Definitely agree with you here. When the Series 3 AW was released, I thought long and hard about getting one to add to my T-Mobile plan. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that the novelty would wear off after a couple months, so I ultimately decided against it. It's all about carriers attempting to squeeze more money out of our pockets.
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Apple Watch Boosts Verizon Activations Amid Phone and Tablet Subscriber Loss
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Definitely agree with you here. When the Series 3 AW was released, I thought long and hard about getting one to add to my T-Mobile plan. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that the novelty would wear off after a couple months, so I ultimately decided against it. It's all about carriers attempting to squeeze more money out of our pockets.
I don't think you can look at these numbers as "subscribers". They're add-ons for existing subscribers. Yes, it's an influx of services being added, but it is not in the same boat as a "subscriber".
I was on the fence for the longest time whether I should do the LTE service or not and having decided on signing up, I gotta say I don't regret it one bit. I'm a heavy watch user - music, text, calls, directions, starbucks, fitness and running. Being able to leave my phone behind has been a blessing.
I was on the fence for the longest time whether I should do the LTE service or not and having decided on signing up, I gotta say I don't regret it one bit. I'm a heavy watch user - music, text, calls, directions, starbucks, fitness and running. Being able to leave my phone behind has been a blessing.
This is just smoke and mirrors in regards to embellishing their user base. It's like FiOS counting us as cable TV subscribers when in reality they bundled their 8 basic channel package into our ISP bill. We leave the box unplugged packed away.
I wonder how Sprint with their free year of service and Verizon with these wearables explain the lowering of ARPU? New subscriptions at less than prepaid rates...
I wonder how Sprint with their free year of service and Verizon with these wearables explain the lowering of ARPU? New subscriptions at less than prepaid rates...
I guess if you're rural this is still kind of true in 2018 but if you live anywhere near civilization Verizon is a total waste of money.
Fake news. Look at that T-Mobile map again, and put away that 2015 one. I get coverage everywhere on TM, and they have free gogo internet access in the air when you fly Alaska, American, or Delta. So where is that coverage Verizon?
Is everyone misreading the chart, or is it just me? This is subscriber CHANGE, which means their subscriber base still went up, it just didn't go up as quickly. I'm totally confused right now.
As a Verizon customer, this is my experience. It’s not better than anyone else’s service (in Chicago/NYC where I spend most of my time) and it’s more expensive.
Also, if carriers had any sense at all, AW service would be a free or very low-cost add-on to existing plans. I would stick with Verizon if they would do that, but they are too short-sighted.
It's kind of why you see those Sprint campaigns with their old Verizon guy emphasizing that "1% difference". For most people that live in urban cities, it won't make a difference and they are just giving VZW needless extra money.
I don't think $10 a month for a watch is too much, since all carriers give three-months free. There is a lot of value of what you can do with an Apple Watch without an iPhone.
I think $10 a month for an add-on that allows you to use most major functions of your phone without being tethered to it is totally reasonable.
Verizon, the largest carrier in the United States by subscriber count, saw a monthly subscriber increase of 260,000 during the first quarter of 2018, reports Bloomberg, largely due to an increased number of smart watch activations.
The company actually lost phone and tablet subscribers last quarter, but the dip in subscribers did not hurt its bottom line because of smart watches, wearables, and other connected devices like vehicles.
Verizon says it added a total of 359,000 subscribers who are using smart watches and other devices during the quarter, making up for the loss of 24,000 phone customers and 75,000 tablet customers.
Image via Bloomberg
There was no breakdown in the number of activations by specific device, but Verizon's jump in smart watch subscribers comes following the September release of the Apple Watch Series 3, the first Apple Watch with LTE connectivity.
The Apple Watch Series 3 allows customers to use the Apple Watch sans iPhone for the first time, as it has its own cellular connection. Verizon and other carriers charge customers $10 per month to add a smart watch to an existing smartphone plan.
Verizon shared the numbers during its first quarter 2018 earnings results, released this morning. Verizon stock has since surged as much as 3.6 percent.
Article Link: Apple Watch Boosts Verizon Activations Amid Phone and Tablet Subscriber Loss
"sans iPhone"? was that really necessary?
Sorry if my post wasn't clear. Of course you can add a watch to a business account. The question is whether your company will pay for it or not. Mine won't and there is no way (that I know of) to separate the charge so that I could pay for it. If there is a way, I would love to be educated.
Carrier maps! now that's fake news. your n=1 experience, as all others feeling the need to post them is different from somebody else's.
I know everyone has their own use case, but my experience has been quite the opposite. I’m on the lake quite a bit with my jet ski, and LOVE the fact that I can stay in touch having nothing but my watch on me. Well that and a wetsuit.
That does sound like the perfect use case! Seriously, I bet Apple has considered using a jet ski in an add for the watch. Me, I'm glad I went cell free since even when I take the occasional jog, I carry my phone.
The watch has probably been my favorite Apple product in a long time because of this. When I lived in New York, I was an avid runner and never took my phone with me (iPod shuffle days). I had just my apartment key and my iPod shuffle on me. This gave me crazy anxiety most times. Now, all I have to do is just strap the watch on and I have all the functionality of the phone + I can use apple pay most places.
Get a Schlage or Kwikset Premise installed then setup HomeKit, and you won't even have to take the apartment key with you. Neither my wife or I have pulled out a house key in over a year!
Everyone I know that purchased the AW LTE when their three month trial ended dropped their LTE. Obviously there are many keeping it, but nobody I know did. When my free trial ended I dropped LTE. My reason, when I had AW LTE service and did not carry my iPhone there were many times I missed interesting photo opportunities and business things I needed my phone for. After a few instances of that I then decided to always carry my phone. With my phone with me I do not see any need for the AW LTE plan. Even though I can well afford the cost of the AW LTE plan does not mean I should pay it nor I should justify paying for it.
2018-09-23, I called T-Mobile inquiring about their AW LTE plan, if their priced dropped from $10 to much less it might be worth it. They informed me their cost is $15 a month, however if one is on T-Mobile auto pay (as I am) then adding the AW cost $10 a month; iPad $20 a month. As for needing it on the iPad, I hotspot my iPhone to the iPad.
So yes, I too am speaking for myself and my usage. However, it seems to be the prevailing attitude of all the AW LTE subscrbers I know that gave it a go then stopped it. Of course YMMV.
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How did you get 3 lines for $95? I need a 3 line family plan but all of them only have good deals for families of 4
“Everyone you know” lol
Well there are a lot more people than “everyone you know” Actually there is actual data that supports tat the LTE model is doing quite well and lifting profits for the carriers.