AT&T Family Shared Data Plans

[CheGuevera]

SInce Verizon announced their new family shared data plan is it true AT&T will begin their family Shared data plan on March 30th too?

The Family shared data plan is similar to shared family text and shared family mobile minutes. Shared family data allows all family members to share data. So instead of 5 members with 2 GB each for a total of 10 GB (2 GB x 5 = 10 GB) the same family shares the 10 GB. Thus, one can use 5 GB, one 2GB and 3 can use 1GB each for the same total of 10 GB total data with no additional charge.

Thanks AT&T for recognizing the needs of your many family customers by announcing this new feature.

AT&T Family Shared Data Plan rocks.

[BadBadLeroyBrown ACE - Warrior]

Don't know where you're getting March 30th from....every story I've seen regarding Verizon's shared data plan indicated a mid-2012 launch.

[renewedpurpose]

I have seen several news articles on the internet recently that refer to Verizon shared data plans. However, all of the articles refer to mid-2012 as the unofficial launch goal. I have yet to see any specific reference a date such as March 30. Can you refer me to the article or source of your information? As far as AT&T shared data plans, I have seen that they are in the process of preparing their system to support them. However, there is no guideline or estimate as to when we could see them available as an actual option for customers to sign up.

[Dcookie ACE - Geek]

So, this is TRUE??? ATT is going to have SHARED DATA???

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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Dcookie wrote:

So, this is TRUE??? ATT is going to have SHARED DATA???

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rumor only as of right now, nothing has been officially annouced that I have seen

[Dcookie ACE - Geek]

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wingrider01 wrote:

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Dcookie wrote:

So, this is TRUE??? ATT is going to have SHARED DATA???

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rumor only as of right now, nothing has been officially annouced that I have seen

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Thanks.

[renewedpurpose]

AT&T Mobility's  CEO Ralph de la Vega confirmed at a news conference last year that they do have plans to launch shared data plans on the AT&T network sometime in 2012. Now there have been many rumors as to when it will launch on AT&T, but I'd wait until we hear an official release from the CEO Ralph de la Vega before we get our hopes up.

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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renewedpurpose wrote:

AT&T Mobility's  CEO Ralph de la Vega confirmed at a news conference last year that they do have plans to launch shared data plans on the AT&T network sometime in 2012. Now there have been many rumors as to when it will launch on AT&T, but I'd wait until we hear an official release from the CEO Ralph de la Vega before we get our hopes up.

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As mentioned rumored, willing to bet people are going to be screaming at the sticker shock / shared GB ratio when and if it is announced

[Dcookie ACE - Geek]

Oh, I'm sure it won't be cheap. You don't get anything at a bargain price anymore.

[bocage65]

Well, it looks like Verizon is about to launch: June 28th.

"Verizon's new plans, dubbed "Share Everything," will go into effect June 28 for new customers and existing customers who want to switch to them. All of the plans will include unlimited voice minutes, unlimited text, video and picture messaging and a single data allowance for up to 10 Verizon devices. In addition, the carrier's Mobile Hotspot service on all the devices is included in the Share Everything Plans at no additional charge. Customers are free to keep their existing plans, but there is no fee or contract extension to move to the new Share Everything plans. Customers pay a per device connection fee per month ($40 for smartphones and $10 for tablets, for example), and then pay for data on a usage-based scale." - FierceWireless.

http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/verizons-mcadam-defends-concept-behind-shared-data-plans/2012-06...

AT&T, can you please do the same?  I think Verizon got ir right.

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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bocage65 wrote:

Well, it looks like Verizon is about to launch: June 28th.

"Verizon's new plans, dubbed "Share Everything," will go into effect June 28 for new customers and existing customers who want to switch to them. All of the plans will include unlimited voice minutes, unlimited text, video and picture messaging and a single data allowance for up to 10 Verizon devices. In addition, the carrier's Mobile Hotspot service on all the devices is included in the Share Everything Plans at no additional charge. Customers are free to keep their existing plans, but there is no fee or contract extension to move to the new Share Everything plans. Customers pay a per device connection fee per month ($40 for smartphones and $10 for tablets, for example), and then pay for data on a usage-based scale." - FierceWireless.

http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/verizons-mcadam-defends-concept-behind-shared-data-plans/2012-06...

AT&T, can you please do the same?  I think Verizon got ir right.

