FierceWireless: Verizon will kill 'grandfathered' unlimited data

**Bbeelzebub** · 05-17-2012, 01:28 PM

I just got an email back from the FCC. While they can't directly influence Verizon's pricing, they can put terms on the spectrum they license. They can tie them into commitments to make them more consumer friendly, etc. They said people should file a complaint on their website.

Remember, right now Verizon is attempting to gain access to some important spectrum.

You can also email and let him know we aren't taking this lightly.

**Synycalwon** · 05-17-2012, 01:41 PM

I think we need to take a step back on this and review. It looks like this is all in the initial planning stages yet. Also, there is nothing specific about how these proposed shared tiered plans may impact those of us that already have LTE phones with grandfathered unlimited data.

Check out the transcript from the Investor Conference here:

From page five of the transcript, talking about the new shared data plans:

Phil Cusick - JPMorgan Chase - Analyst
How do you drive customers over to this new model? Is there a willingness to take a little bit of near-term pain on revenue in exchange for the higher device number that is going to drive growth long term?

Fran Shammo - Verizon Communications Inc. - EVP & CFO
Well, the way we have designed this and of course, it is paper, not actual and we will see how this comes out, but the way we have designed this is we really shouldn't see a short-term decline. And really the theory behind this is LTE is our anchor point for data share. So as you come through an upgrade cycle and you upgrade in the future, you will have to go onto the data share plan. And moving away from, if you will, the unlimited world and moving everybody into a tiered structure data share-type plan. So when you think about our 3G base, a lot of our 3G base is unlimited. As they start to migrate into 4G, they will have to come off of unlimited and go into the data share plan.

Statement on Data Plans

As we have stated publicly, Verizon Wireless has been evaluating its data pricing structure for some time. Customers have told us that they want to share data, similar to how they share minutes today. We are working on plans to provide customers with that option later this year.

We will share specific details of the plans and any related policy changes well in advance of their introduction, so customers will have time to evaluate their choices and make the best decisions for their wireless service. It is our goal and commitment to continue to provide customers with the same high value service they have come to expect from Verizon Wireless.

**smccloud** · 05-17-2012, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by Bbeelzebub

I just got an email back from the FCC. While they can't directly influence Verizon's pricing, they can put terms on the spectrum they license. They can tie them into commitments to make them more consumer friendly, etc. They said people should file a complaint on their website.

Remember, right now Verizon is attempting to gain access to some important spectrum.

You can also email and let him know we aren't taking this lightly.

Which option for the complaint?

**Bbeelzebub** · 05-17-2012, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by Synycalwon

Statement on Data Plans

This is nothing more than an, "Uh oh, We F*cked up and people are pissed" statement.

Does anybody really think they are just in the initial stages of trying to offer something customers have asked for and are doing us a favor??? If so, think again.

**dmmarck** · 05-17-2012, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by Bbeelzebub

This is nothing more than an, "Uh oh, We F*cked up and people are pissed" statement.

Does anybody really think they are just in the initial stages of trying to offer something customers have asked for and our doing us a favor??? If so, think again.

Hopefully the person who wrote that little blurb understands the English language. Option connotes...alternatives. Thus, data sharing should be optional, and we should be able to maintain our own lines with our own data limits.

**Bbeelzebub** · 05-17-2012, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by smccloud

Which option for the complaint?

Wireless Telephone. Then the next option is Billing....

There is a section at the bottom for comments. According to the email I got back from Julius Genachowski, use the comments section to detail why we are asking them to look into the matter, how this affects us and reasons for justifying their looking into Verizon's actions.

**Synycalwon** · 05-17-2012, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by Bbeelzebub

This is nothing more than an, "Uh oh, We F*cked up and people are pissed" statement.

Does anybody really think they are just in the initial stages of trying to offer something customers have asked for and our doing us a favor??? If so, think again.

Yah, I thought about that too, but as cynical as I can be (see my screen name?

), I still need to see something concrete before getting my ire up. Otherwise, it's just wasted energy IMO.

**trailblazen** · 05-17-2012, 02:01 PM

Reading the text from the press release it only looks like this is affecting those on 3G unlimited trying to go to 4G unlimited. Didn't read that those already on 4G are on the chopping block just yet but those on the 3G bandwagon are in for a shock if they aren't on 4G by the time this hits. I'm not going to freak out just yet being on 4G unlimited already but my wife who is on 3G unlimited I may need to keep an eye on what happens for her. Luckily she isn't a power user so I doubt it would be that painful for her.

