What to do with my unlimited data plan?

thecarlsoncrew · Apr 12, 2014

Hello, fellow Androidians! I'm eligible for an upgrade and am looking at getting the S5 very soon. I currently have one of the grandfathered unlimited data plans from Verizon, and I'm deliberating on whether or not to give it up. Before I make an unrecoverable change like that, I wanted to get some additional opinions or pros/cons to doing so. Here's a summary of my thought process...

Up until a few months ago, I used the hotspot feature on my rooted phone a lot. Also, I was rarely in a wifi zone, so I was stuck using LTE data for pretty much everything. It was a no-brainer, and I would definitely have paid for the phone outright to keep it. Due to some recent job/environment changes, I don't really need the hotspot functionality anymore, and I have wifi pretty much everywhere I go on a regular basis. So...on the one hand I really don't want to give up unlimited data because I have this nagging suspicion that it'll become more and more valuable as time goes on. On the other hand, I really don't need it any more so it is hard to justify the higher price tag for an unsubsidized phone, and it seems likely that at some point Verizon will force out everyone with the grandfathered plans anyway. The Edge plan seems okay, but I'm not exactly a phone hopper - I've had only two high-end Android phones over the past 5-6 years (I like customizing my device exactly like I want it, and having to do that over and over again is tedious!).

To the great Android community masses: I would welcome any pro/con guidance, inside knowledge, or anything I'm missing right now that might help make the decision more clear.

Thanks a bunch!

Rukbat · Apr 12, 2014

Unless you're using an old piece of junk, you could just keep your current phone and your current plan for a while. (Once you've gone long enough to be off-contract, you can do anything you like.)

thecarlsoncrew · Apr 12, 2014

Rukbat said:
Unless you're using an old piece of junk, you could just keep your current phone and your current plan for a while. (Once you've gone long enough to be off-contract, you can do anything you like.)

My phone is aging, and definitely needs to be replaced. I am already off-contract, so like you said, I can do anything at this point. I'm trying to figure out if there's any point to keeping my unlimited data plan...or not.

Thanks!

Groundhog45 · Apr 12, 2014

I feel your pain. I didn't want to give up the unlimited but was ready for something new. If you're on VZW, they will give you 6GB when you replace the unlimited plan. I think they will eventually just tell everyone that their unlimited plan is cancelled and move on. Got my S5 yesterday and my wife's iPhone 5S in Feb. so now no more unlimited. Never used even 1GB per month so oh well...

BusaRider · Apr 12, 2014

I paid full retail and just swapped over the SIM from my S4, I'm not giving up my unlimited data.

CopperWires · Apr 12, 2014

It's simple math. You'll spend more if you drop the unlimited plan because the tiered data plans are more expensive. You could pay $600 for a phone that isn't subsidized and still save $300+ over the 24 month contract.

Lisa B · Apr 13, 2014

I was in the same situation with unlimited data, but I was able to transfer my upgrade to my daughters line, which does not have unlimited data, I ordered my new Galaxy s5 and when i received it yesterday I called verizon and activated it on my phone line instead of hers. It does not change my current unlimited data plan. hopefully you have another person on your plan, also it does not remove or change there upgrade date they currently have.

Kod1ak · Apr 13, 2014

The manager at the Verizon store that I went to was able to upgrade both my line and another family member's line to the S5. We have 4 lines on the account and all were eligible for a new phone. They were able to get around the plan upgrade somehow and keep us on our unlimited data plan. We also still got the 2 for 1 deal. The only difference was that we had to pay more up front but got a larger rebate back. The manager really hooked us up.

This is a new store that we haven't been to before and I can tell you I will not shop anywhere else because of the how much this manager went out of his way to make sure I was happy.

Now you may want to shop around a bit. I told the guy that I was thinking about canceling my phone because I have a work line through Sprint that's an iPhone. That was true...I had been thinking about it. That's when the guy told me there were other options and that I could keep my unlimited data and get the new phone.

