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Verizon Tweaks Wireless Pricing Yet Again
Users On Feature & 3G Smartphones Lose $15, 150MB Plan
Leaked documents indicate that Verizon is tweaking wireless pricing yet again, increasing the data cap on their feature phone data plans from 25MB to 75MB, and shifting overages on those plans from 20 cents per MB to $10 per 75MB. As for "feature phones and 3G smartphones," Verizon appears to be eliminating the $15, 150MB plan and directing everybody on those phones to the $30, unlimited plan. While it's nice that the company is one of the growing-few giving users the (sort of) option for unlimited data, it's pretty clear that the use of the "3G smartphones" phrase means they're planning a looming LTE pricing change when LTE smartphones drop later this year.
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kickass69
join:2002-06-03
Lake Hopatcong, NJ

kickass69

Member

Ripoff time

How much you all want to bet that the LTE Pricing/Caps/Speed Tier pricing they come up with blow the air out of any remote excitement with 4G/LTE will have? Especially for those in rural areas.
openbox9
Premium Member
join:2004-01-26
71144

openbox9

Premium Member

Re: Ripoff time

Did you honestly expect otherwise. New network, new prices. It's been long rumored (and it's a logical time to implement) that LTE will bring tiers, caps, and/or meters.
FloridaBoy
join:2009-06-22
Bradenton, FL

FloridaBoy

Member

Mobile Data

This makes me very happy I dont use a data plan. Although Karl will like it becuase of the posts it will generate:)

morbo
Complete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
00000

morbo

Member

Re: Mobile Data

said by FloridaBoy:

This makes me very happy I dont use a data plan.

Okay, grandpa.
FloridaBoy
join:2009-06-22
Bradenton, FL

FloridaBoy

Member

Re: Mobile Data

I am not a Grandpa yet but I have never seen the need for a data plan.

I do have a question for you morbo. If you have a data plan, how much of your use is "essential" and how much is just because you can??

I am really curious and I am not be ing a smart**s here.
MRCUR
join:2007-03-09
Lancaster, PA

MRCUR

Member

Re: Mobile Data

I'm someone who has made damn sure of it that AT&T doesn't screw with or lose my unlimited data plan on my iPhone line. While I only use about 500MB/month on average, sometimes much less, sometimes much more, I don't want to lose the unlimited option.

I'd say 80% of my usage is "essential", meaning it's either dealing with emails for work or using pure data to do work related tasks. Sure, there's still plenty of time where I'm using an app that doesn't directly have to do with work, but what's wrong with that?

Everyone I know who has said the same thing as yourself prior to getting a data plan very quickly changes their tune once they have one. Once you get a smartphone with a data plan, you can't go back to a dumbphone.
Crookshanks
join:2008-02-04
Binghamton, NY

Crookshanks

Member

Re: Mobile Data

said by MRCUR:

Once you get a smartphone with a data plan, you can't go back to a dumbphone.

Speak for yourself. I would go back to my v9m in a heartbeat over my Droid-X if I actually had to pay for my own cellular service. Thankfully my employer pays for it and was willing to provide me with the data package.

Don't get me wrong, I'm in love with my DX, but I'm a penny pincher and would not keep it if I actually had to eat the cost of having it. As it was I only choose to get a cell phone when the cost of having a cell phone equaled the cost of keeping a landline. Until Verizon rate-jacked everybody with a landline (my landline cost $18/mo for the longest time, then went up to nearly $50/mo in the space of three years) I saw no need to even have a cell phone.

MovieLover76
join:2009-09-11
Cherry Hill, NJ
(Software) pfSense
Asus RT-AC68
Asus RT-AC66

1 recommendation

MovieLover76 to FloridaBoy

Member

to FloridaBoy
Essential is a subjective word, and worthless in the world of cellphones, because a cell phone itself isn't essential, the only true essentials are food, clothing and shelter.

I use my data plan, to sync my google calender in which I keep all my appointments, read work email on the go, get gps directions to places I need to go, all of which I find essential.

I also use it for personal reasons, checking facebook, twitter, reading news none of which is essential but adds value to having just a regular cell phone.

Just because it's not essential doesn't mean we should be happy when any company rips us off and charges unreasonable prices or takes away lower cost options for similar service.

morbo
Complete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
00000

morbo to FloridaBoy

Member

to FloridaBoy
said by FloridaBoy:

If you have a data plan, how much of your use is "essential" and how much is just because you can??

I do have a data plan. I use it for work and play. I'd say 50/50. It has been very useful to catch up on work while out of the office so that I'm not swamped when I return.

