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story category Verizon's New, Ridiculous Wireless Data Prices
If they can't control apps and hardware, they'll just squeeze the pipe...
09:02AM Tuesday Sep 01 2009 by Karl Bode
tags: prices · business · wireless · bandwidth · Op/Ed · consumers
The Boy Genius Report has snagged an interesting internal memo from within the halls of Verizon Wireless that hints at some significant wireless broadband pricing changes that will be dropping in September. According to the memo, Verizon's introducing some new, restrictive pricing options for those users who buy phones that are slightly less robust than traditional smartphones (aka "Enhanced Multimedia Phones"). According to the BGR, those pricing options are downright ugly, with incredibly low caps and very high overages:
Click for full size
Customers who snatch up an Enhanced Multimedia Phone will be required to chose a data plan of $9.99 for 25MB or $19.99 for 75MB. Other changes currently brewing at Verizon include the death of the $15 VCAST Vpak (current subscribers grandfathered) and introduction of a $10 “VCAST Video On Demand” plan. For those unfamiliar with the option, the Vpak provided unlimited data for feature phones whereas the new $10 VCAST plan will only provide unlimited videos, thus requiring either the $9.99 or $19.99 data option for users wanting Web, email, etc (or pay $1.99/MB without a data plan).
$9.99 for 25MB or $19.99 for 75MB sounds like rather painful non-bargains, aimed at lighter data users who don't want to pay the fairly standard $60 monthly for 5GB worth of usage. In addition to those high prices, customers on the 25MB plan will pay an additional fifty cents per megabyte used, while customers on the 75MB plan will pay an additional thirty cents per megabyte used. Does that sound like a good deal to anyone?

Welcome to Verizon's open platform future, where you're going to have slightly more device and application freedom, but you're going to pay an arm and a leg for it. Back in 2007 we noted that Verizon's "openness pledge" wasn't about good will, it was about ramping up per-byte billing in the face of inevitable network evolution. If Verizon can't retain control of applications and devices, they're going to maintain control by squeezing the pipe.

Related:
  1. If You Read Your Contract You Wouldn't Have A $5,000 3G Bill
  2. Journal: AT&T Should Ditch $30 Unlimited Data
  3. Mythbusters' Savage The Latest Socked With Huge 3G Bill
  4. Verizon's New Wireless Pricing Is An Insult
  5. Cricket Unveils New Voice, Data Plans
  6. Per-Byte Broadband Billing Is Neither Necessary Nor Inevitable
  7. Mandatory Smartphone Data Plans Seem Hypocritical
  8. Verizon Again Hints At Metered Billing
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SLD
Premium
join:2002-04-17

Pricing is way too high

I pay $0.10 minute for prepaid. About $100/yr. The average user pays $3/minute.

»articles.latimes.com/2009/mar/08···lazarus8

Matt
Take me down to the paradise city
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
·North State Commun..

Re: Pricing is way too high

said by SLD See Profile :

I pay $0.10 minute for prepaid. About $100/yr. The average user pays $3/minute.

»articles.latimes.com/2009/mar/08···lazarus8
The article says only 10% of their focus group paid over $1/minute and the majority of users in their focus group paid over $0.50 a minute. I'm not surprised that people pay for more minutes than they use as that is how the whole industry is set up. Make you buy a bunch of minutes you don't need or hammer you with outrageous overages. I had a 100 minute overage with Verizon one month that cost me more than my actual plan.

We should pay $0.05 per minute for our 2100 minute plan, but we wind up paying about $0.07 because we use an average of 1700 minutes per month.

aztecnology
O Rly?
Premium
join:2003-02-12
Murrieta, CA
I wonder what kind of creative plan they will think up for the iPhone, lolz...
--
.:|:. Go Wheatley or Go Home!
patcat88

join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY

Re: Pricing is way too high

said by aztecnology See Profile :

I wonder what kind of creative plan they will think up for the iPhone, lolz...
Pay Per Twit

SHABAZZ

join:2008-07-13
Seattle, WA
It’s about time for the government to step in and regulate this crap. The carriers are using public spectrum so they should be required to have fair pricing.

mcsid

@transdyn.com

Re: Pricing is way too high

Why do you want more Government in your life? Your power is in your dollar. Take it to another provider.

SHABAZZ

join:2008-07-13
Seattle, WA

Re: Pricing is way too high

There are two types of government intervention, bad and good. For example deregulation, tax cuts for the wealthy, wars for oil “BAD”. Then there are unemployment benefits, Tax brackets, and healthcare for all “GOOD”. And it’s a little difficult to take your money else ware when price fixing goes on. Where do you think the 5 GB a month came from? There is a thin line between a deregulated “free Market” and a price gouging, controlling cartel of enterprises.
lesopp

join:2001-06-27
Land O Lakes, FL

Re: Pricing is way too high

Dude! Orwellian socialist regulation isn't the answer! The problem is there has been too much consolidation and these companies need to be split up pursuant to existing anti trust laws.

Does your "good" government regulation include the name changing to "Union of American Socialist Republics (UASR)" or "Democratic Peoples Republic of America (DPRA)", or "United Socialists of America (USA)"

Sort of reminds me of something I heard at the pet store, "Baraaack deregulation, tax cuts for the wealthy, Baraaack, wars for oil Baraaack".

Matt
Take me down to the paradise city
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
·North State Commun..


