At&t Vs Page Plus Which Is Better For Heavy Data User - Complete Guide

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If you're a heavy data user comparing AT&T's postpaid plans with Page Plus Cellular, there's actually a better option that beats both: modern MVNOs that offer unlimited data at lower prices with better value. Page Plus has been largely discontinued, and AT&T's postpaid plans are expensive for what you get.

Why Page Plus Is No Longer Relevant

Page Plus Cellular was once a popular Verizon MVNO, but it's essentially been phased out. The company was acquired by TracFone (now owned by Verizon), and new activations are extremely limited. Most Page Plus plans offered meager data allowances that wouldn't satisfy any heavy data user in 2024.

The few remaining Page Plus plans max out around 10GB of data for $40+ per month. For heavy data users who consume 30GB, 50GB, or unlimited data monthly, these plans are completely inadequate. You'd burn through a 10GB allowance in just a few days of normal smartphone usage including video streaming, social media, and mobile hotspot use.

AT&T Postpaid: Expensive and Inflexible

AT&T's postpaid unlimited plans start at $65 per month for a single line, and that's before taxes and fees. Their "Unlimited Starter" plan includes numerous restrictions that make it unsuitable for heavy data users:

The plan throttles video streaming to 480p resolution, limits mobile hotspot to 3GB at high speeds, and may slow data during network congestion. For someone who uses their phone as their primary internet connection or streams HD content regularly, these limitations are deal-breakers.

AT&T's premium unlimited plans cost $75-85 per month and include better features, but you're paying nearly triple what modern MVNOs charge for similar service. The higher-tier plans do include more mobile hotspot data and HD video streaming, but the price premium is enormous.

Better Alternatives for Heavy Data Users

Instead of choosing between AT&T's expensive postpaid service and Page Plus's discontinued plans, heavy data users should consider these superior options that scored highest in our comprehensive carrier rankings.

Visible: Best Overall Value (10/11)

Visible offers truly unlimited data on Verizon's network for just $25 per month, taxes included. There are no data caps, throttling after certain usage amounts, or hidden restrictions. You get full-speed 5G and 4G LTE data with unlimited mobile hotspot (capped at 10 Mbps for hotspot use).

The service runs on Verizon's premium network, which provides excellent coverage in rural and suburban areas where AT&T sometimes struggles. Visible's pricing is transparent with no surprise fees, contracts, or credit checks required.

For heavy data users, Visible's unlimited plan at $25 monthly represents exceptional value. You could use 100GB, 200GB, or more without any overage charges or speed restrictions on your phone's data usage. The mobile hotspot feature lets you share your unlimited connection with other devices, making it perfect for users who've cut the cord on home internet.

US Mobile: Maximum Flexibility (9.5/11)

US Mobile stands out by offering plans on all three major networks (Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T), allowing you to choose the best coverage for your area. Their unlimited plans start at $25 per month for Verizon coverage and include generous mobile hotspot allowances.

The carrier's "build your own plan" approach lets heavy data users customize their service. You can add unlimited data to any plan, include international features, and scale up mobile hotspot allowances as needed. US Mobile also offers premium network prioritization on their higher-tier plans, ensuring fast speeds even during peak usage times.

For users who travel frequently or live in areas where network coverage varies, US Mobile's multi-network approach provides excellent flexibility. You're not locked into one network's coverage limitations like you would be with AT&T postpaid or the old Page Plus service.

Tello: T-Mobile Network Excellence (9.5/11)

Tello operates on T-Mobile's network and offers unlimited data plans starting at $25 per month. The carrier provides excellent value with unlimited mobile hotspot at full speeds, no data caps, and transparent pricing with taxes included.

T-Mobile's network excels in urban and metropolitan areas, often providing faster 5G speeds than Verizon or AT&T. For heavy data users who live in cities or suburbs with good T-Mobile coverage, Tello offers some of the fastest unlimited data available at budget pricing.

The unlimited mobile hotspot feature is particularly valuable for heavy data users who want to replace their home internet connection. While other carriers limit hotspot speeds or data amounts, Tello provides unlimited hotspot at the same speeds as your phone data.

