How to pick the best family cell phone plan

A family cell phone plan is a mobile subscription that bundles multiple lines under a single account, offering convenience and cost savings for families.

With Astound Mobile, you can mix and match mobile plans, choosing from different options for each line, including unlimited plans or by the Gig, to build a customized family phone plan that matches the data usage needs of individuals.

Astound offers multi-line discounts, lowering the cost of a family plan as you add more lines. When bundling with internet services, customers get their first unlimited line for free for a year.

In addition, Astound includes eero Secure when you bundle your plan with Whole Home WiFi – powered by eero, enhancing your home network’s security while connecting your entire home, regardless of its size. Bundling these services under a single provider simplifies the billing process, making payments more convenient.

Many family plans offer features like unlimited talk and text, unlimited and limited data plans and data sharing.

With Astound Mobile, each line receives its own dedicated data allocation,  ensuring everyone has what they need without compromise.

Most providers offer both prepaid and postpaid family plans. The majority of consumers do not have access to mix and match data plans that cater to heavy data users and light data users. Most carriers only offer unlimited plans.

Prepaid plans typically consist of more expensive device prices, fewer choices in devices, require upfront payment for services and offer generally less value than postpaid plans.

In contrast, postpaid plans require payment for services based on usage at the end of the billing cycle. These plans offer more benefits, such as greater phone discounts and streaming services. Astound Mobile provides postpaid plans, added benefits and multi-line discounts for families. With Astound, everyone qualifies for the best prices; you’re not required to select our most expensive internet plan to get the best price.

The average cell phone bill is around $144 per month per person, or $1728 per year. These costs add up to a large phone bill for a family of four. This doesn’t include additional fees, activation charges or change fees that are typical among many mobile carriers.

With Astound, there are no activation fees or change fees. Plus, Astound Mobile’s mix and match family plans help reduce expenses by allowing consumers to only pay for what they need. Multi-line discounts make it an even more cost-effective solution as you add more lines.

Before you settle on a family cell phone plan, consider multiple factors such as network coverage, pricing and features that your household needs.

Key factors you should evaluate when choosing a family cell phone plan include:

Check the coverage and network performance of various providers in your area before committing to a family plan. A cheaper plan is ineffective if the network is unreliable or has slow data speeds. Look for a provider with strong 4G LTE and 5G coverage nationwide to ensure connectivity even when you are on the road or in a rural area.

Mobile providers offer different types of phone plans. Look at each plan’s features, including unlimited talk and text, data allowances, roaming rates and additional perks like discounts.

If your family frequently streams content, plays games online or uses mobile hotspots, you need to choose a plan with sufficient data allowances. Most carriers impose overcharge fees, throttle speeds or suspend service when you exceed your plan’s data limit.

Mobile providers typically offer discounted prices when you buy multiple lines under a family plan. Compare the prices of different family cell phone plans from various providers to help you decide on a plan that fits your budget without sacrificing the essential features.

Remember to check for additional charges, such as taxes and hidden fees, that can increase the final price.

Mobile providers may offer no-contract prepaid family plans or postpaid contract plans. No-contract plans provide more flexibility, as you can discontinue the service once your billing cycle ends without termination fees.

In comparison, contract plans may offer more benefits but lock customers into multi-year deals and charge high fees for early termination.

Astound Mobile offers no-contract postpaid plans, providing customers discounted family plans and peace of mind over rigid contracts.

Many people switch carriers to find better deals. Carriers often offer promotions or more competitive rates than your current plan. Researching and comparing plans or building your own phone plan based on your needs, may lead to savings and better value.

Find out if the carrier offers bring-your-own-device (BYOD) options. If your device is unlocked and compatible, you can bring your own device, saving you money since you won’t need to buy a new phone.

If your family travels abroad or frequently makes international calls, compare various plans and choose one that offers affordable international rates and roaming options.

Some providers charge extra for international calls and roaming, while others include them in their family plans. Checking out these features in advance can help you avoid unexpected costs and ensure continuous connectivity abroad.

