Keeping unlimited data by purchasing iPhone 5S at full retail - single phone account

[ldillard]

I was told bluntly, that Verizon was forcing people off of unlimited plans and that even changing your phone, that you purchase at full price will be a catalyzing event in which your plan will have to change...  When I bought my new Galaxy S4 I lost my unlimited plan which I had for many years, even though I did not change the plan, I was FORCED to change my plan...

[crelin]

You were told incorrectly.  For now at least.

[hothamwater]

well done, LasinaH_VZW, you've managed to mangle English syntax AND reply without reading the original post or understanding that the iPhone 5s is the topic of conversation here and not the iPhone 5. Verizon clearly hires only the best!

[ttipgem]

Thanks for all the input, folks.

No need to bash the rep.

I just wish that Verizon would offer single phone users some sort of plan that made sense for not sharing data. 
The "Share" plans are really not a better option for users with only a single phone on their account.

Or at least a single, one-time incentive to move from the unlimited plan.

[Ann154]

Existing customers are not required to switch to the Share Everything Plans. You can keep your current voice plan and change the data plan to the individual tiereddata for $30 per month with 2 GB.

[dimap52]

Verizon doesn't have to "force" anybody off their unlimited data plan. All. Verizon has to do is implement and announce a date after which grandfathered unlimited data plans will be retired upon expiration of current contract. I do think they should do one of two things:

1 Bring back individual data plans for single device users, or

2 Eliminate access fee on the FIRST phone on the Share Everything Plan.

[#7]

Good points. However when and if Verizon forces all grandfathered users off unlimited via announcement or through underhanded trickery the companies with unlimited (Sprint & T-Mobile) will get an influx of new customers.

Verizon will not be the top provider for long if the customers jump ship. Unlimited will be brought back pronto. They have no choice but to offer it and or keep it.

[dimap52]

Not necessarily. I don't see an exodus of customers over the loss of unlimited data. Inertia is a strong tendency to stay put and take what comes. I had unlimited data too long ago. Used a gig a month of it. When it went away after changing plans a few times, I couldn' t care less.

And not only that, Sprint's CEO keeps hemming and hawing that "some day" they may not be able to offer unlimited data to new customers. So it's possible thy may not be a target for this exodus much longer. That leaves T-Mobile. Their network is small. Unless they strike roaming agreements with AT&T for better national coverage and capacity, congestion on unlimited data could eventually become a problem for them if this exodus occurs.

What I DON'T like is what Verizon has done with LIMITED data since that time. Squeezed limits and raised prices.  For them it's not about congestion, it's purely about profit.

[ldillard]

It appears, based on these discussions, that I was lied to and manipulated into giving up my unlimited plan.  I do not like being lied to and manipulated.  In fact, one might go so far as saying that I was defrauded... 

[SydneyK]

This is a tough question, as you're the only one who can decide if it's worth it to you, as you know. I use approximately five times more data on a regular smartphone vs. on a BlackBerry with data compression. I buy off contract to keep unlimited data, but my needs are simple and I don't ever see myself paying $650 to $850 for a phone, but to each his/her own. At least Apple devices keep their resale value.

I do think unlimited data will eventually go away, but no one knows when. Like dimap52, I won't give it much thought if it does, as it's just not that important to me in the grand scheme of life.

Good luck deciding.