TechyDad
Premium Member
join:2001-07-13
USA

TechyDad to FloridaBoy

Premium Member

to FloridaBoy
I don't use a data plan either, however I do have a phone that would be considered to be a Smartphone. (I use SMS and have unlimited SMS.) When I renew, I'll be forced to purchase a data plan for an extra $30 a month. That's $360 a year that I really *don't* need to spend.

I need to find out how Verizon's handling family plans with data plans. If my wife gets a "Smartphone" too, do we get charged $30 a month per phone? Or is that $30 a month spread across all phones on the plan? Because as painful as $30 a month is, $60 a month for services we don't need/use would be much worse.

travmcgee
join:2002-04-29
Mechanicsville, VA

travmcgee

Member

Re: Mobile Data

Per phone my friend!

TechyDad
Premium Member
join:2001-07-13
USA

TechyDad

Premium Member

Re: Mobile Data

After posting, I went to their site and found out it is per phone. Even worse, our Unlimited Texting plan seems to have been replaced by a 5,000 texts per month plan. That's fine, but we get a lot of texts (Twitter usage). I can sometimes get 200 per day. So overage on 5,000 per month is a possibility. Of course, a forced data plan might mean we could drop down on the texting plan, but the plan directly under the 5,000 for $20 a month is 500 for $10 a month. So I can either get 250 texts for my dollar or 50? Way to milk the customers, Verizon!
openbox9
Premium Member
join:2004-01-26
71144

openbox9

Premium Member

Re: Mobile Data

With a data plan, use Google Voice and drop the text plan
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

88615298 (banned)

Member

Verizon is stupid.

As soon as I'm required to go to the $30 data plan I'm selling my smartphone and going back to a regular phone. This is bullshit. $360 a year for a feature I have ZERO interest in using?
openbox9
Premium Member
join:2004-01-26
71144

openbox9

Premium Member

Re: Verizon is stupid.

Yet, you have it now Egad, $360/yr for all of the capability that a smartphone with nationwide data access brings. I made the transition from a "normal" phone seven months ago and I can't imagine going back.
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

88615298 (banned)

Member

Re: Verizon is stupid.

said by openbox9:

Yet, you have it now Egad, $360/yr for all of the capability that a smartphone with nationwide data access brings. I made the transition from a "normal" phone seven months ago and I can't imagine going back.

Hey genius I don't need data. That's the point of having a phone with wi-fi.
openbox9
Premium Member
join:2004-01-26
71144

openbox9

Premium Member

Re: Verizon is stupid.

Hey Einstein, you stated yourself that you subscribed to a data plan, did you not?

xpkranger
Premium Member
join:2000-10-27
Tucker, GA

xpkranger to 88615298

Premium Member

to 88615298
Legit Question (not snark) - Does Verizon even sell wi-fi capable phones without a mandatory data plan (like they make you buy with BlackBerry?)

edited for clarity
QLR
join:2009-06-23
Tallahassee, FL

QLR

Member

Re: Verizon is stupid.

The only WiFi capable phones in the Verizon line up that don't require a data plan are the Kin oneM and Kin twoM. They're relatively cheap since Microsoft and Verizon abandoned it over the summer. All other current WiFi enabled phones require a data plan.
snedo
join:2008-07-20
Hilliard, OH

snedo

Member

Re: Verizon is stupid.

Actually I'm using the Kin TwoM and it's a great phone. I didn't need the data so I just use wifi and it works wonderfully, the internet browser is blazing fast.

Steve B
Premium Member
join:2004-08-02
Auburn, WA

Steve B

Premium Member

What I've noticed...

You were paying $15 for 150MB. Now its $10 for 75MB. They have taken away half of the data allowance but didn't take away half the of original price. I would say rip-off. If they valued $150MB at $15 then the new price for $75 should be $7.50 +/- $.50 (because VZW doesn't seem to do anything by the $.50).
openbox9
Premium Member
join:2004-01-26
71144

openbox9

Premium Member

Re: What I've noticed...

Don't compare feature phone and smart phone plans.

Steve B
Premium Member
join:2004-08-02
Auburn, WA

Steve B

Premium Member

Re: What I've noticed...

It is what it is. They chopped half of the data but didn't chop half of the price. So yeah, rip off.
openbox9
Premium Member
join:2004-01-26
71144

openbox9

Premium Member

Re: What I've noticed...

Or, VZW increased the cap from 150 MB/mth to unlimited and only raised the price by $15/mth. Spin it however you'd like, but "rip off" is relative to the person willing to pay money.

Steve B
Premium Member
join:2004-08-02
Auburn, WA

Steve B

Premium Member

Re: What I've noticed...

