Color me stupid, but (shared plan savings)...

[chuckh0308]

...I gave up my grandfathered unlimited data plans today in favor or a shared everything plan. We have two lines...one with an iPhoney 4 and one with the T-Bolt. The T-Bolt had unlimited data for both the phone and mobile hotspot, while the iPhone had 2GB/2GB, I think. I combined them into an 8 GB shared plan, which will have PLENTY of reserve (we could have actually squeaked by on a 4 GB plan) and it will save us $70 per month.

So, if you have mobile hotspot on your devices and you're not a data abuser, you might be able to save a lot of money by switching to the new plans.

It was still a little hard to give up those unlimited plans whether really needed or not though, since we will probably never get them back.

 

[jday]

I did almost exactly the same thing. I have a TB and my wife and iPhone 4S. Although I had unlimited data and hotspot on my TB, I don't stream video and/or audio and never used more than 1 GB data in a month. My wife never even used 1/4 GB of her 2GB per month. So, I decided to give up the unlimited and went with the 4GB shared plan. That's plenty of data for both of us. Plus, on our old family plan we only had 700 shared minutes and my wife paid for each text. Now, we have unlimited minutes and texts, she can use her iPhone as a hotspot (we only had the hotspot feature on my TB), and we are saving about $20 month. In the event we have a month (for whatever reason) it looks like we might go over our 4GB limit, I like the option of purchasing extra data at a reasonable rate for that month (although I don't ever see that happening). At first, the idea of giving up my unlimited data was hard to even think about, but really looking at the plans and the cost savings (for us) made it an easy decision. I know the same isn't true for everyone with unlimited data, but people shouldn't discount that option without a serious look.

 

[andunn31]

I looked at the new plans. I have two smartphones and two multimedia (basic) phones. You're correct. It is different for everyone. There is no savings for me to switch to the new plans and I plan on paying full retail for future phones going forward so I can keep my unlimited data. Plus, I like the fact of being month to month and not having a 2 year contract over me.

 

[The Hustleman]

You're a low level data user, that plan is the best thing you could have done and I say great job for it.

I use 8 gigs a week so it wouldn't work for me and my wife is limited to 1 gig (h2o wireless went from unlimited to 2gb, to 1gb).



*swyped from the evo so excuse any typos*

 

[dpham00]

The new plan is shafting me every which way.

CURRENT PLAN = $130:
$60 for 2 lines at 550 min/mo family loyalty plan
$20 for 2 additional dumb phone lines at $10 per line
$30 unlimited data one line
$20 300 mb/mo data one line

SHARED PLAN = $190:
$80 for 2 lines of smartphone
$60 for 2 lines of dumb phone
$50 for 1gb shared data

So, assuming I used minimal data, it would cost me nearly 50% more per month on the shared data plan. Yes, I get unlimited calls and text, which is useless to me since I don't even get close to 550 minutes and no one on my plan uses regular text (Google Voice FTW). Now, even when paying nearly 50% more, I am only getting less than 2% of the bandwidth that I got on the current plan.


I am getting shafted either way you look at it, from a basic user standpoint, or from a power user stand point.

Of course, I realize that some people are saving money, just not me.

 

[Trentoncc24]

Does anyone that has a shared plan know what discount verizon gives the corporate sponsors? Like now I am paying 90 for my two phones base plans and I get 20% off of my unlimited data on my phone, but not my gfs. Does anyone know how the discounts work with the shared plans?

 

[Ry]

The new plan is shafting me every which way.

CURRENT PLAN = $130:
$60 for 2 lines at 550 min/mo family loyalty plan
$20 for 2 additional dumb phone lines at $10 per line
$30 unlimited data one line
$20 300 mb/mo data one line

SHARED PLAN = $190:
$80 for 2 lines of smartphone
$60 for 2 lines of dumb phone
$50 for 1gb shared data

So, assuming I used minimal data, it would cost me nearly 50% more per month on the shared data plan. Yes, I get unlimited calls and text, which is useless to me since I don't even get close to 550 minutes and no one on my plan uses regular text (Google Voice FTW). Now, even when paying nearly 50% more, I am only getting less than 2% of the bandwidth that I got on the current plan.


