We’ve just checked the major wireless carriers (again) and we count five different wireless carriers who incorporate some kind of streaming media subscription into at least one of their plans. Some carriers do a lot more, by the way, packing in multiple combinations of perks across their different and distinct unlimited plans — and they all offer one or more of the best streaming services. It’s a lot to keep track of. But knowing what comes with unlimited plans is an important part of picking the best cell phone plan for you. To help you keep track of the benefits included with monthly wireless service, we’re breaking down the different unlimited plan options that currently include streaming service subscriptions.
AT&T: No longer offering HBO Max
This is a bummer. AT&T’s Unlimited Elite plan has been rebranded as Unlimited Premuim and free HBO Max is no longer included now that AT&T no longer owns the streaming service. Only existing Unlimited Elite subscribers will still get HBO Max for free. AT&T is currently without any streaming service benefit in any of its unlimited plans.
Cricket: HBO Max included, with a catch
HBO Max used to be free from more than just the AT&T-owned Cricket Wireless, as AT&T would give it out as well. Now only Cricket includes complimentary HBO Max in its most expensive plan — the $60/month Unlimited + 15GB Mobile Hotspot plan. (Only one guess as to the other key perk included with this plan.) Just be aware that not all versions of HBO Max are created equal. The one that Cricket features is the ad-supported tier of HBO Max, which normally costs $9.99/month. This tier also used to be locked out of the day-and-date releases where HBO Max would get big movies the same day as theaters did, but HBO Max no longer offers this. You can only stream in HD quality on Cricket’s Unlimited plan, though enrolling in auto pay saves you $5 each month. Shop Cricket unlimited plans (opens in new tab) For the tiered 10GB plan offered by Metro by T-Mobile, the discount phone carrier offers Music Unlimited, which lets you stream music from more than 40 different services without it counting against your data cap. You’re on the hook for any subscription fees associated with those services, though. All Metro plans include access to the 5G network of parent company T-Mobile, which offers the widest 5G coverage of any of the major carriers. That’s perhaps the greatest benefit an unlimited data plan with Metro delivers. Shop Metro by T-Mobile unlimited plans (opens in new tab)
T-Mobile: Three different streaming services
T-Mobile was one of the first wireless carriers to see the benefits in including access to streaming services as a perk for its unlimited data plans. A few years back, it started picking up the cost of Netflix subscriptions for customers with two lines of unlimited data. These days, the $70/month Magenta unlimited plan qualifies for T-Mobile to pick up the cost of one Netflix Basic subscription for accounts with two or more lines. Pay up for Magenta Max — which costs $85/month — and a single line of data can get the cost of a Netflix Basic account covered; two lines or more of Magenta Max entitles you to a Netflix Standard subscription. Magenta Max subscribers can stream video in up to 4K UHD resolution. You’re stuck on standard definition with the regular Magenta plan. Regardless of whether they have Magenta or Magenta Max, T-Mobile customers get some Apple TV Plus. Regular Magenta subscribers get a six-month free trial, while Magenta Max subscribers get the service for free. And all T-Mobile customers regardless of their plan can now get Paramount Plus for a year through the wireless carrier. Shop T-Mobile unlimited plans (opens in new tab)
Verizon: So many streaming services on so many plans
Verizon offers the most streaming services for customers with its unlimited data plans. But Verizon also offers the most convoluted collection of plans and streaming perks. Which services you get and for how long depends on which of Verizon’s four different unlimited options you’ve signed up for. Let’s start out with the streaming services that Verizon includes. The big one is the Disney Plus bundle, which actually includes three different services. In addition to Disney Plus, Verizon includes ESPN Plus and the ad-supported tier of Hulu (the one without live TV). All Verizon unlimited plans include some form of the Apple Music streaming service. In addition, you’ll get a choice of game streaming services — either Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass — presumably depending on your choice of phone with the carrier. Customers who like a lot of streaming options should go or Verizon’s Play More plan ($80/month for one line, with discounts available as you add more lines). Play More includes the Disney Plus bundle, plus a year of either Apple Arcade or Google Play Pass. You get 6 months of Apple Music. Verizon’s Do More plan costs the same $80 as Play More, but puts the emphasis on cloud storage perks. Here, you just get 6 months of Disney Plus, Apple Music and the gaming service subscription. Verizon’s ultimate plan, Get More, features the entire Disney bundle plus an Apple Music subscription for as long as you keep your Verizon account. You get year trials to a gaming service, along with the cloud storage from Get More. Those are big perks, and Get More has a big price tag to match — $90/month for one line. Verizon’s cheapest unlimited data plan offers a minimal assortment of streaming perks — just 6 months of Disney Plus, Apple Music and the gaming service of your choice. Start Unlimited costs $70/month for one line. Shop Verizon unlimited data plans (opens in new tab)
Streaming services and unlimited data plans — Which offer is best?
Who has the best streaming service perks depends on what you’re looking for from your unlimited data plan. Verizon clearly offers the widest variety of services, while T-Mobile packs in three different services — Apple Plus, Paramount Plus and Netflix — for a lower monthly rate. Cricket offers just one service, but Game of Thrones and Friends fans won’t much care, since HBO Max’s catalog is so vast. As you might imagine, discount services like Cricket and Metro have skimpier offerings. But consider that perks of any sort are few and far between on even the best prepaid phone plans, the services they do offer will be welcome to subscribers willing to pay up for unlimited data at those two carriers.