Consider mobile carriers that offer bundling options to maximize savings. Bundling family plans and internet services under one account is often cheaper than subscribing separately. Many carriers offer discounts, waived fees or free add-ons, making bundling more affordable for families.

Why not bundle your family cell phone plan with an internet service? 

Astound provides 5G nationwide coverage backed by a fiber-powered network, enabling customers to enjoy reliable mobile services with high-speed home internet.

Astound’s fiber-powered infrastructure delivers consistent high-speed internet with unmatched reliability and performance. Its deep fiber network provides reliable performance with minimal latency, making it ideal for online gaming, streaming and remote work. 

With verified coverage areas and multiple speed tiers ranging from 300 Mbps to Gigabit+ speeds, you can seamlessly bundle your preferred internet service with your family plan.

Bundling with Astound also provides significant cost savings, including special promotional rates like free internet installation and multi-line discounts for family plans.

Adding Whole Home WiFi to your bundle includes a free eero Secure subscription or upgrade to eero Plus for advanced protection and improved coverage. Additionally, Astound’s no-contract approach provides customers with comprehensive and flexible bundled plans.

Learn more: Is eero Plus worth it?

Astound Mobile offers multi-line discounts on family plans bundled with internet services, reducing the cost per line as you add more lines. 

For example, Astound’s pricing structure for a single line for each plan is:

• 1.5 GB plan for $15
• 3 GB plan for $25
• Unlimited plan for $40
• Unlimited Plus plan for $50

However, Astound’s multi-line discount pricing structure offers the following discounts on different plans when buying a family plan.

• The 1.5 GB plan costs $15 per month for all lines.
• The 3 GB plan starts at $25 for the first line and drops to $15 for the second and third lines. Additional lines (fourth and fifth lines) cost $10.
• The Unlimited plan starts at $40 for the first line but drops to $20 for the second, $30 for the third and fourth and back to $20 for the fifth line.
• The Unlimited Plus plan starts at $50, then drops to $30 for the second line. It then increases to $40 for the third and fourth lines and then drops back to $30 for the fifth line.

For example, a family of four bundling a family plan with a 300 Mbps internet service receives the following discounted prices for each data plan:

• 1.5 GB – $80 for 4 lines + 300 Mbps internet at $15/mo per mobile line.
• 3 GB – $85 for 4 lines + 300 Mbps internet at $16.25/mo per mobile line.
• Unlimited – $100 for 4 lines + 300 Mbps internet at $20/mo per mobile line for the first year.
• Unlimited Plus – $180 for 4 lines + 300 Mbps internet at $40/mo per mobile line.

Learn more: Check out the current multi-line pricing at Astound Mobile Plans.

Astound’s mix and match plans allow each family member to have a different plan while benefiting from the discounted multi-line prices.

For example, a family of five on a mix and match family plan will pay:

• Line 1 (Unlimited plan): The first line is free for one year as a promotional offer when bundling the family plan with internet. 
• Line 2 (3 GB plan):  Starts at $25 per month.
• Line 3 (second Unlimited line): The second unlimited line receives a multi-line discount, reducing the cost to $20 monthly.
• Line 4 (1.5GB plan): Remains at $15 per month.
• Line 5 (third Unlimited line): Costs $30 per month based on the multi-line pricing structure.

When bundling with a 300 Mbps internet plan at $20, the family pays a total of $110, which is cheaper than the $180 they would pay for separate services. 

If the family decides to mix and match within the family plan, the multi-line discount structure offers flexibility without a significant price increase. 

• Line 1 (Unlimited plan) – Continues to be free for the first year.
• Line 2 (upgrading from 3GB to Unlimited) – The multi-line discount structure decreases the cost to $20 per month.
• Line 3 (Unlimited plan): The multi-line discount pricing structure adjusts it to $30 per month.
• Line 4 (1.5GB plan) – Remains at $15.
• Line 5 (Unlimited plan) – Remains at $30 per month. 

Astound’s bundling options and multi-line discount pricing maximize savings while providing families flexibility and customizability through mix and match plans.