I'm wondering if this applies to me since I signed up for this promo I found on Slickdeals last year....
Unlimited Talk, Text, and Data for $69.99/month.
Unlimited Talk, Text, and Data for $69.99/month.
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Verizon Planning to End Grandfathered Unlimited Data Plans With LTE Switch
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My first thought about this is how everyone will let VZW get away with this just because they're too busy saying/believing that they can do no wrong.
I'd like to know how you're required to change the rate plan you're on just because you get a phone upgrade. We'd have to look through the contract but the phone isn't tied to the data plan. I plan to look at my contract when I have time but that just doesn't sound right.
I'd like to know how you're required to change the rate plan you're on just because you get a phone upgrade. We'd have to look through the contract but the phone isn't tied to the data plan. I plan to look at my contract when I have time but that just doesn't sound right.
I've got Verizon currently. We have a shared family plan for two lines. We have 1400 minutes, unlimited mobile to any mobile, unlimited texting, and we have grandfathered unlimited data on BOTH lines. It's a great plan and we pay a PREMIUM for it. Before my 19% corporate discount, our bill is $214/month.
Before my iPhone 4, I had the Thunderbolt and with it rooted and wireless tethering, the Mac amount of data I used was 10GB/month. I averaged around 6GB/month.
If Verizon will charge no more than $30 for 5GB, I'd be okay with that. I mean, if you're heavy data user, you can't expect to always have it for a cheap price. Unless Verizon charged in excess of $50 for 5GB, I'd stay with Verizon. The network is hands down better than AT&T or anyone else.
Before my iPhone 4, I had the Thunderbolt and with it rooted and wireless tethering, the Mac amount of data I used was 10GB/month. I averaged around 6GB/month.
If Verizon will charge no more than $30 for 5GB, I'd be okay with that. I mean, if you're heavy data user, you can't expect to always have it for a cheap price. Unless Verizon charged in excess of $50 for 5GB, I'd stay with Verizon. The network is hands down better than AT&T or anyone else.
Please be careful Steve Lawrence.
Everything you just posted is pretty visible.
Take care.
I have two iPhones on T-Mobile with unlimited data (yes on Edge) for less than $80 a month. Even though the network speed isn't 3G, I stream Pandora, watch YouTube videos, and surf the net. You can't get a similar plan on AT&T, but the cheapest set up for two iPhones on AT&T is $140 a month. It is similar to AT&T's prices on Verizon.
Further, I really don't get the whole advertising the speed of AT&T and Verizon's networks. I can use 3 Gigabits of data watching one movie.
I have used every major carrier, and what you say completely depends on quite a few variables and on what you mean. For instance, AT&T's 3G data network is superior to Verizon just about everywhere. T-Mobile's is faster than AT&T's in many places. In Northern Michigan, the only Towers in many areas is AT&T towers, so Verizon's will be piggy backing on AT&T towers.
Traditionally, Verizon's strength was that its voice network reached more places than AT&T, but AT&T has strongholds and has significantly narrowed the gap. In Ann Arbor Michigan, my buddy convinced Verizon to loan him an iPhone to see if he wanted to switch from AT&T. The data speed is much faster using an iPhone on AT&T than Verizon, and the voice quality isn't distinguishable. We also tested his iPhone 4S on T-Mobile, which I currently use. Moreover, T-Mobile's voice network works better around me than AT&T's (at least when using an iPhone). If you aren't using an iPhone, T-Mobile's high speed data network is faster than both AT&T and Verizons except in places where the big two have deployed fully LTE. Even in these areas, T-Mobile's speed is still competitive though especially considering T-Mobile's data is unlimited and if you like to watch a few movies on your phone you will suck through the data caps quick.
Further, like you said, you pay a huge premium for what you get on Verizon. On T-Mobile I can get unlimited on two lines off contract for a hundred bucks. Even if Verizon's network is better (which in my area I don't think it is as I used to be on it), I certainly wouldn't get an extra hundred dollars worth of value by switching back to Verizon.
