Verizon Discounts 'Welcome Unlimited' Plan by $5 Per Line With Three-Year Price Guarantee

[IIGS User]

I have to say I am thoroughly disappointed with VZW of late. I've been a long-time customer since Nextel folded their direct connect feature back in the 2000's. Everyone I worked with had the DC feature and our radios sucked (they still do) and we used this as an alternate solution.

Anyway, back to VZW. I have the absolute BEST consumer plan and handset VZW sells. I have the "Get More" plan with an iPhone 14PM. Gotta say I am consistently UNDERwhelmed with the quality of the voice and data service from VZW. I sometimes get the 5G uw service but when I do it's absolutely terrible. I was at a doctor's visit on my lunch break on Monday over by the hospital and while I was waiting decided to check my work email on my device. I saw I was in the "uw" coverage are and was expecting to see at least decent speeds. No dice. It was sub 1Mbps with a full signal. Most of the places I see the 'uw" signal the speed is far worse than the 4G LTE speeds. This is in the areas that are in the new "C band" deployments. A few places I go have the mm wave (like the beach, or the local sports complex) and that is absolutely blazingly fast. But how often do I use that? the 4g LTE speeds are consistently faster that the regular 5G speeds. The coverage at my office is spotty at best, and I have to tell people to call my desk phone if they want to talk to me. A lot of my coworkers who use VZW have the same complaints. The service just isn't what it used to be.

Currently, I stick with VZW because the land based broadband options in my area are Comcast and Fios. Comcast's wireless is a MVNO of Verizon Wireless ANYWAY so if I don't want to get gouged on my broadband, and since I bundle I get my Fios for $24/mo. I get a first responder discount from VZW for my mobile, and my plan includes Apple Music and Hulu, which we do use. I also get better network priority by being a VZW customer as opposed to on a MVNO. I also have GETS/WPS through work for voice/land line calls.

I wouldn't recommend VZW's service to anyone outright as a stand-alone product these days. VZW used to be THE company that had the best coverage (I'm in the Northeast Megalopolis) but talking to friends I work with and other people in my line of work, a lot of them are migrating to T-mobile or AT&T/First Net.

 

[Choco Taco]

Or you could sign up for Visible, be on the same Verizon network have Taxes and Fees included in the $30 price and not be stuck at needing 4 lines or more to get the best price.

With Visible, you only get support from horrifically undertrained employees in an online chat window and aren’t allowed to enter foot in a Verizon store if anything goes wrong, despite it being owned by Verizon. But yes, it is cheaper.

 

[sw1tcher]

I just have not desire for any of these carriers data plans because I have Wi-Fi at work and home, my commute to work is just 30 minutes and most of the time I don't even take my phone out of my pocket. So, my 3 GB data plan from T-Mobile for $15 is more than enough. Besides, I like to be aware of my environment while on public transit or walking around instead of being glued to my phone. Only exceptions is when I am using Maps to find a location.

Which plan is that? I couldn't find it on the T-Mo website. I have Verizon Prepaid and pay $35/month for 15 GB but I really use 1-2 a month.

The $15/mo for 3GB is T-Mobile's prepaid plan. For some reason, T-Mobile likes to hide it. There's also a $10/mo plan if you can get by with just 1GB

Affordable Phone Plans Starting at $15/Mo. | Connect by T-Mobile

Get our best prices on prepaid phone service starting at just $15/Mo. with Connect by T-Mobile. No contracts. No credit checks. No complicated extras. Change plans any time.

prepaid.t-mobile.com

 

[munpip214]

There are additional discounts on Verizon:

• if you're a first responder, military member or veteran, nurse, teacher or college student.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I'm always wondering what people are doing on their phones to truly necessitate more than 3-4GB/mo

The only way I'm ever able to eclipse that is by watching video, which I find to be awful on a phone.

(when I've done it, it's with a phone plugged into a TV for watching football at a tailgate or hotel room)

 

[compwiz1202]

With Visible, you only get support from horrifically undertrained employees in an online chat window and aren’t allowed to enter foot in a Verizon store if anything goes wrong, despite it being owned by Verizon. But yes, it is cheaper.

Yes that is always the first thing to go with these discount places. If you never need help, it's great, but...

 

[Mr. Dee]

The $15/mo for 3GB is T-Mobile's prepaid plan. For some reason, T-Mobile likes to hide it. There's also a $10/mo plan if you can get by with just 1GB

Affordable Phone Plans Starting at $15/Mo. | Connect by T-Mobile

Get our best prices on prepaid phone service starting at just $15/Mo. with Connect by T-Mobile. No contracts. No credit checks. No complicated extras. Change plans any time.

prepaid.t-mobile.com

1 GB is really cutting it short for me, 3 GB is just the right amount.

 

[mannyvel]

MVNOs make money by (1) taking more risks when it comes to customers, (2) providing less service, and (3) not doing expensive marketing.

If you can handle these limits then you'll be fine.

Every MVNO has problems, you just need to find the MVNO that's works for you.

Been using Visible for a few years, and occasionally my data gets throttled. But it's not worth it to me to pay $60/mo extra so I can stream music in my car.