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you have not looked at the overall pricing and data limits have you? 40.00 is just for the voice / text, data is not included in that price.

[Dcookie ACE - Geek]

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bocage65 wrote:

Well, it looks like Verizon is about to launch: June 28th.

"Verizon's new plans, dubbed "Share Everything," will go into effect June 28 for new customers and existing customers who want to switch to them. All of the plans will include unlimited voice minutes, unlimited text, video and picture messaging and a single data allowance for up to 10 Verizon devices. In addition, the carrier's Mobile Hotspot service on all the devices is included in the Share Everything Plans at no additional charge. Customers are free to keep their existing plans, but there is no fee or contract extension to move to the new Share Everything plans. Customers pay a per device connection fee per month ($40 for smartphones and $10 for tablets, for example), and then pay for data on a usage-based scale." - FierceWireless.

http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/verizons-mcadam-defends-concept-behind-shared-data-plans/2012-06...

AT&T, can you please do the same?  I think Verizon got ir right.

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Have you worked through the new costs of the plan to see if it actually works for your usage and cell phone lines? For some, the cost is higher than current plans and for others it is cheaper.

[21stNow]

Verizon Wireless' plans are interesting, to say the least, but too expensive for most people.  If AT&T does something like this, I hope that they consider lower prices and rollover data.

[schafga]

When is AT&T going to release their family shared data plans?  Verizon's go live this Thursday so I would think AT&T would want to hurry up and announce their plans.

[Dcookie ACE - Geek]

Do you really want this? For some Verizon customers it works to their benefit but not for others. Be careful what you wish for...

[KenDog210]

I hope ATT follows suit quickly and saves me more money. I think this has made Verizon cheaper in many situations.

With this new pricing it would be $150 for the 2 lines and 4GB's shared. But look at the pricing before...

2 lines with unlimited minutes

- $120 unlimited texting

- $30 2 phones with 2GB's each

Total - $210

So they are now charging someone $60 less than before. Even if you had a plan with the 700 mins (cause you dont need unlimited) it was still $160 for 2 lines. So with the new pricing it would be $10 cheaper and you will get unlimited mins.

Some have said that it sucks for people needing 5 lines. Basically the more lines the more expensive. But look at pricing comparison. Current pricing...

5 lines with unlimited minutes

- $270 unlimited texting

- $30 5 lines with 2GB's each- $150

Total - $450

There new pricing for 5 lines with 10GB's shared is going to be $300. If you had the minimum minutes (700) with 5 lines and 2GB's each it would have been $280. So in this situation the new rates will be $20 more but then you wont have to worry about the minutes.

The shared data pricing does not affect the single line so the pricing for a single line should still be the same.  I hope ATT makes this change soon.  And if they do it with "rollover" data that would be awesome.

[schafga]

That is precisely the situation I am in...I have 5 lines (smart phones) with unlimited minutes and pay $450 per month. Under Verizon's new plan I would pay $300. If AT&T doesn't come out with a comparable plan to VZ then I will have to switch. My contract is up in less than 30 days so I may have to switch carriers. $150 extra per month is excessive...

[KenDog210]

Lets hope ATT does come out with something similar fairly soon.  If they dont then they may loose more customers such as yourself.

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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KenDog210 wrote:

I hope ATT follows suit quickly and saves me more money. I think this has made Verizon cheaper in many situations.

With this new pricing it would be $150 for the 2 lines and 4GB's shared. But look at the pricing before...

2 lines with unlimited minutes

- $120 unlimited texting

- $30 2 phones with 2GB's each

Total - $210

So they are now charging someone $60 less than before. Even if you had a plan with the 700 mins (cause you dont need unlimited) it was still $160 for 2 lines. So with the new pricing it would be $10 cheaper and you will get unlimited mins.

Some have said that it sucks for people needing 5 lines. Basically the more lines the more expensive. But look at pricing comparison. Current pricing...

5 lines with unlimited minutes

- $270 unlimited texting

- $30 5 lines with 2GB's each- $150

Total - $450

There new pricing for 5 lines with 10GB's shared is going to be $300. If you had the minimum minutes (700) with 5 lines and 2GB's each it would have been $280. So in this situation the new rates will be $20 more but then you wont have to worry about the minutes.

The shared data pricing does not affect the single line so the pricing for a single line should still be the same.  I hope ATT makes this change soon.  And if they do it with "rollover" data that would be awesome.

