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Anyone switching to Verizon before unlimited goes away?
- Thread starter jp700p
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You would be surprised what all they are able/willing to do. Especially if you get a hold of the retentions department and tell them you want to leave (even if you have no intentions of doing so). When I worked for Sprint, I saw them do quite a few things that we in the stores would not have been able to come close to doing, including free or drastically reduced-priced phones.
Having said all of that, I still think your best bet is to get a Palm Pixi or other 3G smartphone, and activate it now while you wait for the next iPhone.
In fairness, the retentions department of Sprint is famous for giving the store, the house, the children, and the dog away to keep a line active.
Very few people actually use that much data though, which is why I find this "getting grandfathered in" deal hilarious. I remember AT&T saying 3% of their data users make up for 40% of the bandwidth, which was why they set up the tiered plans. Bottom line, I am sure most of the people signing up for unlimited data now will only be wasting their money when the tiered plans come out.
I don't even use wifi at all on my iPhone. It annoys me when it connects to weak signals but still overrides 3G. And turning it on/off all the time is a just as annoying. I'm really too much of an audiophile to listen to internet radio streams that much. And the speeds are far too slow to use as my primary internet connection via tethering, even if they were 4G, since I have uncapped DOCSIS 3.0 speeds here. But I could see why unlimited data would be useful if your phone was your only internet access.
I may never use it all, or I may. The point being, I don't like having to think about it.
I have a child doing virtual school for high school, she can manage to use a bit of data while we are out and about. It just depends on the assignments that week and the doctor visit schedules.
The other thing is that data used isn't going to go down at this point, only up.
But alas, I need a blasted phone right now anyway, I curse at mine daily, so why not get it?
I have a child doing virtual school for high school, she can manage to use a bit of data while we are out and about. It just depends on the assignments that week and the doctor visit schedules.
The other thing is that data used isn't going to go down at this point, only up.
But alas, I need a blasted phone right now anyway, I curse at mine daily, so why not get it?
I signed up today, should be delivered tomorrow hopefully...
The last straw was today when i was making a call and I just got tired of not being able to understand the other person or the call breaking up. I have been a HUGE AT&T supporter over the years but for whatever reason over the last 6-8 months there network has gotten a ton worse in my area where at one time they were very very good...
The last straw was today when i was making a call and I just got tired of not being able to understand the other person or the call breaking up. I have been a HUGE AT&T supporter over the years but for whatever reason over the last 6-8 months there network has gotten a ton worse in my area where at one time they were very very good...
After mulling this over for a few days, I finally bit the bullet and switched. I didn't have a horrible experience with AT&T. However, the dropped calls and inconsistent data did it for me. Plus, my monthly bill will be cheaper with VZW due to my company discount, so I can live with the slower, but more consistent data speeds.
FFS man. I believe I found where/why the above info (and the rest of my post) is somewhat incorrect and littered with a bit of mis-information.
In VZW's current plan (Spring/Summer 2011) literature, they make no mention of going on a month-to-month plan, only a prepaid plan. They say "monthly plans", but that's considered a prepaid plan and costs more than the "month-to-month" plan. So in essence, month-to-month plans cost the same as a contracted plan.
Consequently:
- If you sign up for a prepaid plan (no contract), you cannot be grandfathered into UL data post 7-Jul-2011.
- If you sign up for a month-to-month plan (no contract), you can be grandfathered into the UL data post 7-Jul-2011.
The representative I talked with said that the month-to-month isn't mentioned in the literature, and was "introduced" within the last half year or so? Edit: Googling says it's been around quite a while. Consequently, the phone CSR I chatted with (must have) thought I meant "prepaid" when I said monthly plans in discussing this grandfathering issue.
Kudos to you, psywzrd, for getting "it" right. You actually spurred me into further research by dropping by another retailer today - thanks.
I definitely hear ya, and should've explained why I'm doing it this way in my original post.
While everyone (of whom I've seen post about the "Palm Pixi" method) has their own reason for doing it this way, basically I'm still on the fence whether to jump ship from AT&T. I wanted some time to ponder the idea around in my head before committing to a contract -- yet not lose the UL data option. Not to mention I have a hefty ETF fee waiting for me should I decide to do this; so I really want to be sure it's the right move.
