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Verizon Planning to End Grandfathered Unlimited Data Plans With LTE Switch

I'm pretty irritated after reading the article. I'm 'grandfathered in' and thought, Oh now I can get the new iPhone when it comes out and I'll be all set. Yea, right!

So I checked my data usage for the past 6 months. On average, I barely use 1GB. I'm at work all day and then at home, use my iPad so i'm not really on my phone all that much.

My plan is when when the new iPhone comes out, to get either a 2 or 5GB. But here is my concern...

Does LTE use more data than 3G? I know its super fast and all that, but say i were to google something on my 3G phone, and it would use about 0.25KB. On LTE would that double and be like 0.50KB?? (I'm not really a techy person so pardon my stupidity) I just want to know how much data I should purchase. I don't want to go over if LTE has double the data usage of 3G.

Hopefully that makes sense. :confused:
 
Exhibit C

I now submit exhibit C to the court :)

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1971965/VerizonWirelessUnlimitedData-2.png

VerizonWirelessUnlimitedData-2.png
 
SteveLV702 said:
I now submit exhibit C to the court :)

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1971965/VerizonWirelessUnlimitedData-2.png

Image
Click to expand...

Yes, the CFO of Verizon announcing announcing it at the J.P. Morgan Technology, Media and Telecom conference is just a rumor.

Don't be a sucker. What do you expect them to tell you right now? Nothing has changed and the official plans haven't even been released yet. Of course they are going to tell you that you will still have unlimited data.

You can go with what the CFO of the company says or a CSR who makes about $10 an hour.
 
Someone elaborate for me....

I had an HTC Thunderbolt prior to my iphone 4s. I got it unlimited everything on 4g for $29.99 a month which was cool. When the 4s came out... I purchased the phone outside in cash so I wouldnt have to upgrade devices because I figured they'd try to get me to change my plans.

Now.. when I activate and get a 4g iphone, are you telling me they WONT allow me?
 
Kelly682 said:
I'm pretty irritated after reading the article. I'm 'grandfathered in' and thought, Oh now I can get the new iPhone when it comes out and I'll be all set. Yea, right!

So I checked my data usage for the past 6 months. On average, I barely use 1GB. I'm at work all day and then at home, use my iPad so i'm not really on my phone all that much.

My plan is when when the new iPhone comes out, to get either a 2 or 5GB. But here is my concern...

Does LTE use more data than 3G? I know its super fast and all that, but say i were to google something on my 3G phone, and it would use about 0.25KB. On LTE would that double and be like 0.50KB?? (I'm not really a techy person so pardon my stupidity) I just want to know how much data I should purchase. I don't want to go over if LTE has double the data usage of 3G.

Hopefully that makes sense. :confused:
Click to expand...

Data is data. The amount is the same, the difference is how fast you get it. If you drive a mile at 20 mph or 100mph, it's still a mile, you just get there faster.

The issue with LTE is faster data speeds encourage the use of more data intensive applications. Many people don't stream video over 3G because the quality is poor or buffering times are too long. LTE won't have that issue. So it is very likely people will use more data. So if you currently use 1GB, you may suddenly be inclined to use a lot more.

It's like being given autobahn to drive on, but told you can only go 50 miles total. The speed suddenly becomes irrelevant.
 
techwhiz said:
Not true, if you are using LTE they use SIM and uSIM cards.
You activate by the card on LTE devices.
Click to expand...

Not applicable to anybody who is looking to circumvent a policy change that specifically targets people who are starting out on a 3G device.
 
Not only is Verizon screwing its customers by taking more of their money, but at the same time they are screwing their current and retired employees by reducing benefits and pay. Wow, and I thought AT&T was evil.:mad:
 
tdar said:
Two things:

Shared Data plans are shared between devices not users.

Shared plans will include two charges: $x per device as a one time fee to add it to the network (I have been told around $10) with a monthly device fee a possibility and a "bucket of Data" fee that is priced by how much data you choose to buy.

