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Verizon says tiered data in on the way

If they don't grandfather people in they're in breach of contract. They'll grandfather you in until you sign a new contact then you'll get stuck with tiered data.

I agree that's the most likely thing they'll do, although it's not unheard of for a provider to change the terms of your contract. I was able to get out of a previous contract when they raised text messaging rates.
 
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actually, any carrier can change the terms of any contract for any reason. they have to give you notice before the change, just like a credit card company.

the biggest thing is that in order to disconnect without penalty, the change has to create an undue hardship. raising text messaging rates doesnt create a hardship if you're on an unlimited plan. just like changing to tiered data doesnt create a hardship if your highest usage was still under the lowest plan.

however, I do agree that VZW will grandfather in the current plans. It's been done for years, and there is no reason to change that now. New contracts will be set under the new terms, I guarantee it.

what surprises me is how pissed people are that VZW is doing it. ATT did it, so it's only reasonable to expect that other carriers would follow suit. Data usage is only going to increase. Having faster speeds and easier access means that people are most likely going to use more. As 4G/LTE expands, I wouldnt be shocked to see that tiered pricing will go away and make way for unlimited plans again.

does anybody remember when blackberry's had 10MB for $24.99 option on VZW???
 
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OK - no killing the messenger now but I read this yesterday and it is actually dated 6.18.2010...

Verizon's 3G Data Plans Aren't Changing | News & Opinion | PCMag.com

If you don't want to bother reading the short article, here's an excerpt: "For the record, Verizon spokeswoman Brenda Raney said there are no current plans to change Verizon's 3G smartphone data plans."

The keyword there is "current". :p
 
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This is only for future 4G networks they said. Makes sense seeing as how by the time a 4G phone comes to VZW, it'll probably be comparable/surpass a netbook in usefulness. More then likely, they'll allow higher then, what was it, 2gb of data ATT had and aim more towards 4/5gb with a 5-10 raise (like sprint on 4G) and lower the rest of the usage.
 
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actually, any carrier can change the terms of any contract for any reason. they have to give you notice before the change, just like a credit card company.

the biggest thing is that in order to disconnect without penalty, the change has to create an undue hardship. raising text messaging rates doesnt create a hardship if you're on an unlimited plan. just like changing to tiered data doesnt create a hardship if your highest usage was still under the lowest plan.

however, I do agree that VZW will grandfather in the current plans. It's been done for years, and there is no reason to change that now. New contracts will be set under the new terms, I guarantee it.

what surprises me is how pissed people are that VZW is doing it. ATT did it, so it's only reasonable to expect that other carriers would follow suit. Data usage is only going to increase. Having faster speeds and easier access means that people are most likely going to use more. As 4G/LTE expands, I wouldnt be shocked to see that tiered pricing will go away and make way for unlimited plans again.

does anybody remember when blackberry's had 10MB for $24.99 option on VZW???

You've made some good points, but I'd like to interject for a moment. I feel that they have no business cutting our unlimited plans (even though I believe they will let us grandfather our current plan), regardless of an LTE change. What's my reasoning? The costs of service. We already pay rather expensive bills to Verizon for minutes, texts, data.. It's not like they'd be losing out or anything. They make a KILLING. Texting doesn't need to cost what they charge. Their profit on texting alone is probably 2000% of what they spend to allow it. Besides, they don't need to cut our capabilities for the same rates or force us to pay more for what we have now; if they want to stay on top they NEED to do these damn upgrades. Customer service and reliability must be superior if they plan on staying up there. Just my 2 cents.
 
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I agree, I don't like the idea of a tiered program either. And I'm sure money might be some of the reason for the AT&T and Verizon to move away from unlimited... However

I think there is another reason for the tiered program and that is relief form a lot of usage and drainage on their networks .... Not people using less, just less usage on "their" networks ---- As smart phones become more popular and more people sign on, more fun and neat apps coming out daily, networks become bogged down. Especially with the IPhone an Dinc out there.... What a lot of people will do (And I know not everyone can) is use WiFi a little more often when at home and when out and about to lower usage so they don't get dinged with a higher bill. And many of the super heavy users (3%) will leave AT&T and Verizon and go with that other company that will still have unlimited --- AT&T and Verizon will make up for many of those 3% leaving by signing up new people who couldn't afford the unlimited plan ....


  1. So when they lose many of the 3% heavy users, they will replace them with new people coming on board who can now afford data, so no loss in revenue
  2. The 1% of the heavy users who will not leave will be bringing in a lot more revenue for the company
  3. The 3% heavy users that will be gone, or many of them, relieving a lot of bogging down on their networks improving quality for their customer
  4. They reduce even more usage of their networks by some people using WiFi just a little more to make sure they don't go over the quota.
  5. They will make a little more money also by those careless people not paying attention ...
Just my take on this
 
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If they get rid of the unlimited plan and don't grandfather in people that currently have unlimited data, I will drop Verizon in a heartbeat and sell my Incredible. I've been waiting on a replacement from Verizon since May 5th and have still not received it yet. Worst customer service ever.

Yea if they do this and don't grandfather I am gone too. I'll just get a basic prepaid phone and go back to the laptop for all my data needs. It's getting lonely I'm sure. LOL :D
 
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If they get rid of the unlimited plan and don't grandfather in people that currently have unlimited data, I will drop Verizon in a heartbeat and sell my Incredible. I've been waiting on a replacement from Verizon since May 5th and have still not received it yet. Worst customer service ever.

Do you expect Verizon to keeps hundreds of phones locked away in case someone like you breaks their phone and needs a new one? I don't. Don't cite bad customer service because they can't overnight you a replacement while thousands of people are waiting for their first one.
 
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My gut tells me, anyone currently on unlimited will stay for all exisiting plans already executed --- Just the new people coming on board will have to go to tiered --- I also think this will start in the near future, 2 -4 months from now

What I am concerned about is if we upgrade our phones and execute a new contract, then we might have to go to the tiered plan ...
 
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