines. $99.99: 2,000 anytime minutes over two lines. | 15 cents each for text, picture or video messages (free on Sidekick plans). $4.99 for 400 messages. $9.99 for 1,000 messages. $14.99 for unlimited messaging. | Add $30 to any voice plan (Sidekick plans include text messaging, BlackBerry plans do not). |
| Add $10 for unlimited "myFaves" calling to five designated numbers. | ||||
| Verizon Wireless | $39.99: 450 anytime minutes. $59.99: 900 anytime minutes. $79.99: 1,350 anytime minutes. | $69.99: 700 anytime minutes over two lines. $89.99: 1,400 anytime minutes over two lines. | 15 cents per text message, 25 cents per picture or video message. $10 adds unlimited messaging to Verizon Wireless users, plus 500 messages to others. $15 adds unlimited messaging to Verizon Wireless users, plus 1,500 messages to others. $20 for unlimited messaging ($30 on family plans). | Add $40 to the $39.99 voice plan or $30 to the $79.99 plan. |
| Unlimited calling to other Verizon Wireless subscribers. | ||||
Compiled by Rob Pegoraro | GRAPHIC: washingtonpost.com
