Cricket Wireless ups its data plan game, throws in more data without raising the costs

By Williams Pelegrin February 2, 2015

cricket wireless unlimited data plan — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Cricket Wireless, AT&T’s prepaid subsidiary, announced it will increase the data allotment for its plans, turning the carrier into one enticing option for those not walking down the postpaid path.

Cricket’s format for its plans will not change, as it will still have its Basic, Smart, and Pro options, which will come with the same $35, $45, and $55 per month prices. The difference lies in the new data allotments. Previously, the Basic plan gave you 1GB of 4G LTE data, now it gives you 3GB of data. In addition, the Smart plan now gives you 5GB of 4G LTE as opposed to the previous 3GB.

Even though the Smart plan remains at 10GB, Cricket now offers a new Advanced plan that, for the same $55 per month as the Smart plan, throws in 20GB of 4G LTE. Keep in mind that, with this Advanced plan, you lose eligibility for Cricket’s “Group Savings” program. On the flip side, signing up for auto-pay nets you a $5 discount for all these plans.

These plans are, admittedly, pretty enticing, but remember that Cricket utilizes AT&T’s network. Do your research and make sure you have solid coverage in your area before jumping into any of these plans.

Editors' Recommendations

Williams Pelegrin

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Williams is an avid New York Yankees fan, speaks Spanish, resides in Colorado, and has an affinity for Frosted Flakes. Send…

Entertainment

How to get Disney+ free with a Verizon Wireless unlimited data plan

verizon wireless unlimited customers get free disney plus falcon and winter soldier at airport in captain america civil war

If you're a Verizon Wireless customer, check before paying for a Disney+ subscription. You might be able to get it for free. Thanks to a new partnership between Disney and Verizon, all existing and new Verizon Wireless customers on unlimited data plans will receive a year of Disney's new streaming service at no extra charge, saving them $70 on an annual Disney+ subscription.

As reported by Variety, the new deal applies to all Verizon customers with unlimited 4G LTE and 5G data plans, as well as new subscribers to Verizon's Fios and 5G home internet programs. Once the free yearly subscription has ended, customers will automatically be charged Disney+'s normal $7-a-month fee, although they can cancel their subscription at any time.

Mobile

Google Fi finally gets an unlimited data plan … but read the fine print

google fi kills voice number news feature v2

Google is finally making its Google Fi, its mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), unlimited. The company has announced that Google Fi customers will now get unlimited data for $70 per month -- which is pretty much on par with other major carriers in the U.S.

Unfortunately, also like the other major carriers, Google's plan also comes with some fine print. Namely, video may be limited to 480p, and any data over 22GB may be throttled -- though if you want that data un-throttled you can pay an extra $10 per 1GB.

Social Media

Skype ups its messaging game with drafts, bookmarks, previews, and more

nova launcher

Many popular messaging apps started out as rather basic offerings with video chat and other features added further down the road. Skype, on the other hand, came at it from the other direction, establishing itself as a tool for voice and video calls before blending in more and more messaging features.

This week Microsoft-owned Skype revealed it's making a determined effort to catch up with the likes of WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger with the release of a raft of new features.
So, what’s new?
For starters, Skype for mobile and desktop now offers message drafts for when you forget to hit send, or if you don't have time to finish what you wanted to say.