Rate Plans

A rate plan determines how much it will cost for a device, also called a subscriber, to access wireless services such as data usage, text messaging (Short Message Service or SMS), and voice. Each device has a base rate plan. If necessary, an enterprise can change that rate plan or add supplemental plans on top of it.

Rate Plan Components

Every rate plan has the same basic components:

  • Subscription type (prepaid or monthly). Determines when services are billed.
  • Included usage type (individual or pooled). Specifies whether a device can pool its usage with other devices on the rate plan.
  • Services (data, SMS, voice, other). Controls whether the wireless services available to a device are rated and billed.
  • Subscription fee. Determines how much it costs for a device to access the various services during the term.
  • Usage allotment/overage charges. Specifies the amount of usage for each service type included at no additional cost in the subscription fee and the cost for any usage over and above the included usage.
  • Zones. Defines different usage allotments and overage charges for different geographic areas or content types.

Rate Plan Types

Rate Plans and Descriptions
Rate Plan Description

Monthly Individual

Each subscriber pays a monthly fee in exchange for a monthly quota of included usage.

Monthly Flexible Pool

Each subscriber pays a monthly fee in exchange for a monthly quota of included usage. This usage allotment is automatically added to a common pool that is shared by all the subscribers of the plan.

Monthly Fixed Pool

Each subscriber pays a monthly fee in exchange for use of a fixed pool of usage, shared by all subscribers. The rate plan determines the size of the pool during a single month.

Prepaid Individual
(Per Term)

For a single, prepaid subscription fee, the subscriber receives a predefined usage allotment for use at any time during the customized term.

Prepaid Flexible Pool

For a single, prepaid subscription fee, each subscriber receives a predefined usage allotment for use during the customized term. On a monthly basis, each subscriber contributes a prorated amount of usage to a pool shared by all the subscribers.

Prepaid Fixed Pool

For a single, prepaid fee, each subscriber may partake in a fixed pool of usage, shared by all subscribers, during the customized term. The rate plan determines the size of the pool during the term.

Add-On (Prepaid)

For a single, prepaid fee, you can increase the amount of included data available to the devices in an existing pooled plan (flexible or fixed) during the current billing cycle only.

Event (Prepaid)

For a single, prepaid subscription fee, you can increase the amount of included usage (data, SMS, voice, other) for a particular device during the term of the plan.

Stacked Event
(Prepaid)

For a single, prepaid subscription fee, you can increase the amount of included usage (data, SMS, voice, other) for a particular device during the term of the plan. The usage is prorated monthly over the length of the term.