No, because, the unlimited has thus far always been there. They took away the lower option and replaced it with something else. So to then try and "spin" it they way you did wouldn't be correct. The proper comparison is the one I made.
openbox9
Premium Member
join:2004-01-26
71144

openbox9

Premium Member

Re: What I've noticed...

said by Steve B:

So to then try and "spin" it they way you did wouldn't be correct.

And neither is comparing data plans between feature phones and smart phones Value is still relative no matter the spin.
88615298 (banned)
join:2004-07-28
West Tenness

88615298 (banned) to Steve B

Member

to Steve B
said by Steve B:

You were paying $15 for 150MB. Now its $10 for 75MB. They have taken away half of the data allowance but didn't take away half the of original price. I would say rip-off. If they valued $150MB at $15 then the new price for $75 should be $7.50 +/- $.50 (because VZW doesn't seem to do anything by the $.50).

Worse than that because the $10 plan isn't available for smartphones.

jgkolt
Premium Member
join:2004-02-21
Avon, OH

jgkolt

Premium Member

over

I am surprised no one mentioned the huge jump in overage charges:
"...20 cents per MB to $10 per 75MB..."

TechyDad
Premium Member
join:2001-07-13
USA

1 edit

TechyDad

Premium Member

Re: over

My first thought when I saw that was "Hey, Verizon lowered the overage charges! 75MB of data at 20 cents per MB is $15 and they lowered it to $10."

Then, I realized the scam. If you use 51 MB - 75MB overage, you do save. (50MB over is the break even point.) However, if you use under 50 MB or over 75MB of overage, Verizon gets more money. Go 2 MB over your cap? Instead of being charged $0.40, you're charged $15. Go 100MB over your cap? Instead of being charged $20, you are charged $30.

They've structured it in such a way as to be able to *claim* that the fees are lowered while raking in more money.

ropeguru
Premium Member
join:2001-01-25
Mechanicsville, VA

ropeguru to jgkolt

Premium Member

to jgkolt
said by jgkolt:

I am surprised no one mentioned the huge jump in overage charges:
"...20 cents per MB to $10 per 75MB..."

Pull out your calculator and recheck..

$10/75MB = $.13/MB

Looks like to me you have to purchase in a block, but per MB is cheaper.

TechyDad
Premium Member
join:2001-07-13
USA

TechyDad

Premium Member

Re: over

Which means that if you go 2MB over you'll pay $10 instead of $0.40. If you go 1 MB over through 49 MB over, you pay more. 50MB over means you pay the exact same amount. 51MB over to 75 MB over means you pay less. Verizon's restructured it so that you're more likely to pay them much more.
theeinstein
Premium Member
join:2003-07-31
Fernandina Beach, FL

theeinstein

Premium Member

HAHA..

Well if you don't like it Wally World has a great assortment of pre-paid phones...

i1me2ao
Premium Member
join:2001-03-03
TEXAS

i1me2ao

Premium Member

Re: HAHA..

you would be surprised how many people are going that way.
theeinstein
Premium Member
join:2003-07-31
Fernandina Beach, FL

theeinstein

Premium Member

Re: HAHA..

Oh.. no doubt dude... someone who needs a basic phone that way is sweet.. or metroPCS of course!!

Duramax08
To The Moon
Premium Member
join:2008-08-03
San Antonio, TX

Duramax08

Premium Member

I just saw my AT&T bill

Used 30GB last month on my iphone 4.

Life is good.....

••••••••••••

moko
join:2002-12-22
Fayetteville, GA

moko

Member

thanks Karl

Keep bring'in us the truth of what's going on Karl,and not the manipulative lies the corp's want us to believe.

dispatcher21
911 Where is your emergency?
join:2004-01-22
united state

dispatcher21

Member

Re: thanks Karl

If your currently in a contract at $15.00 a month, it stays that for the remainder of the contract correct?

cableties
Premium Member
join:2005-01-27

cableties

Premium Member

DSL ring...

No surprises here.

DSL pricing was dropping then...it doubled! Forced users to go elsewhere (those on a budget) or to their faster FIOS. Those that didn't jumped to cable or 3rd party.

Now same strategy for 3G to LTE. They effed us with ANY PHONE with a Keyboard is a smartphone (hitem with dataplan).

And iPhone users...we are getting shaft. First we hold out for 2+ years. Then we are rewarded with...last years model! Ow. My balls really hurt!

IPPlanMan
Holy Cable Modem Batman
join:2000-09-20
Washington, DC

IPPlanMan

Member

Re: DSL ring...