1 edit

Re: Pricing is way too high

said by lesopp See Profile :

Dude! Orwellian socialist regulation isn't the answer! The problem is there has been too much consolidation and these companies need to be split up pursuant to existing anti trust laws.

Does your "good" government regulation include the name changing to "Union of American Socialist Republics (UASR)" or "Democratic Peoples Republic of America (DPRA)", or "United Socialists of America (USA)"

Sort of reminds me of something I heard at the pet store, "Baraaack deregulation, tax cuts for the wealthy, Baraaack, wars for oil Baraaack".
Please go read 1984 and stop mis-using the word Orwellian. While you're at it, it will probably help to get at least a rudimentary definition of socialism under your belt. The wiki should suffice: »en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialism

roc5955
Premium
join:2005-11-26
Rosendale, NY
·RoadRunner Cable

said by lesopp See Profile :

Dude! Orwellian socialist regulation isn't the answer! The problem is there has been too much consolidation and these companies need to be split up pursuant to existing anti trust laws.
You know, things were much more reasonable when the government had tighter controls on this, and other industries. There wasn't as much greed around. Now they can charge whatever they want, and many uninformed customers will not change. Companies can collude with one another, and hike up rates all around the industry. Customers lose either way.

PS -- If you don't like socialism, don't use the library, public roads, police, fire protection, or other social programs that benefit WE THE PEOPLE.
--
"Understanding is a three-edged sword."
k1ll3rdr4g0n

join:2005-03-19
Homer Glen, IL

said by mcsid :

Why do you want more Government in your life? Your power is in your dollar. Take it to another provider.
What reality do you live in? Providers set "industry standard pricing", doesn't matter who you move to - it's all the same price! Look at tethering, most if not all carriers charge $60/month for 5GB of tethering data.

Which if you use Windows Mobile, Palm Pre, or god forbid if you have a jailbroken iPhone, then you don't even need that plan - but thats for another thread.
astiyosti

join:2005-11-10
Asheville, NC
yes i told the verizion wireless to kiss my but lol i paid the etf and went with us celluar and got a lot more for my money

NOCMan
Verizon Fios User
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Flower Mound, TX

Public spectrum they paid billions to license. That's 5 billion divided up for about 85 million customers comes out to about 60 dollars per customer. That does not include the cost of new cell tower equipment for LTE, new backhaul 100meg or 1gig links per tower, new facilities to interconnect this stuff, I could go on.

The cheapest part may have been the spectrum.
--
Play a Death Knight?
www.theebonhold.com

elbm

join:2000-08-03
Reisterstown, MD
·Verizon FIOS

Re: Pricing is way too high

Not to mention the equipment and upgrades at the pop/switch sites. We just did a job adding fiber capacity and diversity to one site that cost VZW $130,000 and we are getting ready to go back that site in put in a Fujitsu Flashwave 9500 OC192 for lte transport. Up front will be around 100k and the re-occurring monthly charges will easily exceed 50k. We are putting fiber and muxes at every tower at a cost of thousands per month. All this is just for local transport of LTE, for one switch-- there are three of these switches in Baltimore County MD alone. People do not understand how much it cost, particularly up front, to move data around. VZW, before capital expenditures made about 15.00 per subscriber per month-- it's not a ton of money consider the billions still being spent on infrastructure. I got a wife and two teenage daughters-- even if VZW gave me back the 15 per month I would hardly notice.

Disclaimer I work for Verizon Core/wire line

VZ

@cox.net

Re: Pricing is way too high

I also work with transmission systems for Verizon, and I get a better wireless deal with another carrier than I do with our discount. Telco equipment and facilities assets are depreciated very slowly; it's not expected to be paid for year-one after install. Verizon Wireless is going to find themselves pushing users to other companies if they can't compete reasonably. Data plans in particular are much higher with Verizon than they are with other companies. VZW does seem to be hedging for a lot higher data usage in the future, though. As I'm sure you know, most of their circuits are pretty high bandwidth and sometimes on dedicated rings, so the quality of the network is definitely not in question. The 9500 is a R/OADM btw, not just OC192 capacity...more like 8 degrees, each with 44 bi-directional wavelengths of capacity, so up to 352 OC192s.

jhacker

join:2001-12-11
Peoria, IL
·Comcast
·Vonage
·Comcast Digital Vo..

Another reason to drop Verizon

I'm really getting tired of seeing Verizon finding creative ways to increase my monthly bill. I'm fighting to keep it down. My kids are expecting a new phone in February when they qualify for 'New Every Two' pricing. Well, they may get new phones, but they won't be from Verizon. We may just be jumping to Sprint or US Cellular. I know Sprint has worse coverage, but we only go out of town a couple times a year.
glinc

join:2009-04-07
New York, NY
·Verizon FIOS

Re: Another reason to drop Verizon

Just make sure they dont get the new Enhanced Multimedia Phones. Right now the only phone that will be coming out and will require this data features is the Samsung Rogue. The only phone in their current line up that is considered a Enhanced Multimedia Phone is the EnV Touch but this phone won't require this data add-ons. Only all the EMP coming out in september and after.

NOVA_Guy
Obama- Commander in Thief
Premium
join:2002-03-05
·VOIPo

Re: Another reason to drop Verizon

It may just be me, but this seems like a nasty ploy from wireless carriers in general, which started with AT&T and the iPhone.

