AT&T's secret prepaid plan is actually... good? [telecom]

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For $25 per month, you can get an 8GB plan with mobile hotspot and rollover data. The catch: You have to prepay for a full year.

By Rick Broida

For the last couple of years, Mint Mobile has courted new customers by offering extremely low rates -- but with the stipulation that you have to buy service in bulk, prepaying for anywhere from 3 to 12 months. For example, a $240 payment will buy you 12 months of the carrier's

Now, if you're willing to pay just a bit more, you can get a similar deal from AT&T: The online-only AT&T Prepaid 8GB Promo Plan costs $300 and buys you 12 months of service. (Taxes and fees are extra.) That's literally half the price of the same plan charged monthly.