If you asked your neighbor or that chatty barista about Cricket Wireless family plans, you‘d get a high-level response focused on affordability. But as a wireless technology veteran with 20 years under my belt, I can tell you there‘s more to the picture – both good and bad.
My goal isn‘t to sell you a bill of goods but rather equip you with insider knowledge to gauge if Cricket family offerings genuinely suit YOUR lifestyle and preferences. I promise no BS…just the cold hard facts with advice from the trenches!
So grab your favorite morning brew, get comfy in that chair we picked out last year, and let me clear up all the small print confusion around Cricket family plans…
At First Glance: The Cricket Family Plan Landscape
First, what exactly constitutes a Cricket family plan? Essentially, it involves bundling multiple lines onto one account to score discounts and share features like data allotments. You can blend different types of plans too.
The savings really add up for larger families – for instance, 5 lines on the unlimited Cricket More plan knocks a whopping $140 off your monthly bill! Not bad compared to managing separate accounts.
But more on pricing in a bit. Let‘s quickly run through the primary Cricket family plan flavors:
Cricket More
- Unlimited high-speed data
- 15GB mobile hotspot per line
- 5G access
- Extras like 150GB cloud storage
Cricket Core
- Mix and match data amounts per line
- Video streaming at 1.5Mbps
- Nationwide 5G access
Fixed Data
- 10GB, 20GB, or unlimited data options
- Hotspot data varies by plan
- Group Save discounts applied
Group Save
- Unlimited or shared data plans
- Get $10-$70 off per month for 2-5 lines
- Mix of More, Core, and other plans
| Plan | Monthly Price (5 Lines) | Hotspot Data | Video Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cricket More | $160 | 15GB per line | SD (1.5 Mbps throttled) |
| Cricket Core | $125 | 10GB per line | SD (1.5 Mbps throttled) |
| Fixed (Unlimited) | $130 | 15GB per line | SD (1.5 Mbps throttled) |
Now let‘s move on to what truly matters…
Does Cricket Deliver Where it Counts? Weighing the Pros and Cons
Cost is king for most families. In that regard, Cricket checks the box with its discounts for bundling multiple lines. Seemingly too good to pass up, right?
Well, hold your horses. Some fine print and gotchas need your consideration before hopping aboard…
Perk: Reliable Coverage Powered by AT&T
Remember Cricket leans on parent company AT&T‘s infrastructure, giving it coverage for over 99% of Americans. Solid access to LTE makes it a contender if you frequent rural or remote areas.
But don‘t expect blazing speeds. While Cricket technically includes 5G and LTEband support, AT&T prioritizes traffic for its core postpaid subs. So expect median download speeds of just 8-10 Mbps in congested zones.
The Takeaway? You‘ll probably stay connected abroad or off the beaten path thanks to AT&T…but squeezed data speeds could frustrate heavy streamers.
Perk: Unlimited Talk & Text to U.S. Numbers
Whether chit-chatting with old high school friends or texting your college buddies, Cricket won‘t cramp your catch-up style.
All plans include unlimited calls and messages to any mobile or landline in the country. No worrying about extra fees or surprise overages from marathon convos!
The Takeaway? Cricket happily enables you to gab until the cows come home. Just don‘t expect generous international allowances…
Drawback: No Int‘l Roaming & Pay-As-You-Go Rates
Say your family treks regularly to Canada or you support relatives in Latin America. Don‘t expect Cricket to have your back with foreign usage perks.
While calls to landlines in 38 countries only cost a cent per minute, that‘s about the extent of int‘l flexibility. Any overseas trips involving mobile data or calls will draw from limited, expensive PAYG buckets.
The Takeaway? Cricket lacks globally-friendly features. If you need to use phone service abroad every month, go with T-Mobile or other carriers purpose-built for travelers.
Drawback: Limited Phone Selection
You might find it tricky landing your preferred Android or Apple phone on Cricket. The used market opens more possibilities…but buying the latest Galaxy or iPhone at launch requires legwork.
That‘s because Cricket relegates hot releases to higher-paying AT&T customers first. You‘ll usually find solid midrange or last-gen devices, but newcomers get scarce inventory.
The Takeaway? Pounce quickly on new launches of interest that do land in Cricket‘s portfolio. Otherwise, temper expectations and watch for holiday sales flooding older models.
Perk: Flexible BYOD & No Contracts
Toting an existing device over to Cricket is no issue since they support BYOD. As long as bands/frequencies and VoLTE match up, you can bring all but the most esoteric of handsets. This enables families to save on new phone costs if needed.
And without contracts or finance plans, you maintain freedom to switch carriers anytime without early termination fees. Give Cricket a shot for a few months without locking yourself in!
The Takeaway? BYOD support and contract-less service promote convenience and cost savings. Try before you fully commit!
Final Verdict: Who Should (and Shouldn‘t) Opt for Cricket Family Plans?
We‘ve covered a lot of ground when it comes to Cricket Wireless family plans. Let‘s drive home who can maximize value from their offerings and where pitfalls emerge:
Good Fit For Cricket Family Plans
✔ Families needing 5G access on compatible phones
✔ Households valuing unlimited domestic calling/texting
✔ Cost-conscious subscribers willing to accept slower data
✔ People who already own compatible devices for BYOD
Poor Fit For Cricket Family Plans
✖ Customers wanting unlimited full-speed mobile hotspot data
✖ People who frequently travel internationally
✖ Those who upgrade phones yearly and need latest models
✖ Individuals reliant on making calls or texts abroad each month
At the end of the day, Cricket Wireless family plans merit consideration for the right type of household. If you value connectivity fundamentals like unlimited domestic talk/text PLUS appreciate the flexibility of BYOD and no contracts…Cricket checks the boxes.
Just don‘t expect premium network priority or international perks matching T-Mobile or Verizon. But cost-conscious families who temper their expectations may find Cricket family plans a prudent fit.
I know that was a data dump! Let‘s grab dinner on me next week and chat through any other Cricket questions or mobile plan conundrums bouncing around. Turns out 20 years in telecom gives you decent advice…who knew?
