"Unlimited" data with the $29.99 plan

[whiskeylover]

Just got done talking to an online rep after I checked out the specs on the Droid and really wanted to buy it. But now I think I'll stay with my current provider.

Here is the chat transcript word for word.

I wonder why the providers think that everybody is stupid when they come up with these plans? Why do they feel the need to nickel and dime at every given opportunity.

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Please wait for a Verizon Wireless sales representative to assist you with your order. Thank you for your patience!

A Verizon Wireless online pre-sales specialist has joined the chat.
You are now chatting with Kendra

Kendra: Hello. Thank you for visiting our chat service. May I help you with your order today?

You: I'm looking to buy a phone with Verizon

Kendra: Are you an existing Verizon Wireless customer?

You: No

Kendra: Do you know what phone you want?

You: I'm looking at the Motorola Droid

Kendra: Great phone. It has a great battery life and really nice features. What issues are you having getting that one?

You: I want to know what type of plans are available with the phone?

Kendra: Single or family plan?

You: I want unlimited data with the phone

You: Give me options for both.

You: I may port two lines from <XXX> if the plan is good

Kendra: There are only 2 options.

Kendra: The basic or select plan.

Kendra: Select if you need unlimited messaging.

Kendra: Basic if none or a certain amount.

Kendra: Then for each PDa you get you have to add on the web.

You: The data plan, you mean?

Kendra: Correct.

Kendra: $29.99 unlimited access person we use.

Kendra: Or $44.99 for business/corporate uses

You: Okay, so its select plan + $29.99 for each single line?

Kendra: Correct if you get 2 PDA phones.

You: Oh okay... cool

You: And it is for unlimited data+email, right?

Kendra: Do you need me to link you to those plan?

You: Yeah, can you?

Kendra: Correct.

You: One more question... when you say "$44.99 for business/corporate uses", do you mean I cannot connect to my corporate email using the $29,99 plan?

Kendra: Correct.

Kendra: The $44.99 is for business/corporate uses.

You: Hmm.. then its useless for me. I think I'll stay with <XXX> then.

Kendra: If you work for a company that has their own server and you need to access that you need the $44.99 plan

Kendra: Okay. If you have a discount through where you work, And you get a percentage off your plan that will make it cheaper your monthly bill also. In turn make the web cheaper.

You: Okay.

Kendra: If you want to see if you have any.

Kendra: Go to the top of your page.

Kendra: Where the red business tab is, hover over it. Then click on employee discounts.

Kendra: And register there.

You: But even though the $29.99 plan says unlimited data, Verizon distinguishes between data to personal email accounts and data to company servers?

Kendra: Correct. Both are unlimited plans. But the more expensive is for business uses.

You: Naah... doesn't sound like the right thing to do. I'm sticking with <XXX>

Kendra: Okay. Is there anything else I can do for you?

You: No... that was it.

You: Thanks

Kendra: Thank you for visiting Verizon Wireless, I look forward to speaking with you again.  Have a great day!

Your chat session has been ended by your Verizon Wireless online agent.

[Ardoreal]

Sprint charges for enterprise data, AT&T charges more than Verizon for it.

I don't see why you find this unreasonable.  It's not that the "data itself" is distinguished, it's that Verizon has to license the Microsoft Exchange access so that it can tunnel into work.

The whole idea being that the company can afford to pay extra for it.  If you work for a company that requires you to access work email from home, tell them to buy your cellphone.  If your employer won't pay for your mobile, then consider quitting.  I would never work for a company that arbitrates such a rule on an employee.  In legal terms, this is what's called "unduly burdensome" and barring a pretty bulletproof employment contract, you might consult an attorney.

If you're wanting this for convenience, you're a **bleep**.  Good luck.

[whiskeylover]

I work as a contractor, and hence, not an employee of the company whos corporate email I have to download. Although its not required that I have mobile email, its nice to have. YOu know... when databases come crashing down and everybody starts emailing frantically.

But yeah, all I had to do with my personal unlimited data plan on XXX network was ... nothing. I just configured the exchange account, like all other users on the network, and it worked.

