Takeaways
- Each of the three main operators offers senior-focused mobile plans at a discount to their regular plans
- T-Mobile is the only operator to offer more than one plan, and to offer them nationwide
- Non-smartphone users must resort to MVNOs like Lively, the maker of senior-focused Jitterbug phones
What Operators Offer
The landscape for senior-focused mobile plans among the Big 3 US mobile network operators is broadly unchanged since the previous version of this report. T-Mobile remains the only MNO that offers a range of plans in more than one state, and while its prices have increased, it has expanded its offering to include more data roaming and Wi-Fi hotspot data, as well as more streaming deals.
The one notable change is AT&T’s elimination of its non-smartphone Senior Nation plan. As we noted in the previous report, part of the reason why smartphone penetration among older consumers is growing is simply that there aren’t many options left that cater to feature-phone users. Apart from Lively, which makes Jitterbug phones aimed specifically at older users, all of the MNOs and major mobile virtual network operators offer smartphone-focused plans.
Lively’s plans offer a variety of senior-focused features, such as 24/7 calling to a team of representatives or, at the highest-priced tier, on-call medical and prescription support. A notable feature offered at the most basic tier is Lively Rides, in which the Lively care team schedules rides on Lyft on the user’s behalf, without needing to use Lyft’s app.
AT&T
| AT&T Unlimited 55+ |
| Unlimited data, voice, text Free texting abroad Throttled during congestion $60/month Florida residents only, must buy in-store |
AT&T has stopped offering its non-smartphone Senior Nation plan. Priced at $29.99, it offered 200 voice minutes but no texting or data and was aimed at users of feature phones. Instead, AT&T’s only current offering for older consumers is AT&T Unlimited 55+. This plan, which is only available to consumers in Florida, is mostly unchanged from the 2021 version of this report, costing $60 per month for unlimited voice, texting and data, but it now includes unlimited data, voice and text in Canada and Mexico, as well as free texting abroad.
T-Mobile
| Essentials Choice 55 | Go5G Plus 55 | Go5G Next 55 | |
| Price | $45 | $75 | $85 |
| Voice | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Texts | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Data (GB) | 50 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
As in the 2021 version of this report, T-Mobile is the only operator that offers more than one plan for older consumers, and offers them in more than one state. Its prices have increased notably since 2021, with the entry-level plan also explicitly throttling data speeds after a set amount of usage. Although the prices of the higher-tier plans have increased by even more than the base plan, their data limits are higher, with the proviso that users may be throttled at 100GB during times of high network congestion. Both higher-priced tiers also offer larger roaming and Wi-Fi hotspot allowances, more data while roaming, and include streaming services. The middle tier, Go5G Plus 55, now offers Apple TV+, whereas the highest tier, which previously only offered Netflix, now includes Netflix, Apple TV+ and Hulu.
Verizon
| 55+ Unlimited |
| Unlimited data, voice, text Throttled during congestion $62/month Florida residents only, must buy in-store |
Like AT&T, Verizon offers only one plan for older consumers, and this one is also only for Florida residents. Its 55+ Unlimited offers unlimited voice, texting and data for $62 per month for a single plan. Verizon’s plan now also includes coverage in Mexico and Canada.
FRD Innovation Research 