Just got off the phone with VZW
I'm a little late to this issue -- I got my Galaxy Nexus in early March, and have been doing a lot of traveling since then, so it took me awhile to recognize that I have a very serious problem with dropped signal (... and then burned out battery from trying to find it again).
Anyway, I sent an email yesterday noting that I pay over $2,000 a year to VZW, but that that would likely end because they've given me a phone that doesn't work and have sat for two months on what by many accounts is a software update that would fix my problems -- I've learned that when dealing with a business, it often helps to tape a $100 bill to your forehead to keep their attention. Got an "I feel your pain" email response, directing me to call customer support.
Called customer support today. Quickly got through to level two (a bit like a video game, isn't it?). Laid out my issues to the representative, dismissed the "we'll send you a refurb" suggestion, and arrived at the fact that I have a VZW phone that doesn't work (I generally put it on airplane mode to keep the battery from dying on me when I'm out and about, but this keeps me from receiving phonecalls ... which sort of was the main original point of having a mobile phone), and that my position is that this should be resolved quickly or that I think I should be refunded my purchase price and let out of my contract with no penalty (VZW has failed to fulfill their end of the contract). I noted that what I really wanted to see was the long-delayed update, and if that didn't set things right, we could resume the conversation. I noted that my intent was to leave VZW for a carrier that was able to put out a Galaxy Nexus that works. The rep apparently tried to connect in a Samsung rep, with the suggestion that there might be a work-around, but didn't manage to get one. She came back having spoken with some VZW techs, who, she said, had told her that the update was "imminent," possibly to be out within the next 24 to 48 hours. I told her that was the best news possible from my perspective, but that she'd be hearing from me again in a week if that didn't happen. She told me she'd note in my account our conversation.
So anyway, that's apparently the latest line from VZW.
I agree with the sentiment of others here that VZW doesn't like the "openness" of the Nexus line; I think their most profitable business (from their standards ...) is all the junk they heap on us after we're on contract with them, and a minimally branded phone severely limits how they can do that. I would not be surprised if this is the last VZW Nexus phone.
I'm also a shareholder of VZ (VZW is actually a wholly owned joint venture between VZ and Europe's Vodaphone), and I think the VZW business model of "rape, pillage, and plunder while we can" is myopic, and that this attitude has already cemented VZW's reputation as the carrier most willing to exploit existing customers. I think I'll drop a line to the management of VZ conveying my opinion on this.
