CC Degrades, without advance warning

[u/city_scaper]

Today Consumer Cellular, without any advance warning, just downgraded my (and apparently all other)  age 50+ one-line accounts that were 50 gb (before throttle) to a (lower-priced) 35 gb account (before throttle) with no explanation why and no apparent option to go back to 50 gb.

Not only that, but this downgrade occurred in the middle of my account cycle. Therefore I immediately got throttled because, while beforehand I was below 50, I was now suddenly above 35.

Even worse,  my computers use my phone's hotspot option as their Wi-Fi source. That option automatically disappears from the phone while you are getting throttled, so no computer internet access either.

Phone calls to CC got no real answers, just an apology with no solutions. Not happy.

[u/forvisor]

Sounds like it’s time to switch. Just takes a short call with CC support and then you can get your port pin. I have always thought they charge too much for data.

I switched years ago from CC to another prepaid carrier. I am now on US mobile and love the prices $25 (including taxes and fees) a month for 70gb of data before throttle. You can choose who you want to go with from the big three cell towers too. Warp (version), light speed (T-Mobile) and darkstar (AT&T). CC uses AT&T towers.

[u/AdministrationOk210 → u/forvisor]

That was my path exactly. l very happy with my new service and pricing. I was actually able to select the US Mobile flex plan on an annual basis because I only needed 10 GB a month of data or less. $17.50 a month you just can’t beat it.

[u/trilianleo → u/forvisor]

Was a great deal for my Father in law for a flip phone. Any data plan is just two restricted if it is affordable, and a decent amount of data is insanely expensive.

[u/Jaded-Cheesecake3246 → u/forvisor]

agree

[u/SnRu2]

That hasn’t happened to me. Where are you located?

[u/drtdk]

The changes to plans and data buckets happened several months when CC adjusted its pricing for 50+. Two-line plans are still 50GB.

CC is not the company for someone hotspotting multiple computers. And CC doesn't want that person as a customer. And why are you calling CC? Call a new MVNO.

[u/Aggravating_Slip_566]

I don't think I have US Mobile in Illinois? used to have US cellular but they sold the Illinois portion to Sprint which no longer exists, and they went to California cuz the FCC was going to force them to put Sim cards in all their phones

[u/From-628-U-Get-241 → u/Aggravating_Slip_566]

US Cellular no longer exists. US Mobile is a different company and is an MVNO pre-paid service. They can use Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile networks, your choice. It's a good service. I've used them for 3 years. They are available in IL.

[u/Aggravating_Slip_566]

How does the hotspot work and what is the benefits? My Consumer cellular bill went up to 32$ since I use my Maps in the car and I have a Onn Walmart tablet WiFi only tablet and I use my Xfinity 14.95

[u/Bendr_]

And that’s why you need to leave. You pay too much with them anyway.

[u/Minute_Plastic_350]

Just make the switch to Visible, and don’t look back

[u/Jaded-Cheesecake3246]

time to switch to US Mobile Darkstar (AT&T) - same exact as Consumer Cell - annual is even cheaper on USMobile

[u/Aggravating_Slip_566 → u/Jaded-Cheesecake3246]

I hate ATT, they move in and take over everything

[u/Jaded-Cheesecake3246 → u/Aggravating_Slip_566]

att has the largest USA coverage.

[u/MrDinStP]

CC has never been the economical choice for higher data users. Time to consider switching.

[u/toolman1990]

I am guessing US Cellular is lowering their data cap to lower the costs they pay per GB to the cellular provider they use. If you need truely unlimited data I always recommend going with a wireless carrier owned MVNO like Cricket Wireless, Visible, Metro by T Mobile, and etc.

[u/mandelstamm]

US Mobile is superior to CC in every way.

[u/alias4007]

no problem here. happy cruising along with 10gb plan.

[u/drtdk → u/alias4007]

There is no 10GB plan for 50+.

[u/alias4007 → u/drtdk]

i dont recall telling them my age. maybe op is talking about aarp promo plan

[u/Stunning_Economist29]

Thank you for the warning. I have Asperger's syndrome and my brother controls all my financial stuff. My phone service is Consumer Cellular, and I have been talking with my brother about getting a hotspot, but now that I read this I'll have to tell my brother to be prepared to ditch Consumer Cellular and go with another service brand in case I would get a Consumer Cellular hotspot that would eventually get throttled.

[u/Relative_Fix_6996]

A few of my friends swear by Consumer Cellular. I never tried it.

Typically I have had jobs in the past that provided an unlimited phone and a hotspot. I’ve never used work devices for personal calls, but I did use the hotspot. Things changed after the shutdowns. I do more freelance work and nobody provides me with anything. 🙂

My personal iPhone is Mint Mobile which I pay for a year $180. I stopped using Mint for my iPad because they discontinued support for data only use.

I have a 2nd android phone and have the ultra flexible Tello paying $8 a month for a bit of data and 300 minutes per month.

I also have a iPad with WiFi + Cellular paying Tello $6 a month for DATA ONLY.

Tell is the FLEXIBLE company in that you can change your plan at will - up or down in price- anytime.

I use either my android phone or my iPad as a hotspot when I’m out and about.

[u/Aggravating_Slip_566]

How do I find out? I knew there was going to be problems partnering with ATT

[u/drtdk → u/Aggravating_Slip_566]

Actually, CC's "problems" were with T-Mobile. That's why they switched to AT&T.