Tiered Data and MHS/MBBC

[simonncharge]

So we'll be grandfathered in to the unlimited data plan if you currently have it. My question is, since MHS is not considered a "add-on" feature anymore. Does that mean that if I want to have it I have to switch to a new tiered data plan?

I would like to know the answer to this too. I planned to sign up for Mobile Hotspot after the free promotion ended, but hate to lose unlimited data.

 

[Ricky Babalu]

To add to the confusion throw this into the mix:

View attachment 10915


Source: Droidlife

 

[nugiene]

Here's my question: Please forgive me if someone else asked this question, if these new tiered data plans are being implemented to save the customer money and provide a structured data pricing based on the usage requirements of the customer: why are the pricing plans not cheaper? They actually cost more, much more and the customer gets less?! Also, my wife has unlimited 3G data, if/when she decides to get a new phone she will be grandfathered to unlimited data...But, what if she gets a 4G phone? Will she still be grandfathered for the unlimited data?

 

[roxy surf]

It depends on your data consumption. If you consume less than 2gigs per month, then it is NOT worth it. I am going to monitor my data consumption for the lenght on my current unlimited data contract and see if I average more than 2 gigs per month. If I do not, (so far I am well below that) then I am going to get a new contract and a subsidized phone in two years time.

I use about 4 gigs now and the 2nd line is for my mom, I can definitely see her unintentionaly going over every month so its worth it for me

 

[dcviper]

Here's my question: Please forgive me if someone else asked this question, if these new tiered data plans are being implemented to save the customer money and provide a structured data pricing based on the usage requirements of the customer: why are the pricing plans not cheaper? They actually cost more, much more and the customer gets less?! Also, my wife has unlimited 3G data, if/when she decides to get a new phone she will be grandfathered to unlimited data...But, what if she gets a 4G phone? Will she still be grandfathered for the unlimited data?

The plans aren't cheaper because the change has precisely FA to do with saving customer money.

The way I read that memo from the VP of whatever, 3G and 4G will be considered the same thing, so provided you pay full retail for the new phone, and don't sign a new contract, you should get unlimited 4G as well.


Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

 

[Ricky Babalu]

Here's my question: Please forgive me if someone else asked this question, if these new tiered data plans are being implemented to save the customer money and provide a structured data pricing based on the usage requirements of the customer: why are the pricing plans not cheaper? They actually cost more, much more and the customer gets less?! Also, my wife has unlimited 3G data, if/when she decides to get a new phone she will be grandfathered to unlimited data...But, what if she gets a 4G phone? Will she still be grandfathered for the unlimited data?

If you click on the photo in the post above, it sounds like the answer is yes. However Verizon can put a "spin" on this somehow I am sure of this.

 

[nugiene]

That's what I understood as well. So, as of the current rumor, both my wife and myself are covered under the "unlimited data". Until they change it again...Guess we will just have to see, because the customer can of course leave not buy a new phone and renew the contract. VZW will sometimes bend over backwards to please the customer. I personally have experience with this. Omnia 2>Droid2>Fascinate...(all free).

 

[robrecht]

To add to the confusion throw this into the mix:

View attachment 10915


Source: Droidlife

That would be a very good thing.

Thanks, Robrecht

 

[robrecht]

Can't you just use PDANet?

I could be wrong but I don't think that's allowed by the contact. People do it anyway but I don't mind paying for something on a prorated basis when it's something that I use infrequently.

Thanks, Robrecht

 

[FrankXS]

Ok, based on what sources? If you are going to sign a new contract and with it you usually get a new subsidized phone, then you are going to the tiered plan. But we will see when the plan is unvieled on 7/7.

I didn't say you were not allowed to sign up for a new contract. I said you didn't have to., And you don't,

Don't mince words. If you don't like the new Tiered plans, say it. There's no sense muddying the waters with what-ifs that you have no intention of doing (Like staying on an expired contract month-to-month plan with your existing unlimited data package - which you can do!).

If you decide that you always need a new subsidized phone after your contract expires, and to get the subsidized price you have to sign a new contract, that is your business. It has nothing to do with what is required of you.

-Frank

 

[FrankXS]

To add to the confusion throw this into the mix:

View attachment 10915


Source: Droidlife

There is no confusion here. This has always been the case. Nothing new to report. They are talking about how, after you fulfill your original contract, that you have the right to continue on a month-to-month plan with no change in contract benefits - such as your unlimited data plan. Non-News.

-Frank

 

[FrankXS]

why are the pricing plans not cheaper?

You cannot compare the price of an unlimited plan to the price of a limited plan. Apples and oranges. Being "cheaper" is not the same as having less or more value for the money.

If you have been paying $30/mo for an unlimited plan and using only 0.150GB/mo, is $30/mo for 2GB more expensive?

Apples and Oranges.

-Frank

 

[robrecht]

There is no confusion here. This has always been the case. Nothing new to report. They are talking about how, after you fulfill your original contract, that you have the right to continue on a month-to-month plan with no change in contract benefits - such as your unlimited data plan. Non-News.

