Keeping the unlimited data plan

Red Devil · Oct 4, 2012

I am planning on getting a Nexus device (or maybe even the Padfone2) when it comes out. I got the Bolt when they still had the unlimited data plan on Verizon. I know that we now need to pay the full price of the device in order to keep the unlimited plan. Does it make financial sense to do that over a 2-year period?

Is there any other loophole that could be exploited to keep the unlimited plan?

Also, what phones are you guys looking at in case you are switching? Is the Padfone2 likely to work on Verizon?

racefan25 · Oct 4, 2012

i would say it would depend on how much data you use on a monthly basis call verizon and they can give you a 3 month average of data used each month and go from there full retail is a lot of money VS there discount price.

DragonSlayer95 · Oct 5, 2012

From my understanding to keep your grandfathered unlimited data, can't upgrade without paying full retail or you'll be forced go with a limited plan seeing as how it's resetting your plan.

Sent From My HTC Evo 3D Using TapaTalk 2

racefan25 · Oct 5, 2012

dragonslayer95 said:
From my understanding to keep your grandfathered unlimited data, can't upgrade without paying full retail or you'll be forced go with a limited plan seeing as how it's resetting your plan.

Sent From My HTC Evo 3D Using TapaTalk 2

you are exactly correct I just upgraded 2 days ago and that is exactly how it works. You must pay full retail for phone to keep the unlimited data.

DragonSlayer95 · Oct 5, 2012

What I would do, look into Craigs list or ebay and try to find a cheap with clean esn of course, because you never know when you'll end up going over the data cap, tends to get expensive too

Sent From My HTC Evo 3D Using TapaTalk 2

AntimonyER · Oct 5, 2012

Just a heads up, I moved this to the Verizon subforum, since its a plan question.

One other option you can consider, if you have a family plan, you can add a line, pay the subsidized price for the smartphone of your choice, and then switch a dumbphone to it, so you can remove the data plan, making the line $10 mo plus taxes/fees. (~14.90 total for me) this comes out to ~$350 for the length of the extra line contract. This basically allows you to finance the difference between the subsidized and retail price over the length of the contract. And is actually a better deal if the subsidy exceeds $350.

whitecollar · Oct 7, 2012

I see this question so often so I feel I have to ask: do you all really--NEED unlimited data. Are you in situations where there is no wireless router all the time and you're using unlimited data? I ask merely for information.

Red Devil · Oct 10, 2012

In reality, I don't use much data, but it is very useful to have this modem sitting in my pocket in case I need to use the internet for an extended period of time like killing time at airports during long layovers. I have used my T'bolt several times to connect to the internet on my laptop. I often stream football (not hand-egg) on it as well.

Also, if the Asus Padfone 2 turns out to be compatible with the Verizon LTE radios, I will probably go for it. Since it can be used as a tablet as well, I'd be killing two birds with one stone. I'll probably use a TB of data each month and bring Verizon's networks on its knees

Clementine_3 · Oct 10, 2012

whitecollar said:
Are you in situations where there is no wireless router all the time and you're using unlimited data? I ask merely for information.

The day will come too when cable/internet companies charge per GB or have a bucket plan or something. I'm sure they are not going to sit back and let everyone use wireless to access their phones forever.

AntimonyER · Oct 11, 2012

whitecollar said:
I see this question so often so I feel I have to ask: do you all really--NEED unlimited data. Are you in situations where there is no wireless router all the time and you're using unlimited data? I ask merely for information.

In another thread we are talking about the transition to VoLTE. If Verizon throws minutes and texts into the data side, without sequestering that usage from your regular data usage. IF that happens, unlimited plans will be worth its weight in gold.

bberryhill0 · Oct 13, 2012

I rarely have access to Wifi and use over 4GB/month. If I switched to the shared plan my bill would go up $40/month.

Satires · Nov 1, 2012

Here's how I view it, either way you're going to pay...

My philosophy is to pay full price for the phone. If you break down out of pocket costs over a two year period, it comes to around 20 bucks a month give or take.

I use a lot of data and feel better knowing that I am not going to step over some data cap. If you use a lot of data, pay full retail.