Expect your total bill to go up. And don't think you can escape by going to Sprint or T-MO....same deal there.
Click to expand...

That works if you have multiple devices. I, for one, just have my iPhone using the data (1 device; I don't own an ipad/tablet & have no inclination to tether my phone to my laptop) - so you're saing we'd get a $10/mo extra fee just for the 'priviledge' of owning a smartphone?

That sounds about as ridiculous as apartment complexes charging "pet rent". :\
 
Kelly682 said:
I'm pretty irritated after reading the article. I'm 'grandfathered in' and thought, Oh now I can get the new iPhone when it comes out and I'll be all set. Yea, right!

So I checked my data usage for the past 6 months. On average, I barely use 1GB. I'm at work all day and then at home, use my iPad so i'm not really on my phone all that much.

My plan is when when the new iPhone comes out, to get either a 2 or 5GB. But here is my concern...

Does LTE use more data than 3G? I know its super fast and all that, but say i were to google something on my 3G phone, and it would use about 0.25KB. On LTE would that double and be like 0.50KB?? (I'm not really a techy person so pardon my stupidity) I just want to know how much data I should purchase. I don't want to go over if LTE has double the data usage of 3G.

Hopefully that makes sense. :confused:
Click to expand...

No, the same page will be the same amount of space. The issue is that if you have a faster connection you will be able to load more pages in the same amount of time and if you are able to do that, you may find yourself using more data as you are able to surf around more and do more in the same amount of time.

So it's basically you will have to pay more attention to what you are using cause you will be able to use more in the same amount of time and when web surfing/whatnot, it's easy to not realize how much you are using.

Which is why I like unlimited even though I never have gone over 2GB. Because I just don't want to have to worry about it.
 
Peace said:
Does this mean a person can switch without paying a early termination fee since the contract has changed ?
Click to expand...

In a legal sense, yes. You could probably talk your way out of your contract early without paying a dime.
 
Jimbo47 said:
In a legal sense, yes. You could probably talk your way out of your contract early without paying a dime.
Click to expand...

actually No

cause contract isn't being changed........ You can remain on 3G on your existing contract and still get unlimited..... If you switch to 4G LTE then you are signing a new contract....
 
Ok, it seems that a lot of us are in the same line of thinking, but the answer to this same question is convoluted...lets try some simple yes/no...

This question applies to you, if:
  • You were an "early" smart phone adopter (Droid, HTC Incredible, Iphone 3G, etc...)
  • You've been waiting to use my upgrade for the new LTE iPhone
  • You're grandfather-in to unlimited data

If I upgrade to the LTE galaxy nexus, tomorrow — could I theoretically:
  • Sell my Galaxy Nexus before the iPhone release
  • Switch back to my early gen, 3G smart phone while i wait for the iPhone
  • Purchase and activate my new Iphone (5), and use it on an unlimited acct

Is that process possible?
 
taylord22 said:
Ok, it seems that a lot of us are in the same line of thinking, but the answer to this same question is convoluted...lets try some simple yes/no...

This question applies to you, if:
  • You were an "early" smart phone adopter (Droid, HTC Incredible, Iphone 3G, etc...)
  • You've been waiting to use my upgrade for the new LTE iPhone
  • You're grandfather-in to unlimited data

If I upgrade to the LTE galaxy nexus, tomorrow — could I theoretically:
  • Sell my Galaxy Nexus before the iPhone release
  • Switch back to my early gen, 3G smart phone while i wait for the iPhone
  • Purchase and activate my new Iphone (5), and use it on an unlimited acct

Is that process possible?
Click to expand...

the way i think i understsnd it is that if you switch to the nexus tomorrow, you would have to keep it until the lte iphone comes out. then buy the lte iphone outright, switch and sell the nexus. if you buy it tomorrow, then switch back to 3G, youre off 4G so when you try to activate the 4G phone, theyre gonna want to "upgrade" your data plan to one thats 4G compatible.
 
rgravell said:
the way i think i understsnd it is that if you switch to the nexus tomorrow, you would have to keep it until the lte iphone comes out. then buy the lte iphone outright, switch and sell the nexus. if you buy it tomorrow, then switch back to 3G, youre off 4G so when you try to activate the 4G phone, theyre gonna want to "upgrade" your data plan to one thats 4G compatible.
Click to expand...