**metz65** · 05-17-2012, 02:09 PM

Until Verizon actually makes this official and notifies us of changes this is all rather pointless. I'm not going to get all worked up about something that hasn't happened yet.
There are just to many different ways Verizon can go with this for any questions to be answered at this point.
Not defending them,I have unlimited and don't want to lose it, but it's a bridge I'll cross when I actually come to it.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

**GeekCop** · 05-17-2012, 04:05 PM

Looks like they're now pissing backwards...

Ry · 05-17-2012, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by LASoxFan

Looks like they're now pissing backwards...

The CFO's statements were by no means meant to be official. This backpedaling is just damage control.

**Synycalwon** · 05-17-2012, 05:50 PM

Here is the latest from Verizon:

As we have stated publicly, Verizon Wireless has been evaluating its pricing structure for some time. Customers have told us that they want to share data, similar to how they share minutes today. We are working on plans to provide customers with that option and will introduce new plans later this year.

When the new options are introduced, Unlimited Data will no longer be available to our customers purchasing handsets and signing a new contract. Customers who choose to purchase phones at full retail price and are currently on an unlimited smartphone data plan will be able to keep that plan. The same pricing and policies will apply to all 3G and 4GLTE smartphones.

We will share specific details of the plans well in advance of their introduction so customers will have time to evaluate the plans and make the best decisions for their wireless service. It is our goal and commitment to continue to provide customers with the same high value service they have come to expect from Verizon Wireless.

Bolded above fits me just fine. I was already planning to purchase my next phone at full retail as I prefer to stay off contract. Although I really have no plans to replace my Thunderbolt any time soon.

**1fastmr2** · 05-17-2012, 10:10 PM

Originally Posted by Ry

The CFO's statements were by no means meant to be official. This backpedaling is just damage control.

vzw just wanted to give the public and news media something to talk about. vzw did the same thing when they were going to charge for credit card payments

**drmaf894c** · 05-17-2012, 10:27 PM

Until the new plan takes effect yes they can. We just upgraded my wife and she was able to keep hers.

My bad that didn't post I the right order... Was supposed to be a response to an earlier thread.

Sent from my DROID Incredible using Android Central Forums

**Explicit** · 05-17-2012, 11:26 PM

Looks like I'll start buying phones off contract to keep my unlimited data

**Super_Mario** · 05-18-2012, 12:11 AM

Originally Posted by Explicit

Looks like I'll start buying phones off contract to keep my unlimited data

Exactly. I will upgrade one more time before they implement this then buy full retail.

How much do you wanna bet that the iPhone 5 will be released after they start this?

**Eclipse2K** · 05-18-2012, 12:48 AM

Originally Posted by Synycalwon

Here is the latest from Verizon:

Bolded above fits me just fine. I was already planning to purchase my next phone at full retail as I prefer to stay off contract. Although I really have no plans to replace my Thunderbolt any time soon.

Agreed, I'm more than willing to pay retail for a phone if it means I can keep my unlimited data. I assume I would also be able to avoid that $30 upgrade charge as I'm not really upgrading.

**Xenutastic** · 05-18-2012, 01:00 AM

When does this go into effect? I'm currently on an old unlimited plan and was hoping to keep it when I get a new phone this weekend or next week. Currently on the fossil that is the LG Ally and was looking to get the Droid Bionic while Best Buy has it for free (with contract renewal).

**Egz** · 05-18-2012, 09:30 AM

So, as a single user, single device person, should for some odd reason I end up getting a 3G tablet, this new shared data plan being force on me means I would be able to use it free of charge?

**Super_Mario** · 05-18-2012, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by Egz

So, as a single user, single device person, should for some odd reason I end up getting a 3G tablet, this new shared data plan being force on me means I would be able to use it free of charge?

Use what free? There is no "free" with Verizon.

**tperry** · 05-18-2012, 01:01 PM

Originally Posted by eklisiewicz

If my 3G family members upgrade now to 4G handsets, will they be allowed to keep their unlimited data plans like I was when I upgraded back in January?

I was when I upgraded to the MAXX recently, but from what it sounds like if you don't do it before this change goes into effect then you are shafted.

Sent from my DROID RAZR