Unlimited Data Package

[LLS]

I don't understand why if I want to upgrade my Droid to a newer version Droid I will loose my Unlimited Data Package?  Verizon told me this was a Grandfather Clause and that benefit stays with the phone number for as long as you have it.  Yesterday when I was at Verizon they told me once I get a new phone I will be required to pick a new data plan and I will loose my Unlimited Data Plan.  This does not seem fair.  She said it is something that is just being advertised and starts the end of June   Not really happy about that!

[SCARLETT1023]

Verizon "said" they changed from UNLIMITED on JULY 28th, 12.   Prior to that date the "owner of a phone" could update without changing their plans.  After that date UNLIMITED data is removed and will be changed to a LIMITED amount of Data SHARED.  But the plan is only changed IF you UPGRADE your phone through VERIZON.  At this point, now that we as owners of smart phones, MUST purchase our phones outside of the VERIZON store to KEEP the current UNLIMITED plans or Pay VERIZON FULL price for the phone.  Example the phone is $99 with a 2 year renew contract  (AND UNLIMITED IS CHANGED TO LIMITED)  or pay $599 for the phone (full price) and keep current contract (UNLIMITED)  Well there are ways to buy phones out there that are updated phones - maybe not the I-5 phone but I-4 phones Razor phones, on line and new little stores popping up all around. 

DON'T BUY the latest and greatest with "RENEWING a 2 year contract" without realizing it is NOT the SAME contract, and It is NOT RENEWED but NEW -  loosing the important UNLIMITED DATA plan.

Wake up people it is happening and all we can do is Change our style of purchasing our new phones, pay full price, or buy from someplace else that will be competing with the big boys just not with the Latest and GREATEST.  Big brother, Verizon is not your Friend, it is out to make money.  They got you hooked with the phones, now they want to charge you the BIG Bucks for the phones!!!!  It's a fact, kindof like drugs, start them small, increase their desire, then the price grows, up and up! 

Cell phone use and data plans have started out this way and will not ever go back to what it was.  So unless you are RICH or STUPID with your spending priorities, you'll be satisfied with the older phones for longer periods of time.

[Tidbits]

I think Verizon is doing the smart thing.  Contracts are bad for the industry.  Without contracts, and the changes with VoLTE around the corner if the FCC does it right then exclusive agreements and no contracts will make the mobile landscape more competitive.

[JasonN72]

I don't think this is the "smart" thing.

Yesterday I went to update my son's Droid.  They told me that because I was not purchasing the phone at full price, I could not keep my unlimited data package.  YET, Sprint ant T-Mobile right now ARE offering unlimited data plans!  If Verizon wants to keep the business and customers, then they too need to grandfather and roll the unlimited data packages into the new contracts, or they will lose customers!

The phone I bought for my son was retailed at $650.00, with the Verizon upgrade package, I got the phone for $150 (with a two year contract), and due to it being a "new device that was not paid in full upfront", I now lose my unlimited data package...

Well to break this contract I will have to pay $375 (early termination fee).  Do the math: $150 for the new phone, plus $375 early termination (total of $525), and that means I get my phone for $125.00 less than the retail price, and I can now go to Sprint or T-Mobile and get an unlimited data plan with them on my new Droid phone!!!

Get with the program Verizon!  Offer the unlimited data plan!

I would have rather them told me it was going to be $10 or even $15 more a month to keep the unlimited data plan, rather than to do away with it altogether!  I understand things cost more, so for me, I would have rather them told me the unlimited data is still available but it would be a little more money a month, than for them to flat out not offer it.  Because now, I'm thinking about taking my new Droid and moving over to Sprint or T-Mobile who are still offering unlimited data plans!!!

[Ann154]

You can't activate a Verizon Wireless branded device on Sprint or T-Mobile. You will need to buy a new phone from them as well. So don't forget that cost in your "calculations".

