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

[TatDroid]

Again, this isn't true unless you switch from a 2 year contract to a month to month plan.

It's true as soon as you've gone two years without upgrading your phone. Verizon's profit margin goes up because they've paid off the subsidy.

It's true for every single person who chooses not upgrade their phone and keep unlimited data. Verizon makes a higher profit margin on these customers, so they let them keep their unlimited data.

 

[Shadez]

It's true as soon as you've gone two years without upgrading your phone. Verizon's profit margin goes up because they've paid off the subsidy.

Yes, that's what we have been saying.

This only applies if you don't upgrade your phone or sign a new two year agreement.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Droid Forums

 

[TatDroid]

Yes, that's what we have been saying.

This only applies if you don't upgrade your phone or sign a new two year agreement.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Droid Forums

I was responding to a post that said Verizon does NOT build in extra fees in your monthly service to cover phone subsidies. And the proof was that they didn't lower the monthly fee after two years.

I was saying FALSE. Verizon DOES build it in, and yes, by not lowering the monthly fee after two years they are increasing their profit margin.

 

[Shadez]

I was responding to a post that said Verizon does NOT build in extra fees in your monthly service to cover phone subsidies. And the proof was that they didn't lower the monthly fee after two years.

I was saying FALSE. Verizon DOES build it in, and yes, by not lowering the monthly fee after two years they are increasing their profit margin.

Of course not..consider the two year phone upgrade at a subsidized price as a promotion, which it is. After two years, regardless if you upgrade to a new phone, you are paying for the services you have, not your last phone.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Droid Forums

 

[TatDroid]

Wait, are you saying they don't include the subsidy in the monthly service price?

 

[Shadez]

Wait, are you saying they don't include the subsidy in the monthly service price?

There are so many variables involved in this, ie: are you after 2 years? Did you upgrade after two years with a new subsidized priced phone? Did you switch to monthly after two years?

Bottom line is, if you upgrade to a new subsidized phone after two years and extend you're contact two more, then no, they don't charge you for the difference in the monthly statements.

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Droid Forums

 

[monkey_man]

Hmmm... sometimes I feel like we need a chatroom box in this place LOL. Anyways let's put this quote back here again. :rofl2:

Lol. I think we've all been reading so many of these threads that we're saying the same things over and over and contradicting each other. The truth is, whatever happens happens. We can call and email and speculate until the cows come home... But vzw is gonna do whatever they want.

 

[TatDroid]

The monthly fee is the monthly fee. It's exactly the same whether you're 1 month into your contract with a shiney new phone, or you're 31 months in and using an OG Droid - you pay Verizon the exact same amount.

What DOES change is Verizon's cost to have you as a customer. For the "one month in" customer that cost is service + subsidy. For the "31 month in" customer that cost is service only. No subsidy. Verizon has a higher profit margin on customers when they are no longer paying their phone subsidy!

Whew. This is exhausting. I'm done now.

 

[jseah]

You have to wonder what will happen to the phone's actual retail prices when this happens. So many more people will be buying them at full retail. I am sure verizon, motorola, samsung, htc don't lose any money on the subsidized price. I think the actual retail price is jacked up to make it appear that you are getting a huge savings when you get it at subsidized prices. Look at tablets that are not attached to a phone carrier plan. They sell full retail from $200-$350. They are essentially an oversized phone but so much cheaper than a phone.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Droid Forums

I honestly wonder how many people would want to pay full retail versus a subsidized price. Remember that the vast majority of people are not "power users" taking full advantage of unlimited data plans and using 10 GB or more each month. The vast majority will be people who are using 1-2 GB per month, and these will be the ones who feel that there will be no harm in switching and giving up unlimited data just so they can get a cheap phone. The vast majority do not prioritize spending $500 or even higher for a phone.

 

[Beka27]

I know I've seen breakdowns of how much data you need to use monthly to have an unlimited plan be worth paying full retail. My husband and I are each under 2gb a month (anywhere from 1 to 1.8gb a month)... BUT this is on our 3g phones. I don't really know his habits but I NEVER have wifi on unless a download requires it or I'm not getting a good signal for whatever reason. The next 2 years are going to be the experimental stage where I can consume 4g as much as I want (again, I doubt I'll ever reach 5gb a month) and see what normal consumption is like. At the end of that, I feel like I'll be able to make a more educated decision regarding what plan is right for me, and also weigh my options of paying retail, purchasing used, jumping to a different carrier, etc...

 

[R2D|2OID]

I have an upgrade on my Unlimited Data line today, 6/27/2012. The last day I can keep my plan =) Lucky

 

[huskur]

I have an upgrade on my Unlimited Data line today, 6/27/2012. The last day I can keep my plan =) Lucky

I called to try and talk them into giving me my upgrade early (i am 2 months out) and they wouldn't budge. I bet if I call tomorrow they would GLADLY do it. (not happening)

 

[TisMyDroid]

I called to try and talk them into giving me my upgrade early (i am 2 months out) and they wouldn't budge. I bet if I call tomorrow they would GLADLY do it. (not happening)

I have the same problem... no early upgrades for us because we all already have 4g phones. They only care to do it if you have 3g or less.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Droid Forums

 

[Shadez]

Ask for a supervisor, tell them you know people who have done this, I have several times, and I upgraded 2 4G phones early. Then threaten that you are considering not resubscribing.

 

[nikecar]

I know I've seen breakdowns of how much data you need to use monthly to have an unlimited plan be worth paying full retail. My husband and I are each under 2gb a month (anywhere from 1 to 1.8gb a month)... BUT this is on our 3g phones. I don't really know his habits but I NEVER have wifi on unless a download requires it or I'm not getting a good signal for whatever reason. The next 2 years are going to be the experimental stage where I can consume 4g as much as I want (again, I doubt I'll ever reach 5gb a month) and see what normal consumption is like. At the end of that, I feel like I'll be able to make a more educated decision regarding what plan is right for me, and also weigh my options of paying retail, purchasing used, jumping to a different carrier, etc...

use
Google Music on your commute via streaming music. Then come back in 2 weeks and tell us how much you are using. I bet that 1GB will get blown out the water