-Frank

Are you sure? Seems to me it is saying that existing customers can keep their current pricing when renewing [their contract] and upgrading [their phone].

Thanks, Robrecht

 

[PJnc284]

Are you sure? Seems to me it is saying that existing customers can keep their current pricing when renewing [their contract] and upgrading [their phone].

Thanks, Robrecht

This. It mentions nothing about what happens after your contract is over if you just go month to month without renewing or upgrading.

 

[Ricky Babalu]

Are you sure? Seems to me it is saying that existing customers can keep their current pricing when renewing [their contract] and upgrading [their phone].

Thanks, Robrecht

Exactly!

 

[robrecht]

This. It mentions nothing about what happens after your contract is over if you just go month to month without renewing or upgrading.

But I'm not sure what "Indirect Sales" means in the header?

Thanks, Robrecht

 

[FrankXS]

Are you sure? Seems to me it is saying that existing customers can keep their current pricing when renewing [their contract] and upgrading [their phone].

Thanks, Robrecht

You are right. This pdf includes more than simple month-to-month continuation. It includes the continuation of previously held contractual benefits even upon contract renewal. Much like legacy text plans were "grandfathered" even upon phone upgrades with a new contract. And... legacy data plans. This is not without precedent. They have been doing similar things for a long time (I've been with them for around 14 years). Admittedly, this is a significant detail! I missed it at first.

-Frank

 

[PJnc284]

Believe Indirect is non-corporate so that notice was likely something that an authorized/third party retailer would receive.

 

[YourMobileGuru]

We can all argue the rates until we die of old age, but I have to say that I do like the method.

Basically there is a plan for different amounts of data to fit virtually everyone's needs, and there is no data rate increase for tethering other than an overall $20/mo for the capability. I personally, at the expense of being thought of as a VZW fanboy, think the methodology is ingenious. Something for everybody with no "gouging" overage charges. My kind of plans.

If you didn't notice, the overage charges are very tolerable. If you go over a month it only costs you maybe an extra $10 over the price of the "next-up" plan to "learn your lesson" and to make adjustments in your plan if you see fit. This will totally prevent all those "Billion Dollar Bills" due to ignorance - or mistakes. Good move VZW!

It also strikes me that these new data plans are very much like the basic Nationwide Talk and Nationwide Talk/Text plans in methodology. They almost equate the DataPlan/TetheringPlan compared to Talk/TalkText Plan. Interesting. Similar concept on both voice plans and data plans. Much easier to understand, buy and monitor.

-Frank

In General I agree with you,but this has a long way to go before it is saving most customers any money. Only a small percentage of customers actually ever have to deal with data overages more than once or twice. For most of us tiered data will cost us more, only the people with overages now will save money. The rest of us will get a little over a third of what we get now for the same money as we pay now if we switch.

Here's what makes more sense to me

2 GB - $20 -- since the vast majority of users use under 2gb they should have a value data plan that suits them.
5GB - $30 -- since existing data plans were designed around the idea that 5Gb of data will be the most that most people use this next tier should reflect that.
7 GB -- $50
10 GB - $70
$10/GB overage after that.

Or something like that. This seems more fair to me.

Since we are actually paying for the data by the MB there (rather than differentiating between mobile data and tethering data) should be no need to charge extra for a MBBC or MHS. In this case the whole argument that laptops use more data than smartphones goes out the window.

 

[YourMobileGuru]

Can't you just use PDANet?

Verizon has been cracking down on that. They can tell tat is what they are doing if they are looking for it and they are paying more attention now than before.

I could be wrong, but I think you might be in the minority on this one. I have 4 lines (2 smart phone data plans and 2 feature phone plans). My 2 daughters are wanting to upgrade to smart phones which means I would have 4 lines with data plans. While I am fortunate in that I can afford the increase, it leaves a very bad taste. The phone is a necessity (IMO) for my wife and girls, but the data plan is not. They can wait to check their facebook, email, or browse the internet when they get home. This idea that has cultivated in society that you need to be connected 24/7 (facebook, twitter) or somehow you are going to miss something is driving me nuts! I think Verizon is testing the waters and believes society has become accustomed to being connected 24/7 and is willing to take it. This restructured pricing could be the breaking point (we will see).

These plans are for feature phones too so they get you either way if you need data and almost all phones now days are designed to use data.

So, I've currently got a Droid 1, eligible for upgrade. Will I be able to sign a new two year contract on a 4G phone and keep unlimited data? Or does the "grandfathering" only work without signing a new contact?

For the foreseeable future,as I read it you would need to upgrade to a 4g plan before July 7 and then be grand-parented into unlimited 4g.. At some point however as has been said elsewhere there will probably be phones that are deemed "incompatible" with the old plans, weather they will wait for 5G for that or do it sooner.

FYI an upgrade is considered a new contract, but you will (generally) get to keep the same terms as the old one unless you choose to upgrade.