No Longer Grandfathering Unlimited Data Plan
queenmb
Enthusiast - Level 1

To say that I am disappointed in Verizon is an understatement. I have been with Verizon for over 15 years and have had the same unlimited plan for as long as I can remember. We were unaware that Verizon would no longer be honoring the existing data plan when upgrading your phone and this policy was not made clear when we purchased a new phone recently. When I noted the change to my account and called Verizon, I was given the standard customer service response “we are changing with the new market trying to keep current for our customers”, which is nonsense. As has been discussed here and all over the internet, Verizon is simply gouging their customers for more money with fewer options. They tried to indicate that other carriers do not offer unlimited and they are keeping up with the competition. The truth is that Verizon was ahead of the curve when they offered their unlimited plans during the infancy of the smartphone and now that they are so popular and commonplace with everyone needing a data plan, they see that they can charge more for less. Most mobile companies did away with the unlimited plans long ago but those of us who grandfathered in, have been elated with our service plans that new customers longed to have. Since then, customers have clamored for unlimited plans and the other providers are coming back around to give the people what they want. Unlimited, not share plans. The thought that Verizon is taking away the very plans that their customers are demanding and their competitors are giving is crazy. Verizon is well aware that their customers are unhappy as you can see by the damage control on these forums. At every turn they are closing and deleting posts and discussions that are addressing this travesty. My family, just like many others I have heard from, will be switching to a carrier with an unlimited data plan when our contracts are up. I will be sad to leave Verizon after all these years.

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Re: No Longer Grandfathering Unlimited Data Plan
dimap52
Specialist - Level 1

In an under-regulated capitalist market this is what inevitably happens. The only effective solution is to "vote with your wallet" and find another carrier that is an effective substitute. Unfortunately in this country that doesn't work too well, as most of the carriers are in lock-step pricing models, or have coverage issues, and Verizon knows it.

Verizon CEO's and CFO's really nail it on the head at their investor meetings when they refer to their Share Everything plans as "profit-generating engines".  Serving the paying consumer is totally secondary to the point of almost total irrelevancy to serving the ever-increasing demands of investors for higher and higher returns and dividends..

Verizon even is so bold as to charge that the FCC has no regulatory authority over wireless infrastructure and is even now suing them in court to rescind Net Neutrality so that THEY, not we the people who OWN the public airwaves, become sole arbiter of what, when, and how content of their choosing can travel down their pipes, thereby fragmenting content delivery by price in order, once again, to boost ARPU and generate more revenue streams.

If Verizon succeeds in neutralizing FCC authority to regulate under Title II provisions, I shudder to think what the wireless landscape will look like in this country over the next 5 years.

Re: No Longer Grandfathering Unlimited Data Plan
NuDroidUsrr
Specialist - Level 3

dimap52 wrote:

In an under-regulated capitalist market this is what inevitably happens. The only effective solution is to "vote with your wallet" and find another carrier that is an effective substitute. Unfortunately in this country that doesn't work too well, as most of the carriers are in lock-step pricing models, or have coverage issues, and Verizon knows it.

Verizon CEO's and CFO's really nail it on the head at their investor meetings when they refer to their Share Everything plans as "profit-generating engines".  Serving the paying consumer is totally secondary to the point of almost total irrelevancy to serving the ever-increasing demands of investors for higher and higher returns and dividends..

Verizon even is so bold as to charge that the FCC has no regulatory authority over wireless infrastructure and is even now suing them in court to rescind Net Neutrality so that THEY, not we the people who OWN the public airwaves, become sole arbiter of what, when, and how content of their choosing can travel down their pipes, thereby fragmenting content delivery by price in order, once again, to boost ARPU and generate more revenue streams.

If Verizon succeeds in neutralizing FCC authority to regulate under Title II provisions, I shudder to think what the wireless landscape will look like in this country over the next 5 years.

Then don't use cell phones...

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Re: No Longer Grandfathering Unlimited Data Plan
Not applicable

queenmb wrote:

To say that I am disappointed in Verizon is an understatement. I have been with Verizon for over 15 years and have had the same unlimited plan for as long as I can remember. We were unaware that Verizon would no longer be honoring the existing data plan when upgrading your phone and this policy was not made clear when we purchased a new phone recently.

Firstly you CAN keep unlimited as long as you pay full price for your phone and don;t renew your contract.

This has policy has been in place for over 7 months now and announced 9 months ago.

You are not going to find a carrier that offer unlimited data no matter what they tell you.

