It's cheaper for me to stay on my current shared voice/text plan with 3 smartphones and 2 feature phones than switch to their shared data plan. I don't think they're forcing a switch. I know I only have until the 28th to upgrade and keep my unlim, but I think I can change my feature phones to smartphones at any time as long as I'm willing to add the $30 per phone (or whatever the rate is at the time).
Verizon family data share plan pricing info
- Thread starter bboykin87
- Start date
It's cheaper for me to stay on my current shared voice/text plan with 3 smartphones and 2 feature phones than switch to their shared data plan. I don't think they're forcing a switch. I know I only have until the 28th to upgrade and keep my unlim, but I think I can change my feature phones to smartphones at any time as long as I'm willing to add the $30 per phone (or whatever the rate is at the time).
This confuses me. Why can't you add data to your current family plan for the other lines? This is my situation - 1 smartphone + 4 feature phones. I plan on upgrading two of them and staying on my current voice/text family plan. There's nothing anywhere that says I can't do that now, unless you think it's going to change on 6/28?
What do you think is the latest and greatest feature phone? My family is all still on LG Dares because the new feature phones have been so lousy.
Somewhat related question - both me and my wife have smartphones, she is due for a new phone, but I still have 6 months on contract. What happens to our shared plan if she gets a new phone? Will they force us to switch both of us to the new plan? That would seem strange, unless they're going to offer me an early upgrade discount to get us on the same upgrade/contract schedule.
kevster1321
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- Aug 3, 2010
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I just called VZ and they said that if your on a family shared plan now and upgrade a feature phone to a smartphone you will have to change your whole plan to the new plan unless you buy the smartphone out right. If you buy it out right then you will get the $30 2 gig on the phone.
kevster1321
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- Aug 3, 2010
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Well, that makes sense, since the new plans aren't active yet.
I just started a live chat to ask the same question. I think these reps need to get their stories straight!
Angela: Hello. Thank you for visiting our chat service. May I help you with your order today?
Angela: hello.
Me: If I am currently on a voice and messaging plan, can I still upgrade a phone from a feature phone to a smartphone and add the $30 data plan or will I be forced into the new share everything plan if I upgrade a phone?
Angela: You can choose which plan you want.
Angela: Are you upgrading today?
Me: no, but I've been planning to upgrade and I wanted to know if that was going to change on 6/28. Some people are reporting that some vz customer reps are telling them that if you upgrade you'll have to switch plans or pay full retail on the phone.
Angela: If you have unlimited data and want to upgrade to a 4G phone and want to keep the unlimited data, you will need to upgrade before August 1st. After you will have to select another data plan.
Me: OK, but if I have a feature phone and want to upgrade to a smartphone with 2GB, has anything changed? Or will anything change after 6/28? Will I still be able to stay on the talk & text plan and add the data plan?
Angela: Yes you will. The share everything is for if you want unlimited talk and text also.
Me: ok, thanks
Angela: You're welcome.
I have called three separate times, talked to three separate CSRs. Got the same response each time.
My situation is this: On a 700 minute family plan, two smart phones (one of which still has unlimited data, mine), two feature phones. If I upgrade my smart phone with a subsidized phone, I will lose my unlimited data and have to buy a 2GB block for $30, same as my wife's smartphone plan. That's all. We will not be forced into the new unlimited share plan when I upgrade. We will be allowed to keep our current plan, except I will lose the unlimited data. I'd rather not lose unlimited data, but I was pretty sure it would go away at some point.
The bottom line is the new unlimited plan does not replace the existing family plans. You will not be forced into taking their crappy deal. If you are happy with your existing plan you can keep that. The only change in essence would be that you would lose unlimited, if you still have that.
I hope this is what you were asking. I know to some this might seem like a "well,duh" moment, but I was all freaked out that my existing plan would be taken away and I'd be forced to take their crappy deal when and if I upgraded.
That's only true if you upgrade after 6/28. Before that, you can still keep your unlimited.
kevster1321
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- Aug 3, 2010
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We have 2 lines, both 3g. What happens if we buy a 4g phone outright to replace our phones without a 2 year contract? Will we then be forced to get the new plan?
And SMS while they are at it. Why pay for text messaging when you can get it for free with Google Voice. But wait, then my data cost would probably go up. Don't get rid of SMS.
I think all of the people thinking that Sprint is an alternative should really reconsider. I am on Sprint and am seriously thinking about ditching them because of poor service, lack of 4G coverage (Wimax expansion has been stopped), and lack of 4G Speed (around 1mb/sec max) Also, the LTE buildout is moving along very slowly since Sprint does not have the capital to go faster.
I was actually thinking of moving to Verizon and wanted to get some opinions on the new plan.
This is the problem with Sprint - they have almost not capital and even worse very little spectrum for LTE, even after they shut down Nextel. Sprint has not made any money for over 4 years and they have committed over 20 billion dollars to Apple.
I had Sprint where I use to live and it was pretty good. When I moved we could not make phone calls from our house, but everyone on Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile had no problems. Sprint kept promising more services, but several years later it is just as bad. (My friends on Sprint can't make calls from where we live.)
I don't think Sprint will leave unlimited data, but I don't think they will care about the quality on speed of their their overburdened network.
I can add data for the other lines on the account, but they have no interest in it, and their upgrades aren't due till way after the 28th. When the time comes they can still upgrade to another feature phone and the plan will be left alone because they don't want data. Beyond that, after the 28th I'm not sure if people upgrading to smartphones have to go with data share, or if it's just an option at this point. Oh, and my remark about the latest and greatest in feature phones was sarcastic. Choices are really thin now, but out of everything I like that Casio G'zOne Ravine 2. It's pretty awesome for being a feature phone. Someone on my plan has it and thinks it's great.
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Looks like there's confusion between VZW support themselves. Conflicting information.
Either way, from what I know and can confirm is that Share Everything is only an option and not the only way moving forward. All individual and family plans currently available will still be available after June 28th to new and existing customers. Call 611 and speak to supervisors to confirm. I've spoken with 5 supervisors already.
- Nov 16, 2010
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