Xfinity Mobile introduces new 5G-ready data plans

[Polycount]

In a nutshell: Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the rollout of 5G wireless technology continues, slowly but surely. 5G coverage is still limited overall, but it's now widespread enough for several mobile providers to begin offering 5G data plans to their customers. Comcast's Xfinity Mobile division is the latest to do so: the company today unveiled a fresh set of 5G-ready mobile plans, including pay-per-gig and unlimited options.

Moving forward, both new and existing Xfinity Mobile customers will be able to choose between one of three "By the Gig" data plans, and a single Unlimited plan. The former three plans include a 1GB offering for $15/mo, a 3GB choice for $30/mo, and a higher-tier 10GB plan for $60/mo.

The Unlimited plan will run you $45/mo, but as with most plans of this nature, it comes with a few drawbacks. If you use more than 20GB of data in a month (on any plan), your speeds will be reduced to a maximum of 1.5Mbps for downloads and 750kbps for uploads.

You can bypass this throttling (somewhat, anyway) by purchasing an optional "HD Pass," which includes "higher quality" service during times of network congestion. The HD Pass also upgrades your video quality from 480p to 720p on smartphones and 1080p on tablets. The Pass will cost you an extra $20/mo, which effectively boosts your monthly per-line price to $65 on the Unlimited plan.

All of these plans include both 4G LTE and 5G access, though the latter is only available in select areas and on select devices for the time being. If you'd like to check if 5G is available in your area, just type your zip code into Xfinity's Coverage Checker.

If you want to sign up anyway, you can check out the latest Xfinity Mobile plans right here. However, be aware that you'll be charged an extra $20/mo (per line) if you aren't already an Xfinity TV, Internet, or Voice customer.

Masthead credit: BGR

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/85275-xfinity-mobile-introduces-new-5g-ready-data-plans.html

 

[p51d007]

I remember when 4G came along, and everyone just had to dump their phones for new ones, friends asked me why I didn't get a new 4G phone. I said by the time it comes here, it will be another year. It was 13 months. By then pretty much every phone had 4G so you really didn't have to pay the premium, so to speak, for something you couldn't use anyway. Same with 5G, not to mention what the heck are people using, that would warrant this kind of speed/bandwith? 4G LTE is fast enough, for the bulk of people, but it's like faster processors, brighter displays and more cameras...More has to be better.

 

[Uncle Al]

The only way this plan is going to get any traction is with those that don't pay attention to the rates quantities. More and more I'm seeing 5G as simply not living up to all the hype. Add in the associated risk factors for long term usage and I'm seriously wondering if the 5G plans are going to make any money, especially when user volume begin to decline ....

 

[mctommy]

Xfinity (Comcast) is a glorified MNVO of Verizon Network. At the end of the day, xfinity wireless customers data consumption = Comcast paying Verizon for the services... unless they are on comcast hotspot.

 

[toooooot]

Whats the point of faster internet when the amount of data is so small and the prices so high in their plans? "Hey, look how quickly I can burn through those 3GB on 5g!"

 

[Evernessince]

They needed to be doing research on the health impact of 5G before they started rolling out.

https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/we-have-no-reason-to-believe-5g-is-safe/

The fact that neither the FCC nor these companies are doing anything to even look into the potentials risks, which have been demonstrated, is very worrisome.

Lead and Asbestos did not work out well for Americans in the past. Heck, people used to think radiation was actually good for you. Given that 5G is looking to replace our current infrastructure, it's a potential risk to all Americans. The scale of exposure is greater than any of the items listed above.

 

[joseph mcfadden]

I remember when 4G came along, and everyone just had to dump their phones for new ones, friends asked me why I didn't get a new 4G phone. I said by the time it comes here, it will be another year. It was 13 months. By then pretty much every phone had 4G so you really didn't have to pay the premium, so to speak, for something you couldn't use anyway. Same with 5G, not to mention what the heck are people using, that would warrant this kind of speed/bandwith? 4G LTE is fast enough, for the bulk of people, but it's like faster processors, brighter displays and more cameras...More has to be better.

I defnitely agree with most of your points here - I honestly believe there is NO reason AT ALL to need that much speed on a mobile phone.

the ONLY point I must make here is that for people who live in crowded areas like new york, chicago, san fancisco, miami, etc, etc. 5G greatly increases capacity per square mile. meaning you will have a better chance of getting a decent signal with a 5G tower, better call quality, and less likely your call is dropped or your signal lost.

many people do not know the capacity thing so no worries - but I DEFINITELY agree that the speed increase is not necessary .... at all

 

[mctommy]

The major push for 5G isn't just the higher speeds, it's about IOT and higher density capacity and better latency (use wireless hotspot for gaming?).

It'll likely help networks congestion as well.

 

[p51d007]

I defnitely agree with most of your points here - I honestly believe there is NO reason AT ALL to need that much speed on a mobile phone.

the ONLY point I must make here is that for people who live in crowded areas like new york, chicago, san fancisco, miami, etc, etc. 5G greatly increases capacity per square mile. meaning you will have a better chance of getting a decent signal with a 5G tower, better call quality, and less likely your call is dropped or your signal lost.

many people do not know the capacity thing so no worries - but I DEFINITELY agree that the speed increase is not necessary .... at all

Well, I live out here in flyover country, 200k population, pretty spread out.
I do see your point on the penetration of the signal in densely populated
cities with huge buildings. Good point! Didn't think about that one.