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Re: No Longer Grandfathering Unlimited Data Plan
Not applicable

queenmb wrote:

Since then, customers have clamored for unlimited plans and the other providers are coming back around to give the people what they want. Unlimited, not share plans. The thought that Verizon is taking away the very plans that their customers are demanding and their competitors are giving is crazy. Verizon is well aware that their customers are unhappy as you can see by the damage control on these forums. At every turn they are closing and deleting posts and discussions that are addressing this travesty. My family, just like many others I have heard from, will be switching to a carrier with an unlimited data plan when our contracts are up. I will be sad to leave Verizon after all these years.

If Verizon brought back unlimited the network would be slow and you be back here complaining about that. Try studying up on how things work then come back here and complain. These other companies offer "unlimited" data not unlimited data and you should know this. Frankly you and all the unlimited data people are doing Verizon and the rest of it's customers a favor by leaving. You realize your phones have this thing called wi-fi?

Sprint already has plenty of complaints about how slow it's network is. And they barely have any 4G out there. Just wait until they have 4G everywhere and they get more customers like you that want to max out their connections.

Sprint's "unlimited data" plan fine print

Everything Data Plan:  Includes $10 Premium Data add-on for smartphones (no discounts apply). Sprint Mobile Hotspot (MHS): Optional $19.99 or $49.99 add-on to allow your tablet or compatible phone to provide data usage for other Wi-Fi enabled devices. No discounts apply. Connectivity dependent upon compatibility and speeds may vary.  Includes either 2GB or 6GB of on-network data usage with additional data charges of $0.05/MB. 100 MB or 300 MB off-network data limit is combination of tablet/phone and hotspot usage. Additional off-network data charges for tablets is $0.25/MB. Sprint reserves the right, without notice, to deny, terminate, modify, disconnect or suspend service if off-network roaming usage in a month exceeds (1) voice: 800 minutes. or a majority of minutes; or (2) data: 300 MBs or a majority of KBs.

Ok so you are going to have to pay $10 extra PER smartphone on top of the advertised price. You are going to have to pay a minimum of $20 if you want to use hotspot then you only get 2 GB for that $20. And you're limited to 300 MB a month if you are outside a Sprint area. Not to mention you're speeed is limited to a max of 256 kbps. Not to mention not many Sprint areas have 4G so you'll be limited to 3G speeds. Sounds wonderful. Enjoy.

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Re: No Longer Grandfathering Unlimited Data Plan
jacobweber2000
Contributor - Level 2

Yet if everyone did that, VZW would have to change their toon and sprint would have a better network. I bet VZW shareholders would love that and would demand them return Unlimited data.

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Re: No Longer Grandfathering Unlimited Data Plan
raven49
Enthusiast - Level 1

The response from generic_username is very harsh criticism because no where does Verizon mention network performance. Network performance, or lack of it, has absolutely nothing to do with a change designed to make significant increases in profit. Touting this change as "responding to their customers needs" is just a lie-period. Arguably Verizon has the most robust wireless network going. So, the product is good.

Technically, the wireless networks are impacted as the number of users increase and the amount of data transmitted increases. Butr, why would anyone be happy that they're changing the game plan. Verizon, and the other wireless companies, know quite well what the network demands are and the impact of continuing to sell products that increase that demand.   If you're selling products that only work on your network, touting the speed, that it's the corporate responsibility to see that the infrastructure handles the demand.

I  thought it was reasonable when they grand fathered existing customers unlimited data plans. But, only a Verizon employee would say that the next change which requires purchase of a phone at full price to keep it isn't a gouge by Verizon. First, even a discounted phone that is subsidized from the monthly fee, is paid up in two years. But, of course, there is no mention of reducing the monthly fee since there is nothing to subsidize. If a typical $249 (discounted) phone has a list price of $600, you could have a lot of overages above 2 Gb for that $300.

As for generic_username, we can all wait with baited breath for the Verizon ad that say "you data hungry selfish customers are overloading our network and we're not going to sell you any more stuff. That will be right after donkeys fly past my window.

Re: No Longer Grandfathering Unlimited Data Plan
NOTHAPPYCUSTOMER1971
Enthusiast - Level 1

Found a carrier it is a prepaid plan also a different carrier i am very upset but i am willing to change my service. I will not pay more then i already am its bull. I have been a long and loyal customer and my bill just keeps getting higher and higher. I will go to prepaid and remove all FIVE of my lines from Verizon.

Re: No Longer Grandfathering Unlimited Data Plan
Not applicable

That's a good idea if that meets your needs.  For me, I'll keep my existing phone as long as possible, then pay full retail price as long as I can keep unlimited data.  Each of us has different needs and we have to do what works best for our individual situation.

Re: No Longer Grandfathering Unlimited Data Plan
NuDroidUsrr
Specialist - Level 3

Show me any service providing company that is not regulated that does not give you low prices to get you to join, and then not raise your rates over time. Time Warner, Directv, Frontier are a few that I have dealt with that did that.

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