Damn right you are. Here's some ice for your balls...
IPPlanMan

IPPlanMan

Member

Wow...

I never thought I'd say it, but the savior of the wireless industry is Sprint with its 4G.

•••

TechyDad
Premium Member
join:2001-07-13
USA

TechyDad

Premium Member

Time to leave Verizon

We got our new phones before the "Any phone we call a Smartphone MUST have a data plan" requirement. We don't use the data plan and, in fact, have it blocked thanks to the phone "accidentally" accessing data a few times. When our contract is up and we renew, later this year, we'd likely wind up paying $200 a month.

The big changes for us will be:

- Data Plans. We don't use them, but like using keyboards when we text. However, Verizon Wireless has now declared on keyboard-enabled phones to be Smartphones. This means that they would charge us $30 a month PER PHONE for something we don't need.

- Texting Plans. We're on an unlimited texting plan. When I went to their website, I couldn't find any mention of this. Instead, I found a 5,000 texts plus free mobile-to-mobile plan. We receive a lot of SMS messages that don't originate from VZW phones so we'd need this plan for an additional $20 a month per phone. There's even a chance we could go over (and pay more).

If we cut down on the texting and used the data plan, we might be able to go for a lower texting plan, but under the 5,000 texts plan is a 500 level plan. I'm not sure that would be enough. Still, going with that plan would only save us $20 a month ($10 a month per phone).

AT&T is probably just as bad. Time to consider Sprint or one of the other cell companies.
pabster
join:2001-12-09
Waterloo, IA

pabster

Member

Re: Time to leave Verizon

They're all the same, my friend. They all blow chunks in one way or another and do their best to milk every customer for every penny they can soak (ARPU!!).

johnnycruzr
@amador-toyota.com

johnnycruzr

Anon

Don't own one...

Makes me glad I've held off even owning a cell phone

My work continues to tell me I need one, I continue to tell them if I need one, you pay for it.

They don't, so I don't have one.

HappyAnarchy
@iauq.com

HappyAnarchy

Anon

Re: Don't own one...

I remain happy with my Verizon. They have fixed mistakes when they happen, even recently. I still have my unlimited Data Plan.

If you are looking for more basic service than they may not be for you.

That said, not every VZW keyboard phone has to have the smartphone plan. You can get a $10 basic data plan. Still pretty annoying that they force it on you, but better than going with the $30 one.
QLR
join:2009-06-23
Tallahassee, FL

QLR

Member

Re: Don't own one...

And there are phones with QWERTY keyboards that don't require a data plan. The Pantech Jest, LG Octane, and the Samsung Zeal are 3 that don't require data plans at all. No, they're not smartphones, but no extra money required per month either.
Unxchay
join:2003-10-14
Milwaukee, WI

Unxchay

Member

Don't kill the 150mb plan

I use my Blackberry Tour primarily for its calendar/contacts/e-mail. Mobile video, texts, twitter, et al aren't a big priority for me. I use maybe 60-80 megs a month. I love that VZW offered a downgraded $15 150mb plan, I jumped on it within a day of it going live. I assume I will be able to keep it until I choose to upgrade to a spendier plan sometime in the future. My contract is up in April, so I'll need to carefully determine if I want a more feature-rich phone and the add'l $180/year it may bring.

DeathK
Premium Member
join:2002-06-16
Cincinnati, OH

DeathK

Premium Member

Could be good for some, bad for others...

I have a feature phone and don't use data all that much. I have the forced $10 25MB data plan for my Samsung Reality. It is kind of nice getting a bump in the cap. More value for your money if you don't go over.

On the other hand charging in 75MB chunks sucks. I guess you've gotta watch your consumption and if you go over you might as well make use of that extra $10 you're going to be charged.

djousma
join:2000-04-18
Hudsonville, MI

1 edit

djousma

Member

VZW data plan credit.

odd no one has mentioned it, but VZW is offering a $10 unlimited dataplan for existing customers. Seems those that qualify get an email from VZW. I'm getting it, in the form of a credit per line. I was told no expiration date, but I guess we'll see....

Here are the details:

»ecrm.vzwshop.com/2010_EC ··· hart.jpg

INsano
@spcsdns.net

INsano

Anon

WiMax

"It's been long rumored (and it's a logical time to implement) that LTE will bring tiers, caps, and/or meters."

If you're in a city that has it, I don't know why you'd opt for LTE once it arrives when Sprint has WiMax that has no buckets of data. It's doubtless cheaper than whatever Big Red and the Deathstar will offer, and it looks like their speeds will evolve similarly. If you can't get coverage though, I guess you're SOL.