It's not enough that the carriers sell you a phone that ties you to 2 years of service with them. It's not enough that they hammer you with sometimes outrageous costs for minutes, messaging, and more. It's not enough that they can smack you with bogus (in some cases) charges and early termination fees.

Now they want to add one more item to your bill... Want a cool phone that can do anything besides make a call? Great... then you're going to have to pay for a data plan that you don't really care about and won't really use for the "privilege" of using a nice phone. This is apparently the next evolution in wireless: the "cool phone" tax.

What ever happened to the DOJ seeking out companies who illegally bundle goods and services together? This seems like a prime example if I ever saw one: forcing consumers to buy something that they don't want and won't use just so they can use the handset of their choice.

I've been hoping that AT&T would get smacked for their practice of doing this with the iPhone for a while now. Apparently now Verizon, seeing how AT&T is probably making decent money with this sleazy tactic, has decided to join the game.

This is like a car dealer telling you that they will only sell you a particular model vehicle if you pay for two tanks of fuel from their overpriced gas station each week-- regardless of whether or not you need it or use it. I'm normally not a fan of government regulation and interference in markets, but I'm starting to think that some wireless companies need to have a little beat down.
--
Trusting the Democrats to fix our economy and give us health care is like trusting the fox with keys to the henhouse, a brand new gas stove, and a pantry full of goodies for side dishes. In the end, all will be dead and nothing but lies will be told.

tiger72
SexaT duorP
Premium
join:2001-03-28
Saint Louis, MO
clubs:
·T-Mobile US
·RoadRunner Cable

Re: Another reason to drop Verizon

said by NOVA_Guy See Profile :

It may just be me, but this seems like a nasty ploy from wireless carriers in general, which started with AT&T and the iPhone.

It's not enough that the carriers sell you a phone that ties you to 2 years of service with them. It's not enough that they hammer you with sometimes outrageous costs for minutes, messaging, and more. It's not enough that they can smack you with bogus (in some cases) charges and early termination fees.

Now they want to add one more item to your bill... Want a cool phone that can do anything besides make a call? Great... then you're going to have to pay for a data plan that you don't really care about and won't really use for the "privilege" of using a nice phone. This is apparently the next evolution in wireless: the "cool phone" tax.

What ever happened to the DOJ seeking out companies who illegally bundle goods and services together? This seems like a prime example if I ever saw one: forcing consumers to buy something that they don't want and won't use just so they can use the handset of their choice.

I've been hoping that AT&T would get smacked for their practice of doing this with the iPhone for a while now. Apparently now Verizon, seeing how AT&T is probably making decent money with this sleazy tactic, has decided to join the game.

This is like a car dealer telling you that they will only sell you a particular model vehicle if you pay for two tanks of fuel from their overpriced gas station each week-- regardless of whether or not you need it or use it. I'm normally not a fan of government regulation and interference in markets, but I'm starting to think that some wireless companies need to have a little beat down.
It's called subsidies. You ALWAYS have the option to pay full price for the phone, and forgo any contract extensions and data requirements.
--
"What makes us omniscient? Have we a record of omniscience? ...If we can't persuade nations with comparable values of the merit of our cause, we'd better reexamine our reasoning."
-United States Secretary of Defense (1961-1968) Robert S. McNamara
djhexer

join:2002-10-07
Sparks, NV

Re: Another reason to drop Verizon

said by tiger72 See Profile :

said by NOVA_Guy See Profile :

It may just be me, but this seems like a nasty ploy from wireless carriers in general, which started with AT&T and the iPhone.

It's not enough that the carriers sell you a phone that ties you to 2 years of service with them. It's not enough that they hammer you with sometimes outrageous costs for minutes, messaging, and more. It's not enough that they can smack you with bogus (in some cases) charges and early termination fees.

Now they want to add one more item to your bill... Want a cool phone that can do anything besides make a call? Great... then you're going to have to pay for a data plan that you don't really care about and won't really use for the "privilege" of using a nice phone. This is apparently the next evolution in wireless: the "cool phone" tax.

What ever happened to the DOJ seeking out companies who illegally bundle goods and services together? This seems like a prime example if I ever saw one: forcing consumers to buy something that they don't want and won't use just so they can use the handset of their choice.

I've been hoping that AT&T would get smacked for their practice of doing this with the iPhone for a while now. Apparently now Verizon, seeing how AT&T is probably making decent money with this sleazy tactic, has decided to join the game.

This is like a car dealer telling you that they will only sell you a particular model vehicle if you pay for two tanks of fuel from their overpriced gas station each week-- regardless of whether or not you need it or use it. I'm normally not a fan of government regulation and interference in markets, but I'm starting to think that some wireless companies need to have a little beat down.
It's called subsidies. You ALWAYS have the option to pay full price for the phone, and forgo any contract extensions and data requirements.
Not true I had to fight with AT&T when I brought my own handset and they still wanted a 1 yr contract. I told them the reason for the contract was because I AM getting subsidized pricing and since I AM bringing my OWN equiptment I should have a 0 contract.

Same thing when I wanted to buy a netbook with a 3g card. I would pay 239.00 for it on a website and bring it to AT&T for service. they still said 1 yr I told them to shove it and I will go with Alltel and get a 1 yr contract and a FREE data card for the same monthly price.

tiger72
SexaT duorP
Premium
join:2001-03-28
Saint Louis, MO
clubs:
·T-Mobile US
·RoadRunner Cable

Re: Another reason to drop Verizon

said by djhexer See Profile :

said by tiger72 See Profile :

said by NOVA_Guy See Profile :

It may just be me, but this seems like a nasty ploy from wireless carriers in general, which started with AT&T and the iPhone.