By the way, thanks for the name calling. I guess if one speaks against the mighty Verizon, you guys are quick to bare your fangs

[Ardoreal]

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whiskeylover wrote:

I work as a contractor, and hence, not an employee of the company whos corporate email I have to download. Although its not required that I have mobile email, its nice to have. YOu know... when databases come crashing down and everybody starts emailing frantically.

But yeah, all I had to do with my personal unlimited data plan on XXX network was ... nothing. I just configured the exchange account, like all other users on the network, and it worked.

By the way, thanks for the name calling. I guess if one speaks against the mighty Verizon, you guys are quick to bare your fangs

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Actually, the smarter solution is to set your exchange account to forward your email.  I know a couple people who work as Caretech support reps who do this because paying AT&T's enterprise access fee is **bleep**.  

Aside from this, I doubt you're a sole proprietor, so you couldn't just write off the expense for tax purposes, and the company doesn't provision your phone for you, so my original statement applies.  It's something most carriers charge for.  I recently had a rural carrier and they don't provision for this at all.  No tunneling.  I know it's ridiculous, but it's a common practice.  

{keep it courteous} I also think it's a bit of a stretch to call the data access "useless".  I find that on Verizon I have the highest bandwidth and the most network coverage.  I hardly call that "useless".  Aside from Sprint, I challenge you to show me another carrier whose data access isn't like sucking vomit through a coffee straw for what you pay.  

[somegirl]

Try looking at it the other way around. They're not charging extra for business access, they are giving users who don't use it for business purposes a discount. Instead of charging everyone a flat $44.99, they are helping non-corporate users with a chance to save a little.

Ultimately, if a carrier doesn't meet your needs, then that's not the carrier for you. If you would rather stay with you current carrier, then do so. You will miss out on all that Verizon has to offer, but it is ultimately your decision.

Best of luck wherever you end up.

[AG17]

So all you need is to connect to your company's email right? I'm pretty sure you can do that with the 29.99 data plan. I don't see why you couldn't. The $44.99 is for really heavy use I believe.

[Ardoreal]

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AG17 wrote:

So all you need is to connect to your company's email right? I'm pretty sure you can do that with the 29.99 data plan. I don't see why you couldn't. The $44.99 is for really heavy use I believe.

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I hear you, the $29.99 plan is unlimited, will connect to any server you tell it to, etc.

The problem is actually with Microsoft.  Many corporate networks are firewalled and heavily secured.  Exchange tunnels, like a VPN.  You could in theory do this with your phone, but Microsoft charges mobile networks to license an exchange profile for the user.  It's part of the Microsoft Exchange EULA/license.  The mobile network pays for you to have a profile on their end similar to how a corporation pays a license for the users to have the exchange account.

Hence, "enterprise access".

*backtracking - Some exchange versions give you a public server address for people to link up with at home, so this is contingent upon your server version and network configuration.  I just checked how the company I work for is doing it and this is one way.

[AG17]

Okay, I see what they're saying.

[whiskeylover]

The license applies to the client connected to the Exchange server. For example, on a WinMo phone, it is very simple to set up the connection, whereas it may be next to impossible to do that, say, using Evolution email under Ubuntu. Microsoft could care less about where the data is coming from.

Also, you mean to tell me that if my work exchange server is exposed to the internet, and I connect to it using Microsoft Outlook on Microsoft Windows at home, and the data flows through my ISP, then my ISP has to pay Microsoft for the Exchange data?

[TallGuy1970]

Whiskeylover,

Don't be so quick to believe what the Verizon person told you. I too have asked many questions about the $30 plan vs. the $45 plan. I don't think I have been given the same answer twice. Some say if you access an Exchange server for any purpose whatsoever, you MUST get the $45 plan. Others have said that the $45 plan is only for business customers, in other words a Verizon business account. A family plan would count as a personal account.

Many folks are confused about this. Just check out this site right here. - http://www.gearlog.com/2009/11/personal_droid_data_will_cost.php