[cdf3]

Went to Verizon store to checkout Bionic. They said if I purchased tethering plan I would not get unlimited. I would be capped at 2 GB. I already have unlimited on my phone, but they said I can't get unlimited on tethering. They claimed I had to have already had a 4G phone and the tethering plan in order to be grandfathered in.

Has anyone been able to get the tethering plan added to their unlimited account without the 2GB cap?

[swallman]

Only 2 GB for tethering ?? That's insane! With an LTE connection that isn't going to last very long. They might as well not even sell it.

[nrk]

Went to Verizon store to checkout Bionic. They said if I purchased tethering plan I would not get unlimited. I would be capped at 2 GB. I already have unlimited on my phone, but they said I can't get unlimited on tethering. They claimed I had to have already had a 4G phone and the tethering plan in order to be grandfathered in.

Has anyone been able to get the tethering plan added to their unlimited account without the 2GB cap?

Didn't add it (don't believe in paying for something that should be free), but I did get it offered to me. Try calling in to customer service maybe, since they are running a promotion for $30 for unlimited tethering.

[thall]

I was worried about the same thing, so I tweeted Verizon Customer Support and here is what they said:

[saltysteve]

Just root or wait till the rootless tether comes out

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

[zendevar]

When I got mine yesterday, the rep specifically asked me, unprompted, if I wanted the $30 unlimited tethering plan that I was eligible for since I had unlimited data. I turned it down, but the offer was there.

[cdf3]

When I got mine yesterday, the rep specifically asked me, unprompted, if I wanted the $30 unlimited tethering plan that I was eligible for since I had unlimited data. I turned it down, but the offer was there.

I thought the same thing. I may try a different store. I may get someone who's more knowledgeable.
If not, I will continue to use my current Android phone and tether away.

[cdf3]

I was worried about the same thing, so I tweeted Verizon Customer Support and here is what they said:

I'm unable to see their response

[YourMobileGuru]

Went to Verizon store to checkout Bionic. They said if I purchased tethering plan I would not get unlimited. I would be capped at 2 GB. I already have unlimited on my phone, but they said I can't get unlimited on tethering. They claimed I had to have already had a 4G phone and the tethering plan in order to be grandfathered in.

Has anyone been able to get the tethering plan added to their unlimited account without the 2GB cap?

This is incorrect. The phone I deactivated to get the Bionic was a Blackberry. When I upgraded not only was I allowed to keep my unlimited data (as we all knew) but she offered me the unlimited Hotspot (which I declined) and it shows up as an option for me on My Verizon to add. The 2Gb hotspot is for Non 4G devices and 4G users who were stupid and dropped their unlimited data plans or didn't have then as of July 7.

[paintdrinkingpete]

I thought the same thing. I may try a different store. I may get someone who's more knowledgeable.
If not, I will continue to use my current Android phone and tether away.

You can just add it to your plan online. It should be available if you have an unlimited data plan.

[thall]

OK so update:

Has anyone looked on the services you can add in myverizon on the website after you activate your bionic? Cause after I did the $30 unlimited tethering plan showed up. Added it and it works great! Tethered to it right now with my xoom:-)

[DroidST]

yes, I am seeing that option under Features (for the line I have the Bionic and Unlimited Data)..

It's labeled: 4G Mobile Hotspot

for $30 a month... However, I don't see the word 'unlimited' but I also don't see '2GB' either.

I believe they told me on the phone it was $20 for the 2GB tether option..

Deciding if I will add it now or perhaps those who are grandfathered with the Unlimited Data will have this option going forward??

[YourMobileGuru]

yes, I am seeing that option under Features (for the line I have the Bionic and Unlimited Data)..

It's labeled: 4G Mobile Hotspot

for $30 a month... However, I don't see the word 'unlimited' but I also don't see '2GB' either.

I believe they told me on the phone it was $20 for the 2GB tether option..

Deciding if I will add it now or perhaps those who are grandfathered with the Unlimited Data will have this option going forward??

click on the link to the explanation of the feature, explains it IS unlimited and that an unlimited smartphone data feature is also required.

[DroidST]

Can someone who has a 2GB plan see what Hotspot option is available under Features/Change Features for your line?

[DroidST]

click on the link to the explanation of the feature, explains it IS unlimited and that an unlimited smartphone data feature is also required.

I don't see that is says the Hotspot is unlimited, just requires a unlimited data plan....


