[Update] Verizon's New Family Data Plans Begin: It's Called the Share Everything Plan

[jroc]

Someone mentioned this already, but I started thinking about it more:

I agree that VZW should have everyone trained prior to this rollout but I disagree to characterizing this as being greedy.

Sure its pricey but that was the whole point to generate added revenue streams from current customers. Remember they are a profit making company and shareholders are always ever so demanding. If the collateral PDF is read carefully they are forcing everyone to get unlimited talk/text but limited data. Most of the complaints will come from people like me who have limited talk/text and unlimited data and that is because VZW is trying to split traffic between the 4G/3G nets until they can roll out VoLTE. They won't be able to do that until they have complete coverage so its an offloading to manage network capacity.

My 2 cents

What happens when VoLTE comes out......

 

[sampsonX2]

BOOO! I cant stand this, I have 2 smartphones and unlimited data, (we use about 8 gigs total) in order for me to "share" all of this would cost me $180.00 before taxes. I am currently paying about $145 per month, and I think that's too high. Big Red is going to hemorrhage customers!

 

[cybertec69]

BOOO! I cant stand this, I have 2 smartphones and unlimited data, (we use about 8 gigs total) in order for me to "share" all of this would cost me $180.00 before taxes. I am currently paying about $145 per month, and I think that's too high. Big Red is going to hemorrhage customers!

No one is forcing you into the family share plan, there is a plethora of info about it, go to the Android Forum, I made a thread there so people like yourself can get a clearer picture and understand how this works.

Sent from my HTC Rezound using Droid Forums

 

[brianjcohen]

Pretty sure this is going to be a big win for my wife and I:

Currently: 1400 minute family share w/ unlimited text ($119.98), two smartphones with unlimited data ($59.98), second line access charge ($9.99) plus some sort of protection racket they nailed me with without asking that I now need to get removed and refunded ($5.98) comes out to $195 plus taxes is about $200/mo and we have to watch our minutes to keep them under 1400. Note: despite being a nerd, I really don't use much data. Maybe two or three gigs a month for me, a gig for my wife.

Under Share Everything: 2 smartphones ($80), 4 GB data ($70) is $150 plus taxes. Depending on taxes that's in the ballpark of $50/month savings, and we get unlimited minutes, plus no extra charge for tethering legally. That's huge.

I can understand the worry about unlimited data going away. But I spend most of my time at the house or the office, where we have plentiful bandwidth which the phone uses via wifi. I don't know if I've ever used more than 5 gigs a month on my wireless plan. So while it's technically true that I'm being offered less data for more money, it's a difference that makes no difference. I have to evaluate the value of this plan on the whole, objectively according to our real usage, not according to some fantasy month where I might want to use 20 gigs because I can. Fifty bucks a month is $600/year. That's good money I'm saving -- the cost of a smartphone!

 

[Droid101]

But....with the way things are going...Verizon will stop the upgrade swapping....

Upgrade swapping will not be going away anytime soon, it really has no adverse effect for verizon as they are still getting another two years out of you.
Sent from my Xoom using Tapatalk 2

 

[mikeinctown]

Question for you guys regarding a second line, since the contracts are going to change...

I currently have only the one phone and the $59 plan with 450 minutes and unlimited data. Because of employee discounts at work, my bill is roughly $80 per month after taxes. I was thinking of adding an additional line, but cannot get a straight answer from people when I ask questions.

I am wondering if since I am on an unlimited data plan, if I choose to add another line and move to a family plan, will I get unlimited data on that second line, or will I get stuck with the 2g data limit they hit you with now for the $30? (or maybe the bouble data promotion) I had asked about this when I wanted a tablet but they told me that it would be a new phone number and so I would have two separate plans. would the same apply to an addition of a second phone?

<edit> though I should disclose that VZW is now on my Sh!t list because what employees at the corporate store did to my girlfriend. she wanted an iPhone 4s and used to have unlimited data. She added a second line to get the iPhone because the guy added up all the costs and removed some unwanted things. He figured it would cost her an extra $10 a month for the addition. (she was doing the phone number switch deal) Well the guy told her when the first bill came it would look strange but not to worry it would be corrected on the second bill. Well the second bill came the same way and when she complained, they told her tough sh!t, you are under contract now and cannot return your phone because it has been longer than the return period. So instead of a $10 difference, there is about a $40 difference.- Oh, and she now no longer has unlimited data and they refused to change her plan back.

