HTC Thunderbolt Release Date

[kodiak799]

I see that the screen on the TB at the start of the commercial says Wed., Mar 16. Time 10:08 AM

So the TBolt enables time travel? Although I think that's already been reported.

If one travels into the future, takes a video of themself, and then watches it a later date, does that create a paradox?

 

[Vulcan1600]

OK after reading the above posts. If I get a 4g phone and I already have the unlimited data plan then as I see it, there shouldn't be any changes. Because the plan doesn't say unlimited 3g, 1X or anything else. It is unlimited data! Right?

Let me clear this up once and for all. All of our data plans are currently unlimited. As long as we keep our plans with the current phones we are ok. If a new tiered data pricing is introduced, we are grandfathered with our current equipment. However, when the tiered pricing date goes into effect, if you purchase a new device that requires data, your grandfathered plan is no longer any good. VZW will not just switch you to a tiered data pricing if you have your current device and haven't purchased a new device that would be part of the tiered data pricing. Most of the people who are answering these questions are not backing up their statements at all and are just saying what they think. How many remember back in 2008 when one day in November when they said any new data phone will require a data plan and the data can no longer be blocked? As long as you had your old data device and didn't want data, you could still keep data blocked but as soon as you upgraded to a new smart phone you were no longer allowed to block data. I remember this very well, because I worked for VZW back then. It will be the same thing this time.

 

[king_43]

now what if you buy the phone else where lets say from ebay and activated yourself? Will you still be grandfathered in? or will they just change your next bill? because that is some bs if i've everheard any. I currently have the og driod and have been waiting for the tbolt to drop but if I have to have some tiered data plan that makes me want to just get the incredible or x before they start that.

 

[drew]

So as long as VZW doesn't announce a tiered plan effective immediately the day the Thunderbolt goes on sale, then our "grandfathered" $30 unlimited would still apply and we can purchase that device without our plan changing.

If that tiered pricing goes into effect at a later date, then that would be the cutover for new device purchases. Let me know if I have that correct.

Not sure why this has to be so complicated.

At this point, I don't even care as long as I can get the phone before the 24th. I just hope it's worth the hype.

 

[Vulcan1600]

now what if you buy the phone else where lets say from ebay and activated yourself? Will you still be grandfathered in? or will they just change your next bill? because that is some bs if i've everheard any. I currently have the og driod and have been waiting for the tbolt to drop but if I have to have some tiered data plan that makes me want to just get the incredible or x before they start that.

First of all, tiered pricing date has not been announced.
Second, the release date of the TB has not been announced.
Third, if the device is released on or after the date the tiered pricing goes into effect, it won't matter if you got it from eBay, your parents, your girlfriend or boyfriend, it won't matter, you will be forced into a tiered data package.

Believe it or not, I'm in the same predicament as you are. I have 5 lines with the plan that all our lines have the unlimited data. I have the D2, wife and daughter have an iPhone and my son in law has a BB. If a desirable data phone doesn't come out before tiered pricing, I may not get the phone I want, and might be forced into an existing DX, Incredible, etc. But, again we don't know what's going to happen. 4G won't be available in my area for another 2 years at least. So, it's not the end of the world if I don't get a 4G device for another 2 year contract commitment. To me though, the DX, Incredible, etc. have pretty much served it's shelf life and if I get greedy and hold out for a smart phone and have to change the plan to tiered pricing, my phone bill will go up about $50 per month. Is it worth it to me to be greedy? No. I will look at the phone selection that's out currently before the tiered pricing takes effect and buy one of them instead.

 

[Vulcan1600]

So as long as VZW doesn't announce a tiered plan effective immediately the day the Thunderbolt goes on sale, then our "grandfathered" $30 unlimited would still apply and we can purchase that device without our plan changing.

If that tiered pricing goes into effect at a later date, then that would be the cutover for new device purchases. Let me know if I have that correct.

Not sure why this has to be so complicated.

At this point, I don't even care as long as I can get the phone before the 24th. I just hope it's worth the hype.

You got it. If the T-Bolt would release March 30 and tiered pricing is announced for June 15, then the TB would be grandfathered. If the TB releases June 15 and the tiered pricing goes into effect June 15, then you'll have to change your plan.

 

[lakas187]

Verizon is called "Big Red" for a reason.. They like their money in stacks. They wouldn't commit suicide by offering unlimited 4G Lte. Further more their would be no "grandfathering" in.. It would be something like this, " You want this beautiful new phone? You have to choose one of the new data plans.."
Let's face it, it's costing verizon some serious bucks to roll out this new network and they are not going to give it away. Like panda said, "those who want cutting edge pay for it".

#TeamRed

 

[sidsixseven]

OK after reading the above posts. If I get a 4g phone and I already have the unlimited data plan then as I see it, there shouldn't be any changes. Because the plan doesn't say unlimited 3g, 1X or anything else. It is unlimited data! Right?

That's what everyone is banking on. But for that matter, data is data and LTE phones are going to use LTE where available. So, in theory (which I put little stock in), simply activating an LTE phone on an existing plan should work for anyone.