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I really doubt you will see roll over data at all.

Kind of confused on your figures. Utilzing one of my family plans

5 phones, 700, texting and m2am

070.00 - base 2 phones

030.00 - other 3 phones

030.00 - unlimited texting w/ M2AM calling

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130.00 base voice

150.00  3GB per phone at 30.00 each

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280.00 a month

Current shared data with Verizon

200.00 for 5 phones, unlimited text and voice - 40.00 per smarthpone

060.00 for 2GB shared between ALL phones

----------

260.00

You only have 2GB for five phones, on the other plan you have 3GB per phone or 15GB total. After 2GB each additional shared GB is 10.00, so to bring it up to the same level as the ATT plan the additional data cost would be 130.00.

200.00 5 phones, unlimited text, unlimited voice

060.00 base 2GB shared data plan

130.00 additonal 13GB to match old plan

----------

390.00

Unlimited voice and texting is nothing but eye candy, on a 700 minute plan with M2AM off the texting plan we end up rolling over about 500 minutes a month. For me to match my current plan against verizon would cost me an additional 130.00 a month. Had the unlimited plan at one time with 5 phones on it, when the add on to texting for M2AM came in it was not worth keeping.

[kinghdmi]

Clarify what unlimited minutes means.  ATT means unlimited to any mobile.  VZW means unlimited only to other VZW mobile phones unless something has changed.

[KenDog210]

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kinghdmi wrote:

Clarify what unlimited minutes means.  ATT means unlimited to any mobile.  VZW means unlimited only to other VZW mobile phones unless something has changed.

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It has changed.  it will have unlimited minutes to all type of lines and carriers.

[KenDog210]

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wingrider01 wrote:

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I really doubt you will see roll over data at all.

Kind of confused on your figures. Utilzing one of my family plans

5 phones, 700, texting and m2am

070.00 - base 2 phones

030.00 - other 3 phones

030.00 - unlimited texting w/ M2AM calling

----------

130.00 base voice

150.00  3GB per phone at 30.00 each

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280.00 a month

Current shared data with Verizon

200.00 for 5 phones, unlimited text and voice - 40.00 per smarthpone

060.00 for 2GB shared between ALL phones

----------

260.00

You only have 2GB for five phones, on the other plan you have 3GB per phone or 15GB total. After 2GB each additional shared GB is 10.00, so to bring it up to the same level as the ATT plan the additional data cost would be 130.00.

200.00 5 phones, unlimited text, unlimited voice

060.00 base 2GB shared data plan

130.00 additonal 13GB to match old plan

----------

390.00

Unlimited voice and texting is nothing but eye candy, on a 700 minute plan with M2AM off the texting plan we end up rolling over about 500 minutes a month. For me to match my current plan against verizon would cost me an additional 130.00 a month. Had the unlimited plan at one time with 5 phones on it, when the add on to texting for M2AM came in it was not worth keeping.

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My price comparrison was meant to compare Verizon's old plan to their new shared data plan. 

For 5 lines Verizons new shared plan will cost you $300.

$200 for 5 lines (unlimited minutes/text for $40 each)

$100 for 10Gb's shared

$300 total

I'm not saying Verizon is cheaper than ATT.  I'm just saying that the way they changed to the shared plans it has made them cheaper then their original pricing and I hope ATT does something similar

[21stNow]

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KenDog210 wrote:

I hope ATT follows suit quickly and saves me more money. I think this has made Verizon cheaper in many situations.

With this new pricing it would be $150 for the 2 lines and 4GB's shared. But look at the pricing before...

2 lines with unlimited minutes

- $120 unlimited texting

- $30 2 phones with 2GB's each

Total - $210

So they are now charging someone $60 less than before. Even if you had a plan with the 700 mins (cause you dont need unlimited) it was still $160 for 2 lines. So with the new pricing it would be $10 cheaper and you will get unlimited mins.

Some have said that it sucks for people needing 5 lines. Basically the more lines the more expensive. But look at pricing comparison. Current pricing...

5 lines with unlimited minutes

- $270 unlimited texting

- $30 5 lines with 2GB's each- $150

Total - $450

There new pricing for 5 lines with 10GB's shared is going to be $300. If you had the minimum minutes (700) with 5 lines and 2GB's each it would have been $280. So in this situation the new rates will be $20 more but then you wont have to worry about the minutes.

