Unlimited Data is back

I'm not surprised. Back in early 2016, I was in a battle to get Verizon to push available security patches. During that time, the CFO stated that "He knew what customers wanted and it wasn't unlimited data" (paraphrased from memory). At that time, I put together an email to Verizon describing what I expected to happen by their no patch and unlimited data policies... Verizon would see a dramatic reduction in connection starts by Q4 and be forced to change. Q3 reports proved me right and they finally pushed patches (by this time there were over 300 security vulnerabilities that needed patching on some phones). I assume that Q1-2017 wasn't looking any better so they brought back unlimited data plans. BTW, by the time they pushed patches I already convinced my company to switch from Verizon for security reasons.
 
I'm not surprised. Back in early 2016, I was in a battle to get Verizon to push available security patches. During that time, the CFO stated that "He knew what customers wanted and it wasn't unlimited data" (paraphrased from memory). At that time, I put together an email to Verizon describing what I expected to happen by their no patch and unlimited data policies... Verizon would see a dramatic reduction in connection starts by Q4 and be forced to change. Q3 reports proved me right and they finally pushed patches (by this time there were over 300 security vulnerabilities that needed patching on some phones). I assume that Q1-2017 wasn't looking any better so they brought back unlimited data plans. BTW, by the time they pushed patches I already convinced my company to switch from Verizon for security reasons.

That guy is gone.

And what "no patch" policy?
 
That guy is gone.

And what "no patch" policy?

This was specifically for several Verizon branded Android phones. The process for patching is:
  • NIST reports vulnerabilities
  • Google patches vulnerabilities
  • Manufacturers implement patches
  • Verizon tests patches
  • Verizon pushes patches

The problem was that patches stopped at Verizon. This was the things that happened:
  1. Customer service said that as long as the phone makes phone calls and can text, then that's it.
  2. An FCC complaint was filed. Verizon tried to close it with a "We provide the best solution for our stakeholders"
  3. I reopened the complaint asking for the answer to the question, "Are they working on pushing patches?"
  4. The tried to close it again with, "That's proprietary information".
  5. I opened it again asking for a reasonable answer. The FCC started an investigation onto security patches.
  6. I opened a complaint with the FTC and my state AG, I also started a new thread on their customer forum which became super-active.
  7. I used several forums to make the case and get others to open FCC complaints.
  8. The number of FCC complaints for Verizon skyrocketed (over 4000 complaints)
  9. The news picked up on the volume of complaints.
  10. I made the case to my company that our Verizon phones have really bad security.
  11. The VP decided we need to leave Verizon because we have customer proprietary information on our phones.
  12. Verizon pushed patches.

From the start of the problem to the resolution took over 7 months. BTW, Verizon (and other carriers) contracts prevents customers from suing them, either as an individual or a in a class action. With the current state of the FCC, you can count them out to resolve problems as well. It looks like the investigation was squashed. The only way to get things like this resolved now is to leave.
 
If a company cares about security, why would they buy anything but the Pixels or iPhones?
 
On the phone with Verizon. And the CS rep says calling to Mexico and Canada will not be included in the new unlimited plan. Says there was an email sent just as we were talking.

No clue if true just saying what was said.
 
On the phone with Verizon. And the CS rep says calling to Mexico and Canada will not be included in the new unlimited plan. Says there was an email sent just as we were talking.

No clue if true just saying what was said.
Calling and texting to Mexico and Canada is included.
 
Yep you are right.......the rep was wrong. He was very unsure and there was a language issue. I called back and the calling to a bunch of countries will be removed, not calling to mexico and canada. Not sure what that plan is.
 
Verizon has been successfully pushing monthly security OTA's with very few exceptions since late 2015. Not all devices get them, but that seems to be directly in line with the fact that the OEM's aren't pushing those updates out at all, even on their unlocked versions. When there is an update available, Verizon seems to be promptly kicking it out to the consumers and has been doing so since Q3/Q4 of 2015.

Given that we're only 2.5 weeks into February, I'm going to count the January patch as current.

Current devices that are behind:
HTC 10 (December)
Samsung S7/S7 Edge (November) (Delayed by N update)

Current devices that are up to date:
Pixel, Pixel XL
Blackberry Priv
LG G5 (January) (Typically releases at least 2 updates every quarter)
Moto Z Droids (January) (Typically releases quarterly)

And obviously the iPhones were updated to iOS 10.2.1 a few weeks ago.
 
Verizon has been successfully pushing monthly security OTA's with very few exceptions since late 2015. Not all devices get them, but that seems to be directly in line with the fact that the OEM's aren't pushing those updates out at all, even on their unlocked versions. When there is an update available, Verizon seems to be promptly kicking it out to the consumers and has been doing so since Q3/Q4 of 2015.

Given that we're only 2.5 weeks into February, I'm going to count the January patch as current.

Current devices that are behind:
HTC 10 (December)
Samsung S7/S7 Edge (November) (Delayed by N update)

Current devices that are up to date:
Pixel, Pixel XL
Blackberry Priv
LG G5 (January) (Typically releases at least 2 updates every quarter)
Moto Z Droids (January) (Typically releases quarterly)

And obviously the iPhones were updated to iOS 10.2.1 a few weeks ago.

The V20 is up to date too on the January patch.
 
This really shouldn't be an excuse/reason though. Other carriers are on the January/February security patch on the S7 and Edge.

I agree, but what I assume is happening is that they're modifying their Nougat release to include January or February security patches, rather than going back and doing those patches separately.
 
It appears I may have been mistaken about that.

AT&T is on November
Sprint appears to be on December

Mine is on January, but I was in the beta.
Yeah I think most of them are delayed due to Android n.
 
Well.. I'm on Verizon now! Here are tests at my work desk (same server).

T-Mobile

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Verizon

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