/end (and pray I don't have to revise and eat crow about spouting mis-information again.
)EDIT to say: For those that find this debate about the "need" for Unlimited Data somewhat ridiculous, hilarious, etc. -- suffice it to say I do have my own high speed, uncapped internet connection (> 20Mbps) at home, and that it's a peace of mind type thing for me, rarely (if ever) going over the current AT&T tiered caps. Overages suck, and I'm fine paying a bit more per year for this peace of mind (yes, I currently have UL data w/AT&T.) Anyway, to each their own, huh?
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It sounds like you are in the EXACT same position I'm in. My contract with AT&T isn't up until June of 2012 so I'm trying to give myself some options at that time. By "locking in" unlimited data with Verizon (I currently have unlimited data with AT&T as well), I can at least do a fair comparison of AT&T vs. Verizon in June 2012. I do get a better discount with AT&T than I will with Verizon, and the rollover minutes and unlimited mobile to any mobile are a huge plus for AT&T as well. Still though, if I see that AT&T is still severely lagging behind in 4G deployment, that might be enough to sway me back to Verizon as long as there's a 4G iphone available at that time. It's all about having options for me. At worst this is going to cost me $50 for the phone (which literally just arrived at my door
), plus $5/month for the next 12 months since I plan to suspend my Verizon service without billing during that time. I even had a rep tell me that I can suspend it at no charge so it might only end up costing me $50 to preserve the unlimited data option with Verizon - well worth it to me.
It sounds like you are in the EXACT same position I'm in. My contract with AT&T isn't up until June of 2012 so I'm trying to give myself some options at that time. By "locking in" unlimited data with Verizon (I currently have unlimited data with AT&T as well), I can at least do a fair comparison of AT&T vs. Verizon in June 2012. I do get a better discount with AT&T than I will with Verizon, and the rollover minutes and unlimited mobile to any mobile are a huge plus for AT&T as well. Still though, if I see that AT&T is still severely lagging behind in 4G deployment, that might be enough to sway me back to Verizon as long as there's a 4G iphone available at that time. It's all about having options for me. At worst this is going to cost me $50 for the phone (which literally just arrived at my door
My Palm Pixi arrived just this afternoon too. And yep: my contract end date isn't even until after yours ends. My incentive to change lies in better talk signal within my locale, and I'd get a (very) slight discount w/VZW.
I do like the "suspend" your service option; but can you suspend it right away before the first month's bill? I'll drop by and ask them. And, for that matter, the activation fee too? That would add up to about an extra $100 if both fees are enacted.
As of recent (or longer), if you do an online signup from Friday through Monday, the activation fee is waived -- but that may be only for contracts.
Hmmm - that's a good question about the activation fee. I don't know if that can be waived - I guess I'll find out when I activate it later this morning. Maybe my corp discount entitles me to no activation fee? I'll look for the online activation option too, but I was just planning to call the rep I've been emailing back and forth with to have him activate my service for me (he's the one who also told me that there's no charge to suspend my service without billing). As far as I know, you can suspend the service whenever you want but only for 3 months at a time and only twice for a total of 6 months each calendar year. I'm planning on activating my service today, suspending tomorrow for 3 months, and then suspending again on October 1st, January 1, 2012 and April 1, 2012. That will take me until the end of June/beginning of July 2012 when I'll need to decide which carrier to go with. I'm hoping that both will have 4G-capable iphones by then but if not I'll just figure out a way to delay my decision until they do.
Mine is due to arrivE in a few hours. I started thinking after I ordered it yesterday though.
What if the the next iPhone to be released does not support 4g on Verizon but does support AT&T's hsdpa+? I am kind of screwing myself then ain't I?.it does seem to be leaning that way with all the rumors and apples past history.
What if the the next iPhone to be released does not support 4g on Verizon but does support AT&T's hsdpa+? I am kind of screwing myself then ain't I?.it does seem to be leaning that way with all the rumors and apples past history.
