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Maybe it's time to get your parents a better phone plan?
One with unlimited data, so you can video, voice, and text using whatever apps you like - anytime, all the time, 24/7/365.
That's the magic of unlimited data cell phone plans.
"Like an All-You-Can-Eat Buffet of internet on your phone."
So let's answer this call!
Seniors benefit from unlimited data just like the rest of us. Modern multi-generational families be texting and video calling each-other with apps like its 2023.
Money-wise, its a responsible time to check how much you're currently paying for a data plan to make sure you're not paying too much.
If you're in-the-know about a less expensive data plan that's reliable and works with your parent's current phone, then it'd be nice to do a price check for grandpa and grandma too.
My dad's memory isn't what it used to be, for example, so I think I'm being a good son to let him know there are several unlimited data phone plans available for cheaper than AT&T, Verizon, and. T-Mobile (The Big Three).
As long as the cheaper plan is reliable enough for the senior's needs, then you could save money each month. Sneaky monthly subscriptions are infamous for draining seniors' bank accounts.
If your parents memory isn't what it used to be, you'd be a responsible adult child to ask about their cell phone bill. $50, $75, even $100 bills for monthly mobile phones are common in the United States.
I'm here to show you, it doesn't need to be this way.
Not for me an my family.
Got a Prime account? You can order SIM cards from best low-cost providers Tello and Mint on Amazon. Just make sure your phone is unlocked and compatible.
For affordable unlimited data, Verizon is the only credible option, but only for families of four and up. If you want to use a major network and pay less, then options like Tello, Consumer Cellular, and Mint are the better bet.
(I’m writing this post in January 2023, so don’t come hollering if the prices written throughout change later. This is a good time to tell you I’m putting affiliate links in this post, so if you click a link and buy something, I might earn some cash for my family.)
Tello, Mint, Visible, Reach offer cell phone plans with unlimited data in most states, including Michigan where I’m calling you from.
If someone tells you only the big 3 networks offer unlimited data plans in 2023, I’d tell you to send them back to 2013.
If your aging family member needs a phone plan, rather if they need the most affordable unlimited data cell phone plan, then consider switching to an economy cell phone provider.
It's 2023, and senior citizen crave data just as much as Millenials. (OK, maybe a little less.)
Consumers Cellular is particular interesting, because started as a privately-held cell phone service provider tailored to the needs of America’s older population. Even though they’ve since been bought by a bigger company, they still focus on seniors and their unique telecommunications needs.
Consumers Cellular costs more than Tello and Mint, but for Michiganders who prefer the AT&T network, the $20 extra cost per month for the Consumers Cellular unlimited data plan might be worth it. (Tello and Mint use the T-Mobile network.)
You’re still saving money compared to unlimited data plans on the big 3 carriers.
Consumer Cellular offers an automatic 5% discount for AARP members as easy as checking a box when you order online.
They’ve got simple flip-phones intended for non-technical seniors too.
Consumer Cellular matches Mint and beats Tello when it comes to the latest-and-greatest smartphone devices. This year’s Apple and Samsung phones - plus some Google Pixels and Motorolas in the mix. If your parents ar tech-savvy you can get top-of-the-line devices for them here.
Tello’s service used 4G LTE or 5G data, depending on your phone’s capabilities, and the network coverage of the area you’re in.
One reason I chose Tello for my own family is their nonsense custom plans.
Bargain hunters can get FREE text, 100 minutes, and ZERO data for $5 per month. That includes calls to Mexico, Canada, and China.
Unlimited data is $29 per month with Unlimited Calls and Unlimited Text.
I use the data to watch YouTube videos. In small town, Michigan it works well downtown and driving on major streets. In mid-sized and large cities and on the highways connecting them, the speeds are great.
I’ve had an issue with missed calls a few times, where I received a voicemail but never heard the ring. Bad weather can cause slower internet connection speeds, I’ve noticed.
My friend on T-Mobile pays over $90 per month when all is said and done. With Tello’s “Unlimited Everything” plan, he could save $60 per month, and keep his number, but he’d have to buy a new iPhone. (He’s on the 8. It’s time for an upgrade, dude.)
If your parents are like my friend and need to buy a new phone because the current phone is locked into a network, Tello sells phones.
The $89 NUU F4L is a senior-friendly flip phone.
Tello offers a line of affordable NUU smartphones for under $139. NUU smartphones are carrier-unlocked Android devices [2], so “you can use it to call, e-mail, video chat, text, use apps, and that's just for starters.”
if your parents currently use Apple App Store on the iOS device (iPhone), they’ll need to download apps from Google Play on their Android phone (NUU in this case).
If you only buy Apple products, Tello sells low-cost new and refurbished iPhones starting at $249.
Overall, Mint’s unlimited data mobile phone plan is a tiny bit less budget friendly than Tello’s. Remember, they both use T-Mobile’s nationwide network.
To lock in Mint’s advertised pricing, you need to commit to at least three months of the service, which I think is pretty reasonable.
To set the record straight, Ryan Reynolds is not the only owner. He is an owner of somewhere in the ballpark of 20% to 30% of the company.
You get 35GB of 5G data to start each month’s billing period, and 4G LTE data for for the rest of the month after that’s used up.