Anyway...definitely go to multiple stores. Ask to talk to the manager. Tell them that you are thinking about possibly cancelling your account because you got a better option...UNLESS you can somehow keep your unlimited data and your current plan...and still get the phone without having to pay full retail.

desmofan · Apr 13, 2014

Groundhog45 said:
I feel your pain. I didn't want to give up the unlimited but was ready for something new. If you're on VZW, they will give you 6GB when you replace the unlimited plan. I think they will eventually just tell everyone that their unlimited plan is cancelled and move on. Got my S5 yesterday and my wife's iPhone 5S in Feb. so now no more unlimited. Never used even 1GB per month so oh well...

This is the exact situation I'm in; grandfathered unlimited data, been offered the 6GB plan, and so on. My concern about upgrading and losing unlimited data is that the 6GB offer could go away anytime, and the new data plans are very expensive. I think (I could be wrong) that it will be more difficult for VZW to get rid of the unlimited plans than it would for them to gradually raise the price of the limited data plans. I tend to buy used phones that are a year or so old, and thereby keep my unlimited plan and still get a good phone. Right now, I'm using an S3 I bought 1 1/2 years ago, and it's working ok.

ANewDay · Apr 13, 2014

You can always sell phone to recuperate some of the costs so it won't cost as much to keep unlimited.

lykofos · Apr 14, 2014

I was in the same boat when I upgraded to the S5 yesterday. I ended up just buying the phone at full retail / off contract from the verizon store. I sat down and did the math before going to the store.

Over the past 6 months, my lowest usage was 7.5gb and my highest was 17.9gb. Even with paying the full retail price up front, I'll still be saving an additional minimum of $800 over the course of 2yrs. Any of the tiered plans were a lose / lose situation based on my usage.

It was kind of funny though. The salesman threw me the 6gb pitch, the verizon edge program pitch, and just about anything he could think of to convince me to get the phone at a discount and switch to a tiered plan. I explained the math to him and said that I didn't care about the high initial cost of paying full retail. He finally gave up and finished ringing up my order. I still have unlimited data and am very happy!

PsychDoc · Apr 14, 2014

I'm in the same boat but I'm almost always around wifi so my monthly data useage averages 1/2 to 3/4 of 1 gig. I think for me 6 gigs is effectively the same as unlimited. So while I'm reluctant to give up my unlimited data (even though I never use it) I think I'm going to make the jump to the 6 gig plan. I never keep a phone longer than two years so I know that buying is probably not the best option for me.

Btdrnks · Apr 14, 2014

CopperWires said:
It's simple math. You'll spend more if you drop the unlimited plan because the tiered data plans are more expensive. You could pay $600 for a phone that isn't subsidized and still save $300+ over the 24 month contract.

Doesnt that really depend on how much data you use? I use 6-8 gb a month, and, while i havent done this yet, If i were to buy a new phone for full price it is actually be more expensive than if I went tiered right now with the edge plans and my corporate discount.

Currently on:
$89 Unlimited Talk/Text
$29 Unlimited Data with a 18% feature discount
$599 for a new S5/24 months = ~$25

= $137.78

Tiered 10Gb
$40 Unlimited Talk/Text-$25 for edge
$100 10Gb data with a 18% feature discount
$25/month for edge S5

= $122.00

So, how is tiered data more expensive for me right now?

Btdrnks · Apr 14, 2014

lykofos said:
I was in the same boat when I upgraded to the S5 yesterday. I ended up just buying the phone at full retail / off contract from the verizon store. I sat down and did the math before going to the store.

Over the past 6 months, my lowest usage was 7.5gb and my highest was 17.9gb. Even with paying the full retail price up front, I'll still be saving an additional minimum of $800 over the course of 2yrs. Any of the tiered plans were a lose / lose situation based on my usage.

It was kind of funny though. The salesman threw me the 6gb pitch, the verizon edge program pitch, and just about anything he could think of to convince me to get the phone at a discount and switch to a tiered plan. I explained the math to him and said that I didn't care about the high initial cost of paying full retail. He finally gave up and finished ringing up my order. I still have unlimited data and am very happy!

Can you explain your math here?

lykofos · Apr 14, 2014

I have the numbers / math on a sheet of paper at home. I'll type it up and post it when I get off of work this evening.

CopperWires · Apr 14, 2014

Btdrnks said:
Doesnt that really depend on how much data you use? I use 6-8 gb a month, and, while i havent done this yet, If i were to buy a new phone for full price it is actually be more expensive than if I went tiered right now with the edge plans and my corporate discount.