I believe if you want a nexus, you might get it cheaper ordering it straight from Google and or Samsung.

jhawkkw · Nov 1, 2012

I don't think there is any way that Verizon carries the Padfone 2. It goes against their whole principle of pillaging your money by allowing you to use 2 devices as one. For that matter, it would surprise me if any US carrier would carry it. I think the only way to use one would to import it and use on AT&T or T-Mobile. The import will not work on Verizon because it's GSM only and not CDMA.

With the way subsidies work, you should check to see what your bill increase would be. Multiply that number by 24 and if it exceeds 400 dollars, then it would make sense to buy at full retail.

kyler13 · Nov 2, 2012

whitecollar said:
I see this question so often so I feel I have to ask: do you all really--NEED unlimited data. Are you in situations where there is no wireless router all the time and you're using unlimited data? I ask merely for information.

It's an easy answer for me. I don't need unlimited, but the fact of the matter is that my unlimited family plan with 2 phones costs me less per month than even the 2GB family share plan with two phones. As it is, I'd have to go with 4GB because while I average 1.8GB/month and my wife barely uses anything, I've exceeded 2GB in two of the last 5 months. So no, I don't need it, but I'm not looking to pay more either.

Red Devil · Nov 9, 2012

As most of you have said, paying full retail price for a phone is the only way to keep the unlimited data plan. In that case, do I need to compulsorily buy the phone from Verizon or can I get a Verizon-compatible phone from Amazon or eBay and take it to the Verizon store to keep my unlimited plan?

AntimonyER · Nov 10, 2012

As long as you pay full retail, it doesn't matter where the phone comes from, as long as it is certified for use on Verizon's network.

h4x0rj3ff · Nov 10, 2012

Satires said:
Here's how I view it, either way you're going to pay...

My philosophy is to pay full price for the phone. If you break down out of pocket costs over a two year period, it comes to around 20 bucks a month give or take.

I use a lot of data and feel better knowing that I am not going to step over some data cap. If you use a lot of data, pay full retail.

I believe if you want a nexus, you might get it cheaper ordering it straight from Google and or Samsung.

the problem here is that google only sells the gsm version of the nexus. not sure of samsung (and the lg nexus is only gsm anyways so verizon wont be able to carry it)

kyler13 · Nov 16, 2012

AntimonyER said:
As long as you pay full retail, it doesn't matter where the phone comes from, as long as it is certified for use on Verizon's network.

I just went through my online account to try an activate a Droid RAZR M I picked up for the wife. As I go through and request a 4G SIM card (she's coming from a 3G phone) it tells me my plan isn't compatible and I need to change to a "limited" data tier (not the Share Everything). Ummm, no. Nice try, Verizon. I bought this out-of-pocket. What's the deal here? My Galaxy Nexus, complete with SIM card, is compatible with my plan as-is. I guess I could go into a store, but the reps there are annoying as all get out. :mad:

euph_22 · Nov 16, 2012

kyler13 said:
I just went through my online account to try an activate a Droid RAZR M I picked up for the wife. As I go through and request a 4G SIM card (she's coming from a 3G phone) it tells me my plan isn't compatible and I need to change to a "limited" data tier (not the Share Everything). Ummm, no. Nice try, Verizon. I bought this out-of-pocket. What's the deal here? My Galaxy Nexus, complete with SIM card, is compatible with my plan as-is. I guess I could go into a store, but the reps there are annoying as all get out.

You can also call.

bberryhill0 · Nov 17, 2012

I bought an Incredible 4G that had never been activated. I called Verizon to activate it. They needed the number on the phone and the number on the SIM. Done deal.

kyler13 · Nov 19, 2012

kyler13 said:
I just went through my online account to try an activate a Droid RAZR M I picked up for the wife. As I go through and request a 4G SIM card (she's coming from a 3G phone) it tells me my plan isn't compatible and I need to change to a "limited" data tier (not the Share Everything). Ummm, no. Nice try, Verizon. I bought this out-of-pocket. What's the deal here? My Galaxy Nexus, complete with SIM card, is compatible with my plan as-is. I guess I could go into a store, but the reps there are annoying as all get out.

Still not sure why this couldn't have been done online. So I bit the bullet Saturday evening, toted the wife and kids into the Verizon store and much to my relief, we walked out 20 minutes later with an activated Razr M for her. No sales pitches, no questions, no costs, no needing to sign anything (I feel like I had to when I did this same thing over a year ago for my first 4G phone I bought off ebay). And best of all, still unlimited data, now with both our phones 4G.

Keeping the unlimited data plan

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