[Updated] Verizon Plans To Eliminate 'Grandfathered' 3G Unlimited Data Plans

[syndicate0017]

This is an interesting point IMO, I wonder if VZW would be smart enough to increase the Data bucket sizes when they go to family plans and then possibly in the future offer an unlimited 4G $40 a month plan for those who need it!

Recently I have been using more wifi, but after using only 500 MB last month I am thinking maybe we need to all increase the average use to get those numbers up. If they are basing their packages on average use it might make sense to drive them up to show them what is really needed when wifi isnt available. In July I plan on a trip out of state where I will be 4G/3G the entire time, I am sure i will hit 2G in that week alone!

As mentioned before I welcome the family data plans but they need to get the pricing vs. quantity right!

Verizon will certainly make it so you'll save some money by switching to the tiered plans. The question is, how much? I rather enjoy the security of unlimited and it would have to be a pretty damn good deal to get me off of it. I'll just buy my phones outright until that no longer grandfathers me. But VZ will NEVER....I repeat NEVER offer unlimited anything again. They're trying so hard to push people off of it now. They don't want to open the flood gates again. Sure, they can't throttle 4G at this time, but that doesn't mean they want you using unlimited amounts of it.

 

[SquireSCA]

Verizon will certainly make it so you'll save some money by switching to the tiered plans. The question is, how much? I rather enjoy the security of unlimited and it would have to be a pretty damn good deal to get me off of it. I'll just buy my phones outright until that no longer grandfathers me. But VZ will NEVER....I repeat NEVER offer unlimited anything again. They're trying so hard to push people off of it now. They don't want to open the flood gates again. Sure, they can't throttle 4G at this time, but that doesn't mean they want you using unlimited amounts of it.

Even if on 4G and paying full price for phones, I don't see the grandfathered Unlimited plans lasting more than a year.

 

[syndicate0017]

Even if on 4G and paying full price for phones, I don't see the grandfathered Unlimited plans lasting more than a year.

And that very well could be the case. Even if Verizon continues to allow grandfathering if you avoid contractual updates, I may switch when my contract runs out anyway. There are cheaper options that fit my data needs and still get decent cell coverage. I also want another Nexus, but I seriously doubt VZ will get another one.

 

[SquireSCA]

And that very well could be the case. Even if Verizon continues to allow grandfathering if you avoid contractual updates, I may switch when my contract runs out anyway. There are cheaper options that fit my data needs and still get decent cell coverage. I also want another Nexus, but I seriously doubt VZ will get another one.

Yeah, when my contract runs out I will be evaluating carriers. I think that going the Nexus route makes sense, both my girlfriend and I like customization and ROMs. We both have Rezounds with S-Off so we can install whatever we want, but we are still at the mercy of whatever leaks HTC and VZW release, as well as waiting for source code for the real work to begin. All we have are modded leaks, and some ports from other phones. Decent, but not what you can get on the Nexus.

So our next phones will be Nexus phones, and it may be with Sprint if they still offer Unlimited plans. I think that they should hold out and keep them, as being the only carrier to offer them gives them a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

 

[kodiak799]

And as far as it wasn't meant to replace your home broadband. I average between 2 and 4 a month. I'm no data hog but don't make a phone capable of doing everything your pc will and then get all twisted because I'm using it. I live in a place where home internet option services are expensive and unreliable. For some people its our only real option.

Ummm, it's not VZW making your phone and Android capable of all that (and when they try to limit services the natives go ape-crazy). And no one ever forced you to do everything on your phone, instead of your pc, just because you can.

It just amazes me how unlimited mobile data has become a necessity for some people. I wonder how they ever survived just two years ago. "Uuuuuughhhh....Torch app better than fire. Me light cave with Droid. Uuuuuggghhh"

Just saying...when gas prices started skyrocketing, people started changing their usage patterns. And the world didn't end.

 

[droidbionicmaster]

If verizon wants more ppl on their network they need to

1. Bring unlimited back.

2 put more 4g towers up instead of extending areas that are already covered.

3. Fix the data drop problem.

4. Don't eliminate unlimited.

Big companies don't think at all today.

 

[cdm369]

Ummm, it's not VZW making your phone and Android capable of all that (and when they try to limit services the natives go ape-crazy). And no one ever forced you to do everything on your phone, instead of your pc, just because you can.

It just amazes me how unlimited mobile data has become a necessity for some people. I wonder how they ever survived just two years ago. "Uuuuuughhhh....Torch app better than fire. Me light cave with Droid. Uuuuuggghhh"

Just saying...when gas prices started skyrocketing, people started changing their usage patterns. And the world didn't end.

But they get some suggestive input. And then they put DATA HOGGING apps and bloatware on the device. Kinda 2 faced. Don't hog data...oh and here are a bunch of data hungry apps for you....

 

[flamewalker]

If verizon wants more ppl on their network they need to

1. Bring unlimited back.

2 put more 4g towers up instead of extending areas that are already covered.

3. Fix the data drop problem.

4. Don't eliminate unlimited.

Big companies don't think at all today.

Getting rid of unlimited hasn't hurt them at all, in fast they are raking in the bucks. They are adding new 4g towers as well as expanding current converage monthly, if not quicker. I don't know what phone you are using but I don't have a data drop problem on my phone...

Seems to me they are thinking... About making money and providing a great service, which they are. Sure they are having some growing pains on the 4g side from time to time but that's to be expected for new technology. Just because they aren't doing something exactly the way you think they should doesn't mean they aren't thinking... Just means they probably are thinking more about their business and bottom line than you are. If they didn't, they would go out of business and we would be stuck with *shudder* at&t.