The shared data pricing does not affect the single line so the pricing for a single line should still be the same.  I hope ATT makes this change soon.  And if they do it with "rollover" data that would be awesome.

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Your scenarios assume that a person uses carrier text messaging services.  There's no way that this type of plan would be an improvement for me, a person who has the lowest available minutes package, no text messages and unlimited data.

[21stNow]

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kinghdmi wrote:

Clarify what unlimited minutes means.  ATT means unlimited to any mobile.  VZW means unlimited only to other VZW mobile phones unless something has changed.

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I think that you are asking about the difference between M2M (unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling) in-network only and unlimited mobile-to-any-mobile, which allows for unlimited calling to any US-based mobile phone number.  AT&T offers both, with the latter available only to those who have the unlimited text messaging feature on their plans.  VZW only offers the former.  Neither will matter for VZW for customers on the new share plans because all plans will have unlimited minutes.

[KenDog210]

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21stNow wrote:

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Your scenarios assume that a person uses carrier text messaging services.  There's no way that this type of plan would be an improvement for me, a person who has the lowest available minutes package, no text messages and unlimited data.

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That is correct.  The scenario is an example of the average customer.  There is always exceptions and it will not be cheaper for everyone.  For people in your situation you will have to keep your old plan by paying full price for any future phone (going by the way Verizon is doing it).  Or you will need to accept the new pricing when you upgrade to a new phone.  Or you will need to shop around for a different carriers that meets your specific needs (lowest minutes, not texting, unlimited data).

[schafga]

I would think AT&T would announce their new plans very soon considering VZ's launch on Thursday. Otherwise they run a huge risk in losing customers that currency subscribe to unlimited minutes plans as VZ's are FAR more attractive.

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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schafga wrote:
I would think AT&T would announce their new plans very soon considering VZ's launch on Thursday. Otherwise they run a huge risk in losing customers that currency subscribe to unlimited minutes plans as VZ's are FAR more attractive.

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the new shared plans are not recieving a lot of interest given the simple fact they will end up costing some users a lot more money for less services, doubt you will see any form of mass exodous with the reason of the "shared data plans"

[KenDog210]

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wingrider01 wrote:

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the new shared plans are not recieving a lot of interest given the simple fact they will end up costing some users a lot more money for less services, doubt you will see any form of mass exodous with the reason of the "shared data plans"

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I dont think it will cost users alot more for less service.  It just depends onthe needs and this new Verizon plan is catered the average and majority of their customers (2-3 lines with 2GB).  The old pricing for minimum minutes, texting, and 2GB per phone:

2 lines $160

3 lines $200

4 lines $240

5 lines $280

New pricing with unlimited minutes and 2GB average per line:

2 lines $150

3 lines $200

4 lines $250

5 lines $300

As you see this pricing is not comparing current rates for unlimited minutes to their new pricing with unlimited.  I am comparing the minimum 700 shared minutes to the new pricing with unlimited minutes.  2 lines will be cheaper while 3 lines remain the same.  4 lines is $10 more and 5 lines is $20 more.  But again this is pricing for all smartphone with 2gb's each to share.

Lets say you need 5 lines.  One for you, the wife, the son, and your parents.  But grandma and grandpa use basic phones and dont need data.  Lets say you find 6GB's share to be enough for the 3 smartphones.  It would then be:

$40 line 1

$40 line 2

$40 line 3

$30 line 4

$30 line 5

$80 6 GB's

$260 total

This would make your bill $20 cheaper.  And its $10 to add on a notebook now as well. 

As I said, this will not be liked by everyone.  But I think overall it was a smart move by Verizon.  Most of the people angry and complaining have the unlimited plan that they are going to end up loosing.  Or they are on some older cheap plan like the Sprint Sero plan. 

Personally I hope ATT makes this kind of switch.  I also hope they get rid of their grandfathered unlimited plans as I am getting tired of hearing people complain about being throttled.