Currently on:
$89 Unlimited Talk/Text
$29 Unlimited Data with a 18% feature discount
$599 for a new S5/24 months = ~$25

= $137.78

Tiered 10Gb
$40 Unlimited Talk/Text-$25 for edge
$100 10Gb data with a 18% feature discount
$25/month for edge S5

= $122.00

So, how is tiered data more expensive for me right now?

Well it all depends on what voice and text plan the OP is on as the data usage has already been quoted.

You save $10 per month on your plan with EDGE on 250mb to 8GB of data. 10 GB or more you save $25 just so we get the info correct.

I personally have an individual plan with 450 minutes, unlimited text, and unlimited data.

450 Minutes - $39.99
Unlimited Text - $20.00
Unlimited Data - $29.99

~ $90 / mo x 24 = $2160
add phone ($600) = $2760 over a 2 year cycle

EDGE and Tiered plans

Monthly access = $35 with EDGE discount
Data = $90 (8GB) my avg. usage

$125 / mo x 24 = $3000
add phone ($200) = $3200 over a 2 year cycle

Switch to 4GB / mo and you're about the same price. Oh and add the price of a new phone after you've paid 50% of it. You could really make it worth their while to offer a plan like this.

Granted, the edge plan takes some sting out of it and was offered after I did my original calculations. It's still not worth it to ME to get ride of my unlimited plan since I'M averaging 8 GB and have used upwards of 16 GB. And the voice plan that he has with his unlimited data will obviously sway the results into your favor.

So I'll admit, my calcs are faulted due to not knowing his current plan. My original intent was to ask that people do all the calculations before diving off the deep end. Once the unlimited is gone, there is no getting it back.

lykofos · Apr 14, 2014

Btdrnks said:
Can you explain your math here?

Your savings will vary based on your current plan and usage. But taking my average usage over the past 6 months (lowest usage 7.5gb and highest 17.9gb), I would need at least the 12GB plan, and even then I would go way over if I hit 17.9gb again. I also used the same amount of gov't / vzw taxes on each one to get an idea of total cost.

From my last bill:

My Current Unlimited Plan + Buying full retail:

Nationwide 450 Talk & Text (450 minutes / unlimited texting) = +$59.99
18% Access Discount = -$10.80
Email & Web Unlimited (aka unlimited data) = +$29.99
20% Feature Discount = -6.00
Total Equipment Coverage = +8
VZW Surcharges / taxes = +$5.21, Government Charges / taxes = +$4.41 => combined and rounded to $10 for simplicity's sake

Total Monthly Bill = $90.80

90.80 x 24months = $2179.20 + $599.99 (full retail S5) = $2779.19 2yr total cost

8GB Share Everything - Tiered Plan

8gb data, unlimited talk / txt = +$90
18% access discount = -$16.2
Monthly line access fee = +$40
Total Equipment Coverage = +8
VZW Surcharges / taxes and Government Charges / taxes = +$10

Total Monthly Bill = $131.80
131.80 x 24 = $3163.20 + $199.99 (contract discount S5 price) = $3363.19 2yr total cost

10GB Share Everything

10gb data, unlimited talk / txt = +$100
18% access discount = -$18
You get the idea, using the same math as in the previous ones

Total Monthly Bill = $140

140 x 24 = $3360 + $199.99 (contract discount S5 price) = $3559.99 2yr total cost

12GB Share Everything

12gb data, unlimited talk / txt = +$110
18% access discount = -$19.80
You get the idea, using the same math as in the previous ones

Total Monthly Bill = $148.2

148.2 x 24 = $3556.8 + $199.99 (contract discount S5 price) = $3756.79 2yr total cost

14GB Share Everything

14gb data, unlimited talk / txt = +$120
18% access discount = -$21.6
You get the idea, using the same math as in the previous ones

Total Monthly Bill = $156.4

156.4 x 24 = $3753.6 + $199.99 (contract discount S5 price) = $3953.59 2yr total cost

18GB Share Everything

18gb data, unlimited talk / txt = +$140
18% access discount = -$25.2
using the same math as in the previous ones

Total Monthly Bill = $172.8

172.8 x 24 = $4147.2 + $199.99 (contract discount S5 price) = $4347.19 2yr total cost

