Verizon iPhone to Ship in A Few Weeks with Unlimited Data Plans?

[ToroidalZeus]

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Sounds to me like Verizon's offering should be appealing to less than 2% of users since thats about how many iPhone users crack 2GB per month and Verizon's unlimited data plan is more expensive than AT&T.

I'm still so lost as to why people are so excited for Verizon to get such a data centric phone...seems like it is about the opposite of the network you would want to use an iPhone on...

CDMA so no voice and data at the same time

Worst battery life

No where near the wifi network AT&T gives you

AND MUCH slower data all over the place

Which service you use is very much a regional/local issue for many of us. here in the Bay Area, At&t sucks. Constant dropped calls and no bars. When I go to NYC and DC, same story. I also have a Verizon dumb phone and it has lots of bars when my iphone 3Gs has none.
Glad you live in an area where At&t is good, but lots of us don't. Or, maybe you work for At&t.
Oh, and by the way, Consumer Reports' readers survey results showed that At&t is the worst network of all four. Verizon was highest rated.
Of course lots of us want to switch.

Maybe you'd realize it's the iPhone not the network that's the problem. Lmao it's gonna be hilarious when people get the viphone just to find out they get dropped calls now.

 

[lifeinhd]

So CDMA won't allow concurrent voice/data access? This is kind of a dealbreaker for me since I use my iPhone as my GPS most of the time, and I need to be able to answer a call at the same time.

Can anybody confirm this is a limitation?

I can confirm this is NOT a limitation. I have a Droid Eris on VZW and more than once, I've been using it as a GPS, had a call come in, picked up and talked, and went right back to using GPS. Sometimes, it will freeze while making the switch from GPS to cellular and back again, but my guess is this has more to do with the phone than the network (the Eris is a piece of crap).

I expect lower prices at Verizon...

Hehe, says the man with the username "NoExpectations"

 

[bergmef]

So CDMA won't allow concurrent voice/data access? This is kind of a dealbreaker for me since I use my iPhone as my GPS most of the time, and I need to be able to answer a call at the same time.

Can anybody confirm this is a limitation?

The SVDO spec states the network has no issue handling it. It comes down to whether the handset manufacturer (apple in this case) decides to add it.

My plan has 400 minutes, I use 40. Why do I need rollover? I have the smallest plan available. Everyone I know is on the same network so no minutes are used.

 

[NoExpectations]

Not always. And nothing is slower than stopped. Around my town, you'll be able to tell the Verizon iPhone users simply because they'll be able to use voice and data inside of restaurants, while the ATT users cannot.


If the GPS app has its own database, you can.


Rollover minutes are great if you live on the edge between plans. Otherwise it's strange to hear people talk about their thousands of minutes that will never get used... it simply means they had too big a plan.



The reason Verizon didn't have to have WiFi in their handsets, was because they didn't have to rely on it for coverage like ATT does.

OK, given the choice, do you want....

Concurrent Data/Voice OR no Concurrent Data/Voice?
Rollover minutes OR no rollover minutes?
Free Wifi OR no Free Wifi?

How can you argue against these free features?

 

[DiamondMac]

That is the other thing, very few people use a ton of data.

And that mindset is losing more substance every day

Even taking away the HIGH abusers, more people are using data everyday. It shows in the ridiculous increase per year in data usage from cellphone users

Add in that more products are being released on phones AND AT&T/Verizon seem to encourage people to use their products and services off their phones, and it seems perplexing to me to have such a LAUGHABLY low cap (2gb?)

 

[Burger King]

I really wish people would stop using "Unlimited" in these stories. Verizon and AT&T were both 5GB for $30. 5GB isn't even remotely close to "unlimited", and would be quickly exceeded for many people if they actually used the phone like they do their computer. AT&T dropped from 5 to 2GB, and from $30 to $25.

I'm not too annoyed with Comcast's "unlimited" 250GB plan, because it would be very, very hard to exceed that today. But a single game or video rental could more than blow through the "unlimited" 5GB, so...

Could you please provide a link that the cap is 5gb for smartphones on Verizon?

 

[davidcarswell]

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I still have unlimited on AT&T - grandfathered it from 3G to 3GS to IP4 - every time I get a new phone I keep thinking they'll take it away. But they are still honoring my original plan entirely.

So does anyone know what verizon will be charging to use the iphone's built in features like wifi, Bluetooth, visual voicemail, etc. Verizon is notorious for complete control over phone featured. Is apple letting them have their own side-storefront for verizon apps? Who's gonna give? Apple or Verizon?

