Verizon Introduces 'Share Everything' Service Plan for Up to Ten Devices

[AustinIllini]

one thing I see in may of your stories is that your going from a unlimited plan to a caped plan and you have not allotted a cost to this. Do you think unlimited is worth nothing?

See, here's the thing. I keep thinking this, too. The difference is

1) The average iPhone user probably uses between .5 and 1.5 GB per month. An unlimited plan and a 2 GB plan are the same if you use that much data.
2) I don't think we can trust the carrier to honor the unlimited data plans. They can throttle you at any point and change a contract you signed at any time.

 

[_Refurbished_]

2gb/person may seem enough now, but how about 1, 2 or 5 years down the road? Remember not so long ago we were still using dial up Internet and look where we are now. Ideally Verizon wants everyone to get off the unlimited plan.

Unlimited is dead . Sprint's .5mbit / high latency data is not a good alternative. There's a reason they give you unlimited.

2 GB of data is what I am going to "test the waters with". I can adjust my plan up to 10 GB and not pay more than I'm currently paying. I do have wiggle room, if I need it. I'm just excited to be potentially save $30 a month .

In five years the plans could be completely different. I have a feeling data caps will rise, as 4G competition picks up.

Down the road, all of the carriers will have solid 4G coverage. This will allow for market competition. Right now Verizon is well ahead of the pack for 4G coverage. If you want nationwide 4G, there is no alternative. If T-Mobile or Sprint had solid 4G coverage and data speeds, with their current pricing, I'd switch to them in a heartbeat. The problem is they don't. The majority of people in these forums threatening to switch to another provider will have to deal with inferior service.

In the end, you get what you pay for. I for one am willing to pay extra for a 10 + mbit connection. I can see why others don't want to. Solution? Switch to Sprint or T-Moble. This is the same for most markets. If you can't afford / have no use for a Lexus, you can buy a Toyota. They are both nice, but the Lexus will get you there quicker . (I am not trying to sound like a snob, I drive a Honda lol...just pointing out an analogy)

 

[techiegirl]

one thing I see in may of your stories is that your going from a unlimited plan to a caped plan and you have not allotted a cost to this. Do you think unlimited is worth nothing?

Considering you'd have to pay full price for a phone to keep unlimited data, I'm not sure if it's feasible for most people. For me, it's $450 x 3 = $1,350 to in subsidies to keep my 3 unlimited data iPhones.

 

[MacAddict1978]

Wow, no wonder it took so long! It takes a lot of time to figure out how to keep prices the same or HIGHER. Verizon way to go, you have some great employees!

http://www.theverge.com/2012/6/12/3080245/verizons-share-everything-plans-miss-the-mark

Color me confused. The article linked talkes about a single device being $40 for unlimited talk and text... but is this really how this thing works??

It's $50 for unlimited talk, txt, and 1 gb... plus $40 to hook the phone up to it. So isn't that really $90/month??? Not $40?

The way they have this outlined is really odd...and why could they just share data?

This is what happens when 80% of people use the same two carriers... you allow them to hold you hostage.

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So right now I pay about $68 for 450 minutes, 500 texts, and unlimited data. Under the new plan, I'd pay $90 + fees for unlimited minutes and text, and 1 GB of data? Screw you verizon! Never thought I would say this but I'll prob switch to ATT when the new iPhone comes out

"Share Everything?" More like "Share the lube!"

AT&T is launching a similar plan any day now... and I bet it will not be any more competitive. They will either match this exactly, or MAYBE offer a tier of minutes that would be like setting your bank card on fire.

 

[Geckotek]

Was all ready to switch to Verizon w/ the next iPhone. I even bought an LTE iPad on Verizon. Now I have to reconsider. May even sell the iPad to get an AT&T version if AT&T comes out with something slightly better.

Damn't Verizon, you've made it impossible to defend you now.

 

[tasset]

Color me confused. The article linked talkes about a single device being $40 for unlimited talk and text... but is this really how this thing works??

It's $50 for unlimited talk, txt, and 1 gb... plus $40 to hook the phone up to it. So isn't that really $90/month??? Not $40?

The way they have this outlined is really odd...and why could they just share data?

