VZW Upgrade to iPhone 5: Lost my $15/Mo Data Plan !

When I recently upgraded on the Verizon Online Website (from a Droid Incredible to the iPhone 5), I didn't realize I'd lose my $15/mo (150 mg) Data Plan, and be switched to their $30/mo (2Gb) Data Plan instead. I realize that the $30/mo price's a lot cheaper per mg, but because I only use my cellphone's internet connect to p/u email + very light browsing (no streaming vid), I never went over 70mb/month during my 2 year Droid Incredible phone contract. In addition, since I've got a 1Gb/mo. $20 monthly re-occurring Data plan on my iPad 3, I'm always able to tether my cellphone to it (via iPad3's free hotspot feature) if needed.

I spoke with a Verizon tel agent (and then to the agent's Supervisor) to complain about being un-intentually switched to the $30 data plan, and she advised me that all Verizon iPhone 5 upgrades require the $30 minimal data plan or more, and that there's no provision for retaining grandfathered older lower rates. I told her that when I upgraded I didn't recall being asked to select a data plan, so assumed I would still be on my $15/mo. plan. She told me I was mistaken because she said when you upgrade online, you must 'select' one of the $30 and up data plan options shown before proceeding. I realize it was late (12:05am PDT) when I placed my iPhone 5 upgrade order, but want to confirm with others here who upgraded to the iPhone 5 online to see if you recall having to select from one of the $30+ data plan options as well.

From what I can see, I guess Verizon's got me over the barrel and I'm stuck paying $30/mo for a data plan which I will be only using 75mb/month now, as I live in an area where free wiFi is just about everywhere.

Your thoughts?

johnothy said:

I had that $15 data plan on my Blackberry Curve. It was enough. I changed it when I heard they were going to stop offering unlimited plans. If you only want $15 data and had it before they should let you keep it in my opinion.

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I agree, esp. considering my data usage history over the last 2 years has always remained well under the $15 plan's 150 mg/mo. allotment. That said, The Verizon Support Supervisor I spoke with said there was nothing Verizon could do to re-activate my $15 data plan because their computer system wouldnt allow it, or even accept a manual overide for that.

Chakraj: As far as opting to instead, purchase a 64gb iPhone5 at the full $849.99 price in order to retain the $15/mo data plan: Over a 2 year period, this would have been even more expensive than my $399.99 iPhone5 upgrade price with the $30/mo 2 Gb data plan.

In light of this, I've now decided to simply enjoy my new iPhone 5! It's a fantastic device.

aneftp said:

The $15 150MB was a promotional plan I believe Verizon only offered for 2-3 months way back in late Dec 2010 or so.
When upgrading, you will lose any grandfathered data plan less than $30.

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I'm happy to report that after calling Verizon back a 2nd time to complain about losing the grandfathered $15/mo 150mb data plan I had before I upgraded to the iPhone 5, that they reviewed my situation (historical low cellular phone data usage) and decided to go ahead and reinstate my grandfathered $15/month plan on my new iPhone 5. I'm also able to tether (for free) my iphone 5 to my iPad 3's cellular data when ever needed. Thank you Verizon.