 

[dampfnudel]

Because there are non-informed idiots, sorry consumers, who don't read or investigate a purchase and buy on impulse - or when available in this case. I don't blame Apple, if you can make some money fine not like it will stop working when the new version comes out.

Sure, companies will try to make quick cash off stup...I mean uninformed customers, but from a production perspective does it make sense for Apple to begin a new production line for the white iPhone 4 and shut it down in a very short time? Unless Apple plans to keep selling the white iPhone 4 (cheaper) alongside the next iPhone.

 

[NoExpectations]

I can confirm this is NOT a limitation. I have a Droid Eris on VZW and more than once, I've been using it as a GPS, had a call come in, picked up and talked, and went right back to using GPS. Sometimes, it will freeze while making the switch from GPS to cellular and back again, but my guess is this has more to do with the phone than the network (the Eris is a piece of crap).



Hehe, says the man with the username "NoExpectations"

It is a well documented restriction of Verizon's implementation of CDMA...NO CONCURRENT VOICE and DATA. MAybe your GPS App had a local database to work off of.

....from Noexpectations with some expectations after all.

 

[Burger King]

Regarding the news itself...good news, and I hope it quickly comes to the next 4 largest carriers too (and then some). Verizon sounds like a pain though compared to AT&T, which apperently lets you adjust your plans on a month to month basis, even allowing you to backdate the change, while Verizon as I understand it forces you to do a new contract to change anything. I hope/assume Verizon also lets you continue on your current plan after you've finished your contract at least.

You understand wrong.....

 

[macnews]

Sure, companies will try to make quick cash off stup...I mean uninformed customers, but from a production perspective does it make sense for Apple to begin a new production line for the white iPhone 4 and shut it down in a very short time? Unless Apple plans to keep selling the white iPhone 4 (cheaper) alongside the next iPhone.

If the rumors are true and the new form factor isn't change, yes this makes total sense.

 

[cameronjpu]

The idea that AT&T's 2gb cap was even remotely enough for even average users is a joke

AT&T was blatantly ripping consumers and hiding behind this "abuse" crap

Want to actually stop abuse? Try putting a cap significantly higher than 2gb.

What a joke

You've lived too long in an echo chamber. Even a 1 GB cap is overkill for "average" iPhone users. Now, for the top 5% of users, 2 GB is probably about right. For the top 1%, it would probably be around 10GB. ATT would probably love to get rid of these customers.

 

[lifeinhd]

It is a well documented restriction of Verizon's implementation of CDMA...NO CONCURRENT VOICE and DATA. MAybe your GPS App had a local database to work off of.

I just use the Google Navigation app, I have no idea how it works.

 

[JB413]

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I am switching! I get no service at home or at work. I stayed with ATT because that's how good the phone is! I can't wait. I will be so pissed if this thing falls through.

 

[PeterQVenkman]

I might just buy one straight up and get a voice/text only plan.

 

[lpj8]

OK, given the choice, do you want....

Concurrent Data/Voice OR no Concurrent Data/Voice?
Rollover minutes OR no rollover minutes?
Free Wifi OR no Free Wifi?

How can you argue against these free features?

These features would be nice, But it's not worth not being able to consistently make or receive phone calls. This probably isn't true for everyone, so I won't attempt to generalize my experiences to the population. However, these are is my anecdotal experiences.

You knock Consumer Reports results based upon sampling procedures. But it's still a significant number of respondents who indicated their opinions.

 

[davidcarswell]

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They've never said "boo" about my 7-15gb a month. In fact they sent me a $100 dollars for being a great customer this Christmas - and yes I found that totally weird. But I won't argue - I'm no fool.

 

[rkw0211]

So, when will we see the first Verizon CDMA iPhone get jail-broken to work on the Sprint CDMA Network?

Never, because Sprint and Verizon do not activate each other's phones. In fact, Sprint will not even activate a Virgin Mobile or Boost phone, which they both own. Where you will see activations is at MetroPCS and Cricket. They'll even unlock the phone for you. And to another person, yes, Verizon and Sprint both use the same frequencies. 850 and 1900.

 

[lpj8]

It is a well documented restriction of Verizon's implementation of CDMA...NO CONCURRENT VOICE and DATA. MAybe your GPS App had a local database to work off of.

....from Noexpectations with some expectations after all.