That is correct. You are paying $50 for the feature of voice/SMS and metered data, and $40 additional for each smartphone to access that ability. Wouldn't make sense for 1 device only. But 2 devices = $50 + $40 + $40 + taxes/fees.

 

[MacAddict1978]

Unlimited is dead . (for now)

In five years the plans could be completely different. Why would you judge a plan for five years down the road? I have a feeling data caps will rise, as 4G competition picks up.

In the end, you get what you pay for. I for one am willing to pay extra for a 10 + mbit connection. I can see why others don't want to. Solution? Switch to Sprint or T-Moble. This is the same for most markets. If you can't afford / have no use for a Lexus, you can buy a Toyota. They are both nice, but the Lexus will get you there quicker . (I am not trying to sound like a snob, I drive a Honda lol...just pointing out an analogy)

The only issues with Sprint or T-Mo is the consistency of their networks. Verizon and AT&T definitely cover far more ground, but the 2 little guys are working on that. If you live in a good coverage area, your argument about a Lexus Vs. a Toyota doesn't work, but when you don't.... it's a great analogy.

We all really need the little guys to do well, because only their success can keep the big 2 at bay from their eternal price gouging of customers.

Look at what they've attempted int eh past year or done:
Verizon: tried to charge you $5 fee just to pay your bill if you did not elect in auto pay (Thank you FTC for instantly smacking them)
AT&T: Now shuts off your service if your bill is 1 day late, and then charges you a late fee... and $40 for an automated system to turn you back in.
AT&T: now only offers unlimited texting for $20 (though you get unlimited mobile to any mobile minutes for the fee) limiting choice and raising the per message rate to .25 cents.

Now we're getting shared data plans that are eventually going to be forced on you at renewal time, and only benefit a small number of people.

Looking at the little 2, they offer better plan options and pricing, none of those insane fees. I mean, Sprint is going to charge you $15 to use an operator to change your phone number (but free online to do it yourself)... verizon and at&t charge you like $39!!!

Consumers vote with their money... and as long at the majority of people go to the big 2, little will stop them, no matter how competitive someone else is.

 

[groupersandwich]

I just got off the phone with VZW, and the rep said, "We just found out about this three hours ago." So, she wasn't up to speed. In fact, when I talked about the overage cost on data, she didn't know that they would add data in the case of overages at the cost of $10/1 GB. She "researched" it and confirmed that I was correct.

When I asked her whether we would be able to keep the 18% discount that we get because of my wife's job, she said that employer discounts don't currently apply to the unlimited talk plan so while she wasn't 100% sure about the applicability to the "Share Everything" plan, she didn't think employer discounts would apply to the new "Share Everything" plan since it's unlimited talk.

Can anyone confirm/deny this based on your experience/conversations with VZW? If we lose our 18% discount, that would be a bummer, but based on our data usage, it still looks like we'll save about $15 to $20 a month on the "Share Everything" plan even without the discount.

I was told this morning that corporate discounts would apply to access fees ONLY and not the data/voice/text portion of the plan. I was, however told that the discount would apply to ALL lines and not just the primary. We'll see on that last part as it's always been just the primary in the past. But, that is what I was told by a VZW rep. Take for it's worth, which is probably not much.

 

[tigress666]

So, doing the math these plans are great if you use a lot of minutes and calling and texting but don't use much data (not sure if you use a lot of data if they are decent).

Basically, they suck for those of us who don't use the "phone" part of our smartphone very much (even compared to limited plans) but if you need a lot of minutes they may be a good deal (Think of it this way, instead of paying for minutes and getting unlimited data for a set fee now you are paying for data (at a very pricey price imho) and getting unlimited minutes for a set fee).

Also, no one has answered my question... is this the only plans Verizon is going to offer or do they offer the traditional non sharing data plans as well? Cause if this is the only plan they offer, Verizon better hope AT&T follows suit cause honestly, it's a rip off if you don't use minutes much and a lot of people are moving away from that. I personally hope Verizon fails miserably, AT&T doesn't follow suit and profits just so Verizon can see that people will not stand for this stuff and you profit more by not doing it (this is what I hope will happen, not what I think will happen. I think if AT&T doesn't follow suit they will quickly see Verizon did not do well but if AT&T follows suit quick enough they may not give it time to see it's a failed plan and then you get the problem of no competitor to convince them they need to change).