I think so too. You would have to use the Nexus until the LTE iPhone comes out. Then you can switch to the LTE iPhone and keep your unlimited LTE data.
 
Does Verizon let you extend your contract on your own free will and choice? While on unlimited with an LTE device, could say "Go ahead and extend my contract to 10 years, I don't mind". That way they would be obligated to keep you on unlimited until the contract ended in 10+ years. (And if you ever needed to get out, just pay an ETF which will be gone in 2 years anyway since it drops by I think $10 a month or something.)
 
Saw this coming like a slow moving hurricane. No biggie for me even though I'm a VW customer. My data usage isn't that high anyway. Still have my unlimited plan though.
 
einmusiker said:
So what about if you don't get the iPhone say you already have an Android with LTE and you buy another android will they drop your ublimited?
Click to expand...

We don't have all of the answers yet. They probably won't, since you already have it. The only scenario I can see them dropping it is if you get a new phone subsidized through them. But! I know not even AT&T does this to people for people upgrading with a subsidized phone on a 3G unlimited plan. They get to keep it.

For now it looks good, you should be OK I think, but we don't have all the answers yet.
 
after two generic responses, the third times the charm. i finally got something that i believe as accurate. they said:

"Our current policy is that we are no longer offering the unlimited data plan. But, people that already have the unlimited data plan are able to keep it as long as they keep a smartphone. It does not matter if the smartphone they switch to is 3G or 4G. As for how things will be in the future, I honestly do not know. It is not official yet that we will even be getting rid of the unlimited data plan. If it is announced in the future, we would be able to tell you what would happen with grandfathered plans. But as of now, no changes have been made."

thats about it folks.
 
verakot said:
It will cost you even more when the government gets involved in anything. So please don't ask the government to do anything.
Click to expand...

I don't know where to begin with such a statement.

Without government price fixing would be the standard, not just something that's happening behind closed doors and camouflaged.

You should learn about and trust our institutions a bit more.

Sure, they are not perfect, but life would be much harder for you without them.

Just think what would happen with medications without government oversight.

I wouldn't set a foot into an airplane if there wasn't the FAA keeping a sharp eye on airlines.
 
Nostromo said:
I don't know where to begin with such a statement.

Without government price fixing would be the standard, not just something that's happening behind closed doors and camouflaged.

You should learn about and trust our institutions a bit more.

Sure, they are not perfect, but life would be much harder for you without them.

Just think what would happen with medications without government oversight.

I wouldn't set a foot into an airplane if there wasn't the FAA keeping a sharp eye on airlines.
Click to expand...

First of all, cell phone service isn't a right. It's a privilege. Especially having an iPhone or other smartphone with unlimited minutes and data.

You're paying for a service. You're not paying taxes. The government doesn't need to babysit you or Verizon. Verizon can charge whatever they want and the risk? They lose business and customers. As long as people will pay, they'll charge whatever they want. They're in it for the profit.

Just like oil and gas companies. As long as there is a demand, there can raise prices. Demand goes down? So does the price.

And since you went political: RON PAUL 2012!!
 
NoExpectations said:
Good luck. The only reason why Sprint can offer unlimited plans is because their access is really slow (see Sprint's forum website below....over 800k hits so far). Sprint has no official throttling plan yet one can say they already throttle everyone.

Sprint's LTE footprint is non existent. So, yes, you can get unlimited LTE access....as long as you can find it :)

http://community.sprint.com/baw/thread/78766?start=0&tstart=0
Click to expand...

Don't care. It'll get better over time. Besides, I'm not sticking with a company that I've been loyal to for many years now if they decide to offer me less for the same amount of money.
 
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