It's not enough that the carriers sell you a phone that ties you to 2 years of service with them. It's not enough that they hammer you with sometimes outrageous costs for minutes, messaging, and more. It's not enough that they can smack you with bogus (in some cases) charges and early termination fees.

Now they want to add one more item to your bill... Want a cool phone that can do anything besides make a call? Great... then you're going to have to pay for a data plan that you don't really care about and won't really use for the "privilege" of using a nice phone. This is apparently the next evolution in wireless: the "cool phone" tax.

What ever happened to the DOJ seeking out companies who illegally bundle goods and services together? This seems like a prime example if I ever saw one: forcing consumers to buy something that they don't want and won't use just so they can use the handset of their choice.

I've been hoping that AT&T would get smacked for their practice of doing this with the iPhone for a while now. Apparently now Verizon, seeing how AT&T is probably making decent money with this sleazy tactic, has decided to join the game.

This is like a car dealer telling you that they will only sell you a particular model vehicle if you pay for two tanks of fuel from their overpriced gas station each week-- regardless of whether or not you need it or use it. I'm normally not a fan of government regulation and interference in markets, but I'm starting to think that some wireless companies need to have a little beat down.
It's called subsidies. You ALWAYS have the option to pay full price for the phone, and forgo any contract extensions and data requirements.
Not true I had to fight with AT&T when I brought my own handset and they still wanted a 1 yr contract. I told them the reason for the contract was because I AM getting subsidized pricing and since I AM bringing my OWN equiptment I should have a 0 contract.

Same thing when I wanted to buy a netbook with a 3g card. I would pay 239.00 for it on a website and bring it to AT&T for service. they still said 1 yr I told them to shove it and I will go with Alltel and get a 1 yr contract and a FREE data card for the same monthly price.
Not sure how they deal with netbooks (since there's no voice contract tied to them - just data), but are you saying that they wanted a 1 year data contract for your full-price phone? Or are you just referring to voice? Did you have prior service with them, or were you out of contract and up for renewal?

Maybe TMO is the exception in that they allow people to remain "out of contract" and grandfathered for as long as they want, and contract renewals are only required when you change plans or get a new phone.
--
"What makes us omniscient? Have we a record of omniscience? ...If we can't persuade nations with comparable values of the merit of our cause, we'd better reexamine our reasoning."
-United States Secretary of Defense (1961-1968) Robert S. McNamara
stufried
Premium
join:2003-10-13

Re: Another reason to drop Verizon

You can activate a data card on ATT on a month to month contract. You pay a $35 activation fee and the standard monthly rate. That's it.

RiseAbove
IreCruitU
Premium
join:2004-01-30

said by djhexer See Profile :

said by tiger72 See Profile :

said by NOVA_Guy See Profile :

It may just be me, but this seems like a nasty ploy from wireless carriers in general, which started with AT&T and the iPhone.

It's not enough that the carriers sell you a phone that ties you to 2 years of service with them. It's not enough that they hammer you with sometimes outrageous costs for minutes, messaging, and more. It's not enough that they can smack you with bogus (in some cases) charges and early termination fees.

Now they want to add one more item to your bill... Want a cool phone that can do anything besides make a call? Great... then you're going to have to pay for a data plan that you don't really care about and won't really use for the "privilege" of using a nice phone. This is apparently the next evolution in wireless: the "cool phone" tax.

What ever happened to the DOJ seeking out companies who illegally bundle goods and services together? This seems like a prime example if I ever saw one: forcing consumers to buy something that they don't want and won't use just so they can use the handset of their choice.

I've been hoping that AT&T would get smacked for their practice of doing this with the iPhone for a while now. Apparently now Verizon, seeing how AT&T is probably making decent money with this sleazy tactic, has decided to join the game.

This is like a car dealer telling you that they will only sell you a particular model vehicle if you pay for two tanks of fuel from their overpriced gas station each week-- regardless of whether or not you need it or use it. I'm normally not a fan of government regulation and interference in markets, but I'm starting to think that some wireless companies need to have a little beat down.
It's called subsidies. You ALWAYS have the option to pay full price for the phone, and forgo any contract extensions and data requirements.
Not true I had to fight with AT&T when I brought my own handset and they still wanted a 1 yr contract. I told them the reason for the contract was because I AM getting subsidized pricing and since I AM bringing my OWN equiptment I should have a 0 contract.

Same thing when I wanted to buy a netbook with a 3g card. I would pay 239.00 for it on a website and bring it to AT&T for service. they still said 1 yr I told them to shove it and I will go with Alltel and get a 1 yr contract and a FREE data card for the same monthly price.
This is so wrong I don't even know where to begin.

Trust me when i worked for ATT I was personally there when they introduced the month to month deal if you bought a phone/device for the full price or if you brought in your own phone. I worked in a University town where hundreds of kids from overseas would come in and setup shop on our network because they had unlocked phones.

Currently on ATT this still exists and you can get a MONTH to MONTH contract as long as you pay for it out right or bring in a phone. Not hard to do in fact when I left ATT I did exactly that.

I have seen you spread this same post a few times around and been wrong every time. Please stop it because you have been proven wrong each and every time.
--
Looking to get into Avaya telco if you might be in that field hit me up I have a lot of questions.
sonicmerlin

join:2009-05-24
Cleveland, OH

Tiger do you willfully ignore other people's posts or are you just new here?