 

[surma884]

See, here's the thing. I keep thinking this, too. The difference is

1) The average iPhone user probably uses between .5 and 1.5 GB per month. An unlimited plan and a 2 GB plan are the same if you use that much data.
2) I don't think we can trust the carrier to honor the unlimited data plans. They can throttle you at any point and change a contract you signed at any time.

That's the current average. There are people who stream music and videos. As stuff moves to the cloud there will be need for more data. I would hate to have to be near a wifi signal to get some big files off the cloud.

 

[tigress666]

My wife and daughter have been wanting iPhones for a long time.

Old plan: $150 for 3GB for one device, iPhone for one user, no tethering. It would be $40 more to give them each an iPhone with a terrible 300 MB cap. $60 more to get them phones with a 3GB cap. Add another $20 (each) on top to enable tethering (without having to jailbreak). I could end up spending $270 to get us all iPhones with tethering and decent caps!

New plan: $190 for 4GB we can ALL use, iPhone for ALL of us, and tethering for ALL of us - so we can get all of our tablets and other devices online when we travel.

That's still a $40 increase over our existing $150 plan, but we'd get so much more than before.

Sounds like AT&T is a far better bargain.

For me and my roommate, with two 30 dollar plans, it's 107 including fees (we do get a discount but the fees take care of that, basically 60 dollars for the two data plans plus about a 30-40 dollar minutes plan that we share and the 10 dollar extra line fee - as I said, the discount seems to take care of the add on fees). Granted we don't call much so we don't use those minutes much (as I said, Verizon's new plans are better for those who use a lot of minutes but not much data) but even if we were on limited for that price we would get 3 GB each. To add another phone would be 40 dollars (includes 10 dollar extra line fee + 30 dollars for 3GB plan). So 140 total for three people to have iphones on our plan (granted, the minutes really get stretched out as we are sharing minutes and I haven't seen what new minute plans cost, but still far better than the 190 you think will save you money, I'm sure for 50 dollars more you can easily get a good minutes plan to split up. Hell, if many of the people you call are on AT&T, you probably don't need a plan quite that much more expensive for your minutes cause calls to other AT&T phones don't take your minutes).

 

[rockametrics]

You know what? Regardless I will probably switch back to VZW because I can't make a call on ATT anymore from home. I use tango pretty much to call friends who have it and it doesn't always work that great. I hate to say it but the service may justify the cost...

 

[tdar]

Was all ready to switch to Verizon w/ the next iPhone. I even bought an LTE iPad on Verizon. Now I have to reconsider. May even sell the iPad to get an AT&T version if AT&T comes out with something slightly better.

Damn't Verizon, you've made it impossible to defend you now.

Don't worry ATT's plan was be as bad or worse.

 

[tdar]

That's the current average. There are people who stream music and videos. As stuff moves to the cloud there will be need for more data. I would hate to have to be near a wifi signal to get some big files off the cloud.

Yes let's look at just Apple in the last year:

Launched iCloud
Launched iTunes match
Raised the download cap from iTunes store twice
Launched facetime and added 3G/4G support
Launched imessage

It's all moving to the cloud ,Data and it's cost are going to be important.

 

[Rogzilla]

I don't get the confusion here. It makes sense to me.

 

[aajeev]

I was told this morning that corporate discounts would apply to access fees ONLY and not the data/voice/text portion of the plan. I was, however told that the discount would apply to ALL lines and not just the primary. We'll see on that last part as it's always been just the primary in the past. But, that is what I was told by a VZW rep. Take for it's worth, which is probably not much.

If what you were told is true about the discount on all lines, then this could save money.

 

[zorinlynx]

If you can't afford / have no use for a Lexus, you can buy a Toyota. They are both nice, but the Lexus will get you there quicker . (I am not trying to sound like a snob, I drive a Honda lol...just pointing out an analogy)

More comfortable? Maybe. Quicker? Doubt it, unless you want to risk a speeding ticket. Provided you want to avoid going to jail, even the most expensive cars on the market won't get you there faster than the cheapest ones these days. Especially if there's traffic.

Traffic is the great equalizer. That multi-millionaire in the limo ain't gonna get there any faster than you are.

 

[steeler]

Here's the part that confuses me. If you can use your phone as a hotspot, couldn't you just share your data with your tablet via wi-fi? No need for the $130 upcharge on the tablet, no need for the $10 per month for tablet either?