Here is what I get:



4G Mobile Hotspot

Mobile Broadband Connect

Use your Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Smartphone as a modem to get instant online access on your computer.

Mobile Hotspot

Using your 4G LTE Smartphone, share your data allowance with multiple Wi-Fi-enable devices. No additional drivers or software necessary.

Requires an unlimited data package / plan subscription of $29.99 or higher.

Additional Terms & Conditions apply.

[YourMobileGuru]

Can someone who has a 2GB plan see what Hotspot option is available under Features/Change Features for your line?

Someone else can actually check for you but what it should say is a $20 hotspot and 2 additional GB of data (so 4 total)

[DroidST]

For the 2GB Hotspot plans, is the 2GB data allowance separate from the phone's 2GB data?

If not separate, I guess the Hotspot option is just that, add that feature but uses whatever Data Plan you have. If this is the case, all grandfathered lines for unlimited will probably show the $30 Hotspot option.

[YourMobileGuru]

I don't see that is says the Hotspot is unlimited, just requires a unlimited data plan....


Here is what I get:



4G Mobile Hotspot

Mobile Broadband Connect

Use your Verizon Wireless 4G LTE Smartphone as a modem to get instant online access on your computer.

Mobile Hotspot

Using your 4G LTE Smartphone, share your data allowance with multiple Wi-Fi-enable devices. No additional drivers or software necessary.

Requires an unlimited data package / plan subscription of $29.99 or higher.

Additional Terms & Conditions apply.

Yeah I get the same thing *shrug* but I was told unlimited by the sales lady when I got the Bionic and by my friend when the data plan pricing changes went into effect.

[YourMobileGuru]

For the 2GB Hotspot plans, is the 2GB data allowance separate from the phone's 2GB data?

If not separate, I guess the Hotspot option is just that, add that feature but uses whatever Data Plan you have. If this is the case, all grandfathered lines for unlimited will probably show the $30 Hotspot option.

it's two additional GB of data (so a total of 4) to be used however you like. They don't differentiate.

[DroidST]

I may call a CS and see how they word it.. if I can get this later I'll wait to add it as I don't need the tether option yet but will need in in a couple months when we start traveling.

If it's a mistake, I will need to pony up now

[DroidST]

on a side note, does anyone have an idea how much you would need to use to be in the top 5% heavy users?

I know Comcast likes to use 250GB per month for their residential accounts... I switch our home connection to our 2nd connection once we hit 220GB

[YourMobileGuru]

I may call a CS and see how they word it.. if I can get this later I'll wait to add it as I don't need the tether option yet but will need in in a couple months when we start traveling.

If it's a mistake, I will need to pony up now

It's not a mistake, Go ahead and confirm it if you want but while I don't work for Verizon, I DO work for an indirect retailer (selling their phones) and we were trained in depth about how the new data structure works. If you are on the 2GB plan and add the hotspot you will get two additional GB for a total of 4. If you go over you are charged $10/gb overage rather than by the KB like you used to be before this. .

[DroidST]

I called Verizon, here is the deal.. this is the current deal for Granfathered Unlimited Data users..

it is unlimited Hotspot for $30 per month with a 4G Device..

If you for whatever reason you switched back to a 3G only smartphone, it would be 2GB..

Also, this $30 Hotspot unlimited option may change/be removed at anytime, without warning.. for some reason, she wanted to point that out.. perhaps just to get me to commit now though I said at the beginning of the call that I only had a question on a feature and that I did not want to make any changes today.


I have a feeling they will eventually drop that option all together - if you have it now, you get to keep it type of thing..

[YourMobileGuru]

I called Verizon, here is the deal.. this is the current deal for Granfathered Unlimited Data users..

it is unlimited Hotspot for $30 per month with a 4G Device..

If you for whatever reason you switched back to a 3G only smartphone, it would be 2GB..

Also, this $30 Hotspot unlimited option may change/be removed at anytime, without warning.. for some reason, she wanted to point that out.. perhaps just to get me to commit now though I said at the beginning of the call that I only had a question on a feature and that I did not want to make any changes today..

which is exactly what I said LOL


.

I have a feeling they will eventually drop that option all together - if you have it now, you get to keep it type of thing..

That's because it is considered promotional, but I would not worry about it since that stuff leaks out ahead of time and as long as you pay attention to the tech blogs you would have time to add it beforehand (kinda like the unlimited data),

[DroidST]

which is exactly what I said LOL


.

I didn't refresh before your post


but you are right, will just wait until we need it or there is a head's up about removing that option..