I would like to buy an unlocked iPhone 5 or iPhone 5s, and use it with the Aio Basic plan from Aio Wireless, an AT&T prepaid subsidiary launched in mid-2013.
On their web-site, Aio Basic @ 40 USD/mo is described as including 250MB of unlimited data at 4G and 4G LTE speed (with throttling after you reach the limit), but is annotated to be "Basic phones only"; whereas Aio Smart @ 55 USD/mo is described as having 2GB of unlimited data, but it said to be "Basic or Smartphones".
Provided I don't mind being throttled after 250MB/mo for getting the savings, will Aio Basic work for my basic iPhone 5 or 5s?
Best Answer
Yes, it would appear that this is allowed, but only as long as you go the Bring-Your-Own-Device route.
In the Bring Your Own Device option of ordering the 40$/mo Aio Basic plan, you can search for Apple iPhone 5 and, subsequently, select the Nano SIM Card option (the only option available), where they will also ask you for your IMEI number.
This also has been confirmed by a service representative through the online chat function: you cannot purchase an iPhone 5 together with the 40$/mo plan, but as long as you bring your own device, going with the 40$/mo plan is completely OK. They also claim that the throttling past the allotment would be down to 256kbps, although this is not written anywhere on the web-site itself so far.
At 40$/mo, this plan would be more expensive and with less data that T-Mobile USA's online prepaid special 30$/mo 100 minutes + unlimited data with 5GB @ 4G plan (available only online and through Walmart), but it's still a great deal for what it is.