⚠️ 6 Cell Phone Plan Gotchas to Watch For
- Data Throttling/Deprioritization: HIGH "Unlimited" plans throttle speeds after 22-50GB to near-unusable speeds during congestion. Your "unlimited" data may become 2G speeds
- Device Payment Agreements: HIGH "Free" phones require 24-36 month payment agreements. Leave early and you owe the remaining balance immediately—often $500-1,000+
- Early Termination Fees: MEDIUM Even "no contract" plans have ETFs through device agreements. Promotional credits disappear if you cancel, effectively locking you in
- Administrative/Regulatory Fees: MEDIUM $3-10+ in monthly fees not included in advertised prices. These can add $50-100+ per year to your actual cost
- Autopay/Paperless Discounts: MEDIUM Advertised prices often require autopay and paperless billing. Skip either and your bill increases $5-10/month
- Line Access Fees: MEDIUM Per-line fees of $20-40/month may not be included in advertised plan prices. A "family plan" can cost much more than expected
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