[wingrider01 ACE - Geek]

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KenDog210 wrote:

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wingrider01 wrote:

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the new shared plans are not recieving a lot of interest given the simple fact they will end up costing some users a lot more money for less services, doubt you will see any form of mass exodous with the reason of the "shared data plans"

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I dont think it will cost users alot more for less service.  It just depends onthe needs and this new Verizon plan is catered the average and majority of their customers (2-3 lines with 2GB).  The old pricing for minimum minutes, texting, and 2GB per phone:

2 lines $160

3 lines $200

4 lines $240

5 lines $280

New pricing with unlimited minutes and 2GB average per line:

2 lines $150

3 lines $200

4 lines $250

5 lines $300

As you see this pricing is not comparing current rates for unlimited minutes to their new pricing with unlimited.  I am comparing the minimum 700 shared minutes to the new pricing with unlimited minutes.  2 lines will be cheaper while 3 lines remain the same.  4 lines is $10 more and 5 lines is $20 more.  But again this is pricing for all smartphone with 2gb's each to share.

Lets say you need 5 lines.  One for you, the wife, the son, and your parents.  But grandma and grandpa use basic phones and dont need data.  Lets say you find 6GB's share to be enough for the 3 smartphones.  It would then be:

$40 line 1

$40 line 2

$40 line 3

$30 line 4

$30 line 5

$80 6 GB's

$260 total

This would make your bill $20 cheaper.  And its $10 to add on a notebook now as well. 

As I said, this will not be liked by everyone.  But I think overall it was a smart move by Verizon.  Most of the people angry and complaining have the unlimited plan that they are going to end up loosing.  Or they are on some older cheap plan like the Sprint Sero plan. 

Personally I hope ATT makes this kind of switch.  I also hope they get rid of their grandfathered unlimited plans as I am getting tired of hearing people complain about being throttled.

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so basicly you are saying that 6 GB shared between 6 devices is more then adequete? that is only 1GB per device. Do not believe that this would work for a lot of people. I did a cost comparision for 5 ATT smartphones phones @ 3gb data plans each (all users come up to just under 2.5 GB usage per month), to match that at version it will cost me 190.00 a month more then att.

If people on verizon are willing to pay full retail price for theirphone they can retail the unlimited plan.

[KenDog210]

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wingrider01 wrote:

so basically you are saying that 6 GB shared between 6 devices is more then adequate? That is only 1GB per device. Do not believe that this would work for a lot of people. I did a cost comparison for 5 ATT smartphones phones @ 3gb data plans each (all users come up to just under 2.5 GB usage per month), to match that at version it will cost me 190.00 a month more then att.

If people on Verizon are willing to pay full retail price for theirphone they can retail the unlimited plan.

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Sorry for the confusion.  What I was trying to say is that not everyone needs a lot if not any data at all.  The average is 2Gb's and less.  You say you use about 2.5GB's.  I use about 500MB's.  They developed this 2GB average from averaging the uses from people like you and me. 

In my example I was saying that you have a family of 5.  You, your wife, and your son all get a smartphone and use about 2GB's each.  You then also add on a "dumbphone" for your mom and dad who do not require data.  In this situation you find 6GB's a month to be adequate.  This example will make the new Verizon plan cheaper for this situation when compared to their older pricing.  It all really depends on the needs.  The new plan is based on the average being a smartphone owner and using 2GB's a month as well as texting.

Again, I am not trying to compare these Verizon pricing to ATT current pricing.  I am saying that overall the Verizon change has made their service cheaper compared to their old rates.  Especially when compared to unlimited minutes pricing. 

If ATT was to do something similar I hope they do it the same way as Verizon and make the new shared data pricing cheaper than their original pricing like Verizon did.

Im not sure how Verizon is doing it when you need more than 10GB's a month.  Are they allowing you to purchase 10GB's and 6GB's?  Or are they only allowing 10GB's and then charging you $10 a GB for overages?  For your situation (5 lines with 3GB average) it looks to be $300 for the 5 lines and $10GB's and then add $50 more for for 5 additional GB's costing $350 for your needs. 

But you say you use about 2.5GB's per line, so you may only need 12GB's a month.  It might very well cost you $320 on some months.

As I look at ATT pricing for 5 lines 3GB's I see:

$70 for 700 anytime (M2M)

$30 for 3 additional lines

$30 for texting

$150 for data

$280 total

I agree it can be cheaper.  If you don't want texting, and can deal with 550 anytime and no M2M, then your bill can be $240 a month.  But I don't see how Verizon will be $190 more when compared to ATT.

This all is just my opinion.  I am a fan of the Verizon price changes and I hope ATT follows suit.  But I am the average customer.  If I was to select a Verizon plan for my needs, it would be $140 a month.  2 lines for smartphones and 2GB shared will surfice.  For me, if ATT offers something similar then the new pricing would lower my monthly bill.