AT&T’s Cheaper Mobile Plan Creates a New Deal for Seniors. (Yes, That’s Anyone 55 or Older)

Senior mobile customers have another quality choice for discount cellphone service, as AT&T’s new 55 Plus plan is now available to almost anyone in the US who’s older than 55. The new plan focuses on the essentials — unlimited voice calls, texting and data in the US, Canada and Mexico — while dropping more advanced features, but it’s also cheaper.

Carriers typically offer several plans to satisfy a range of customers, from the frugal to those that are willing to pay for every perk and bundled streaming service they can get. But plans targeting older Americans are often more bare-bones offerings, offered at lower prices to appeal to customers on fixed and limited incomes. AT&T’s new AT&T 55 Plus plan is the most affordable it’s offered in years.

In exchange, the AT&T 55 Plus plan is pretty basic. For $40 per month for a single line (or $35 per month per line with two lines), you’ll get unlimited voice calls, texting and data. Though AT&T’s senior plan page indicates it has «5G access included,» there’s no clarity on which circumstances will enable high-speed data downloads and uploads on the senior plan.

The plan also has 10GB of hotspot data per line per month, which is more generous than some other carrier offerings on our best senior plans list, along with a maximum 720p (SD) streaming speed for video. The plan also provides access to AT&T’s free ActiveArmor app that blocks spam calls.

Previously, AT&T offered a slightly discounted senior phone plan at $62 per month that was only available to customers living in Florida. Verizon retains a similar Florida-only senior plan. T-Mobile has several plans for seniors, from an older and basic Essentials Choice 55 plan starting at $45 per month up to Experience Beyond w/ 55 Plus starting at $85 per month and offering all the perks and extras of T-Mobile’s other plans, including a five-year plan price guarantee, streaming services and satellite service beyond T-Mobile’s network.

Here’s a breakdown of the best senior plans carriers offer 55-years-old and up customers:

It’s worth noting that every carrier plan’s listed lowest price requires customers to sign up for autopay — otherwise, the plans are more expensive every month. Customers must also prove their age by submitting an identification document to their carrier.

Later this summer, AT&T will also offer a bundle combining two lines of AT&T 55+ with the customer’s choice of either AT&T Fiber or AT&T Internet Air fixed wireless access internet, according to the carrier’s blog post.