Even if you pay full price for a phone you are forced into the "subsidized" monthly plans. I can't possibly emphasize enough how screwed up and malicious this is.

Many phones are also tied to a specific carrier, further limiting your choice.

tiger72
SexaT duorP
Premium
join:2001-03-28
Saint Louis, MO
clubs:
·T-Mobile US
·RoadRunner Cable

Re: Another reason to drop Verizon

said by sonicmerlin See Profile :

Tiger do you willfully ignore other people's posts or are you just new here?
1. My join date is under my username. Do you just willfully ignore that obvious information, or are you just new here?
2. What people's posts are you referring to? Because in this »Another reason to drop Verizon thread here, I don't see where anyone mentions the subsidies which make those dumbphones so cheap.
Even if you pay full price for a phone you are forced into the "subsidized" monthly plans. I can't possibly emphasize enough how screwed up and malicious this is.
This topic is about DATA, and last I checked, if you pay full price for a phone, they don't lock you in to a data contract. Not being a VZW customer, I may very well be wrong on this, but T-Mobile doesn't do this, and I don't think ATT does either.
Many phones are also tied to a specific carrier, further limiting your choice.
It seems you should be more angry at the CDMA system that VZW and Sprint use than the carriers themselves. On GSM systems, carrier-restrictions are easily removed, and all non-carrier-sold phones are allowed. They are essentially "open" networks.
--
"What makes us omniscient? Have we a record of omniscience? ...If we can't persuade nations with comparable values of the merit of our cause, we'd better reexamine our reasoning."
-United States Secretary of Defense (1961-1968) Robert S. McNamara
patcat88

join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY

Re: Another reason to drop Verizon

CDMA has SIM cards »en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RUIM , its just USA CDMA provider chose to not use them.

aaaese73nAKL

@cox.net
No, this is not true whatsoever. You can pay full price for a phone (e.g. Palm Pre) and NOT get service, once you try to activate it, they FORCE you to a contract, even if you just paid full price. Call them yourself if you don't believe me.
gbynum

join:2002-01-13
Greenville, SC

Re: Another reason to drop Verizon

I _BELIEVE_ you can swap it for a phone which is on Verizon ... on the web even ... IF IT WORKS ON THE SAME services current.

If you had a phone only and bought a new phone only ... swap ok. If you had a WinMo with whatever data, bought a new WinMo, swap ... no new contract ... if you had a V3 and bought a Q ... I _THINK_ you can put it on, but BEWARE the data charges.

Buy a new phone, however basic, new number, I believe they require at least a year and I THINK two year contract. Thus, for new service, there is little or no reason to not get it from them.

I'm an Alltel transfer, long (over 8 years) out of contract; my plan and features were grandfathered, but I could not touch it with a new plan. Thus I'll likely buy used if I have equipment troubles. I'm not certain they'll allow that in my case with a WinMo phone with data via Connect Pack.

south la

@cox.net
Just opened a new line with AT&T using an unlocked BB, no contract. Took 10 minutes.

NOVA_Guy
Obama- Commander in Thief
Premium
join:2002-03-05
·VOIPo

Is this with Verizon, or with any carrier? The reason I ask is because I have an old 2G iPhone that I'd like to give to my mother to use... but she will never care about using its data capabilities and it's pointless to have her pay the extra $20/month for them.
--
Trusting the Democrats to fix our economy and give us health care is like trusting the fox with keys to the henhouse, a brand new gas stove, and a pantry full of goodies for side dishes. In the end, all will be dead and nothing but lies will be told.

Eat Me

join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ
Cell phones and plans have gotten way cheaper over the years.

Where were you in 1991 when a cell phone cost $1000 and each call was $1.50/minute incoming and outgoing?
sonicmerlin

join:2009-05-24
Cleveland, OH

Re: Another reason to drop Verizon

said by Eat Me See Profile :

Cell phones and plans have gotten way cheaper over the years.

Where were you in 1991 when a cell phone cost $1000 and each call was $1.50/minute incoming and outgoing?
Are you kidding? You're comparing prices today to what they were 18 years ago?
djhexer

join:2002-10-07
Sparks, NV

Re: Another reason to drop Verizon

said by sonicmerlin See Profile :

said by Eat Me See Profile :

Cell phones and plans have gotten way cheaper over the years.

Where were you in 1991 when a cell phone cost $1000 and each call was $1.50/minute incoming and outgoing?
Are you kidding? You're comparing prices today to what they were 18 years ago?
What about 1997 when I paid 40.00 for 0 peak unlimited nights and weekend starting at 7 pm unlimited data tether. or even the latter when all call phones came with unlimited txt msg for FREE!!

Now for the good part.... they have made national plans instead of regional, now I could be in Tx AL or CA and it takes out of my pool. unlike in 97 when I only had CA,NV,OR on my HOME network then had to pay outragious roam fee's for out of network even if I was in my hometown

ReVeLaTeD
Premium
join:2001-11-10
San Diego, CA

said by sonicmerlin See Profile :

said by Eat Me See Profile :

Cell phones and plans have gotten way cheaper over the years.