[JasonN72]

That's the beauty of it though, Ann154, it is NOT a Verizon exclusive device.  It's a Motorola device.  And I know for a fact that other cell phone companies use Motorola devices, because my wife had a Motorola RAZR phone but is with AT&T (or whatever company AT&T has turned into, Cingular maybe...) for her service.

Just like Iphones, they will work with any cell company, because my wife recently upgrade to an Iphone with AT&T, and last night when I was at the Verizon store, there was a young girl in there getting her Iphone activated on the Verizon network.

So you are right, Ann, if you get a "Verizon exclusive" device, you may not have the option to move to another company with that device, BUT if you buy a brand of phone that is used across the cell phone board, you can totally jump ship from Verizon, and save yourself a little money on the cost of your phone, and get back to having an unlimited data package.

[rcschnoor]

I think you will find what you want to do WILL NOT work and you will most likely be back complaining that Verizon lied to you even you were not told your phone would work with another provider.

If you purchase a phone with Verizon, you will not be able to bring it to another provider and have it activated. If you think otherwise, just make sure you ask the other provider before you cancel your Verizon service.

Phones that are used "across the cellphone board" don't necessarily have the same components inside the phone. Different providers use different technologies on their network. Verizon, for instance uses CDMA while AT&T uses GSM. These are different radios and phones used "across the cellphone board" don't necessarily have both in them.

Oh, and on the Apple website, it is clearly stated when you are choosing your provider "Your iPhone will work only with the carrier you choose."

Oh, and the ETF is $350, not $375.

Edit: these are from the Sprint forums and a 5 second websearch.

Example #1

Example #2

Example #3

But of course, you can still try!

[JasonN72]

Yes, there are questions to be asked and found out by another provider before jumping ship, rcschnoor.

And you are right about the different software platforms (operating systems, OS) being used on the phones depending on who your provider is.  But if that software were not capable of being updated to the provider of your choice, then why would Apple be selling their Iphones in Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy, or even the Apple stores?  The Apple company sells the device, they do not care what provider you go with.  The cell phone provider of your choice provides the OS and service.  

So with that said, yes, you have only one software operating system on your phone at a time. Meaning you have Verizon's, AT&T's, Sprint's, T-Mobile's, or whatever company you choose to provide you service, loaded on the device, so you cannot have multiple providers softwares installed at the same time.

If devices were not loadable across the board, then these cell phone makers, like Apple and Motorola, would not offer their devices in retail stores and the devices would be sold ONLY through the cell phone provider's stores.

So if you find an Apple Iphone that ONLY works with one particular cell phone company, then I would think Apple would ONLY be selling their phones through that cell phone provider company...  But that is NOT the case, and therefore, you can buy Apple's Iphone, or a Motorola decide, at places like Target and Wal-Mart.

[#9]

JasonN72 wrote:

Yes, there are questions to be asked and found out by another provider before jumping ship, rcschnoor.

And you are right about the different software platforms (operating systems, OS) being used on the phones depending on who your provider is.  But if that software were not capable of being updated to the provider of your choice, then why would Apple be selling their Iphones in Wal-Mart, Target, Best Buy, or even the Apple stores?  The Apple company sells the device, they do not care what provider you go with.  The cell phone provider of your choice provides the OS and service.  

So with that said, yes, you have only one software operating system on your phone at a time. Meaning you have Verizon's, AT&T's, Sprint's, T-Mobile's, or whatever company you choose to provide you service, loaded on the device, so you cannot have multiple providers softwares installed at the same time.

If devices were not loadable across the board, then these cell phone makers, like Apple and Motorola, would not offer their devices in retail stores and the devices would be sold ONLY through the cell phone provider's stores.

So if you find an Apple Iphone that ONLY works with one particular cell phone company, then I would think Apple would ONLY be selling their phones through that cell phone provider company...  But that is NOT the case, and therefore, you can buy Apple's Iphone, or a Motorola decide, at places like Target and Wal-Mart.

