Vzw to kill grandfathered unlmtd data plans with 4g upgrades

[Sandman333]

No reason to stay loyal to Verizon any longer.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[grumpyjoe]

All this and now I heard Facebook is going to start charging for it's usages. I'll tell you what. I might just break out my old flip phone and say screw this crap. Lord knows I could spend my money on something else. This is getting pathetic.

 

[johnriii]

Well, this sux big time. I use at least 6 GB a month, mostly on YouTube and Netflix. I have until July 2013, so its not over yet. I assume wifi usage doesn't count against data usage??? I sure hope not...someone plz clarify. Sprint is starting to look really good now.....

Sent from my ADR6400L using Android Central Forums

 

[Sandman333]

Correct, Wi-Fi doesn't count.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[PJnc284]

I'll be keeping my unlimited plan until they pry it from my cold, dead fingers. I'll just be buying my next phone off contract (full retail) and keeping my current plan.

Even that's not guaranteed to work. With the way verizon is going, I wouldn't be surprised if a simple esn change eventually triggers a change to a tiered plan. Also there's nothing preventing Verizon from just canning all existing unlimited contracts. We all signed the contract giving them the right to change any terms within it. Granted the fallout from that would be way higher and they'd be giving some people free outs of their contract with the adverse effect clause.

 

[johnriii]

yep, I think they got us by the short hairs on this one. "this is of benefit to us". yeah buddy, to your bank account!!! and for those of you jumping to Sprint, don't think they are not going to do the same thing. they can "promise' you they will never change to tiered plans, but money talks, and corporate heads are flat out greedy. they are no different at sprint than they are at verizon. "bank" on it.

 

[anon(394005)]

It is NOT clear that this will affect those of us already on LTE devices with grandfathered unlimited data. As the CFO stated, this will affect those currently on a 3G only device upgrading to an LTE one. So until I hear some clear evidence to the contrary, I'm not ready to get my pitchfork out yet (not that I would anyway, keep reading). If anything this sounds like their plan for when the new LTE iPhone hits to get those people off unlimited 3G. Also, these new tiered SHARED plans may help those with multiple phones save money where they can spread one shared data plan across all phones instead of paying for a data plan for each individual phone.

Regardless of it all, I would expect at some point that everyone will be forced off unlimited into a tiered plan. All good things must come to an end… When that does happen, I'll still stay with Verizon as they are the ONLY carrier where I live with decent coverage, not to mention the corporate discount I get through work. Unlimited data is nice for the times I use a lot of data, typically during football season streaming games, but even then I rarely went over 2-3GB in a month, so even on a tiered plan, I’d still be fine. It would still suck to lose the peace of mind of not having to worry about overages, but again, I’d be crazy to leave Verizon as they provide the best bang for my buck. YMMV.

 

[johnriii]

It is NOT clear that this will affect those of us already on LTE devices with grandfathered unlimited data. As the CFO stated, this will affect those currently on a 3G only device upgrading to an LTE one. So until I hear some clear evidence to the contrary, I'm not ready to get my pitchfork out yet (not that I would anyway, keep reading). If anything this sounds like their plan for when the new LTE iPhone hits to get those people off unlimited 3G. Also, these new tiered SHARED plans may help those with multiple phones save money where they can spread one shared data plan across all phones instead of paying for a data plan for each individual phone.

Regardless of it all, I would expect at some point that everyone will be forced off unlimited into a tiered plan. All good things must come to an end? When that does happen, I'll still stay with Verizon as they are the ONLY carrier where I live with decent coverage, not to mention the corporate discount I get through work. Unlimited data is nice for the times I use a lot of data, typically during football season streaming games, but even then I rarely went over 2-3GB in a month, so even on a tiered plan, I?d still be fine. It would still suck to lose the peace of mind of not having to worry about overages, but again, I?d be crazy to leave Verizon as they provide the best bang for my buck. YMMV.

makes sense. my biggest loss would be minimizing my netflix usage away from home, and streaming pandora/radio stations at work. the radio station thing will hurt, cuz stupid Kansas city dropped the Jim Rome show locally. I'm guessing the average smartphone user hardly uses any data at all, at least the 20 or so people i know....it would be nice if they would lay out the plans in black and white, but the annoucement was just yesterday....I have no patience for this kind of stuff....

 

[waker]

Thank you Big Red for making me feel better about eventually rooting and using as much 4g bandwith as I can.

Sent from my ADR6400L using Android Central Forums

Rooting has no impact on how much bandwidth you use..... I don't even..

 

[firepsych]

I meant rooting so I could use my 4G hotspot without adding the plan.