Where were you in 1991 when a cell phone cost $1000 and each call was $1.50/minute incoming and outgoing?
Are you kidding? You're comparing prices today to what they were 18 years ago?
He's making a valid point about the fact that wireless phone costs are SIGNIFICANTLY lower than they used to be. His point is halfway negated by the fact that this article has to do with DATA, not voice. Data was never cheap, when it was first made available in fact it was quite expensive. And that's referring to the so-called "Wireless Web", which really wasn't true data compared to what we have today.

lordpuffer
I Was Very Drunk At The Time
Premium
join:2004-09-19
West Hollywood, CA
AGREED.....100%.....You hit it right on the head.

n2jtx

join:2001-01-13
Glen Head, NY
·Optimum Online

said by glinc See Profile :

Just make sure they dont get the new Enhanced Multimedia Phones. Right now the only phone that will be coming out and will require this data features is the Samsung Rogue. The only phone in their current line up that is considered a Enhanced Multimedia Phone is the EnV Touch but this phone won't require this data add-ons. Only all the EMP coming out in september and after.
Unfortunately, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile will eventually play "Me Too!" and implement the same or similar pricing strategies. My own carrier, T-Mobile, has been very big on the "Me Too" game over the last 2-3 years and I would not be surprised to see them jump ahead and do it before AT&T and/or Sprint.
--
I support the right to keep and arm bears.

NOVA_Guy
Obama- Commander in Thief
Premium
join:2002-03-05
·VOIPo

Re: Another reason to drop Verizon

AT&T is already doing it with iPhones-- for 2 years now. And I think they're starting this policy with all of their smartphones soon (from another thread the other week). IIRC, their company line was that it was for their users' convenience-- to prevent them from getting huge data bills and not knowing why. Total BS, if you ask me.
--
Trusting the Democrats to fix our economy and give us health care is like trusting the fox with keys to the henhouse, a brand new gas stove, and a pantry full of goodies for side dishes. In the end, all will be dead and nothing but lies will be told.
patcat88

join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY

Re: Another reason to drop Verizon

said by NOVA_Guy See Profile :

AT&T is already doing it with iPhones-- for 2 years now. And I think they're starting this policy with all of their smartphones soon (from another thread the other week). IIRC, their company line was that it was for their users' convenience-- to prevent them from getting huge data bills and not knowing why. Total BS, if you ask me.
They will once they hit overages lol
djhexer

join:2002-10-07
Sparks, NV

said by NOVA_Guy See Profile :

AT&T is already doing it with iPhones-- for 2 years now. And I think they're starting this policy with all of their smartphones soon (from another thread the other week). IIRC, their company line was that it was for their users' convenience-- to prevent them from getting huge data bills and not knowing why. Total BS, if you ask me.
Total BS I know other carriers that could disable the data on your phone. Heck even AT&T can do it... they told me themselves I have a samsung impression and they said if you do not have the data package then you will not be able to log on the internet.

aaronwt
Premium
join:2004-11-07
Woodbridge, VA

1 edit

Seems like very low data amounts.

At least I'm grandfathered in on the $15 VCAST Vpak with unlimted data.
Although I wonder how long it will be until they force us to the new low data options?

ptrowski
Got Helix?
Premium
join:2005-03-14
Putnam, CT
clubs:
·VOIPo
·Metrocast Communic..
·AT&T DSL Service
·ViaTalk

Re: Seems like very low data amounts.

said by aaronwt See Profile :

At least I'm grandfathered in on the $15 VCAST Vpak with unlimted data.
Although I wonder how long it will be until they force us to the new low data options?
I would imagine upon renewal if you want one of their "enhanced" phones.
--
"So, Lone Starr, now you see that evil will always triumph because good is dumb."

Have you been touched by his noodly appendage? »www.venganza.org

Matt
Take me down to the paradise city
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
·North State Commun..

Open Platform and Pricing

said by Karl :

Welcome to Verizon's open platform future, where you're going to have slightly more device and application freedom, but you're going to pay an arm and a leg for it.
Which is exactly what you predicted back when they announced this. Good call.

The Folsom
Kindly Shut Your Noise Hole.
Premium
join:2003-01-31
Yucaipa, CA
·Verizon FIOS

Re: Open Platform and Pricing

said by Matt See Profile :

Which is exactly what you predicted back when they announced this. Good call.
Funny how that works.
--
I started out with nothing. Today, I still have most of it.

KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK
·AT&T Yahoo
·AT&T DSL Service
·Cox HSI
·AT&T Southwest

said by Matt See Profile :

Which is exactly what you predicted back when they announced this. Good call.
Indeed. Unfortunately, with these Corporations it doesn't take a crystal ball.... just knowledge of their past history.

Pick the most ridiculous, anti-consumer, gouging and overcharging option and you'll have predicted their course of action 99% of the time. /sigh
--
"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." -- Benito Mussolini

BIG b
Premium
join:2002-11-23
Connersville, IN

Great

Wow ... looks like Verizon is getting greedy with data prices AGAIN!

(THIS IS A POSITIVE CHANGE) ??? HA That is a good one !
--
To be continued .....
NeoandGeo

join:2003-05-10
Harrison, TN

No thanks.

I'll just stick to my current smart phone and pay $30 a month with my tethering hack and keep unlimited data.
kalanic00

join:2006-07-16
Eagle River, AK

Re: No thanks.

there's a tethering hack?
NeoandGeo

join:2003-05-10
Harrison, TN

Re: No thanks.

Nope.
sonicmerlin

join:2009-05-24
Cleveland, OH

Re: No thanks.

LOL!!