It has nothing to do with software. Verizon and Sprint use different technology than T-mobile and at&T and even those that use the same technology they use different frequencies. Even when all 4 have LTE they all use different frequencies. To use an Iphone for Verizon you have to get a Iphone made for Verizon. No offense but you're lack of knowledge on this is pretty severe.

[JasonN72]

Brian, maybe the Iphone has limitations to being specific to it's provider.  I appreciate your response.  I however did not get an Iphone, I got a "Motorola" device.  And while maybe even some Motorola devices may also be limited to the a specific provider, some may not be...  Therefore my comment about: "there are questions to be asked and found out by another provider before jumping ship."

Look up Motorola phones at Wal-Mart's online store, some state they are specific to a certain provider, and others do not.  So the ones that do not state they are specific to a certain provider, like the "Motorola RAZR M", does that mean that the RAZR M is limited to only one specific provider or not?

And therefore, my questions that will have to be posed to a new company BEFORE jumping ship.

[Ann154]

The Motorola DROID Razr M is a Verizon Wireless branded and exclusive device. It won't work on another carrier.

[#12]

JasonN72 wrote:

Brian, maybe the Iphone has limitations to being specific to it's provider.  I appreciate your response.  I however did not get an Iphone, I got a "Motorola" device.  And while maybe even some Motorola devices may also be limited to the a specific provider, some may not be...  Therefore my comment about: "there are questions to be asked and found out by another provider before jumping ship."

Look up Motorola phones at Wal-Mart's online store, some state they are specific to a certain provider, and others do not.  So the ones that do not state they are specific to a certain provider, like the "Motorola RAZR M", does that mean that the RAZR M is limited to only one specific provider or not?

And therefore, my questions that will have to be posed to a new company BEFORE jumping ship.

Listen you can get a Galaxy S III for all 4 major providers, BUT an at&t GS III will NOT work on Verizon and vise versa. Which of this are you not getting?

[rcschnoor]

It is not just software platforms, but also hardware(different radios). Good luck, though.

Out of curiosity, which Droid did you get which you would like to take to another provider?

[JasonN72]

Rcschnoor, I got my son the Motorola RAZR MAXX.

Maybe I will find that it cannot be used by another provider...

Or maybe it will be able to be used by another provider...

There are still questions that I have to ask and find out about.  Which I do plan on calling Verizon this morning.

What I really want is for Verizon to offer the unlimited data, even if I have to pay $10-$20 more a month for it. 

So my first step it to contact Verizon and get my questions answered about the possibility of them offering unlimited data, even if it is at a slightly higher price than I was previously paying for it.  I've been with Verizon a long time, I actually prefer Verizon to any of the other providers and would like to keep my business with Verizon.  But I guess we'll see how this first bill goes, if my son breaks the 2Gb threshold...

[Ann154]

The phone you purchased at the Verizon Wireless store was a "Motorola DROID Razr Maxx" which is also a Verizon Wireless branded and exclusive device. It won't work on Sprint or T-Mobile or any other carrier.

[lewisr13]

Be sure to set up your usage alerts so you don't find out after the fact that your son went over. If he's near WIFI most of the time have him set the phone to auto connect to WIFI. Should have went to Best Buy last week they had them for free.

[JasonN72]

Thanks, Ann, and Lewisr, for the extra details.

Okay after reviewing my son's last six month usage, he has the potential to go over the 2GB limit:

June: 2.640GB (over 2GB limit)

July: 0.300GB

August: 1.860GB

September: 3.080GB (over the 2GB limit)

October: 1.810GB

November: 1.410GB (the month is not over yet, so he has the potential to still go over)

His average for the six months is 1.850GB, but being that he looks like he is going over three out of six months, that means potentially he could be over 6 months out of the year. 

I'm still going to call Verizon to see if they can work with me here...  I hope to work with them and get details about upping the data limit, in a way that will be more cost effective for me, rather than get hit with fees for going over the 2GB limit.

[rcschnoor]

Verizon will be more than happy to up the data limit. I think the next tier is 5GB for $50/month.

