What does shareable data mean?

[eepruls]

Hi,

My dad currently has an older flip phone with Telus but we're thinking of upgrading him and my mom to their own smartphone. I'm not sure I understand what shareable data/plans mean or if it would be applicable or desirable for them. What would be the cost for the two of them on separate plans versus a shareable plan? I don't really see that info on the website and would appreciate some help. Thanks!

[NFtoBC]

Have a look here. 

Basicly to buy two phones without sharing data would be $80 each for 500MB of data each and unlimited minutes, etc (cheaper plans available) Total $160

Two phones sharing 500 mb would be $80 for the first one and $60 for a second phone (again cheaper selections available) total $140

Two phones sharing 1 GB would be $85 for the first one and $60 for a second phone (again cheaper selections available) total $145. This comes advantage if the two use data disproprtionatly, say one using 550 mb and the other 450mb; each would not need to buy an $85 plan to avoid overages. Total $170

You could add them to your plan (IF you have an excess of data) for $60 each. Total $120.

Does this clarify things?

Also, if you are recommending phones to your folks I suggest they have the same model of phone so they can easily share user knowledge, and if you will be the Tech Support, it be a phone you are familiar with as well. It is much easier to step through a troubleshooting process  when you both see the same thing on your phones.

[eepruls]

I see what you're saying. Thank you for responding. I think something like that would be right for my parents. I have a Galaxy 5 and was indeed thinking that a Galaxy 4 would be a good idea (all Samsung/Android). They're newbies and don't really need a separate plan each so a shared plan would work fine.

We're in Manitoba so our prices seem to be much lower than the rest of Canada. The 1GB plan is $55 and the 5GB plan is $65. The Galaxy 4 is $50 (on a two year plan). So if my dad (primary plan) got the 5GB plan, any idea what it would be for my mom? $40? $50?

Really appreciate your help!

[tsizzle]

Because of how cheap the plans are in Manitoba the sharing plans are a bit different, rather than every additional user only getting access to a data bucket, in Manitoba everyone has their own. 

Basically you'll all use only your own data buckets to start with but if one of you goes over, it will start to eat into everyone else's. Your parents will almost certainly use less than their allotment of data so really this is just giving you a buffer every month to avoid overage.

[NFtoBC]

Just a reminder, 1 GB of data is a lot. 5 GB is immense, unless your parents are going to be streaming video, tethering etc. Comming from a flip phone, it is unlikely they will use all of tht tools available on a Smartphone, so 10 GB of data between them is likely unnecessary.