I’m pretty sure no matter which network I choose, living in small town Michigan, I’m not always gonna get 5G.
Mint doesn’t offer any flip-phones for the person who doesn’t think there’s anything smart about a smartphone. The lowest cost 5G-enabled Android phone starts at $169.00.
The lowest cost 5G-enabled Apple phone starts at $479.00.
Lively and the Jitterbug. Before I chose Tello for my family, I took a look at the peculiar Lively cell phone plans. If you’ve every heard of them, it’s probably by the buzz about the Jitterbug, a cell phone designed from square one to suit seniors’ needs and lifestyle.
Unfortunately, their unlimited data plan of $30 per month is only available as an add on to one of their Text & Talk plans, which start at $14.99 per month.
Lively and the lovely Jitterbug cost a minimum of $44.99 per month for unlimited data.
Snapfon. I like Snapfon because it’s a mobile phone service for seniors, with exclusive phones to pick from. Sadly, they don’t offer any unlimited data phone package, so I have nothing more to say.
Ultra Mobile. The unlimited plan with 5G and 4G LTE shows unlimited data starting at $39.20 per month, which doesn’t get me anywhere.
Most people are on the major phone carriers with a phone that’s part of their plan there. My friend doesn’t have wifi or a computer at home. He just uses his phone to access the internet.
When you cancel your AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile, plan you can bring your telephone number to Tello, Consumer Cellular, or Mint.
You can only bring UNLOCKED devices from your old carrier to Tello, Consumer Cellular or Mint. Unfortunately, iPhone devices purchased as part of a plan from AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile are likely LOCKED to only be used with AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile.
Many of you reading this post have lived with wifi, or cable, or DSL, or dial-up modem for most of your lives. You can type 80 words per minute while word processing.
98% of Michigan households live with access to high-speed internet [1], but a significant portion of that is people who just use their smartphones.
Low on cash and live in Michigan? Check out Lifeline Services, a program providing discounts on telecommunications and broadband service to certain qualifying low income Michiganders.
If you bring your number, you need to cancel your old plan before you can move the phone number from the old plan to the new plan. That is risky for people who rely on their phone service for essential communication.
Simple phones might be easier for seniors with mobility and motor problems.
If you call your mother and father and they seldom pick up. Maybe part of the reason is, they’re having trouble using their current phone.
It’s a really good feeling when my mommy and daddy show they love me. I get that feeling more from my mom than my dad. Nevermind.
Certain phone service providers offer phones designed for seniors. “Assistive Phones” are for seniors with specific aging disabilities like loudspeakers for hearing or big buttons for arthritic fingers.
We had to switch my dad’s iPhone to “screen always on” because he can’t use the on-screen pin code or fingerprint home button to login to his phone.
That’s the range we’re looking at for mom and dad as they get older. Apple phones have best-in-class accessibility features built-in to any powerful smartphone device. If Apple is too hard for your family member to use, then you might choose a simplified senior-friendly phone (flip-phone or classic Nokia style), or for special needs elders your last resort is medically-designed adaptive phone device.
Adaptive cell phones for old people offer extra-loud volume settings for the hard-of-hearing, easy-touch large buttons or touchscreens, and simple apps for seniors pre-installed on the phone. When no other phone will do.
Big 3 Networks. When you look at Tello you see “powered by T-Mobile”, and when you look at Visible Mobile you see “powered by Verizon”. That’s because Tello service runs on T-Mobile’s phone infrastructure, so using Tello you pay less for almost the same thing as using T-Mobile.
AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile each reach over 60% cell phone overall coverage in the United States. In Michigan, AT&T has the best coverage, but all three reach over 90% Michigan coverage.
For 5G, it's T-Mobile who boasts the best coverage across the United States.
In 2023, T-Mobile boasts the United State’s best 5G coverage by a long shot, which is an indicator of a future-proof company. There are trade-offs to consider.
Family Plans. Some carriers offer family plans, some don’t. Some family plans pass along discounts and bonuses to their customers, some cost the same as an individual plan.
Most companies let you make a family with anyone you know. It can be immediate family, distant family, friends, neighbors, or that strangely familiar Tarot card reader you met on TheRide Ann Arbor citybus. She saw through your eyes into your soul. Hitching your mom and dad into a family plan is a common way to cut costs, but you’ve got to check the fine print.
No Calls, No Text, Just Data. Since we’re particularly interested in finding a cheap, reliable cell phone plan that must have unlimited data - maybe we’re willing to sacrifice calls and texts. Tello lets you set a custom plan in this way.
Some seniors text like a teenager, but most primarily use voice and video communication. An unlimited data plan lets you use Video, Voice, or Chat with any of the apps on your phone. If you’re tech-savvy enough to teach your parent how to workaround traditional phone and SMS to use apps instead, then you can save money by finding a cell phone plan with just data and no calls or text.
Tello, Mint, and Consumer Cellular are the top 3 unlimited data cell phone plans for seniors. Tello offers the lowest cost unlimited data by just a hair. With unlimited data as a non-negotiable, the choice between Mint and Tello comes down to preference. Consumer Cellular’s unlimited data phone service is tailored to senior’s need a little better, but costs significantly more. Tello, Mint, and Consumer Cellular each offer unlimited data packages which are far more economical than AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.