BTW, it seems Visible discontinued party pay for new users, so it's $30/mo now.

 

[GDF]

A country like the US where technology is quite cheaper than the EU is getting F'ed over when it comes to subscription. I pay $20 for 300/300 internet and $30 for infinite phone data including global roaming (including the US).
Long live consumer protection and anti-cartel laws.

Don’t agree. I pay $29 including taxes/fees for 1gb down Internet, because we have competition in my area.

I used T-Mobile military plan, which includes Netflix and other streaming services and only pay $22 including taxes/fees, which includes all of NA and global roaming too. Things are getting substantially cheaper in the US.

And if you want to compare more stuff - compare your gas prices with ours and everything else. US will come in better about every time and it is not even close.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Don’t agree. I pay $29 including taxes/fees for 1gb down Internet, because we have competition in my area.

Too much of the USA effectively has no competition (or not enough)

I used T-Mobile military plan

That's part of the problem in the USA. Too much of getting "reasonable deals" requires some special access or privilege, as opposed to just being "available to people that need or want it"

 

[sw1tcher]

I'm always wondering what people are doing on their phones to truly necessitate more than 3-4GB/mo

The only way I'm ever able to eclipse that is by watching video, which I find to be awful on a phone.

(when I've done it, it's with a phone plugged into a TV for watching football at a tailgate or hotel room)

Kids/teens/young adults need more than 3GB-4GB per month because they're constantly on TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Spotify, etc.

Ah, to be young(er) and not have responsibilities/a job.

 

[Choco Taco]

I'm always wondering what people are doing on their phones to truly necessitate more than 3-4GB/mo

The only way I'm ever able to eclipse that is by watching video, which I find to be awful on a phone.

(when I've done it, it's with a phone plugged into a TV for watching football at a tailgate or hotel room)

I listen to a lot more than 4 GB of music just in my car every month.

Why is watching a video awful on your phone? Do you have an iPhone SE or something?

 

[compwiz1202]

Don’t agree. I pay $29 including taxes/fees for 1gb down Internet, because we have competition in my area.

I used T-Mobile military plan, which includes Netflix and other streaming services and only pay $22 including taxes/fees, which includes all of NA and global roaming too. Things are getting substantially cheaper in the US.

And if you want to compare more stuff - compare your gas prices with ours and everything else. US will come in better about every time and it is not even close.

But our mass transit is junk except maybe in some bigger cities. If it wouldn't take like 6x or worse longer to bus to work and back, I may have done it by now.

 

[erikkfi]

As always, single people who don't need multiple lines get penalized the hardest.

 

[MrKennedy]

Or you could sign up for Visible, be on the same Verizon network have Taxes and Fees included in the $30 price and not be stuck at needing 4 lines or more to get the best price.

Left VZW for Visible 2 years ago and my experience has been fantastic. Happy paying MUCH less for essentially the same service.

It's not perfect, but no wireless carries (or MVNO/subbrand) is.

 

[compwiz1202]

As always, single people who don't need multiple lines get penalized the hardest.

Spot on. Why do they always punish the singles or couples. Gotta hunt just to find more users so you don't have to pay almost $100 for one line. Only one I saw that was cool is Spotify with the Duo Plan

 

[turbineseaplane]

Why is watching a video awful on your phone? Do you have an iPhone SE or something?

I'm old and my eyes don't enjoy it

 

[turbineseaplane]

As always, single people who don't need multiple lines get penalized the hardest.

I think it's more just about them wanting you to recruit a network to join, port in their numbers and overall create a ton of friction for ever changing carriers again.

Solo customers are more like single folks with no kids or attachments. They travel around, change their minds and direction and hop from opportunity to opportunity, etc

 

[Apple$]

A country like the US where technology is quite cheaper than the EU is getting F'ed over when it comes to subscription. I pay $20 for 300/300 internet and $30 for infinite phone data including global roaming (including the US).
Long live consumer protection and anti-cartel laws.

Oh, wait until you see the plans we have in Canada! Though things seem to be improving around cellular plans, they have strings attached like 12-24 mo. promo periods before they jack up the price of the plans.
For example, I pay $30 for 20 GB with rollover data for 1 month with Koodo for 2 years and then after 2 years, it goes up to $55.

 

[GDF]

Too much of the USA effectively has no competition (or not enough)



That's part of the problem in the USA. Too much of getting "reasonable deals" requires some special access or privilege, as opposed to just being "available to people that need or want it"

No special access or privilege. You can get great rates without Military too. People just need to do their homework.

Privilege equals serving in Military. Now that is funny. Those people put their lives at risk with little pay and deserve all the breaks they can get.

At least the US is not a Socialist country. That would suck!

 

[bigboy29]

Hmmm.. I have to say I am tempted...

I have 4 lines on Visible (grandfathered $25 plan). Sounds like I can switch to VZW proper and collect $240 per line after 45 days (total $960) for 3 years of service @ $25 + tax per line?

I have been relatively happy with Visible, but it becomes clear really quickly if you are in a crowded area that plans are throttled down aggressively by VZW.