Here is how Sprint circumvented that logic: They just said this "class" of phone requires this type of data plan. Period. You couldn't use data on that phone unless you had that data plan. You were welcome to keep your existing unlimited plan -- but only if you used the older style phones.

There is no reason why Verizon couldn't do the exact same thing. LTE phones require data plans for LTE. Otherwise -- you don't get to activate the phone.

 

[kodiak799]

There is no reason why Verizon couldn't do the exact same thing. LTE phones require data plans for LTE. Otherwise -- you don't get to activate the phone.

There's that, and there's also the issue of getting an LTE plan with TBolt and then later just activating a different LTE phone. I suppose they could do the same thing only having a certain plan for the TBolt and all other LTE phones are newer plans.

I doubt it will really matter. I don't see unlimited data being offered with the TBolt (they don't have such a plan for mobile broadband). It's also clear now people can and do use ridiculous amounts of data so they just won't make that mistake again.

The only advantage of "grandfather" I could see with the TBolt is possibly if later LTE plans include speed tiers.

 

[MadScientist]

Introducing data new is different than just getting new service. Think about all those people that still have altell minute plans that are continually grandfathered in because they haven't changed their minutes. I know some personally and I'm not seeing how this is different. If history holds true I predict that by plucking up any 4G phone prior to tiered pricing will allow you to maintain that plan and rate until you make an actaul chane to the plan. This would include getting a subsidized phone in a year or two and still be able to maintain the grandfathering. Maybe its me being foolish to use logic and history in this but that's what my crystal ball says.

Sent from my DROIDX using DroidForums App

 

[shortsxit]

OK after reading the above posts. If I get a 4g phone and I already have the unlimited data plan then as I see it, there shouldn't be any changes. Because the plan doesn't say unlimited 3g, 1X or anything else. It is unlimited data! Right?

That's what everyone is banking on. But for that matter, data is data and LTE phones are going to use LTE where available. So, in theory (which I put little stock in), simply activating an LTE phone on an existing plan should work for anyone.

Here is how Sprint circumvented that logic: They just said this "class" of phone requires this type of data plan. Period. You couldn't use data on that phone unless you had that data plan. You were welcome to keep your existing unlimited plan -- but only if you used the older style phones.

There is no reason why Verizon couldn't do the exact same thing. LTE phones require data plans for LTE. Otherwise -- you don't get to activate the phone.

Not just Sprint. Verizon did the same thing when they introduced html dumbphones. Dumbphones used to have MOU data plans, but when these were introduced, you had to have a new type of data plan to use these phones. You were still able to use MOU with older type phones or new phones that didn't have html browsers.

 

[shortsxit]

Introducing data new is different than just getting new service. Think about all those people that still have altell minute plans that are continually grandfathered in because they haven't changed their minutes. I know some personally and I'm not seeing how this is different. If history holds true I predict that by plucking up any 4G phone prior to tiered pricing will allow you to maintain that plan and rate until you make an actaul chane to the plan. This would include getting a subsidized phone in a year or two and still be able to maintain the grandfathering. Maybe its me being foolish to use logic and history in this but that's what my crystal ball says.

Sent from my DROIDX using DroidForums App

Sorry, but it didn't work that way when Verizon introduced HTML phones, and it didn't work that way when Verizon decided to start focing smartphones to have data plans without data blocks.

 

[shortsxit]

Sorry for the 2nd post, but Edit is off since this is in News....

Verizon: modifying any part of user agreement will cut you off unlimited data | TechKnow Bytes

Found the above about data being an add on, but Verizon says you lock in the price until you make a change to the overall contract:

The data plan is a component add-on to the overall agreement. Once an agreement is set, it’s set. That said, customers can make changes at any time as their needs change but it requires a new agreement effective on the change date with the plans and options available at the time.
​

I don't know...the way that reads, it says that data is an add-on to the agreement; then it goes on to talk about the agreement (not the add-on).

 

[cereal killer]

OK after reading the above posts. If I get a 4g phone and I already have the unlimited data plan then as I see it, there shouldn't be any changes. Because the plan doesn't say unlimited 3g, 1X or anything else. It is unlimited data! Right?

You're paying for unlimited data over a 3G network. You will pay tiered pricing for using data over their LTE network GUARANTEED.

 

[pc747]

OK after reading the above posts. If I get a 4g phone and I already have the unlimited data plan then as I see it, there shouldn't be any changes. Because the plan doesn't say unlimited 3g, 1X or anything else. It is unlimited data! Right?

You're paying for unlimited data over a 3G network. You will pay tiered pricing for using data over their LTE network GUARANTEED.

They already hinted at it. I read an article awhile back that Verizon noticed with faster speeds people were consuming more data. They advertise that their network can download music and movies in seconds and then seem in aw that people are using more data. They know that if people with droid got a hold of LTE with unlimited data they would have people using wifi tether and blowing past 30 to 40 gigs a month. Verizon is going to tier their LTE and I expect them to announce it upon release of the tb. The only way they dont announce it upon release of the tb IF they are using the TB as a test device to see how they should break up the tier plan.