Verizon says unlimited data plans are on the way out!
carseller0822
Contributor - Level 3

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.

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Re: Verizon says unlimited data plans are on the way out!
jayare
Contributor - Level 2

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.

Re: Verizon says unlimited data plans are on the way out!
MikeInATL
Contributor - Level 1

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.

Re: Verizon says unlimited data plans are on the way out!
deedee2020
Enthusiast - Level 2

I am totally with you.  If they take away my unlimited plan, then I will take my business to another carrier.  I guess loyalty to Verizon means nothing.  My contract is for UNLIMITED data, NOT shared data.  If they want to lose $200 per month, then they can take away my unlimited data.  I'm sure that AT&T or Sprint would love to have my business!

Re: Verizon says unlimited data plans are on the way out!
TheRyanKing
Enthusiast - Level 1

I've been with Verizon for years and I fully intend to take my business elsewhere if they take away my unlimited plan.  I guess they've not been paying attention to what has been happening to Netflix.

Re: Verizon says unlimited data plans are on the way out!
jayare
Contributor - Level 2

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.

Re: Verizon says unlimited data plans are on the way out!
coolasbluefire
Enthusiast - Level 2

I just read that article as well. This is total BS. Here I was hoping that when the iPhone 5 comes out with all its LTE goodness, that I'd finally get to enjoy the speeds that my partner has been enjoying ever since the Thunderbolt launched, especially now that there's actually 4G service in our area now, but no. We are absolutely switching providers if they take away the unlimited data as a "reward" for our loyalty. That was the whole reason why I bought the iPhone on Verizon in the first place. You'd get out cheaper to put a satellite internet dish on top of your car, hook it up to a wireless router, and buy an iPod Touch. Seriously. We 'love' you too Big Red. "Can you hear me now?"

Re: Verizon says unlimited data plans are on the way out!
boobdole
Contributor - Level 2

No surprise.  I think they've made it very clear that all they care about is money.  I think if that's their outlook (and it is their right), then I think we should also look at carriers purely from a financial perspective as well (though I know there are some exceptions with people who only get decent service in a given area so for those people, I imagine you have to take level of service into consideration.  For most people though, it really doesn't matter which of the main carriers they use). 

Verizon is not the cheapest.  Pure and simple.  However, they used to get many recent phones (particular when Android was first being rolled out), they used to give the best coverage, and from what I've heard, they used to have the best customer service (though I haven't really had any experiences with them early on from that perspective).  Right now, it's safe to say they don't really care about their customers or their experiences with Verizon phones, they give little to no knowledge on future releases, updates, patches, etc, they are falling behind on recent phones (no decent Windows phones and a complete failure with Nexus devices), they implement charges "cuz everyone else is doing it." 

Way I see it, unless you have a significant reason to stay with Verizon, don't.  I think being apathetic to the way they treat their customers sets a bad example and only a significant backlash against them has any chance of knocking some sense into them.  I also think if we can go somewhere else, we might as well.  Even if their upgrade fees are the same as everywhere else, I think it's safe to say they're not trying to stay ahead or set themselves apart from anyone else in the industry, not in prices/fees, not in phone technology, not in customer service. 

If they want to be the same as everyone else, we can just go with everyone else.  No clear advantages to sticking around.  Honestly, the unlimited portion is, flat out, the only reason left that I'm considering enduring Verizon further.  If that's gone, I'm leaving, no question.  It's not about loyalty anymore, it's about what we pay vs the services provided to us.  I don't see them pulling their weight on this one.

In before a community leader jumps in, defends verizon and tells us how expensive it costs to run a network, how much the company is suffering in profits because they're only making 59% rather than 60% profit this year, and how kids these days are just a bunch of whiners for not agreeing with them . . .

Re: Verizon says unlimited data plans are on the way out!
Whitey1369
Enthusiast - Level 1

im gone no reason to stay with verzion...stupid freakin crooks

Re: Verizon says unlimited data plans are on the way out!
pool_shark
Specialist - Level 1

I read an article last week about the billions Verizon is making from the tiered plans.

Maybe if enough of us jump ship to Sprint they'll have enough money to expand their LTE faster.

Then maybe Verizon will be in the position Sprint is in now and we can all tell Verizon to kiss our ...