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Verizon shared data

My wife and I both have just under 2 years left on our contracts. We both upgraded within the past 4 months to the 4s. I bought a nice case and plan to keep it in the best condition possible and hopefully by the time I'm eligible for my next upgrade Verizon will have something better for me to upgrade to.

I just looked at my usage and I'm at about 2.5gb this billing cycle with 4 or 5 days left. I stream pandora from my phone every now and then while we sit around the house and we don't have wifi at home so I use my phone a ton.

We do pay the $20 to tether from my wife's iPhone, but if we were ever in the position to have to switch to the plans and it basically was unlimited phone/text and 4GB a month for $30 cheaper (pre-tax) than we're paying now....so maybe a 10 bucks or so cheaper a month. I'm not sure if it'd be worth saying goodbye to the unlimited when we'd have to watch our consumption after that.

I'm also hoping the other comments about being able to upgrade my 3G unlimited data to a 4G LTE unlimited later on is true...but I'm not holding my breath....it is Verizon after all.
 
I went to Verizon today and asked about the shared data plans and going from 3G unlimited to 4G unlimited. I was told that both data packs are coded differently in there system. If you have 4g unlimited you are safe if you try to switch to 4Gunlimited from 3G unlimited come the 28th you won't be able to. you can either keep your unlimited 3G or choose from which ever tiered plan or shared data plan suits your needs.:eek:

So many conflicting reports....... I miss my ip4S but I am willing to go android to save my 4G unlimited. Any Verizon employees on this forum that can clear the air?!
 
topherg said:
I went to Verizon today and asked about the shared data plans and going from 3G unlimited to 4G unlimited. I was told that both data packs are coded differently in there system. If you have 4g unlimited you are safe if you try to switch to 4Gunlimited from 3G unlimited come the 28th you won't be able to. you can either keep your unlimited 3G or choose from which ever tiered plan or shared data plan suits your needs.:eek:

So many conflicting reports....... I miss my ip4S but I am willing to go android to save my 4G unlimited. Any Verizon employees on this forum that can clear the air?!
Click to expand...

I am assuming your report is right...I am hoping Verizon plays nice and let's us switch from 3G to 4g...but...seriously...it is Verizon. I they want to eliminate unlimited data this would be a great way...everyone who renewed for the 4s would be unable to get the unlimited 4g...so it would get rid of a ton of people.

I hope when I go to upgrade next that there are at least more options....remember when dial-up Internet came out the prices were like $50 a month and there were no options...after a couple of years the prices dropped and there was more of a level playing field for the customer.
 
The shared data plan has made me think about Verizon a but more. The main thing is that their LTE network seems to be a bit better in SoCal plus the ability to use your phone as a hotspot. I wouldn't switch until the next iPhone comes out but I hope AT&T steps it up a bit. I'm getting a bit tired of the dropped calls but it could be that it's my iPhone 4. I don't know how a 4s fares in regards to dropped calls in SoCal.
 
PharmDoc said:
The shared data plan has made me think about Verizon a but more. The main thing is that their LTE network seems to be a bit better in SoCal plus the ability to use your phone as a hotspot. I wouldn't switch until the next iPhone comes out but I hope AT&T steps it up a bit. I'm getting a bit tired of the dropped calls but it could be that it's my iPhone 4. I don't know how a 4s fares in regards to dropped calls in SoCal.
Click to expand...

I can say I've been in your boat and all I can say I get way better reception (3G/4G) and overall service with Verizon in the soCal area.
 
topherg said:
I can say I've been in your boat and all I can say I get way better reception (3G/4G) and overall service with Verizon in the soCal area.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. The main reason I've stuck with AT&T so far is the faster 3G speeds and the simultaneous talk/web surfing ability. I think both these reasons will become irrelevant with LTE and the shared plan might actually lower my bill. I am going to hate giving up unlimited though.
 
PharmDoc said:
Thanks for the info. The main reason I've stuck with AT&T so far is the faster 3G speeds and the simultaneous talk/web surfing ability. I think both these reasons will become irrelevant with LTE and the shared plan might actually lower my bill. I am going to hate giving up unlimited though.
Click to expand...

Im on unlimited 4G with Vzw. I switched over to the nexus in anticipation of the shared data phasing out switching to 4G unlimited from 3G. I miss my iPhone and almost just want to chance it and go back to my 3G unlimited.
 
PharmDoc said:
Thanks for the info. The main reason I've stuck with AT&T so far is the faster 3G speeds and the simultaneous talk/web surfing ability. I think both these reasons will become irrelevant with LTE and the shared plan might actually lower my bill. I am going to hate giving up unlimited though.
Click to expand...
gonna hate giving up unlimited too but I think the new shared plan will be cheaper for me in the end....right now I currently have unlimited everything $70.00 (talk and text) was a special promotion, $30 for unlimited data $20 for hotspot and $50 for mifi...with the new shared plan I would be able to connect my iPad and mifi to my phone's data without having to pay more. I was upset at first but after spending about 30mins with Verizon and doing different scenarios, I feel a lil less upset. we all know that they aren't going to let us keep unlimited forever. I barely go over 1gb a month and that's streaming tunein radio or pandora in the car. one month I did hit 2gb. and my average talk time is 100 min and texting is 300. I like unlimited because I dontbhave to worry about usage. the new plans will be cheaper for me. wish there were more options though.
 