Jerm

join:2000-04-10
Richland, WA

Re: No thanks.

Classic Sero FTW!

biota

join:2001-11-27
Ashtabula, OH

Fail

Maybe the Alltel acquisition is a little more more costly than anticipated?

KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK
·AT&T Yahoo
·AT&T DSL Service
·Cox HSI
·AT&T Southwest

Re: Fail

said by biota See Profile :

Maybe the Alltel acquisition is a little more more costly than anticipated?
More likely the economic conditions have tanked other investment options they have made and they want to make sure their stocks continue to remain high anyways. Can't have the CEO taking a cut in "pay" from his options!
--
"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." -- Benito Mussolini

NOVA_Guy
Obama- Commander in Thief
Premium
join:2002-03-05
·VOIPo

Re: Fail

said by KrK See Profile :

Can't have the CEO taking a cut in "pay" from his options!
Yes, that would be terrible. How would he pay for his house in the Hamptons, two yachts, ski lodge in Aspen, condo in Maui, and mansion in Bel Aire?
--
Trusting the Democrats to fix our economy and give us health care is like trusting the fox with keys to the henhouse, a brand new gas stove, and a pantry full of goodies for side dishes. In the end, all will be dead and nothing but lies will be told.

N3OGH
Bear patrol must be working like a charm
Premium
join:2003-11-11
Philly burbs
·Verizon FIOS
·Verizon Online DSL

Re: Fail

Ya know, that seems to be the trend in all of America anymore.

The bosses vote them selves uber raises every year, while those of us who toil in the salt mines at the end of the whip have to make due with no raises, then pay cuts, then layoffs.

It's not just in corporate America, either. It's prevalent in all layers of government as well. In my particular section of the "mine" we haven't seen a raise since 2005, and we gave back 3% this year.

And spare me that lucky to have a job shit. Lay me off all ready so I have the time to find a new job......
--
Petty people are disproportionably corrupted by petty power…
patcat88

join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY

Re: Fail

Welcome to neo-serfdom, perhaps a red and yellow flagged "Peoples Revolution" is what you seek?

N3OGH
Bear patrol must be working like a charm
Premium
join:2003-11-11
Philly burbs
·Verizon FIOS
·Verizon Online DSL

Re: Fail

said by patcat88 See Profile :

Welcome to neo-serfdom, perhaps a red and yellow flagged "Peoples Revolution" is what you seek?
Naa, just honest politicians.

Yeah, I know I know.......
--
Petty people are disproportionably corrupted by petty power…
tuminatr

join:2003-03-19
Saint Paul, MN

info

I would wait for the official announcement this info looks wrong

biota

join:2001-11-27
Ashtabula, OH

Re: info

it is correct. 100%

TKJunkMail
Enjoy the sun
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Avalon, NJ

Re: info

said by biota See Profile :

it is correct. 100%
Based on what info?
tuminatr

join:2003-03-19
Saint Paul, MN

Re: info

I talked to someone I know who works at verizon and they tell me this is wrong, guess we will all need to wait to see what is true

BF69

join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN

while the pricing is rediculous

how much data does one actually use on a cell phone? Sure 25 MB, 75 MB and hell the 5 GB cap if you're using a computer is way low. But a wap page can't be more than a few dozen KB at the most.

See 21 replies to this post
Steve B

join:2004-08-02
Seattle, WA

What a shame, tsk tsk VZW.

I wonder for people who choose the "connect" or "premium" plans...if those include the unlimited data or not or is it capped at the new highest MB denomination. If its the latter, than that is really screwing the average VZW customer.

On the broader note, I am sad to see this happening. Verizon is already known to have the highest rates and now they have made it quite worse....no matter how you slice it. A part of one thing they say is true....More Choice....however, the so called "choice" is not beneficial to the consumer at all. This "choice" is Verizon trying to nickel and dime the non-smartphone users. They most likely seen how much the enV line phones, Voyager, etc are selling and became more greedy. What a damn shame. What they don't realize is that the vast majority of people who bought a qwerty phone is because of that....a qwerty keyboard...for TEXTING. That is not data use. WTH? Again, what a f'n shame.
glinc

join:2009-04-07
New York, NY
·Verizon FIOS

Re: What a shame, tsk tsk VZW.

Connect & Premium plans will be the way to go for those people who need it and want to safe money.

The only "Enhanced Multimedia Phone" that is supposed to come out this next couple of months is the Samsung Rogue and it will require this plan.
ender7074

join:2006-11-21
Saint Louis, MO
·AT&T Southeast

I love my EnV Touch but I think this will probably be the last time I renew my Verizon contract. Im sick of getting gouged for every little thing along with having a phone thats so locked down that it can do nothing other than what Verizon wants it to do. We'll see what happens in the next year and a half or so but its looking like Verizon is going to lose 2 more people due to their stupid practices.
--
Does Microsoft mean small and squishy?
Mr Matt

join:2008-01-29
Eustis, FL

Verizon has you by the calls and bytes.

I hope the puppets at the FCC will carefully review Verizon's pricing practices. The buy out of Alltel gave Verizon a better opportunity to shake down more customers.

pende_tim
Premium
join:2004-01-04
Andover, NJ

Sprint Option?

This is making Sprint look even better. Even though they have a very bad reputation for service, at least yet they don't seem to be gouging.
--
The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.
Mr Matt

join:2008-01-29
Eustis, FL

Re: Sprint Option?

