With so many options on the market, choosing the most suitable cell phone plan for your family may seem like an overwhelming task. But don’t worry – use the guide below to help you find the package that’s perfect for the needs of you and your clan, meaning that you can get rid of the multiple monthly bills and have one sleek, streamlined service instead.
The Benefits of a Family Plan
As well as receiving just a single bill a month rather than multiple bills, and the extra features available with these packages (these are detailed below), there are many other benefits to switching to a family cell phone plan, too. Free calling between family members on the plan is one advantage, and another is the enhanced ability to keep an eye on phone usage and spending – you can check your family’s usage (including breakdowns for each line) at any time during the billing cycle by logging on to your online account.
How Many To People To Include
Virtually all providers now offer at least one family plan, which usually supports two to four lines, so that you can tailor the plan to your unique needs. Smaller families may wish to opt for a two-line plan, as these tend to be the most affordable option.
If you have a large family, however, it’s probably a good idea to choose a provider that offers packages that can support more lines – some can service up to ten lines in a single plan. If you have younger children, some providers feature options that allow you to tailor what your kids can access on their cell phones, meaning that both adults and the younger members of the family can share the same family plan, and you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your children can’t access inappropriate material.
How You’ll Use the Plan
The usage habits of your family will need to play a key role in your decision to get the most cost-effective plan and ensure you’ll have access to the features that you want. Consider how each member of your family uses their phones to help you make a choice: do some people use their phones mainly to make calls, while others spend their time on their devices watching videos or playing games? For more information on the options and to compare the best cell phone plans, read this article, which offers a breakdown of some of the best packages, what they offer, and their respective cost.
If you’re unsure of how much data you’ll need in your family plan, then it’s best to err on the side of caution so that you don’t get caught out and run out part way through the month, which could cause you to incur additional charges to continue accessing the service.
If you have friends or family members who live abroad that you or another member of your clan regularly call, then it would be a good move to find plans that offer discounted rates for calls made to other countries.
Unlimited or Limited Data Plans?
As part of considering your family’s usage, you’ll need to decide whether to opt for a limited or unlimited plan. Many people believe that unlimited packages are inherently more expensive – while this may be the case with the major carriers, several smaller providers offer very affordable unlimited data options on their family plans with three lines or less, so it’s worth researching these options, too, to find out if you could save.
Special Features You Need
Shareable data is a key feature of family cell phone plans and should come as standard, no matter which package you opt for. If you’ve got children, you may wish to look for a plan that allows you to block or restrict internet access and calling on some lines, and that enables you to install a tracker on a cellphone, and that lets you see what your kids have been viewing.
Other features to consider looking for in your family plan include the ability to add or remove lines, access to hotspot data, and options to add additional services to your package over time, if required.
The Carrier’s Coverage
A family plan means that different members of the family can use their cell phones in whatever part of the country they’re in, so it’s important to make sure that the network you choose offers high-quality and reliable services nationwide.
It could be a good idea to use a carrier that most of your friends use, too: this could equal lower call charges – possibly even free – and the ability to easily share data.
The Takeaway
Every family is different and will have different requirements when it comes to a family cell phone package. Taking some time to think about how each individual is likely to use their phone and the features that would be the most useful to you as a family is the best way to ensure that you get a value for money package that gives you the services and benefits you need – and prevents you paying for additional features that you don’t.