I use GPS while on the phone all the time. It works fine. Free voice guided GPS FTW.

 

[SandynJosh]

That Consumer Reports survey was full of holes. It was only 'open' to their online subscribers and half of the respondents from AT&T were iPhone users....a group of users who basically have the highest usage rates and highest service expectations. No other provider had iPhone users.

You need to compare hard data. A day after this Consumer Reports survey came out, the BBB (Better Business Bureau) published the results and AT&T had the lowest complaint rate of all the wireless providers. This is hard data....not subjective input from a restrictive survey.

First off, yours was a well-reasoned and intelligent response. I'm less confident that any BBB numbers are as hard as they could be. The BBB has earned a reputation for giving better rating for better "donations." Too bad, but money corrupts, and many well-earned business names have been self-tarnished with poor internal ethics since 2008.

Also, according to findings from national drive tests conducted by an industry-expert third-party testing firm, Global Wireless Solutions (GWS), AT&T was on top.

GWS drove more than 950,000 road miles over several months in more than 400 U.S. markets, representing about 88 percent of the U.S. population, making their November 2010 study one of the most comprehensive and thorough studies of U.S. mobile network performance. Their scientific study found that AT&T's network is significantly faster than any of the other providers and was 1 dropped call in 1000 from the leader.

The GWS results are likely spot on. However 88 percent of the U.S. population is far less than 88% of the U.S. geography. I live in one of the less populous states on the prairie where Verizon is heavily based. Out here we are more interested in being able to make a connection then having one dropped. I'd love to have AT&T's speed...but first I need to have a signal.

 

[macnews]

I can confirm this is NOT a limitation. I have a Droid Eris on VZW and more than once, I've been using it as a GPS, had a call come in, picked up and talked, and went right back to using GPS. Sometimes, it will freeze while making the switch from GPS to cellular and back again, but my guess is this has more to do with the phone than the network (the Eris is a piece of crap).

Ummm, that is not what I would consider concurrent use. You are using GPS, a call comes in and GPS STOPS. You talk, then get off the call and then go BACK to using GPS. That is not concurrent use as I see it. If I am not understanding you PLEASE correct me.

Here is my idea of concurrent use... you are using GPS, a call comes in you put it on speaker and go back to GPS WHILE talking.

Understand, I am not calling you a liar but I want to make sure we are talking the EXACT same situation. If I am not understanding, please correct. I am more interested in getting the actual result then who is right/wrong.

 

[zorinlynx]

It's confirmed (WSJ Link).

Verizon's CDMA network is built COMPLETELY different from how AT&T's is built. It's a huge limitation that prevents ANY phone on their network (iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, etc.) from being able to talk and access the web at the same time.

A quick Google search will show the number of people upset about this. Also, there's some articles about the iPhone being able to support it if Version changes a few things with their network. But if it happens, that's another story.

EDIT: This is the reason why Apple made those iPhone ads awhile back that say, "Can your phone and your network do that?"

I've had my iPhone for two months and I've yet to use data while on a voice call.

I have a feeling people who do this regularly are in the minority.

 

[TUD]

As a former Verizon customer who left only because of the 3GS in June '09, I am sticking it out with AT&T until I see what Apple brings to the table in June '11.

 

[dampfnudel]

You've lived too long in an echo chamber. Even a 1 GB cap is overkill for "average" iPhone users. Now, for the top 5% of users, 2 GB is probably about right. For the top 1%, it would probably be around 10GB. ATT would probably love to get rid of these customers.

I wish Verizon offered 1GB at $19.95 or at very least bumped up the 150MB for $15 to 500MB. 150MB is not enough and I don't need unlimited. Give me something in-between.

 

[lpj8]

Ummm, that is not what I would consider concurrent use. You are using GPS, a call comes in and GPS STOPS. You talk, then get off the call and then go BACK to using GPS. That is not concurrent use as I see it. If I am not understanding you PLEASE correct me.

Here is my idea of concurrent use... you are using GPS, a call comes in you put it on speaker and go back to GPS WHILE talking.

Understand, I am not calling you a liar but I want to make sure we are talking the EXACT same situation. If I am not understanding, please correct. I am more interested in getting the actual result then who is right/wrong.

I have a Droid. Here is how it works. You have GPS on, a phone call comes in, you start talking. When you are about to come to a turn, the voice guided GPS voices over the call and says "Make a right/left at wherever" without interrupting your phone call.