Verizon says unlimited data plans are on the way out!

[carseller0822]

Just ran across this article http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/16/verizon-cfo-says-grandfathered-unlimited-plans-on-the-way-out/ and wanted to get feedback from other current unlimited subscribers.

I don't see how Verizon can do this? We sign a contract with them, in good faith and now they want to change the rules? If VZW does this and Google makes the future Nexus devices GSM only http://blog.chron.com/techblog/2012/05/google-to-expand-the-nexus-line-with-more-smartphones-tablets... I guess I'll take my 10+ years and 4 lines elsewhere.

[jayare]

Can't say we didn't see this coming.  They have been unmovable on the upgrade fee, claiming it's for crap no one uses (upgrading a basic phone still requires the fee to cover the cost of "workshops").  Now, wanting to get rid of the unlimited plans they told everyone they'd get to keep at their next upgrade, pushing everyone to the share plans.  So, if I get this straight, since I have 1 smartphone and 3 basic phones, I'll get to lose my unlimited data so I can share a tiered plan with phones that don't use data.  I may go back to seeing what life is like without a cell phone.  I guess these things are made of gold and run on pixie dust.  Too rich for my blood.

[DroidudeAZ]

Sprint is looking good right now, I agree. After several months of owning a Galaxy Nexus and NO software updates, and now the likely hood that those of us who are grandfathered in to unlimited data plans losing them is going to cause me to take a long look at Sprint. They have the Galaxy Nexus and it's shipping with Android 4.0.4 and it has Google Wallet which Verizon blocked so they can continue working on ISIS they're own payment system launching next year. I was with Alltel for 8 years, they're selection of phones wasn't always current, but they were a good company. When Verizon absorbed them it was ok at first, but things are different now. There are a lot more options for smartphone users as far as prepaid and alternative data plans. I'm quite frankly tired of paying $ 106.00 per month and not always being treated well, i.e. I paid $650.00 for my Galaxy Nexus in January. When the first replacement crapped out, Verizon said I was out of my 2 week window and I would be issued a Certified Like New replacement. I explained that I paid $650 for my phone a month before, they said it didn't matter. I think the final nail in the coffin will be when Verizon officially announces the end of unlimited data plans.

[DroidudeAZ]

After all of these business changes Verizon is changing to make more money, I think I'll go the Google route. They are opening a store in Google Play where you can buy  carrier free Nexus phones without a contract and for about 40 - 50% less than a no contract price here. Thats a no brainer for me! The only disadvantage is that they don't have Verizon coverage. (I do not work for Google)

I'm becoming wary of Verizon's pricing changes and policy changes. After 11 years as a client (counting my Alltel days) I don't feel like this company doesn't have much sympathy for consumer pricing. They are already among the more expensive carriers, which I didn't mind paying for because the coverage is the best, but now there is  $30 to change phones when yours goes bad and has to be replaced, $2 Convenience Fee to pay your bill !?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? And now the beginning of eliminating grandfathered unlimited data plans. I don't feel very special.

[MikeInATL]

It's my understanding that you're fine while you're in your contract.  But once you upgrade, your new device will go off the unlimited plan.

If this happens, I'll gladly leave Verizon.

[jayare]

MikeInATL wrote:

It's my understanding that you're fine while you're in your contract.  But once you upgrade, your new device will go off the unlimited plan.

If this happens, I'll gladly leave Verizon.

Well, considering they told us not to worry, when we upgrade, we'll get to keep our unlimited data, this is just one more money grab from Verizon.  I've just about had it with them.  Miserable customer service and high prices just doesn't mix well.

[DroidudeAZ]

I will too.

[Germain916]

How much data are using?  If it is more than 3 Gbs, how are you using it?  Most people don't use one whole Gb in a month, yet there is a lot of talk about how this is a deal breaker.  I'm not picking on you in particular.  It's just this thread goes on for days about all the greedy profit VZW is trying to make, and these postings are chronological.  If over 90% of users have less than 2Gb of usage, this doesn't seem a profit maker for VZW.  Those data hogs who have rooted their phone so they can avoid a cable bill, while still downloading HD videos and playing World of Warcraft, will simply move on to Plan B.  So the motivation would seem to be more about reliability.  If you get a household or an apartment complex full of these "Big Bang Theory" characters, all of a sudden everyone in that cell is running at ATT speeds.  "Can you hear me now?"

I want to dispell the allegations that I'm a plant for VZW, in advance.  I'm a self-employed 50-year old man. I don't have a penny invested in VZW.  I'm invested in my own business, which is real estate.  I just hate ATT. I do like that T-mobile girl, and her motorcycle, but I'm too old for her.  So I'm staying with VZW.

