Verizon unlimited data plans changing in July

[OCBucksFan]

I am actually surprised it took the US this long to do this, I have yet to be in a country where they offer unlimited mobile data, it's all tiered plans or pay by use, and that's usually part of the companies business model.

For Example, my current plan with Singtel (Singapore Telecom) for my iphone 4 is:

Plan Cost: 95$ (Sing Dollars)
Outgoing Minutes: 500 mins
SMS/MMS: 500
Data: 12GB

I get all the obvious freebies, Mobile to mobile on Singtel, and some services I don't use at all, for free.

Korea was 10 times worse, at the time I left they had no real data plans except for the ipad/galaxy tab, everything else was pay as you go for data.

I was hoping the rest of the world would follow the US example, but reality is that the US followed the rest of the worlds example :(

 

[Deety]

Data on the cellular networks is projected to increase to the point where the system won't be able to handle it at all within 5 years. They have to offload most of the workload to wireless networks, which will present its own problems as everyone rushes to catch up. The data caps are their way of basically forcing wireless providers into providing bandwidth labor and maintenance for the cell companies without compensation. It's great, though, that the cell companies will charge the same for services that are going to be provided largely by home networks and private businesses.

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

Do you have a 3g phone?

yes, got the Droid but rumors are that the good 4g's are coming out in August'ish

 

[Basebuck]

I would strongly encourage people to move into the unlimited data plan while you can. In my estimation 2 things are going to happen soon that are going to cost you a fortune.

1. Only smart phones will exist and carriers will insist that you have a data
2. The 4G technology and newer 4G phones are game changers. It will be incredibly easy to go through several GBs per day without even knowing it. While very few (%) people use over 2GB with 3G phones, it will be common to use over that per week with 3G IMO.

 

[NateG]

Only smart phones will exist and carriers will insist that you have a data.

I talked to a friend in Indiana that manages a couple of Verizon stores. I mentioned this and he said something to the effect of "I agree with you but can't say anything."

It is going to split people down the middle at first. People that want to use the regular phone and thought of the smartphone as a small possibility will stay with their crappier phone for now. Verizon will then make "normal" phones harder and harder to get until they can force out those phones. Then they release more of the 4g monsters, they will be expensive at first... then become so cheap for equipment if you do the 2 year plans that people who are using obsolete phones will gravitate to them. And they are stuck with the per use plans that charge you out the rear. Plus the average consumer isn't aware of these issues until they need to switch and whoops.... Too Late.

 

[jwinslow]

This Sucks: Sprint Just Killed Unlimited 4G Data for Hotspots

Last month, Sprint nixed unlimited data for tethering customers. Now it's capping data for its mobile hotspot users, without grandfathering in current unlimited plans. If you have the option coverage-wise, there's basically no reason to pick Sprint's hotspots over Verizon's now.

Verizon's 4G murders Sprint's on speed, in our tests and others'. The major reason to pick Sprint over Verizon—if you had the option of Verizon's 4G in your area and had a choice to make, anyway—was for the unlimited data. Now that's gone.

Sprint's plans now cost $45 for 3GB, $60 for 5GB, and $90 for 10GB of combined 3G/4G data. Each additional MB will cost 5 cents. (They used to run at 3GB, 5GB and 10GB of 3G data, with unlimited 4G for all of the plans.) That cuts your value exponentially, if you were using the 4G liberally. (Oh, and it's pretty crummy Sprint's changing the game on people who've already signed up for service with the expectation of unlimited data.)
Meanwhile, Verizon's LTE hotspots are significantly faster, run at $50 for 5GB per month or 10GB per month for $80, and $10 per additional GB, and don't leave you much reason at all to stick around on Sprint.

 

[TooTall]

It looks like mobile phone providers have gotten themselves in quite the mess. I'll be glad to stick to my unlimited 3G plan. Which is probably why I'll end up going with the iPhone 4S.

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

Bumping an old thread, but with the new iPhone 7 promotion out I need some quick advice.

Here's the promotion:

Trade in and get
iPhone 7 for $0.
Up to $650 savings.

Here’s how to get your iPhone 7 for $0:

1. Buy a new iPhone 7 with monthly device payments.
2. During checkout, select the option to trade in your old device. If you wish to trade in your device at a later time, please ensure you have activated your new iPhone 7 first, then log in to My Verizon and select "trade in old device."
3. After you have completed your trade-in appraisal, you will receive a box to return your old device.

Your savings will be credited to your account as recurring payments over 24 months beginning within 2-3 cycles. iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus are eligible for promotional value of $650. iPhone 5, iPhone 5S, iPhone 5C and iPhone SE are eligible for promotional value of $400.

$649.99 on device payment req'd. Less $650 trade-in credit for iPhone 6 series, ends when balance paid; 0% APR. Line must be active for 2 yrs for full credit. Trade-in must be in good working & cosmetic condition.

The way I first read that, I had to fork over $650, then I would have $27ish deducted from my monthly bill each month. That, apparently, is not the case. You don't have to pay anything up front.

The only catch I can think of is that I move from my current More Everything plan....which isn't available to new subscribers. Quick research shows me this:

You'll have two types of charges for The MORE Everything Plan:

• Monthly access for each device on the account
• Data plan

For example, if you have 5 devices on your account, you'll be charged a separate device access charge for each device, equaling 5 charges. Plus, you should see one charge for your data plan.

Note: If your data allowance is exceeded, you'll also see an overage charge for that. You can avoid overage charges with Safety Mode on the new Verizon Plan, which allows you to stay online at a reduced speed even after you have depleted your monthly high speed data allowance.

So what am I losing if I go from that to their new plan? Why are they seemingly paying me to switch to their new plan setup? My current bill with me and my wife is $133. If I go with the promotion, I get a free iPhone 7, and my new bill is $119. What am I missing?

 

[Dryden]

The downside I see with this type of plan is that you're locked into the iPhone 7 for ~27 months with no out, unless you're willing to punt the trade-in credits, at which point you're stuck with $27/mo * months remaining on the contract buy-out for the device. And what happens if you lose or destroy the device? Seems the goal from the carriers' perspective is to reduce phone/plan jumping for the signup incentive seekers.

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

The downside I see with this type of plan is that you're locked into the iPhone 7 for ~27 months with no out, unless you're willing to punt the trade-in credits, at which point you're stuck with $27/mo * months remaining on the contract buy-out for the device. And what happens if you lose or destroy the device? Seems the goal from the carriers' perspective is to reduce phone/plan jumping for the signup incentive seekers.

But if you're a person like me who keeps a phone for years before switching.....this move makes sense, right?

 

[Dryden]

But if you're a person like me who keeps a phone for years before switching.....this move makes sense, right?

Appears to, but that's without knowing what the next great phone/plan/carrier 12 months from now will be. If the iPhone 8 comes with a complimentary blow job from Lily the AT&T girl, you'll really be kicking yourself being locked in on the 7.

 

[BuckeyeNation27]

Appears to, but that's without knowing what the next great phone/plan/carrier 12 months from now will be. If the iPhone 8 comes with a complimentary blow job from Lily the AT&T girl, you'll really be kicking yourself being locked in on the 7.

I'll pay the penalty to get out. I'm not Iowa.