Sent from my ADR6400L using Android Central Forums

 

[antbolt]

I'm hoping that because I got my tbolt when it first came out that I'm safe.

 

[defcon999]

It is NOT clear that this will affect those of us already on LTE devices with grandfathered unlimited data. As the CFO stated, this will affect those currently on a 3G only device upgrading to an LTE one. So until I hear some clear evidence to the contrary, I'm not ready to get my pitchfork out yet (not that I would anyway, keep reading). If anything this sounds like their plan for when the new LTE iPhone hits to get those people off unlimited 3G. Also, these new tiered SHARED plans may help those with multiple phones save money where they can spread one shared data plan across all phones instead of paying for a data plan for each individual phone.

I think you are right. I did hear the CFO of Verizon say that "nothing is for sure" right now. Which translates into "we are going to still do it, but we are going to do it slowly".

What VZW has to realize is that eventually everyone will be off the Unlimited plan from people dieing or going to another provider....I think if you are with Verizon right now, you should be able to keep your plan "as-is", even if and when you upgrade to the latest phone. If they get rid of that, then I would have no problem going to to Sprint or T-Mobile. I just checked, I am up to almost 4GB this month...which is about average with me.

If this happens (which I think it will since it has been mentioned by VZW), I will be using my Wi-Fil more and more at home at work and only use 4G when I am roaming.

The smartest thing that SPRINT and T-Mobile can do is ramp up the advertising for UNLIMTED data and reassure the comsumer market that they will have it for a long time.

I can't upgrade until December, so, all the dust should have been kicked up and settled by then....if they do kick me off my unlimted plan....HELLO SPRINT or T-Mobile

 

[PJnc284]

Sprint would need to dramatically increase their native coverage before I'd consider switching. Building penetration is crap and my roommate can't even talk on her Epic 4G inside the house without it cutting out and there's a sprint tower right down the road. Sprint can also terminate you if you have too much cell/data usage while roaming so that's another deal breaker as my parents live in one of those roaming areas.

 

[anon(394005)]

Check out the transcript from the Investor Conference here:
Investor Relations

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. It all sounds like it's still in the initial planning stages.

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
Data Pricing

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.

 

[sniffs]

I don't have 4g in my area. O use 3g on my thunderbolt. Phoenix has 4g but not Cave Creek. This isn't fair to those of us who have the unlimited. And if we decide not to upgrade? And that I am OK with....

Sent from my Thunderbolt using Tapatalk

Problem is, is once your line is month to month, you're no longer on contract. They could theoritically send you a letter saying you're being forcibly changed to the tiered plan.

They wont force change people on contract, because that'd be considered a material change to a contract and you could get out ETF free.. they'll wait until you upgrade a device, a feature on your line, or are month to month.

 

[antbolt]

Now the new update is if you already have a 4g phone you can keep the unlimited data, but if you want a new phone you have to pay the full price.

CNET Mobile - News

Looks like I'll have my Tbolt for a few more years.

 

[anon(394005)]

Here is the direct link to Verizon's statement and quoted below:

Data Pricing

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.

 

[defcon999]

I don't understand why they won't let us just keep out unlimited data plan for the people that where grandfathered in. Through attrition you will be losing people all the time. I have been with VZW going on 8 years now and I like them...but, if they screw us loyal customers and make us buy phones at full price, I might bolt over to Metro or T-Mobile or Sprint. I am in the bay area so coverage for all carriers is good.

I bet if enough people/users complain, they might change their minds....or at least give us not unlimited, but maybe 10GB for the price I am paying now.

 

[bigdaddytee]

The wife and I just upgraded from OG Droids to GNex's about two months after our contracts ended, so we're already off contract and month to month. I'm sure there will be reaction, restatement, fallout and clarification in the weeks ahead, so we'll be keeping our antenna up.
Depending on pricing, the data share might not be all bad. She uses about 1.5GB a month, and I average around 8GB, so 10GB would do pretty well for us. It remains to be seen if they will keep GB prices close to the current, or jack them up a notch. We shall see.
If they get really greedy, I can see a couple unlocked GSM GNex's in our future.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Android Central Forums

 

[flyerchas]

As we have TBolts, we already have 4g phones, so does that mean we'll continue to be grandfathered? I read that we can keep the unlimited access, but Verizon will charge us market value to upgrade to the latest and greatest. Ex, IPhone 4s would cost $650 instead of $250.

I'm a very long term Verizon customer, and may very well consider jumping to AT&T or Sprint when my contract is up. They're already trying to get out of their promise to grandfather us - do we really think they'll keep any other promises long term? And I realize AT&T or Sprint may be no better, but we're trapped by our own technology.