EDIT: it is unclear to me though if VZW also throttles those plans the same because fine print:

Verizon Unlimited: Auto Pay & paper-free billing req'd. Unlimited 5G Nationwide/4G LTE: In times of congestion, your data may be temporarily slower than other traffic. All smartphone lines on the account must be on Welcome Unlimited and are eligible only for select device/other promotions. Domestic data roaming at 2G speeds.

 

[CoMoMacUser]

I'm always wondering what people are doing on their phones to truly necessitate more than 3-4GB/mo

The only way I'm ever able to eclipse that is by watching video, which I find to be awful on a phone.

(when I've done it, it's with a phone plugged into a TV for watching football at a tailgate or hotel room)

Agreed. The only videos I watch are clips embedded in FB and IG posts. Anything longer, and I'm going to watch on my iPad, Mac or TV. Cricket's capped (~8 Mbps) speed is plenty fast for uploading photos, checking email, streaming music, etc.

Same thing with customer service. It's a non differentiator for me. I can't remember the last time I called or chatted with Cricket.

 

[davidf18]

I have to say I am thoroughly disappointed with VZW of late. I've been a long-time customer since Nextel folded their direct connect feature back in the 2000's. Everyone I worked with had the DC feature and our radios sucked (they still do) and we used this as an alternate solution.

Anyway, back to VZW. I have the absolute BEST consumer plan and handset VZW sells. I have the "Get More" plan with an iPhone 14PM. Gotta say I am consistently UNDERwhelmed with the quality of the voice and data service from VZW. I sometimes get the 5G uw service but when I do it's absolutely terrible. I was at a doctor's visit on my lunch break on Monday over by the hospital and while I was waiting decided to check my work email on my device. I saw I was in the "uw" coverage are and was expecting to see at least decent speeds. No dice. It was sub 1Mbps with a full signal. Most of the places I see the 'uw" signal the speed is far worse than the 4G LTE speeds. This is in the areas that are in the new "C band" deployments. A few places I go have the mm wave (like the beach, or the local sports complex) and that is absolutely blazingly fast. But how often do I use that? the 4g LTE speeds are consistently faster that the regular 5G speeds. The coverage at my office is spotty at best, and I have to tell people to call my desk phone if they want to talk to me. A lot of my coworkers who use VZW have the same complaints. The service just isn't what it used to be.

Currently, I stick with VZW because the land based broadband options in my area are Comcast and Fios. Comcast's wireless is a MVNO of Verizon Wireless ANYWAY so if I don't want to get gouged on my broadband, and since I bundle I get my Fios for $24/mo. I get a first responder discount from VZW for my mobile, and my plan includes Apple Music and Hulu, which we do use. I also get better network priority by being a VZW customer as opposed to on a MVNO. I also have GETS/WPS through work for voice/land line calls.

I wouldn't recommend VZW's service to anyone outright as a stand-alone product these days. VZW used to be THE company that had the best coverage (I'm in the Northeast Megalopolis) but talking to friends I work with and other people in my line of work, a lot of them are migrating to T-mobile or AT&T/First Net.

I'm a VZW person with the 14 PM on the 5G Get More also but in NYC. I get good c-band service, 150-250 Mbps download.
Which metro area are you in?
Sometimes I have to Airplane mode it or do a full phone reset.

Have you called tech support and spoke with 2nd tier?

Also, have you tried Test mode, *3001#12345#* and checked your RSRQ and RSRP?

 

[TechieGeek]

5G “welcome” doesn’t include access to the 5G ultra-wideband (mmWave) UWB network. I can’t believe this website is doing free advertising for Verizon for this plan that clearly sucks.

When they get capacity-constrained they'll push everyone onto mmWave, just like they pushed everyone off 3G onto 4G, and off 4G onto LTE.

 

[CarlJ]

I'm always wondering what people are doing on their phones to truly necessitate more than 3-4GB/mo

I was surpassing that for a while. For me it was a combination of Pokemon Go and watching video (was picking up one of my nieces from school, and sometimes we'd watch stuff on YouTube - yes, not as good as a TV, but it was what I had with me). I ended up switching to an unlimited plan, as I was going well over 4 GB quite often (it was cheaper to upgrade than to pay the overage charges). These days, not so much. My monthly cell data usage now is laughably low, mostly some occasional music streaming or web surfing, and video is quite rare, mostly if it's linked to from an article (my long walks now involve podcasts or audiobooks, all downloaded over WiFi, rather than Ingress or Pokemon Go - the pandemic got me out of those games).

I'm actually looking to drop down from Verizon to either Mint or Visible. Having trouble deciding between them - both have reasonable plans... I like the idea of staying on Verizon's towers, but I'm a touch spooked by the comments earlier about Visible only routing through one server on the east coast (I'm on the west coast) - I don't mind slow speeds (if it can keep up with music streaming), but I wast reliable streaming. I routinely get full bars on Verizon at home, and only 1-2 bars on T-Mobile (I have a 2GB/mo prepaid SIM in my iPad). But perhaps that isn't a problem, because at home I'm always on WiFi, and Mint appears to support WiFi calling. (Both networks have generally good coverage here, with Verizon's coverage perhaps being more complete.)