Network Performance Comparison

Understanding network performance is crucial for heavy data users who demand fast, reliable connections for streaming, gaming, and large file downloads.

Verizon typically offers the best rural coverage and consistent speeds, making Visible and US Mobile's Verizon plans ideal for users outside major cities. The network handles network congestion well and provides reliable service even in areas with weak signal strength.

T-Mobile excels in urban areas and often provides the fastest 5G speeds when coverage is available. Tello's T-Mobile service can deliver exceptionally fast data speeds in cities, making it perfect for heavy users who primarily use their phones in metropolitan areas.

AT&T's network performance varies significantly by location. While coverage is generally good, data speeds can be inconsistent, and the network sometimes struggles with congestion during peak hours. For the premium pricing AT&T charges, the performance doesn't justify the cost compared to MVNO alternatives.

Cost Analysis for Heavy Data Users

Let's break down the real costs for someone using 50GB+ of data monthly across different options:

AT&T's Unlimited Extra plan costs $75 per month plus taxes and fees, totaling around $85 monthly. Over a year, that's $1,020 just for phone service. The plan includes 15GB of premium mobile hotspot data, but additional hotspot usage is throttled to slower speeds.

Visible's unlimited plan costs exactly $25 per month with no additional fees, totaling $300 annually. That's $720 less than AT&T while providing truly unlimited data with no throttling or caps. The mobile hotspot allowance is unlimited at 10 Mbps, which is sufficient for most uses.

US Mobile's unlimited plan on Verizon costs $25-45 monthly depending on features selected. Even their premium plan with priority data costs less than $600 annually while matching or exceeding AT&T's service quality.

For heavy data users, the savings from switching to a modern MVNO can exceed $500-700 per year while maintaining or improving service quality.

Special Considerations for Heavy Data Users

Heavy data users have specific needs that go beyond just unlimited allowances. Network prioritization becomes important when using large amounts of data during peak hours. Some MVNOs offer priority data that gets precedence during network congestion.

Mobile hotspot capabilities matter significantly for users who want to share their unlimited connection. While AT&T limits premium hotspot data, carriers like Tello provide unlimited hotspot at full speeds, enabling users to replace home internet entirely.

Customer service quality becomes crucial when technical issues arise. Traditional carriers like AT&T often have long wait times and complex support structures. Top-rated MVNOs typically provide faster, more helpful customer service through chat and phone support.

International roaming features may be important for travelers. US Mobile and other premium MVNOs often include international calling and texting, plus affordable international data options that beat AT&T's expensive roaming charges.

Best Phone to Pair With These Plans

If you need an unlocked phone that works perfectly with any of these carriers, we recommend the Google Pixel 9a. It's our top budget phone pick for 2025:

• Works with all US carriers (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T networks)
• Supports eSIM + physical SIM for easy switching
• 7 years of software updates
• Excellent camera and battery life
• Around $499 unlocked

View Pixel 9a on Amazon →

Making the Switch

Switching from AT&T postpaid or any remaining Page Plus service is straightforward with modern MVNOs. Most support eSIM activation, allowing you to test service before fully committing. Number porting typically completes within a few hours, and you can keep your existing phone number.

The process involves selecting your preferred carrier based on network coverage needs, choosing an appropriate unlimited plan, and activating service online. No store visits, credit checks, or long-term contracts are required.

For heavy data users concerned about network performance, most carriers offer trial periods or money-back guarantees. This allows you to test actual data speeds and coverage in your specific areas before fully committing.

The Bottom Line

For heavy data users, both AT&T postpaid and Page Plus are poor choices in 2024. AT&T charges premium prices for service that modern MVNOs provide at a fraction of the cost, while Page Plus has been largely discontinued with inadequate data allowances.

Visible (10/11) offers the best overall value with unlimited Verizon data for $25 monthly. US Mobile (9.5/11) provides maximum flexibility with all three networks and customizable plans. Tello (9.5/11) delivers excellent T-Mobile service with unlimited hotspot capabilities.

Any of these options will save heavy data users hundreds of dollars annually while providing equal or superior service quality compared to traditional carrier alternatives.

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