What am I missing?

This is exactly what I was thinking... if I already have an iPhone (or other hotspot capable phone) on Verizon, what would be the compelling reason to go with an LTE iPad (or other tablet with 3G or LTE) over just a wi-fi version?

 

[Michael CM1]

I recall countless times of telling people that Verizon would be no golden ticket savior when it got the iPhone. AT&T had issues because of all the iPhone traffic.

Well, it took about 18 months for Verizon to screw the pooch with iPhones. This may be neat for those of you who live in 4G LTE areas with 8 devices. But what about those of us whom I assume are in the majority -- minimal voice users who can get by with 2GB but aren't filthy rich?

I could give a rat's patoot about unlimited calling. Considering the fact that I have NEVER gone over my monthly limit in about a decade of owning a cellphone with the $40 minute package, I had unlimited minutes! Unlimited messaging thrown in just shows how much of a joke it was to charge for that.

Yes, I know I'll be grandfathered in on my Verizon plan. But weren't you people with the unlimited data on AT&T and Verizon grandfathered as well? How long has it taken for you to all but get un-grandfathered?

This sounds like the wet dream of some marketing person. OOH, IT'S SO SIMPLE. I'll take $20 cheaper and slight complexity over $90 for a stupid "simple" plan like what I have now. Oh how nice, I won't get charged for using a personal hot spot. It's like you're not charging me for using a data allotment I already had.

Has anybody checked on the upgrade fees yet? Surely corporate wouldn't let such a move go by without adding a buck or two to that nonsense charge.

 

[Porco]

haha...what happens if i fall into two of those? i like mushrooms and my toothbrush is blue. do i get to fork over $40 or just the higher priced one?

So what if you're over 35, love mushrooms, and your toothbrush is blue?

(yes, I'm being completely cheeky)

Well I just don't trust people over 35 who like Mushrooms and/or have blue toothbrushes: "no soup for you!"

No, following the analogy to the Verizon deal, you'd have to pay the $40 + the $30 +the $10 to get my 'shared data' whilst wanting access in all those categories that really make no difference to me, ahem, I mean um, are really vital for important and complex issues surrounding using data. hmmmmm....

 

[macdreamer82]

Don't worry ATT's plan was be as bad or worse.

Really? Because ATT's data plans are a better value than Verizons now.

 

[tigress666]

Really? Because ATT's data plans are a better value than Verizons now.

Agreed, but problem is how long will that last?

I'm surprised AT&T hasn't announced they aren't going to grandfather unlimited yet since Verizon made that announcement (especially when the CEO says his biggest regret was unlimited plans right around the same time). I'm betting AT&T is letting Verizon be the guinea pig here and if it goes well for Verizon, we're going to see AT&T do the same thing.

So I really hope Verizon screws the pooch on this one (I hope they have screwed the pooch on no longer grandfathering plans cause as I said, I think AT&T is just letting Verizon be the guinea pig and if it goes well for Verizon, AT&T is probably going to follow suit).

 

[Will do good]

I wish Apple will just buy out one of these dumb pipe company and give Apple customers a good deal. Here's why this is good for Apple.

Reason 1: Even more people will be buying iPhone- after all Apple can makes money on both the hardware and the data.

Reason 2: Give the Telcos a lesson of what good service suppose to be

Reason 3: With all of Apple's money, this will be a smart business move.

 

[StudioGuy]

Would be worse for us

I was excited about the shared data plan, but right now we have the 700 min Family plan with unlimited texting and data for 3 iPhones and a basic phone. Runs us $210 (without discounts) + taxes.

New plan capped at 4 GB of data is $220 + taxes.

Might start to tip if we switch to Verizon for next iPad, which would only add $10, and use the data pool; but, for now standing pat.


For those needing lots of minutes, it's probably an improvement. But, for us minimum voice folks, it's no help yet.

Always seem to have higher expectations...

 

[groupersandwich]

If what you were told is true about the discount on all lines, then this could save money.

Like I said, take what the rep said with a grain of salt...

http://www.droid-life.com/2012/06/12/verizon-share-everything-data-plans-applying-corporate-discounts-tablets-no-longer-subsidized-or-discounted/