[michaeljtimko]

When Verizon makes decisions of this magnitude, I really believe they owe us an explaination.  Rather than just saying customers want family shared data.  They should openly defending their position to gether support rather than animosity.  If Fran Shammo had had specifics with when he spoke at the Chase Bank conference, then this might have turned out differently.  Had he said to our remaining grandfathered unlimited plan holders we would like you to consider moving to a family plan because it will benefit you in this way to share a pool of X data for Y dollars which in the long run will save yoy Z dollars.  Instead we got no specifics and crickets when we ask questions.

[JimDandy]

Lol, I'm sorry if you thought I was calling you an employee of Verizon Wireless. Verizon Wireless removed that part of the post where I named the person. I use under 1 gig of data monthly but my problem lies with the fact that every time Apple comes out with a new item it costs me more money and I have no Apple products and now their taking away my safety net of wireless and the cheapest data plan is $10.00 more PLUS it will cost me $30.00 if I upgrade my phone . Its not my fault I waited to get data when the price was cheap. Their big advertising gimmick at that time was " get it while its still here because it wont last long " they never said because we will take it away the first time we need to. The whole reason to do this is to not only push a family plan but to make money off of people for going over like they did in texting, are they going to take away unlimited texting next? Im just saying theres other companies out there much cheaper and has about the same service. I myself will take the three phones that come up in the same month and leave but if I do, theres no going back unless they make it worth my wild. I have been in a discussion in Facebook about this as well and when there was a poll on people leaving Verizon over this there were hundreds saying yes and less then a dozen staying. If that just a small group in a small discussion place ( as in here ) they could lose millions over what can be a bad desition and most of these people leaving will sign a two year contract keeping them from coming back. Myself, I have found a great unlimited plan with everything unlimited including minutes for $29.99 monthly WITHOUT a contract. A friend of mine has had it for over a year now and gets great coverage in the areas I live and vacation in.

[babyblue1962]

I work for a local retail store & just heard about this the other day. Quite frankly I am outraged by this and am also seriously considering changing my carrier. I have been with Verizon for many years & have a plan which has unlimited data, which is the contract that I signed. We also have 3 phones on our plan and the other two are simple phones as well. I too am the only data user. I cannot upgrade until next Feb. and from what they are telling me I will have to CHANGE the plan that I signed up for just because I want to upgrade to a newer phone. I have even looked at buying a phone outright as this would STILL be cheaper than the limited data. I use my navigation and it wouldn't take long to use up data on an 8 hr trip. All I can say is they better be looking at loyalty from their long time customers because I'm hearing a LOT of this where I work. What is this worth?

[Tidbits]

babyblue1962 wrote:

I work for a local retail store & just heard about this the other day. Quite frankly I am outraged by this and am also seriously considering changing my carrier. I have been with Verizon for many years & have a plan which has unlimited data, which is the contract that I signed. We also have 3 phones on our plan and the other two are simple phones as well. I too am the only data user. I cannot upgrade until next Feb. and from what they are telling me I will have to CHANGE the plan that I signed up for just because I want to upgrade to a newer phone. I have even looked at buying a phone outright as this would STILL be cheaper than the limited data. I use my navigation and it wouldn't take long to use up data on an 8 hr trip. All I can say is they better be looking at loyalty from their long time customers because I'm hearing a LOT of this where I work. What is this worth?

When you sign a new contract it's a new ball game.  New terms and everything...  If you don't like the terms that what you should do.  Change carriers...  all the crying isn't going to change this...  This is HOW it is supposed to be done...

[babyblue1962]

Obviously you work for them...It hasn't been a new ballgame for MANY years...somethings I still have the same...it's not a matter of "crying" as you put it..it's what I signed up for. I went many years with the same contract & was told I would be grandfathered in on those contracts. Then when I got my smartphone it was with the understanding that it would remain at that. I don't want to change my plan...just my phone & that is as it should be. Maybe you don't mind shelling money out..I on the other hand choose to save where I can...I don't feel I should be forced to change the plan that I agreed to. Like I said..don't want to change the plan, just the phone

[Tidbits]

babyblue1962 wrote:

Obviously you work for them...It hasn't been a new ballgame for MANY years...somethings I still have the same...it's not a matter of "crying" as you put it..it's what I signed up for. I went many years with the same contract & was told I would be grandfathered in on those contracts. Then when I got my smartphone it was with the understanding that it would remain at that. I don't want to change my plan...just my phone & that is as it should be. Maybe you don't mind shelling money out..I on the other hand choose to save where I can...I don't feel I should be forced to change the plan that I agreed to. Like I said..don't want to change the plan, just the phone

It always was a new ball game.  They CHOSE to allow you to keep what you have.  They could have changed it at any time as there is NOTHING to stop them from changing it, and there is nothing from you leaving.  They chose to allow you to keep the plan so they could keep you.  They are now moving in another direction and believe more people will come than people will leave.  So they are changing it.

Also I do not work for Verizon.  Just because someone says something honestly COMPLETELY rational and something you don't like to hear... Well...  It doesn't mean that person works for said company...