I have iphone 4s on verizon 3g unlimited. In the fall, If I buy the new iphone at retail price ($700), and it requires 4g plan, will I have to switch to a shared plan even thouggh my 2 year contract is unlimited?
 
sk24iam said:
I have iphone 4s on verizon 3g unlimited. In the fall, If I buy the new iphone at retail price ($700), and it requires 4g plan, will I have to switch to a shared plan even thouggh my 2 year contract is unlimited?
Click to expand...

As long as you buy off-contract you will not forfeit your unlimited data.
 
So heres a question. First off, are they making you switch to these shared plans no matter what? and what about if you upgrade through say, bestbuy or some equivalent of that?
 
infinity12402 said:
So heres a question. First off, are they making you switch to these shared plans no matter what? and what about if you upgrade through say, bestbuy or some equivalent of that?
Click to expand...

Doesn't matter where u upgrade. U will lose unlimited data if you take the subsidized upgrade pricing.

U can keep unlimited data as long as you forgo subsidies and pay full price/Craigslist/eBay prices. Verizon ends up winning either way.
 
For everyone complaining about losing their unlimited data... do you actually keep tabs on how much Data you've used over the past X months?

I have a spreadsheet that I just updated (again) that has tracked my data usage (and my wifes) since we got smartphones in october of 2010.

I use my phone A LOT and I think a lot of it is on wifi (though I don't even have wifi at work) and for almost 2 years now the MOST we've ever hit is 1.4GB combined.

Right now my bill is $155.

Under the new share everything plans, if I were to go with a 2GB plan (probably won't but if I did), I would pay approx. $132/monnth (+ taxes/fees), call it $140.

That's actually a savings of $15 per month or $180/year.

I just wonder if anyone who is quick to complain is really considering what they ACTUALLY use in terms of data. Sure it sucks to have something and then lose it... but if you never USE it fully it's really just a waste of money.
 
Leonard1818 said:
For everyone complaining about losing their unlimited data... do you actually keep tabs on how much Data you've used over the past X months?

I have a spreadsheet that I just updated (again) that has tracked my data usage (and my wifes) since we got smartphones in october of 2010.

I use my phone A LOT and I think a lot of it is on wifi (though I don't even have wifi at work) and for almost 2 years now the MOST we've ever hit is 1.4GB combined.

Right now my bill is $155.

Under the new share everything plans, if I were to go with a 2GB plan (probably won't but if I did), I would pay approx. $132/monnth (+ taxes/fees), call it $140.

That's actually a savings of $15 per month or $180/year.

I just wonder if anyone who is quick to complain is really considering what they ACTUALLY use in terms of data. Sure it sucks to have something and then lose it... but if you never USE it fully it's really just a waste of money.
Click to expand...

I agree with you. That's why I'm looking at the shared plans because it will cost less. I don't use much data (max 2.5 gb per month) but I'm also debating if i will use more later just because of the LTE speeds. Decisions decisions decisions
 
Eventually data will get cheaper and smart phone users will peak which will allow carriers to catch up to demand. I optimistically await that day.

I currently have att 1400 minutes on a 5 phone family plan. 2 unlimited data, 1 3gb, 1 250mb, one dumb phone with FAN discount = 237$ a month after taxes and fees that get added on.

I could do the same 4 smart phones = $160 + 1 dumb phone = $30 = $190, apply 20% discount = 152 and then assume current usage trends we'd need about 7GBs so that's the $90 data plan = $242 before taxes or fees... Close but not close enough.

Alternatively I could upgrade that final person to a smart phone so $200 then discount = $160 and try to get data usage down to hit around the $240 mark but again, that is the price before taxes and fees. Still, lets say we go for the max data plan so $260 and taxes and fees add on about $20 so total is $280 / 5 people is $56 per person. Not too bad considering all the push for prepaid plans which all seem to come in around $50 a person. Still too high IMO but the math works out decently. Of course it gets worse with the fewer devices you have because the split amount is higher.
 
Leonard1818 said:
For everyone complaining about losing their unlimited data... do you actually keep tabs on how much Data you've used over the past X months?

I have a spreadsheet that I just updated (again) that has tracked my data usage (and my wifes) since we got smartphones in october of 2010.

I use my phone A LOT and I think a lot of it is on wifi (though I don't even have wifi at work) and for almost 2 years now the MOST we've ever hit is 1.4GB combined.