I am getting shafted either way you look at it, from a basic user standpoint, or from a power user stand point.

Of course, I realize that some people are saving money, just not me.

It can't shaft you if you don't switch to it.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Android Central Forums

 

[dpham00]

It can't shaft you if you don't switch to it.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Android Central Forums

i guess i should say, if i switched, the new plan would shaft me.

 

[Jude526]

The corporate discount probably works the same way. Meant for the employees of the employer giving the discount
Switching for me would cost me more. I have looked at them. Tried to make it work in my mind but it won't

Sent from my Thunderbolt using Tapatalk

 

[chuckh0308]

Does anyone that has a shared plan know what discount verizon gives the corporate sponsors? Like now I am paying 90 for my two phones base plans and I get 20% off of my unlimited data on my phone, but not my gfs. Does anyone know how the discounts work with the shared plans?

I get an 18% discount and they only took it off the portion that is my phone number, or half the entire plan. Sounds like you have a similar corporate plan (with discount only on the primary line), so it should be the same thing for you. You might want to call Verizon and ask before making the jump. Just be sure you get someone on the phone that knows what they are talking about. Since you have corporate plan, they should forward (or you can ask) you to a corporate account rep, which is a LOT better than the normal reps.

 

[chuckh0308]

Yeah, not everyone will benefit from the new plans, that's for sure. I'm still a little weirded out about giving up my unlimited data (even though I didn't need it...it's a principle thing for me), but ultimately this will make more sense for us.

We don't use the hotspot features that much. The one for the iPhone is basically for emergency backup because we both work from home and our cable internet is sometimes down. But we had to have it on both phones because though I work from home, I also wander out a lot (real estate). I use my hotspot on the T-Bolt fairly regularly, but not for extended periods or for streaming, etc. It is almost entirely business use. Both phones are usually on the WiFi network when at home. So, it is highly unlikely that we would ever go over the 8 GB limit, but even if that does become a concern, I can add another 4 GB for $20 and I'll still be saving $50 per month.

 

[Jdyount]

The new plan helps some and hurts others. With 2 smart phones on our plan, we're saving $20 a month after we switched. We're probably average data users, 2 to 4 gb or so a month (it varies), but to save $20 a month, we'll make sure that we're under 2 gb a month. Thats $240 a year.
Off subject, my wife has a iPhone as well, she thinks its cute........

 

[defcon999]

I am paying $190/month now:

2 Smartphones (TBolt/Razr)
2 Dumbphones

We have the family plan with 1400 mins. which we never even use 25% - 30% of.

If I go to the Tiered plan in December when I can upgrade....my bill will go to $220...which isn't a huge increase, but that will be a downgrade as far as data usage. I am starting to ween myself off heavy data usage over the next 6 months. I am using WiFi at home and I am monitoring my data usage to see what the average is and get a data plan accordingly.

 

[paintdrinkingpete]

One problem I have is what about folks like myself that only have ONE phone on their plan and have unlimited data...? What good is a shared data plan if I have no one to share it with?!?!?

This is discrimination against single people!

(Of course, not having kids provides me with a lot of disposable income, so I guess I got that going for me).

 

[Effenhimer]

Here's something I was wondering...

Say, like PDP above, I only had one data stream, but was on this shared plan. Then a few months in I decide to get a tablet, (as I'm sure these plans were meant to be a more attractive option for), do they give you a subsidy on it even though they have no "new" contracted data stream to connect it to? Is it really just, if you want a new tablet from VZW, you will be paying $650 and up?? I didn't do a lot of looking (for 4G tablets) before, but wasn't there a small subsidy when buying a new tablet on contract? This kind of, to me, makes most tablets, (even not so great ones from a year ago) the same price as the *pad prices, wallet gouging. Makes me feel like if I was gonna go that way, I would just keep my rooted to the teeth TB with unlimited data to use as a "phone+unlimited WIFI hot spot" and just pick up a $200 Nexus 7! That way I get my new Android device fix, and I don't have to give up unlimited or be on a contract...

 

[Ry]

Here's something I was wondering...