On the tiered data packages, overages currently run $10/month so unless your son goes over 4GB in a month, it would be cheaper to stick with the 2GB plan.

One other thing to think about is that employee discounts do not apply with the 2GB tier, but do on the 5GB tier. If you are getting a discount thru your employer(for example I get a 20% discount on data which would make the 5GB tier $40 for me) you may get a break on the 5GB tier.

[#19]

JasonN72 wrote:

I don't think this is the "smart" thing.

Yesterday I went to update my son's Droid.  They told me that because I was not purchasing the phone at full price, I could not keep my unlimited data package.  YET, Sprint ant T-Mobile right now ARE offering unlimited data plans!  If Verizon wants to keep the business and customers, then they too need to grandfather and roll the unlimited data packages into the new contracts, or they will lose customers!

A) Verizon's 3rd quarter report pretty much debunks the "will lose customers" theory.

B) Sprint and t-mobile have very little 4G right now. Verizon has 10 MHz of spectrum for downlink and 10 MHz for uplink for LTE. I'm not sure how you think they are supposed to offer unlimited data with that little spectrum. Personally I do not want MY mobile data being slowed down because someone thinks they need to watch Netflix, youtube and stream Pandora all day on their smartphone using mobile data.

[rcschnoor]

Brian68 wrote:

JasonN72 wrote:

I don't think this is the "smart" thing.

Yesterday I went to update my son's Droid.  They told me that because I was not purchasing the phone at full price, I could not keep my unlimited data package.  YET, Sprint ant T-Mobile right now ARE offering unlimited data plans!  If Verizon wants to keep the business and customers, then they too need to grandfather and roll the unlimited data packages into the new contracts, or they will lose customers!

A) Verizon's 3rd quarter report pretty much debunks the "will lose customers" theory.

This is not necessarily true. It debunks the fact that people will not give another type of data package a try, though.

Yes, if they switch data plans and find their "total data cost" to remain the same or about the same, nothing will likely happen.

However, if these same people find they are paying significantly more for data because of a)overages which they have never had to pay, or b)increasing their data tier/allowance to keep from paying overages, then they may rethink their options.

These options would be 1)continuing to pay significantly more for data, 2)changing their data usage habits, or 3)moving to a different carrier.

Just because a customer initially changes does not mean they will stick with the change if they are unhappy with the outcome. It will take more than 1 quarter(maybe even 1 full cycle of 2yr contracts if they don't want to pay the ETF) of results to determine if the thought that Verizon "will lose customers" has been debunked.

[#21]

Well I've seen plenty of haters posting  over the last few months how the 3rd quarter reports was going to show how awful Verizon's new policies on unlimited data and Share Everything were because the report would show mass defections. well they were wrong. Verizon had many times more new customers than at&t even though EVERY new customer HAD to go with Share Everything which was completely blasted in the media. How many millions of Verizon customers paid full price for a phone to keep unlimited rather than go to T-mobile or Sprint which supposedly offer unlimited data?

[Triynko]

Let's see... Verizon ditched the "new every two" program, so now I see I get NOTHING for upgrading, and in place there is a $30 upgrade fee, so they want me to pay them to upgrade, ROLLING ON THE FLOOR LMFAO.  I'm "eligible" for a upgrade, eh... NO, >>VERIZON<< is "eligible" to impress me and keep me as a customer now that my contract is OVER.  Ditching new every two, eliminating the upgrade incentive and replacing it with a fee, eliminating unlimited data plans, and charging more overall for data, voice, and phone hardware in general is NOT IMPRESSING ME.  At least not in a good way.  When I go into the Verizon store tomorrow, I'm going to make my intention to terminate service clear, and then walk over to Sprint where I can get a Galaxy Note 2 for $99, an activation fee waved and a %10 discount with my AAA membership, and have an unlimited data plan, all at a cheaper rate, with excellent coverage in the Pittsburgh area.  AND I'm going to post this all over Facebook.