Verizon targeting mid-summer for tiered data plans

[robdec17]

From engadget.com

Just in time for the LTE phones

Verizon's made no secret of the fact that $30 unlimited smartphone data wouldn't last forever, but CFO Fran Shammo just made things a little more interesting today at the same Morgan Stanley conference Sanjay Jha rocked yesterday: turns out they're targeting "mid-summer" to rearrange the carrier's data pricing.

Verizon targeting mid-summer for tiered data plans, doesn't yet know what kinds of tiers they'll be -- Engadget

 

[jayishere]

woo, a few months of cheap, unlimited data!

 

[Flyguy94]

If we get the TB will we be grandfathered till we change our contract?

 

[Supradeac]

Yeah, does this mean we can lock in for 2 years of unlimited?

 

[theacoustician]

Tiered data is fine as long as they make hotspotting free. Ever look at your statement to see how much data you really use? I don't think I ever saw a month where I was over 300 megs. The average seemed more like 150 megs and I used my phone all the time. If the tiers are reasonable in size, then you could actually end up paying less.

 

[robdec17]

If we get the TB will we be grandfathered till we change our contract?

We don't know yet but I hope so.

 

[StillgotanEris]

Tiered data is fine as long as they make hotspotting free. Ever look at your statement to see how much data you really use? I don't think I ever saw a month where I was over 300 megs. The average seemed more like 150 megs and I used my phone all the time. If the tiers are reasonable in size, then you could actually end up paying less.

During my commute, I typically run Pandora in the car. That alone could put me over some of the lower data usages that AT&T has. I hope that if they do tier their data plans that they start much lower than the current $30/month. If they start at $30/month for 1GB or something like that, I'm done with Verizon.

I'm also interested in hearing what will happen with phones activated before this takes place. From what I understand talking to VZW employees, data plans aren't necessarily grandfathered in like voice plans. So I wonder if they can change data plans during your contract or if it will be for new phones only.

 

[robdec17]

I don't see how they could change it in the middle of a contract but nothing ever surprises me. Id be pissed if I signed up and agreed to pay $30 a month for two years then all of a sudden they tell me its $60 a month....

 

[theacoustician]

...or something like that, I'm done with Verizon.

If they do something like that, do you think they'll be the only ones? They're not going to do anything stupid that will put them at a competitive disadvantage. If their pricing ends up like this, all carriers will move to something like this.

 

[odiej34]

I don't see how they could change it in the middle of a contract but nothing ever surprises me. Id be pissed if I signed up and agreed to pay $30 a month for two years then all of a sudden they tell me its $60 a month....

You can opt out of your contract if they change the terms of your plan.

 

[AustinTech]

I don't see how they could change it in the middle of a contract but nothing ever surprises me. Id be pissed if I signed up and agreed to pay $30 a month for two years then all of a sudden they tell me its $60 a month....

Yeah, I don't see how they could do that either. Well, unless the contract says in fine print...very fine print..."we can charge you whatever the hell we want and you gotta pay..."

But that would be very deceptive.

I'll tell you what though - before I buy a t-bolt, I will find out. I'm not dropping $250-300 on a phone and then paying some nutso amount per month to be able to use it.

 

[AustinTech]

You can opt out of your contract if they change the terms of your plan.

And what do you do with the phone you bought at a subsidized price because of the long term contract?

 

[rushmore]

And what do you do with the phone you bought at a subsidized price because of the long term contract?

Their bad, but you than have a phone you can not use... Sell it?


VZW is leveraging their better coverage and banking on folks being captive to it.

 

[luvzmutt]

I've already used over 1GB of data on my DInc, and I am only on day 17 of my current billing cycle

 

[dalumberjack]

wow... i have unlimited data and after hearing what people use i decided I would check my usage for once.....

2,749,066 KB in one month..... um.... how the hell do I use that much? I don't tether (maybe once in a blue moon i did) but at work I use my phone a lot for the web....

 

[jayishere]

That's barely over 2GB...calm down, that isn't all that much.

 

[FrankXS]

If we get the TB will we be grandfathered till we change our contract?

Definitely. No worries. Just give 'em my name if you have any issues - FrankXS.

-Frank

 

[FrankXS]

Hmm... Mid-summer is about when the Thunderbolt is going to be released, right?

-Frank

 

[luvzmutt]

That's barely over 2GB...calm down, that isn't all that much.

I'm not too concerned, I'm just curious as to what the new tiered plans will be. I know that once I get the TB, I will use more data if Netflix will be available on the phone.

Also, will Skype use voice or data?

 

[LoyalServant]

I use between 2-3GB a month.
Email.. streaming.. etc.

I don't think that their tier changes will affect most people.
They are probably after the people that tether and use insane amounts of data every month.

 

[aodmisery]

yeah i hope they come out with a good data plan cause i think 30 dollars is too much i know its unlimited but i rarely use alot of data im near a computer most of the time so i just use that.i need something like 20 bucks for 2gb

 

[theacoustician]

They are probably after the people that tether and use insane amounts of data every month.

This.

They know they can't stop people from rooting and using the free tether. So instead, they're aiming at charging for overall usage.

 

[Cypressfunk]

a little more info here

Verizon: HTC Thunderbolt coming 'very shortly,' LTE tiered pricing too | ZDNet

 

[project.in.process]

a little more info here

Verizon: HTC Thunderbolt coming 'very shortly,' LTE tiered pricing too | ZDNet

oy, why did i read this?!

but really, though. even tethering, i'm barely using under a Gig a month.
even if they do introduce tiered pricing--i'm pretty sure i'll fall under a cheap one.

but, talking about giving more speed to the higher paying customers---that's just wrong. it's the same internet. my LTE better be the same speed as someone who would pay more.

 

[theacoustician]

oy, why did i read this?!

but really, though. even tethering, i'm barely using under a Gig a month.
even if they do introduce tiered pricing--i'm pretty sure i'll fall under a cheap one.

but, talking about giving more speed to the higher paying customers---that's just wrong. it's the same internet. my LTE better be the same speed as someone who would pay more.

What? You already pay for guarantees on the speed of your cable and DSL. Why should you be entitled to the same speed as someone else who's willing to pay more?