 

[monkey_man]

Question for you guys regarding a second line, since the contracts are going to change...

I currently have only the one phone and the $59 plan with 450 minutes and unlimited data. Because of employee discounts at work, my bill is roughly $80 per month after taxes. I was thinking of adding an additional line, but cannot get a straight answer from people when I ask questions.

I am wondering if since I am on an unlimited data plan, if I choose to add another line and move to a family plan, will I get unlimited data on that second line, or will I get stuck with the 2g data limit they hit you with now for the $30? (or maybe the bouble data promotion) I had asked about this when I wanted a tablet but they told me that it would be a new phone number and so I would have two separate plans. would the same apply to an addition of a second phone?

<edit> though I should disclose that VZW is now on my Sh!t list because what employees at the corporate store did to my girlfriend. she wanted an iPhone 4s and used to have unlimited data. She added a second line to get the iPhone because the guy added up all the costs and removed some unwanted things. He figured it would cost her an extra $10 a month for the addition. (she was doing the phone number switch deal) Well the guy told her when the first bill came it would look strange but not to worry it would be corrected on the second bill. Well the second bill came the same way and when she complained, they told her tough sh!t, you are under contract now and cannot return your phone because it has been longer than the return period. So instead of a $10 difference, there is about a $40 difference.- Oh, and she now no longer has unlimited data and they refused to change her plan back.

You can still have Family Data Plan with Tiered Minutes/text until June 28. Unlimited data plan has been gone since July 2011. Before June 28, Adding phones per line is still $9.99 (even after june 28 as long as you are currently in the old Family plan). Second line phone will automatically be on Tiered data which is 2GB for $30. It is much safer to really create 2 separate plan, as you have unlimited data. I am not sure they would allow you to keep Unlimited data as you transition from single to Family plan. Verizon are very tricky company .... like the old saying goes... Fool me once, shame on you... fool me twice, shame on :icon_ devil:. Look at this link if you are still confused.

Confused about Verizon's Family Share plans? You're not alone | Mobile - CNET News

I had that exact experience in the past even tho the situation was not the same. It is true that you'll get the much better answer if you go to the store yourself, but try different store and try to look for a chatty and smiley rep worked all the time for me. Some reps can really prey on those unaware customers, but they can't do (insert word here) if you know what you're talking about. Most likely, that person would lay the blame to the newbie. ( yeah that's right, I embarrassed the lazy store manager :rofl2: ) tbh, I couldn't correct this person, if I wasn't made aware beforehand from a very courteous woman worked at different corporate location. :icon_ banana: Not all bad, but not that many either that's not a trickster.

 

[geoff5093]

^ You really need to ask Verizon this, not on a forum if you want a direct and true answer.

 

[nalgon]

Verizon reps are lost also. Some say you lose your unlimited data with the preorder of the s3 before the 28th and some say you dont.

Sent from my SCH-I510 using DroidForums

 

[jroc]

I started with a single line, unlimited data. I have a family plan now. I was able to keep my first line unlimited data.

I agree it might be the safest thing to not have it on the family plan. But based on recent info, I wouldn't worry.....yet

 

[meishkov]

Verizon reps are lost also. Some say you lose your unlimited data with the preorder of the s3 before the 28th and some say you dont.

Sent from my SCH-I510 using DroidForums

That's what I'm getting outta this. There seems to be discrepancies everywhere regarding who loses what after when if they upgrade such n such. This is probably by design n just what big red wants. Everyone to be not 100% positive n to just upgrade out of fear of losing unlimited or whatever. Only thing I think I've got down is I can keep unlimited after the 28th if I decide to upgrade but only if I buy a new phone at full retail price. Could be the first time I'll ever pay over $600 Just to get a new phone lol.

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[cdm369]

There are going to be a lot of people losing out because they are looking for loop holes. This plan is meant to be confusing. The reps know nothing.

Sent from my HTC REZOUND

 

[PereDroid]

That was a true answer. VZW will not let you add a 2nd line and get unlimited data. Unlimited data, as was already said, is a thing of the past.

 

[cdm369]

That was a true answer. VZW will not let you add a 2nd line and get unlimited data. Unlimited data, as was already said, is a thing of the past.

Agree completely....

Sent from my HTC REZOUND

 

[Xfactorx316]

That is a very accurate statement!