Ordered the Palm Pixi for my mother last night, and I'm debating if I want to buy a used iPhone 4 or Thunderbolt for myself off of Craigslist to pass the time. I'm figuring the Thunderbolt will lose less of its resale value between now and fifth generation iPhone release, but I just love my iPhone and am not so sure about Android...
Just don't sign a contract with Verizon - go month to month. That's what I just did with Verizon to lock in unlimited data.
Meh, I have the iPhone coming alreAdy, chances are I will return it of data on 3G is extremely slow. But at least I will finally be able to try out this magical network I have heard about for years.
I could deal with slower speeds since the ping time is much better with Verizon. We shall see..
In the end if I stick with Verizon and thr iPhone 4 I will just sell it when the 5 comes out and pay the difference. Better than worrying about $200-$300 non stop for 3 months:
Just got mine in, syncing now...
5 fulls bars which is very rare for my house, thats the great part so far..
the bad part already before even using it...The thing has a yellow screen, i now know wtf everyone was bitching about now..
For online orders will verizon let you swap it out in a retail store?
*EDIT*
LOL as its syncing i already received a spam message(new phone number) about being pre-approved for something...Way to give my info away Verizon...
5 fulls bars which is very rare for my house, thats the great part so far..
the bad part already before even using it...The thing has a yellow screen, i now know wtf everyone was bitching about now..
For online orders will verizon let you swap it out in a retail store?
*EDIT*
LOL as its syncing i already received a spam message(new phone number) about being pre-approved for something...Way to give my info away Verizon...
Well, i got my iP4 yesterday, and I can say that the data is faster in my area than my iPad was. I haven't tried streaming anything, at the rate my lack of downtime is going that might not happen until the weekend.
I've spent 2h7m on the phone since I got it yesterday... The only bad call quality was the one with my ex calling me on his ATT phone. BUT, he's in north FL and I don't think it is great up there on his side.
Overall, I'm happy I did it now.
Oh, and we ended up having to go to Verizon because we have a business account... And man did I get comments about my old treo! Hey, don't knock it, I can drop it and still have it look like new!
Eta: I've NEVER gotten a spam text message. Never, and I've been with them since the mid-90's. Maybe someone had the number before you?
I've spent 2h7m on the phone since I got it yesterday... The only bad call quality was the one with my ex calling me on his ATT phone. BUT, he's in north FL and I don't think it is great up there on his side.
Overall, I'm happy I did it now.
Oh, and we ended up having to go to Verizon because we have a business account... And man did I get comments about my old treo! Hey, don't knock it, I can drop it and still have it look like new!
Eta: I've NEVER gotten a spam text message. Never, and I've been with them since the mid-90's. Maybe someone had the number before you?
Actually, it's only a new phone number to you. It's likely that it was renewed from a nonpaying customer or someone who cancelled and it reentered the pool. Verizon doesn't need to sell the lists, people give their phone numbers out freely to practically everyone, so it's more likely the previous owner of that number gave it to someone who is spamming.
Is this what everyone on the forum is doing, the "pixi method"? http://www.appleownz.com/2011/06/30...il-verizon-wireless-unlimited-data-goes-away/
I am very tempted to just order the damn phone and signing up. I know a few friends with Thunderbolts and they tell me they use more then 2GB a month, but didn't use that much before they got the LTE phone.
What concerns me most is that when the iPhone 6 comes out, Verizon might try to screw us somehow and get us into a tier. Maybe like they will say, "Oh sorry, the iPhone 6 is a special LTE phone and if you want it, you need to sign for a tier data plan"
I am very tempted to just order the damn phone and signing up. I know a few friends with Thunderbolts and they tell me they use more then 2GB a month, but didn't use that much before they got the LTE phone.
What concerns me most is that when the iPhone 6 comes out, Verizon might try to screw us somehow and get us into a tier. Maybe like they will say, "Oh sorry, the iPhone 6 is a special LTE phone and if you want it, you need to sign for a tier data plan"
I don't think so.... I think they will try to tempt us away from unlimited by offering a pooled data plan that works like family plans for voice do today. As we all add more and more devices (and they have some you've never thought about planed for LTE) the only way you'll be able to afford service is with a pooled data plan.