{"id":11021,"date":"2013-08-19T21:38:09","date_gmt":"2013-08-19T14:38:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/?p=11021"},"modified":"2013-08-19T21:38:09","modified_gmt":"2013-08-19T14:38:09","slug":"walmarts-mobile-unlimited-plans-are-ideal-for-families","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wellconnectedmom.com\/blog\/walmarts-mobile-unlimited-plans-are-ideal-for-families\/","title":{"rendered":"Walmart’s Mobile Unlimited Plans Are Ideal for Families"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Lori Cunningham<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0\"Walmart<\/p>\n

Earlier in the month I shared with you my mobile purchasing experience <\/a>in our article, Walmart’s Mobile Unlimited Plans Make Cents<\/a>. \u00a0I have been using a Samsung Galaxy SIII phone, provided to me as a part of this #cbias #FamilyMobileSaves Walmart shop. \u00a0I loved the unlimited plans Walmart has and found it to be the lowest price rate plan<\/a> available for true unlimited data. \u00a0In comparing my own T-Mobile bill to Walmart, I discovered that for my family, I can save $215 a year by switching to the Walmart plan. \u00a0Wow. \u00a0This all sounds good, but the true test was checking out Walmart’s Unlimited Plan myself and ensuring the voice and data plan performs well.<\/p>\n

Also, I wanted to ensure that the Walmart unlimited plans could provide families with the controls they need to ensure their kids have a safe environment to use their phones, dependent upon the individual needs of each family. \u00a0Kids getting their first phones will need more controls than teens who have had phones a while and shown they can be responsible. \u00a0Does Walmart family mobile unlimited plans allow for this flexibility?<\/p>\n

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\"Walmart<\/p>\n

Here’s the Samsung Galaxy SII I was provided in purchasing the Walmart Unlimited plan.<\/p>\n

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My Unlimited Plan Experience<\/span><\/h2>\n

As noted in our previous article,\u00a0Walmart’s Mobile Unlimited Plans Make Cents<\/a>, I was very happy with Walmart’s unlimited voice and text, but a little concerned about the data, which included 2.5GB of data a month at 3G speeds, after which the data speeds drop to 2G. \u00a0On my current T-Mobile plan, I have 4G speeds. \u00a0Since I already have a Samsung Galaxy SIII on T-Mobile, I was able to conveniently test the load times of websites in different areas of my city.<\/p>\n

4G\/3G\/3G – What Is It?<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

First, let me clarify what 4G is versus 3G or even 2G. \u00a0The “G” stands for Generation. \u00a0As a society, we started at 1G and have moved all the way up to the 4th Generation at 4G. \u00a01G was analog, 2G moved to digital, 3G allowed for better transmitted video, and 4G allows for faster speed and transmission of HD video. \u00a03G can certainly transmit video, but is more likely to have hiccups than with 4G. \u00a02G can transmit video, but at times, it will likely not be a pleasant experience. \u00a02G is better for website surfing and email.<\/p>\n

\"Walmart<\/p>\n

In my testing of loading webpages at home, oddly enough, I found that the Walmart unlimited plan phone performed faster, by as much as 3-4 seconds. \u00a0Wow, I wasn’t expecting that.<\/p>\n

\"Walmart<\/p>\n

In testing videos on YouTube, I again found that the Walmart unlimited plan phone served up the video faster, by about 1-2 seconds. \u00a0However, in some of my tests, I found that the Walmart unlimited plan phone stalled at times, as its buffer ran out. \u00a0Within about 9-30 seconds it would continue on with the video. \u00a0I did not notice any buffering on my T-Mobile cellphone. \u00a0This didn’t happen every time, but often enough and when it did, it was noticeable. \u00a0Notice the buffering circle i n the center of the video on the phone on the right above.<\/p>\n

\"Walmart<\/p>\n

In downloading songs and games, I found the download speeds to be very good. \u00a0I had no issues. \u00a0I even downloaded Netflix, which is a larger app, and though it took longer than other apps, the time was still relatively quick.<\/p>\n

In my tests around my city I found that the Walmart unlimited plan phone did very well for the most part. \u00a0On one or two occasions, I couldn’t load a website, where I could with my T-Mobile phone. \u00a0With regards to voice, the Walmart unlimited plan phone performed similarly to T-Mobile. \u00a0I didn’t notice any more dropped calls on one account versus the other.<\/p>\n

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Mobile Controls for Families<\/span><\/h2>\n

In our last Walmart article, I recommended their unlimited plans for families. \u00a0After trying the service out for these past few weeks, I had the opportunity to delve deeper into the plan and read about what options are available for controlling options for added family members. \u00a0My daughter is a new tween at age 10. \u00a0Although she does not currently have a phone, I know it is looming in our near future. \u00a0I have already done the prep work for setting rules and expectations, written here in our Teens & Cellphones – A Primer<\/a>. \u00a0But knowing about what controls I can set on a phone plan makes it easier for a parent to keep some control until a tween\/teen earns more responsibility.<\/p>\n

In further reviewing my online Walmart unlimited plan account and information<\/a>, I discovered the following options for setting up controls on your child’s phone:<\/p>\n

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