Right now my bill is $155.

Under the new share everything plans, if I were to go with a 2GB plan (probably won't but if I did), I would pay approx. $132/monnth (+ taxes/fees), call it $140.

That's actually a savings of $15 per month or $180/year.

I just wonder if anyone who is quick to complain is really considering what they ACTUALLY use in terms of data. Sure it sucks to have something and then lose it... but if you never USE it fully it's really just a waste of money.
Click to expand...

I am one smart phone of four, on a five-device family plan. I use the most data of the four smart phones.

In the past 13 months I've averaged 2.0GB/mo, but over the past four months I've averaged 3.24GB/mo.

The share plan will cause our bill to go up a good amount. I do not want to lose my unlimited data.
 
I do like the shared data plans since I tether to my iPhone minimally, but pay the extra $20. Also, I pay $30 for 3G/4G access on my new iPad and only use about half of that too. I will probably tranisition to a shared data plan once our kids are old enough to get a smartphone.
 
You guys are like teetotaler for data. only sipping very small bite. I can burn that in a day... it wouldnt be worth it to me to have a plan like that. Why even bother.
 
jman240 said:
Eventually data will get cheaper and smart phone users will peak which will allow carriers to catch up to demand. I optimistically await that day.

I currently have att 1400 minutes on a 5 phone family plan. 2 unlimited data, 1 3gb, 1 250mb, one dumb phone with FAN discount = 237$ a month after taxes and fees that get added on.

I could do the same 4 smart phones = $160 + 1 dumb phone = $30 = $190, apply 20% discount = 152 and then assume current usage trends we'd need about 7GBs so that's the $90 data plan = $242 before taxes or fees... Close but not close enough.

Alternatively I could upgrade that final person to a smart phone so $200 then discount = $160 and try to get data usage down to hit around the $240 mark but again, that is the price before taxes and fees. Still, lets say we go for the max data plan so $260 and taxes and fees add on about $20 so total is $280 / 5 people is $56 per person. Not too bad considering all the push for prepaid plans which all seem to come in around $50 a person. Still too high IMO but the math works out decently. Of course it gets worse with the fewer devices you have because the split amount is higher.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, it's going to be even more expensive for you than you realize. You're applying your discount incorrectly. Under the new Share Everything Plan it is applied to the data plan and NOT the access fees, so your discount is going to be $18 instead of $38. Sorry to be the barer of bad news.
 
groupersandwich said:
Unfortunately, it's going to be even more expensive for you than you realize. You're applying your discount incorrectly. Under the new Share Everything Plan it is applied to the data plan and NOT the access fees, so your discount is going to be $18 instead of $38. Sorry to be the barer of bad news.
Click to expand...

100% agree. People with Verizon and who have significant discounts 20% and up need to thread very carefully before switching to shared data.

Verizon does keep let u keep the old voice/text plans. And you do not have to go to the shared data plan.

Verizon discount talk/text plans. So we have the 1400 minute plan along with $30 text. Verizon discounts 22% for the entire voice plan and texting. That's over a $22-24 savings each month.

Plus we get 20% off the unlimited data.

If we switch over to shares data. We will not get discounts on the access fees ($40 per smartphone) and only discounts on shared data.
 
those that are wasting/throwing their money away at stupid companies like Verizon...I have options for you to save over $100/month by going with smaller carriers...https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1356525/ Coverage is Same as T-Mobile and AT&T....If you live in a Verizon only area...then i feel sorry for you having to cough up to them....

You will still get quality service as long as you don't abuse it and others even offer you "Get what you pay for such H2O and Red-Rocket, while Straight talk you have to be careful with how much data u use when you reach 2.5-3GB+....You can tether with your hotspot as well, I did it all the time to my iPad WiFi when I had it and my Laptop but obviously I didn't abuse the service to download music and all that extra ***** some idiots do and then complain that the service sucks. If you use these options I provided in my thread reasonably....you will be happier and so will be your wallet.

- Give up on subsidized phones, buy your own and live your life happily because truly your not saving money...when it comes to savings don't look at your monthly costs but look at your annually costs including your Phone price along with the bill, If you still don't see the clear savings then your blind or need to look at your contract length total cost over the 2 years and see the difference.

Verizon & AT&T customers that spend ~$100/month thats $1200+Tax/year and 2 year contract = $2400....Straight talk = $990/year+$600 for iPhone bought out right....=$1590....saving ~ 44% over 2 years. You can compared, mix n match what suits your needs, I have mentioned 4 plans from 4 carriers that can get majority of the people by compared to what they are paying now.
 
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Looks like my bill will go up around $20 a month. Only good things about it is I can move my stepson to an iphone since it's only $10 more because they are boosting dumb phones to $30. In that $20 I also get tethering which I really want. I don't really care for the change but it could be worse. My contract runs through next August so I've got time to see what AT&T does.
 
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