Traditionally, Verizon's strength was that its voice network reached more places than AT&T, but AT&T has strongholds and has significantly narrowed the gap. In Ann Arbor Michigan, my buddy convinced Verizon to loan him an iPhone to see if he wanted to switch from AT&T. The data speed is much faster using an iPhone on AT&T than Verizon, and the voice quality isn't distinguishable. We also tested his iPhone 4S on T-Mobile, which I currently use. Moreover, T-Mobile's voice network works better around me than AT&T's (at least when using an iPhone). If you aren't using an iPhone, T-Mobile's high speed data network is faster than both AT&T and Verizons except in places where the big two have deployed fully LTE. Even in these areas, T-Mobile's speed is still competitive though especially considering T-Mobile's data is unlimited and if you like to watch a few movies on your phone you will suck through the data caps quick.
Further, like you said, you pay a huge premium for what you get on Verizon. On T-Mobile I can get unlimited on two lines off contract for a hundred bucks. Even if Verizon's network is better (which in my area I don't think it is as I used to be on it), I certainly wouldn't get an extra hundred dollars worth of value by switching back to Verizon.
Yup - I'm just waiting for 1900 to be on 3G and I'll probably make the switch. Their value plans are hard to beat. I'd be willing to wait out their LTE rollout with HSPA+ 42 4G in my area - which the next iPhone should be supporting.
Well...I'm going back down to a dumbphone if this is true, and Verizon can suck it if they want the $30 a month they've been getting from me, since 3G service has gone to the pits since 4G became common around my parts.
If they want to charge much more for the amount of data...they can get some of something or all of nothing.
If they want to charge much more for the amount of data...they can get some of something or all of nothing.
Ok I read the whole thread, and no one asked this very important question: What if you simply ask Verizon to extend your contract X amount of years at your own free will and choice? Yeah you'd lose new phone discounts but then you can just continually buy LTE phones at full price on eBay, put in the new SIM on your own and enjoy unlimited data for as long as your extended contract lasts. I just can't see how Verizon would say no to a customer willing to extend his contract on his own.
If Verizon grandfathers my current LTE plan (I have unlimited data with a Galaxy Nexus) I will upgrade to the iPhone if it has a larger screen.
If Verizon screws me I'm sticking with my Nexus. I just checked my data usage.
6 of 31 days in May I'm at 895.30MB
April = 8.13GB
March = 7.54GB
February = 6.74GB
January = 9.32GB
There is no way I can live off of 2 to 4GB of data or some silly family share plan. If I was you guys I would buy a used LTE phone to get locked into unlimited 4G and then sale the phone when you upgrade. Only problem is Verizon might do away with grandfathered LTE if you sign a new contract. If that's the case I will have to start buying my phones out of pocket which will really hurt; $400 extra for a phone I know I will have data on.
If Verizon screws me I'm sticking with my Nexus. I just checked my data usage.
6 of 31 days in May I'm at 895.30MB
April = 8.13GB
March = 7.54GB
February = 6.74GB
January = 9.32GB
There is no way I can live off of 2 to 4GB of data or some silly family share plan. If I was you guys I would buy a used LTE phone to get locked into unlimited 4G and then sale the phone when you upgrade. Only problem is Verizon might do away with grandfathered LTE if you sign a new contract. If that's the case I will have to start buying my phones out of pocket which will really hurt; $400 extra for a phone I know I will have data on.
Boo
Lame.
I pre-ordered the iPhone 4 as soon as it was released on VZ in order to get the unlimited data plan before it was gone, one major reason for not waiting for the 4S was to be grandfathered in when the iPhone finally went to 4G. This ruins those plans...also doesn't reward the loyalty of customers who didn't defect to AT&T while the iPhone remained exclusive to them (or T-mobile), signing up for the big data plan at launch and our reward is that when we upgrade to the next iPhone we'll be kicked off our unlimited plans? I don't know if the contract has all that in there...hopefully there is a way around this, or if there are enough people on the plan then shared unlimited plan would work.
Lame.
I pre-ordered the iPhone 4 as soon as it was released on VZ in order to get the unlimited data plan before it was gone, one major reason for not waiting for the 4S was to be grandfathered in when the iPhone finally went to 4G. This ruins those plans...also doesn't reward the loyalty of customers who didn't defect to AT&T while the iPhone remained exclusive to them (or T-mobile), signing up for the big data plan at launch and our reward is that when we upgrade to the next iPhone we'll be kicked off our unlimited plans? I don't know if the contract has all that in there...hopefully there is a way around this, or if there are enough people on the plan then shared unlimited plan would work.
