Visible Unlimited Mobile Plan Review

 Looking to save a few bucks on your mobile service? Why not switch to an unlimited plan? They’re all the rage these days, and almost every carrier offers one. But, as always, not all unlimited plans are created equal. This is why, before you sign up for any plan, you need to do your research and find out what’s important to you. Let’s say that you currently pay $60 every month for 5GB of data on Verizon Wireless. If you switched to their new Unlimited Plan with Mobile Hotspot, it would only cost you $50 per month instead of $70. That sounds pretty great — especially considering that the new plan has no hidden costs or throttling of speeds after a certain usage limit is exceeded. However, there are other considerations as well:

 

What Does Unlimited Actually Mean?

It’s important to understand that “unlimited” doesn’t actually mean “unlimited.” It just means that the company can’t really enforce a hard cap on data usage. Instead, they can slow your speeds if they feel the network is being overused. People who live in areas with high network traffic might see a slower connection — especially during peak hours. High-traffic areas include New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. But even if you don’t live in a high-traffic area, you might have an issue with slow speeds if you have a high-end phone like an iPhone X, Galaxy S9, or Pixel 2. With those, you’ll often be on one of the major carrier’s “LTE Plus” networks. That means you might be on the same network used for LTE-U or LTE-Advanced — both of which can slow down other nearby users. As for “unlimited data,” beware! Carriers have a history of adding caveats to their plans, sometimes hidden in their terms of service. For example, T-Mobile’s unlimited plan only offers unlimited data in the United States. So, if you frequently travel abroad, make sure that your chosen carrier has a plan that supports your needs.

 

Network Quality and Coverage

Before you switch to an unlimited plan, you need to know how good the network coverage is in your area. Although most major carriers claim to have excellent coverage, there are variations in a couple of areas. For example, Verizon has more reliable LTE coverage across the country, while T-Mobile is better for internet in rural areas. If you’re switching to Sprint, you need to know that their network is significantly weaker than the other carriers. They don’t even have the same coverage that AT&T or T-Mobile have, which means that you should carefully consider if their network is right for you.

 

Data Speed and Usage

There are two key factors to consider when examining a carrier’s data speeds: their network speed and your device’s capability. For example, the new Verizon Unlimited Ultimate Plan offers “up to” 50 Mbps. However, during busy hours, the network slows down for everybody — not just those with unlimited plans. If you have an older iPhone or Samsung device, it might not take advantage of the network’s full speed. If you bring a new phone, you may also need to sign up for a new plan to get the data speeds you want. They also may require you to buy a new SIM card. If you're switching from a postpaid plan to pre-paid one, you don't need to buy a new phone.

 

Device And Accessory Availability

If you have a particularly large device (like a tablet), use a specialized accessory, or need to use your phone as a hotspot frequently, you may encounter incompatibility problems with certain carriers. On Verizon unlimited plan, you can use your phone as a hotspot, but you can’t use it to connect to other devices that way. If you need to do that, you’ll have to pay an extra $10 per month. For the most part, you can use your phone as a hotspot on any of these carriers.

 

Final Thoughts

Choosing a cell phone plan can seem daunting. But with a little research, you can make an informed decision that’s best for you and your budget. The first thing you should do when shopping for a new plan is to look at your current plan and usage. This will help you identify areas where you can cut costs. Then, you can compare your options based on the factors listed above. Finally, don’t forget to factor in any hidden costs. For example, it’s important to understand how many GB of data you use each month. If you’re not careful, you could end up paying more for data than necessary — or even going over your limit and incurring overage charges.