You are NOT being forced for anything... Once that contract is up YOU are free to do as you please.  You can agree to the new terms or move elsewhere...  I think the sports industry would love their players to have your train of thought...  They'd be getting paid less than they are right now...  Verizon isn't holding a gun to your head to accept their new terms.

[michaeljtimko]

Yes they are.  They are telling us if we, the grandfathered, want unlimited data after June 28th, we either have to: 1) keep our old phones or 2) pay their extortionist retail price.  By forcing us to give up unlimited data just to get the 2 year price is clearly a metaphorical gun to our heads.

[AZSALUKI]

not really. not at all. you have options. they told us a year ago if we had unlimited data we would be grandfathered in and for the past year they have honored that statement. if you upgraded anytime over the past year then you kept it for the 2 year period plus the number of months from june (when they switched) and when you upgraded. so they gave us another 2 + years of it.

[michaeljtimko]

I understand that.  I just got my Rezound in November so my contract is the better part of 18 months.  The metaphorical gun references the need to upgrade in 18 months.  At that time, I have a decision to make as to how valuable my unlimited data plans are.  when you think about things like Google Navigation, Netflix, Pandora, and app updates, even Verizon's 10 GB data plan doesn't go very far with two or more smartphones on it.  I think I will be buying one year behind phones from eBay and keeping my unlimited data.

[AZSALUKI]

michaeljtimko wrote:

I understand that.  I just got my Rezound in November so my contract is the better part of 18 months.  The metaphorical gun references the need to upgrade in 18 months.  At that time, I have a decision to make as to how valuable my unlimited data plans are.  when you think about things like Google Navigation, Netflix, Pandora, and app updates, even Verizon's 10 GB data plan doesn't go very far with two or more smartphones on it.  I think I will be buying one year behind phones from eBay and keeping my unlimited data.

so you're worried about the early part of 2014? i'm not even beginning to concern myself with 18 months from now. the entire industry will be different.....and i won't be surprised if by then they tell us "forget it. no unlimited data. period even if you buy the phone outright." not that it will make you feel any better, but i suspect by 2014, when you still have a couple of months left of unlimited data, you will be in about a 5% demographic. verizon will have VERY few left with unlimited. at&t will have very few (if any) and sprint and tmobile will have to kill their unlimited plans by then (unless they plan on investing EVERYTHING they have and then some, into their networks, which are awful as it is). every network is stressed and we continue to use more and more data. i just don't even think about 18 months from now because i assume things will be much different. for the better or worse, i don't know? but much different. just a few years ago, smartphones were for business or a higher end luxury. now every teenager and many pre teens are running around with them, and most adults feel the need to have one as well. also, more and more areas are adding wifi. 18 months from now you may only need actual data wile driving because just about everywhere you go may have wifi (ball parks, shopping centers, amusement parks, etc)

[21stNow]

Change has to come at some point in time.  Let's start off with saying that I don't care for the Share Everything plans.  However, I do realize that there is no way that things can't stay the same over long periods of time.  I was with VZW for phone service back in 2004.  Mobile Web w/100 alerts was $6.95/month.  I can't remember exactly what the 100 alerts were, but I think that it was emails that came through as text messages.  There is no way that the phones of today could use these plans.  Would I want those plans to stay the same and not have access to the technological advances that we have seen in phones today?  Absolutely not.

[JimDandy]

Maybe not but the changes they made will cost me more in the long run and still pay $30.00 for the upgrades even when getting a " free " phone all so Verizon can let people pay more to add more devices to their plan, right. Its the saying take it or leave strategy that can hurt them. I can get a better plan through Sprint right not that will INCLUDE using my phone as a hotspot for cheaper then Verizons new plan and can add up to five wifi spots . I have no need to add my tablet or either of my laptops to any data plan since everywhere I have gone to in the last four or five years has free wifi around. How many people really needs a data plan for a device when its out there for free. Every McDonalds has free wifi. I have plans to change in August and the only phone that will still be on my plan will close early. After running the numbers between what I will save on my plan, phones and smart phones I will get new I will save over $3,000.00 in the two years I will sign up for, now thats alot of money.

GOD loves YOU and there is NOTHING you can do about it!

[21stNow]

I will probably have and need a data plan for the foreseeable future.  I would want one because I am used to having one (for at least the last 10 years).  McDonalds and Starbucks are two businesses that I try to avoid, so their free Wi-fi service is meaningless to me.  I tend to use my smartphones to look up stuff while standing outside, while in shopping in stores, and many other places where no Wi-fi signal is available.  I am usually around a Wi-fi signal when I use my tablet, but want to keep a cellular data plan on it for the occasional times when this is not the case.  However, I do not consider myself to be a data hog.  I use far less than the amount of data that I pay for, and am considering making some changes in the future.  But, it won't be to VZW's Share Everything plans.