Verizon Wireless, the largest mobile provider in the U.S., is making changes to its service plans that means customers will have to chose between unlimited data plans and discounted phones. There was some confusion about this when a company executive told investors the unlimited data plans would not be available on the 4G network. The company spokesperson later issued a brief clarification.
Like most carriers, Verizon has subsidized the cost of phone upgrades every other year (“new in two”) when customers sign a two-year contract. Under the new plan, new customers and customers who upgrade to a discounted phone will no longer have the option of an unlimited data plan, which is currently $30 per month. Current customers with unlimited data plans can keep their plans only if they pay full price for their cellphones.
In other words, discount data or discount phone, but not both.
In response to customer demand, new shared data plans will cover more than one device (for instance, a smart phone and a tablet), similar to current shared minutes plans. For more information, see the Reuters news story.
NOTE: Verizon Wireless is a BBB National Partner
So is Verizon being deceptive, or is there some good-natured, productive reason for making me pay waaay more for unlimited data (extremely expensive) by making the phone full priced even when im on a contract (extremely expensive too). I can’t see a reason for this other than simple profit and not enough people complaining. If they are trying to sell a lot less iPhones, this is the way to go. Are Android phones under this restriction too? I guess unlimited isn’t the plan for me. I’m all for saving a fortune. iPhones are not worth the bother.
I dare say they are as useful as a rock in my windshield. But for business people on the go (in the city where there is cell phone internet) who have the unlimited data plan, it’s good to have.
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