Looks like unlimited data end is near..

[addictedtocars]

Verizon eyes family data plans | Reuters

Looks like VZ is opening talking about ending it during the summer now.

 

[ccoager]

Another story:
Verizon: Say So Long to Unlimited Data | PCWorld

 

[ccoager]

Couple questions...

I already have Verizon with an unlimited plan. Will I be grandfathered in and stay unlimited?

I'm paying for 3g unlimited right now, do I have to do anything to my account to use 4g? If so I would like to make this change before they drop unlimited. That is, depending on question #1.

 

[addictedtocars]

Couple questions...

I already have Verizon with an unlimited plan. Will I be grandfathered in and stay unlimited?

I'm paying for 3g unlimited right now, do I have to do anything to my account to use 4g? If so I would like to make this change before they drop unlimited. That is, depending on question #1.

Noone knows for sure, but what I suspect is you will be grand fathered, but I suspect once all the major players go tiered they will eventually force people to tiered. ATT if you had 3G unlimited and get a 4G (their joke of 4G that is) they keep you unlimited, but they call it a 4G plan.

 

[actofgod]

To be honest, it would not surprise me if this is why they are holding off on the dual core 4g phones.

 

[asmonica]

So what should I do?? I have an upgrade, and I was waiting for a dual core 4g phone. Should I just go with the droid x2 now and hope that I get to keep my unlimited data, or should i chance it and wait for the bionic and possibly be forced to get a capped 4g plan. what do you guys think?

 

[moondrius]

You could try going to best buy and buy a current 4g phone. Once it is on the account it will be flagged for unlimited data and lte access. Return it and maybe those features will stay on. No promise that it will work or that when the Bionic comes out they will grandfather you in. But if your account has the unlimited data/lte feature I cant see them trying to take it away.

 

[Clementine_3]

You could try going to best buy and buy a current 4g phone. Once it is on the account it will be flagged for unlimited data and lte access. Return it and maybe those features will stay on. No promise that it will work or that when the Bionic comes out they will grandfather you in. But if your account has the unlimited data/lte feature I cant see them trying to take it away.

Every time you buy a subsidized phone you have to sign a new contract. That means you get to keep nothing you had before. If you buy full retail or through classifieds/craigslist etc. you "should" be able to keep your contract without having to change anything but I wouldn't count on that as being absolute.

 

[ccoager]

Are people thinking if they have a 3g plan that they should upgrade to a 4g plan before tiered pricing comes out so they are grandfathered in?

 

[asmonica]

Are people thinking if they have a 3g plan that they should upgrade to a 4g plan before tiered pricing comes out so they are grandfathered in?

I'm mainly wondering if the bionic release and tiered data will be simultaneous. I want the bionic, but I don't want to wait until they get rid of unlimited. I'd rather just get an x2 an have unlimited 3G than have limited 4g. If money were no Object, I'd just use my upgrade right now and get a thunderbolt, then when the bionic cOmes out, just buy it and sell the thunderbolt. Unfortunately, I only have one shot with my new-every-two

 

[actofgod]

I'm in the same boat, fml

 

[jfoey22]

A popular route myself and others are taking is purchasing from Costco. You can exchange your phone within 90 days of original purchase. So, you could purchase a 4g phone now and hope the Bionic or something else comes out within 90 days. You might want to hold of for a month or so to give yourself a better chance. The other thing is Costco doesn't always carry the latest phones. They do currently carry the Charge and I heard they will be carrying the thunderbolt soon.

 

[asmonica]

A popular route myself and others are taking is purchasing from Costco. You can exchange your phone within 90 days of original purchase. So, you could purchase a 4g phone now and hope the Bionic or something else comes out within 90 days. You might want to hold of for a month or so to give yourself a better chance. The other thing is Costco doesn't always carry the latest phones. They do currently carry the Charge and I heard they will be carrying the thunderbolt soon.

wow, so they will let me use my upgrade? I will definitely do this. This is the answer I have been looking for! So if I keep my receipt, they will just exchange my phone and put the subsidized cost towards a new phone at subsidized cost even though I already used my upgrade? thanks for the tip!

 

[jfoey22]

wow, so they will let me use my upgrade? I will definitely do this. This is the answer I have been looking for! So if I keep my receipt, they will just exchange my phone and put the subsidized cost towards a new phone at subsidized cost even though I already used my upgrade? thanks for the tip!

That is my understanding, yes. Keep in mind they do not always carry every phone. Like I said, right now they do not have the thunderbolt or the Apple.

 

[asmonica]

That is my understanding, yes. Keep in mind they do not always carry every phone. Like I said, right now they do not have the thunderbolt or the Apple.

Sweet! I'll probably wait a month then maybe the charge will even go down in price! does it still work if i buy online?

 

[jfoey22]

Sweet! I'll probably wait a month then maybe the charge will even go down in price! does it still work if i buy online?

Not sure, make sure to follow these forums because somebody is claiming you can only exchange your phone for an exchange of the exact same phone. Stay tuned or get clarification from your local Costco.

 

[droidtime]

Haha. I think I'm going to get a phone from costco to do the 90 day exchange thing as well. By what date do you think we should sign up though...to lock in the unlimited data? Do you think Verizon will at least announce the date by which it plans to eliminate unlimited data?

 

[jfoey22]

Haha. I think I'm going to get a phone from costco to do the 90 day exchange thing as well. By what date do you think we should sign up though...to lock in the unlimited data? Do you think Verizon will at least announce the date by which it plans to eliminate unlimited data?

I would think they will make the change just ahead of the next major release. I am guessing that would be either the Targa or IP5. I doubt we will have much if any notice. To secure a plan, i would buy a phone by middle to late June. Could be later.

 

[mpciii]

Every time you buy a subsidized phone you have to sign a new contract. That means you get to keep nothing you had before. If you buy full retail or through classifieds/craigslist etc. you "should" be able to keep your contract without having to change anything but I wouldn't count on that as being absolute.

This isn't always the way it's worked with Verizon. I had a mobile broadband plan a few months before they capped it at 5gbs. When I bought a mifi as my next subsidized device, I kept the unlimited data plan. I'm pretty sure if you have unlimited 4g it will stay as long as you keep that line. Now if you are switching from 3g to 4g it probably won't. They would consider 4g phones not compatible with the current 3g plan and make you to choose a new 4g compatible plan. They could change this but I don't see why they would.

 

[Clementine_3]

You are right, it doesn't always work that way and they do let you keep what you had...sometimes. If they no longer offer a plan or service they usually won't let you keep it when you upgrade. Nothing is always, so YMMV.
What they do when tiered pricing comes is anyone's guess, but if you change devices I'd be willing to bet they won't let you keep unlimited data.