 

[kodiak799]

But they get some suggestive input. And then they put DATA HOGGING apps and bloatware on the device. Kinda 2 faced. Don't hog data...oh and here are a bunch of data hungry apps for you....

And putting out a buffet doesn't mean you need to eat 30,000 calories, either. People demand these services, then they get them and are apparently unable to control themselves. Sometimes I wonder if people have jobs or do any work.

 

[SquireSCA]

Ummm, it's not VZW making your phone and Android capable of all that (and when they try to limit services the natives go ape-crazy). And no one ever forced you to do everything on your phone, instead of your pc, just because you can.

It just amazes me how unlimited mobile data has become a necessity for some people. I wonder how they ever survived just two years ago. "Uuuuuughhhh....Torch app better than fire. Me light cave with Droid. Uuuuuggghhh"

Just saying...when gas prices started skyrocketing, people started changing their usage patterns. And the world didn't end.

All that data only matters to about 0.05% of cell phone users. Of the ones that "need" it, most of them don't. But because it was cheap to get it, people just used it because they could. Nobody needs to spend hundreds of hours on their phone a month, soaking up 20gb of data. Nobody. People do it because they can, and after awhile they get accustomed to it, and after that they feel they are entitled to it.

If gas was 20 cents a gallon tomorrow, what would happen? People would drive a lot more, more than they ever needed to or wanted to, just because there was no financial reason not to. And after awhile, their lifestyle would mold itself to that mindset. And then if gas went back up to $3 a gallon, they would be wailing about how it wasn't fair, that they need all that gas, when in fact they don't. They need to gas to get to work, to go to the store, to go visit your mom, see a movie, etc... But all the extra driving around they did "just because they could" isn't neccessary and it isn't neccessary for someone to continue to provide it to them.

Unlimited plans came out when smart phones used very little data. Mobile websites were stripped down, not a lot of content.

Now everyone is streaming HD video, music, Netflix, spending a gazillion hours a day with their noses buried in their phones on Facebook, etc... They are using at least 10x the data that they were when Unlimited plans came out.

So things have changed. An all you can eat restaurant only works when the average person eats a certain amount, and it offsets the few "pigs". When 75% of your customers start eating 10 plates each, you have to either raise prices or get rid of all you can eat if you want to stay in business.

 

[SquireSCA]

But they get some suggestive input. And then they put DATA HOGGING apps and bloatware on the device. Kinda 2 faced. Don't hog data...oh and here are a bunch of data hungry apps for you....

But they are not telling you not to hog data. They just want you to start paying for it.

 

[kodiak799]

All that data only matters to about 0.05% of cell phone users. Of the ones that "need" it, most of them don't. But because it was cheap to get it, people just used it because they could. Nobody needs to spend hundreds of hours on their phone a month, soaking up 20gb of data. Nobody. People do it because they can, and after awhile they get accustomed to it, and after that they feel they are entitled to it.

Pretty much what it boils down to. For whatever reason, some now use their phone as a replacement for cable/tv/pc and who knows what else, and it's become a necessity. And now they feel entitled and cheated. The entire concept was for mobility and convenience, and it's why the vast majority of customers are not put off by this.

But it's kind of comical to watch the smartphone junkies cry and make empty threats. VZW cares and doesn't care. You're a junkie - you'll either pay to support your habit or find another hobby.

 

[TatDroid]

I rather enjoy the security of unlimited and it would have to be a pretty damn good deal to get me off of it. I'll just buy my phones outright until that no longer grandfathers me.

It's win/win for Verizon no matter which route you choose. As a matter of fact, my guess is that Verizon has a higher profit margin on customers like you than on those that get a new, subsidized phone every 20 months (which, by the way will probably go to 24 months sometime soon).

The $350 that Verizon looses when they sell you a phone for $300 (that they paid Samsung, or Apple, or Motorola, or HTC $650 to buy) comes back to you as an extra $15/month or so that you pay every month. No new phone = no $350 subsidy = $15 each month extra profit margin for Verizon.

I really don't think Verizon cares much which option you choose.

Sent from my Transformer TF101 using DroidForums

 

[SquireSCA]

Pretty much what it boils down to. For whatever reason, some now use their phone as a replacement for cable/tv/pc and who knows what else, and it's become a necessity. And now they feel entitled and cheated. The entire concept was for mobility and convenience, and it's why the vast majority of customers are not put off by this.

But it's kind of comical to watch the smartphone junkies cry and make empty threats. VZW cares and doesn't care. You're a junkie - you'll either pay to support your habit or find another hobby.

Yeah. I like smart phones a lot, they fascinate me. But I just don't spend all day on it. And when I go out, I will occasionally check email. I rarely text because it is annoying when people try to have a conversation with you 16 words at a time. Pick up the phone, jackass. LOL

But you see people on them constantly, unable to disconnect from social media, etc...

Great article on this:

Opinion: Facebook threatens to 'Zuck up' the human race - CNN.com

 

[syndicate0017]

It's win/win for Verizon no matter which route you choose. As a matter of fact, my guess is that Verizon has a higher profit margin on customers like you than on those that get a new, subsidized phone every 20 months (which, by the way will probably go to 24 months sometime soon).

The $350 that Verizon loses when they sell you a phone for $300 (that they paid Samsung, or Apple, or Motorola, or HTC $650 to buy) comes back to you as an extra $15/month or so that you pay every month. No new phone = no $350 subsidy = $15 each month extra profit margin for Verizon.

I really don't think Verizon cares much which option you choose.

Sent from my Transformer TF101 using DroidForums

And I never once said they will care. Because they won't. I'm doing it for me and me alone. Not to "stick it to the man". I want unlimited and as long as I'm on Verizon, I'll do what it takes to remain unlimited.