I originally signed up with VZW's 4G LTE when the Thunderbolt came out. Later on, I bought a second hand iPhone 4 and switched my data back to 3G. Before doing so, I was told that it will not affect my data plan since the 3G/4G deal is tied to the phone, not the plan itself. I wonder if that will still be the case when the new iPhone 5 comes out. 
When I read the article, I was surprised....
I really thought AT&T would be the first to announce they lied about letting customers keep the unlimited data with future upgrades.... So to see verizon say they are going to screw their customers over first, after reps telling the customers that they would be able to keep it, was surprising!
Oh but don't worry?... I fully expect AT&T to go back on what they said too, I just figured they would do it first. ( because they are all out to screw the customer out of every dime they can!)
And to people who think this is going to cost them less in the long run... GET REAL!
Verizon isn't doing this to save you money! They are doing it because they know that you will end up paying more! This shared data crap is coming out because they know they will make more money off you, they are not doing it to save you one cent!
I really thought AT&T would be the first to announce they lied about letting customers keep the unlimited data with future upgrades.... So to see verizon say they are going to screw their customers over first, after reps telling the customers that they would be able to keep it, was surprising!
Oh but don't worry?... I fully expect AT&T to go back on what they said too, I just figured they would do it first. ( because they are all out to screw the customer out of every dime they can!)
And to people who think this is going to cost them less in the long run... GET REAL!
Verizon isn't doing this to save you money! They are doing it because they know that you will end up paying more! This shared data crap is coming out because they know they will make more money off you, they are not doing it to save you one cent!
Yes anyone get a subsidized lte phone from Verizon will not have access to unlimited data.
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Anyone still paying unlimited on AT&T with hopes of future benefit are just being silly not to mention spent 120 unnecessary dollars.
They probably want you to buy phones for full price. I think I read an article about how the dude at tmobile was upset because smart phones today were undervalued or something when sold on contract
2gb is not enough... for $30. Listening to pandora/watching netflix a few hours a day will blow through 2gb in a couple weeks.
Also if AT&T Follows suit I feel as though there will be ALOT of new Sprint/Tmobile and prepaid unlimited data customers.
p.s. I feel bad for those who switched from gayT&T to "Lock in and grandfather" themselves into unlimited data only to get boned in the end. Or people who bought unlimited lines via craigslist/ebay for hundreds of dollars to get this feature.
Didn't AT&T already state that unlimited LTE users will get throttled
when they reach 5GB? Wonder if they're going to change their policies again.
As I read the article, it said as you move to lte you'll have to change the plan, I didn't see anywhere that you can't keep your 3g unlimited data.
U.S. cellular carrier Verizon is planning to move its customers who still have unlimited data plans for their smartphones to its new family data-share plans as customers switch to LTE data plans.
The iPhone was initially offered with unlimited data plans when it launched on Verizon early last year, but the carrier soon dropped the unlimited option in favor of data plans with allocations of data.
Now the ones with unlimited andriod phones with lte, I'd like to see what they do there. They are already on lte, the iphone people (like me) are not.
U.S. cellular carrier Verizon is planning to move its customers who still have unlimited data plans for their smartphones to its new family data-share plans as customers switch to LTE data plans.
The iPhone was initially offered with unlimited data plans when it launched on Verizon early last year, but the carrier soon dropped the unlimited option in favor of data plans with allocations of data.
Now the ones with unlimited andriod phones with lte, I'd like to see what they do there. They are already on lte, the iphone people (like me) are not.
What everyone should do is boycott these cell companies for 1 billing cycle and they'd go broke... people play to this crap so they get away with it.
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Well your cooked then... might as well stop using a network and use a pen and paper.
Nope and this is what they will say. They aren't changing the contract... you are if you switch to an LTE phone. If you stay your current 3G phone you have unlimited data. Bye Bye Verizon!
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The trick here is that plan is 3G... not LTE