Hi,
I'm currently on an unlimited data plan on the iPhone 4. I've been thinking for a while about getting the 5s, but have been hesitant (like many) about losing the unlimited data. I was considering just going on to the family share plan with my family, but that didn't seem too appealing, so I had decided to upgrade.
Then, when this whole unlimited 'glitch' happened this weekend, I decided to chat with a Verzion Rep; in the end, he offered me 6 gigs for $30 (Verizon Max), only I don't have to go onto Verizon Edge if I do it. So, what I'm wondering is, will 6 gb be enough on the 5s if I'm streaming videos and such over 4g? I've never been a real power user, using only 1-2 or 3 gigs a month, but I'm wondering if that would change on LTE. Another option would be for me to buy an iPhone 5 off contract for about the same price as a 5s right now, and keep my unlimited data. Or, are there are other options? I welcome all of your feed back, as I've been thinking about this for a while. Thanks in advance.
Joe
I can say that I'm looking at this situation with the same skeptical eyes.
For my purposes, I'm eyeing a Galaxy Note 3 and the 8 GB plan. I am no data hog, but I have been known to exceed 10 GB during a bill cycle.
To check my pre-conceived notions at the door, this month I turned my wifi on and have had it on 24 hours a day since 10/1/13. Doing this, I have only clocked 1.23 GB of data in 9 days. If I can keep this figure under 8 GB, then maybe I don't need the warm, fuzzy feeling of unlimited data.
Like you, I do have questions that the website hasn't answered. For one, if you buy 8 GB for $60, then will my 20% feature discount come off. Right now I pay $48 for unlimited data & unlimited hot spot. Getting the upper Max plan for $48 is not necessarily a bargain, but it's a step in the right direction.
Before I raise the white flag, they'll have to make it worth my while to give it up. I would press them for additional short term savings on my wireless bill. When I have complained I have been able to extract free data ($29.99) or extra minutes.
What would really sell me on this is if the higher Tier was either 10 GB if a third tier could exist. Make it $70 or $75. I know I could keep my usage below 10.
(hint, hint to any Verizon customer service persons who might be lurking.)
Well, I've rambled enough. I need to see how my wifi experiment shakes out before I do anything.
The real problem with all of this is where the market is going.
Verizon wants you to use VZ Navigator and their exclusive NFL Mobile to watch games on our shiny new smartphones with 5" + screens... both these activities take data.
We are being conditioned to watch video on the go via our phones or tablets. Whether it's a kitten hanging from a tree branch or an episode of our favorite TV streaming from Hulu... these activities take data.
Car manufacturers are more and more integrating apps in radios such as iheartradio, pandora yet no one is talking about in car cellular modems. The expectation is out will hot-spot the radio from your phone and use data.
Now, I know shared data was created exclusively to stuff Verizon's mattresses with money. If you do the things above then you might blow through our data allotment and have to pay overages. $15 per GB overage is quite expensive when unlimited was priced at $30.
My thinking is Verizon did not need to go all nuclear on us by stopping unlimited data. I would have preferred they one to us a say that we need to re-write unlimited data. If they had said we need to Make $50 or $60 I don't think I would have complained.
Another option would have been to re-write unlimited the way T-Mobile did. The first 500 MB (low plan) or 2.5 GB (mid plan) is 4G, but after your allotment you move down to 3G. 3G is fine for Web, & email, but not streaming audio / video.
3G speeds would stop the true data hogs from hot spotting their whole home from their smartphone and thus using hundreds and hundreds of GB 's of data.
Instead of chasing the almighty dollar, Verizon should be looking for ways to expand and better utilize spectrum. I've read two white papers on various ways MIMO could be used to multiplex cell towers. Essentially let them send and receive twice as much data without the need for additional spectrum or excessive power demands.
I have a unlimited plan and usingna Verizon Motorola Maxx HD, streaming videos you tube stuff. I break about 3 just push 4 gb. I got the same offer. I think it's a great deal.
Joe- Don't do it, keep your unlimited data plan. 6gb may be enough now, but it may be peanuts in a couple of years as apps and computing power on our phones advance. Recommend paying the full retail price or buying a used/refurbished one on Ebay. Verizon is trying to do what's most profitable for them, not what is most economical for you.
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