Say, like PDP above, I only had one data stream, but was on this shared plan. Then a few months in I decide to get a tablet, (as I'm sure these plans were meant to be a more attractive option for), do they give you a subsidy on it even though they have no "new" contracted data stream to connect it to? Is it really just, if you want a new tablet from VZW, you will be paying $650 and up?? I didn't do a lot of looking (for 4G tablets) before, but wasn't there a small subsidy when buying a new tablet on contract? This kind of, to me, makes most tablets, (even not so great ones from a year ago) the same price as the *pad prices, wallet gouging. Makes me feel like if I was gonna go that way, I would just keep my rooted to the teeth TB with unlimited data to use as a "phone+unlimited WIFI hot spot" and just pick up a $200 Nexus 7! That way I get my new Android device fix, and I don't have to give up unlimited or be on a contract...

I remember reading somewhere (either here or on the Verge) that Verizon has stopped subsidizing tablets.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Android Central Forums

 

[dpham00]

Here's something I was wondering...

Say, like PDP above, I only had one data stream, but was on this shared plan. Then a few months in I decide to get a tablet, (as I'm sure these plans were meant to be a more attractive option for), do they give you a subsidy on it even though they have no "new" contracted data stream to connect it to? Is it really just, if you want a new tablet from VZW, you will be paying $650 and up?? I didn't do a lot of looking (for 4G tablets) before, but wasn't there a small subsidy when buying a new tablet on contract? This kind of, to me, makes most tablets, (even not so great ones from a year ago) the same price as the *pad prices, wallet gouging. Makes me feel like if I was gonna go that way, I would just keep my rooted to the teeth TB with unlimited data to use as a "phone+unlimited WIFI hot spot" and just pick up a $200 Nexus 7! That way I get my new Android device fix, and I don't have to give up unlimited or be on a contract...

Tablets aren't subsidized anymore. If you have a data only plan, then you could pay as low as $13 per tablet.

There are used verizon tablets that I have seen starting at $140.

 

[paintdrinkingpete]

Here's something I was wondering...

Say, like PDP above, I only had one data stream, but was on this shared plan. Then a few months in I decide to get a tablet, (as I'm sure these plans were meant to be a more attractive option for), do they give you a subsidy on it even though they have no "new" contracted data stream to connect it to? Is it really just, if you want a new tablet from VZW, you will be paying $650 and up?? I didn't do a lot of looking (for 4G tablets) before, but wasn't there a small subsidy when buying a new tablet on contract? This kind of, to me, makes most tablets, (even not so great ones from a year ago) the same price as the *pad prices, wallet gouging. Makes me feel like if I was gonna go that way, I would just keep my rooted to the teeth TB with unlimited data to use as a "phone+unlimited WIFI hot spot" and just pick up a $200 Nexus 7! That way I get my new Android device fix, and I don't have to give up unlimited or be on a contract...

I have already ordered a Nexus 7 and plan on pretty much doing the exact same thing...for now. Eventually I'm sure I'll have the itch to upgrade my phone, but the Tbolt definitely gets the job done for what I need...and since I have the unlimited MH, I can connect my wifi-only tab anywhere I go anyway. And as a bonus, with the Thunderbolt I'm still able to run MH and do voice at the same time!

I guess what frustrates me is that there really is no way at all see any savings with the shared data plans until you have multiple devices in play (assuming of course that you can live within the data limit of the plan)...but for someone like myself with only 1 device, this change to VZW's data plan structure can do nothing but force my price to go up...for less services. I'm not exactly thrilled about giving up "unlimited data", but I do wish they single-device plan options that at least provided some of the savings that those that are able to pool data across multiple devices are able to take advantage of.

 

[dpham00]

no one is forcing you into the shared everything plan. You can maintain your legacy plan and get upgrades. If you have unlimited data though, then you would not be able to keep it if you upgrade via a subsidized 2 year contract. You could buy full retail or used or whatever and still maintain unlimited data.

 

[Spacemaker24]

We use less than 2gb per month yet we pay $150 for unlimited data, 700 talk minutes and unlimited texts in a shared plan for 2 Thunderbolts. And thats after a discount. I feel like I keep unlimited data just because I'm worried we'll suddenly need it. I think its time to rethink this data deal because we just don't use much.

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