I would return to Sprint in a heartbeat but they can not provide a satisfactory signal in my home. Sprint wanted to build a tower nearby but was a victim of the City of Mount Dora's sever case of NIMBY and then the recession.

dcurrey
Premium
join:2004-06-29

Re: Sprint Option?

You could always add an airave. If you manage to get the customer retention department you might be a snag one for free with the $4.99 monthly fee waived also.
pandora
Premium
join:2001-06-01
Outland
·ooma
·Future Nine Corpor..
·Comcast

said by Mr Matt See Profile :

I would return to Sprint in a heartbeat but they can not provide a satisfactory signal in my home. Sprint wanted to build a tower nearby but was a victim of the City of Mount Dora's sever case of NIMBY and then the recession.
Sprint has a femtocell for $99 & $5 a month. In Howardforums people report getting the Airave for free or getting the monthly fee waived.
--
"People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use."

Jim_in_VA

join:2004-07-11
Cobbs Creek, VA
They "had" a bad rep for service. Not any more in my experience.
--
... need help? »evdo-tips.com/

Homer J
Mmmm, Free Goo

join:2000-10-05
Springfield

Re: Sprint Option?

I've been with Sprint for 9.5 years now and have been happy with the service. The customer service really sucked for a while, but it has improved. Have to admit though that I hardly ever call them so bad c/s does not affect me much. I used to have a Verizon phone for work and the coverages were comparable. There were areas where one or the other did not have a signal, but it was generally fairly rural areas. Looks like I will be staying with them for a while longer, the alternatives are scary.

Hall
Premium,MVM
join:2000-04-28
Dayton, OH
·EarthLink
·AT&T Midwest
·Earthlink Cable Mo..

What about existing data plans ?

Come on, VZW, offer tiered data plans for smartphones and/or BB devices. $30/mo for "unlimited" is a bit steep for me.... Offer a $15/mo plan with a usage cap. Gasp !! Yes, I said, with a cap. Offer a $10/mo plan with lower usage yet. Give some choices at least !

See 7 replies to this post

baineschile
2600
Premium
join:2008-05-10
Sterling Heights, MI

Meter

Will they be supplying a meter?

NY Tel
Premium
join:2004-04-09
Smithtown, NY
·VOIPo

Re: Meter


Pay Per Megabyte Meter
said by baineschile See Profile :

Will they be supplying a meter?
Yes, here is the meter they will be supplying

robbob340
K.U. Sweet 16
Premium
join:2001-02-15
Wichita, KS
Dial #DATA on your VZW phone.
glinc

join:2009-04-07
New York, NY
·Verizon FIOS


1 edit

Expected

As one of our regional manager told us last year, verizon was looking into making it a requirement to add V Cast Vpak for all V Cast phones.....but it was last year. I guess they tweaked a little bit what I was told and this is even worst. So they're forcing you to go with their Connect Plan.

I'll see how it goes...might take all my 5 lines to sprint everything data FS plan. I'm paying about $200 on cellphone bill and only thing I get from fios is 12 month HBO free lol.

PoCkEt
I Switched Back To Windows

join:2009-05-15
Saint Paul, MN
·Comcast

Virgin Mobile Is My Choice...

I'm pretty damn happy with that Virgin Mobile "Broadband2go" USB 3G broadband Card. It's prepaid, so you can use it when you want to, and not have to commit to expensive monthly bills. I paid $19.99 and got 250mb. I think BBR has to put it into it's ISP list, so people can start reviewing it and discussing concerns they have with it. Service & speed is wonderful, I'd highly recommend it over verizon's mobile broadband.

burgerwars

join:2004-09-11
Northridge, CA
·voip.ms
·RoadRunner Cable

A rip-off.

I assume "Enhanced Multimedia Phones" is the same thing as a feature phone. The data plan prices are ridiculous. You can use up your limit on a few YouTube videos.

I'm grandfathered into my $15 month unlimited data plan on AT&T. After seeing where Verizon is heading, I would be insane if I decided to switch providers.
hoyleysox

join:2003-11-07
Long Beach, CA
·Cox HSI
·Time Warner Cable

just signed up

The $15/unlimited unlimited vcast is not available for all phones. Unlimited for blackberries is mandatory and costs about $30/month.

I was just speaking with a rep and he stated that one can transfer service to a new phone with the*228 key, not sure if it will recognize that service is being transferred to a blackberry and deny the transfer... Anybody tried this?

I am also curious if the new every two plan changed as rumored a few months ago.

Hpower
Roflmao

join:2000-06-08
Glendale, CA
·Charter Pipeline


1 edit

$1.99 PER MB?

Wow that some insane price. $2 PER MEGABYTE is nuts! What are they thinking?

$9.99 for 25MB or $19.99 for 75MB = fail. You download 25MB by just going to CNN.com haha.
--
The Internet is about to go down....it is actually.

NOVA_Guy
Obama- Commander in Thief
Premium
join:2002-03-05
·VOIPo

Re: $1.99 PER MB?

said by Hpower See Profile :

You download 25MB by just going to CNN.com haha.
And yet another reason for not going to cnn.com.
binded2

join:2009-08-11
Providence, RI

vzw can

suck my nuts they will never get my bussiness ever

there wireless billing is crazy over priced

you would think at a day and age like now where most cell providers are cuttin prices

just about every one

there uping the price LOL
Forums » Verizon's New, Ridiculous Wireless Data Pricespage: 1 · 2


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