Verizon Edge 8GB (ended up being the worst value of all, even calculated at a 1yr rate, as you can upgrade phones after 1 year)

8 gb data, unlimited talk / txt = +$90
18% access discount = -$16.2
Monthly line access fee = +$40
Edge Fee = $24.99
Total Equipment Coverage = +8
VZW Surcharges / taxes and Government Charges / taxes = +$10

Total Monthly Bill = $156.79
156.79 x 12 = $1881.48
$1881.48 1yr total cost (you turn in your old phone and get a new one after a year)

My Current Unlimited Plan + Buying full retail (1yr as to compare against the Edge Program):

Total Monthly Bill = $90.80

90.80 x 12months = $1089.6 + $599.99 (full retail S5) = $1689.59 1yr total cost (still $191.89 cheaper than Edge Program and I actually own the phone / can resell it for even more profit)

** Ending Comparison Summary:**

8GB Share Everything: $3363.19 2yr total cost (8gb share everything) - $2779.19 2yr total cost (keeping my current unlimited plan and paying full retail for the S5) = $584 more expensive
10GB Share Everything: $780.82 more expensive
12GB Share Everything: $977.60 more expensive
14GB Share Everything: $1174.40 more expensive
18GB Share Everything: $1568 more expensive
Verizon Edge: 1yr =$191.89 more expensive and you have to turn in the phone to upgrade

BusaRider · Apr 14, 2014

lykofos said:
I was in the same boat when I upgraded to the S5 yesterday. I ended up just buying the phone at full retail / off contract from the verizon store. I sat down and did the math before going to the store.

Over the past 6 months, my lowest usage was 7.5gb and my highest was 17.9gb. Even with paying the full retail price up front, I'll still be saving an additional minimum of $800 over the course of 2yrs. Any of the tiered plans were a lose / lose situation based on my usage.

It was kind of funny though. The salesman threw me the 6gb pitch, the verizon edge program pitch, and just about anything he could think of to convince me to get the phone at a discount and switch to a tiered plan. I explained the math to him and said that I didn't care about the high initial cost of paying full retail. He finally gave up and finished ringing up my order. I still have unlimited data and am very happy!

They did the same thing to me. I had the manager and 2 sales people trying to talk me out of paying full retail and switching to a tiered data plan. They threw everything but the kitchen sink at me trying to get me to do something that involves extending my contract and going to a tiered plan. At one point I thought they were going to try refusing to sell me the phone for full retail to see if they could make me so what they wanted but I think they thought better of it.

jb112 · Apr 15, 2014

I've got two lines at 4gb a month, and two lines on unlimited data, 1200 talk between the 4, and unlimited text. My bill is $252.00 monthly with one discounted line?! Sounds like I am paying too much. I'm on VZW because nothing else can touch it where I am. But, I could go with a 14gb share everything and save a TON of money... I think.

Kod1ak · Apr 15, 2014

I will say this again...ask around. Got to multiple stores. I had a 1400 minute plan with 4 lines and unlimited data on 2 of those. I went in and talked to the manager. I told them that I was probably going to cancel my line because I have a work phone through Sprint that has unlimited data and if I had to upgrade to a standard data plan...why bother.

He informed me that there were ways around upgrading my unlimited data plan. He was able to give me the 2 phones for 1 deal and renew us for 2 years on our current plan. We are still on our old 1400 min plan and unlimited data and we got the phones for $200 (2 for 1). Maybe this was a mistake by the manager but he seemed to indicate that where there's a will...there's a way. I was shocked when he said there were ways around the upgrade of the data plan. Anyway...just wanted to bring this up again.

thecarlsoncrew · Apr 16, 2014

Well, I certainly appreciate all the insights and thoughts here! I'm definitely going to try sweet-talking the manager and see if I can get the best of both worlds like Kod1ak did. We'll see what happens...

CopperWires · Apr 16, 2014

Let us know what happens!

skilaufen · Apr 16, 2014

My concern with losing an unlimited plan is that the trend seems to be needing more and more data in the coming years. I use more data now then I did when I got the first Droid years ago. As screens become sharper and apps grow larger the use of data seems to be growing. My kids now stream movies on long trips via my phone's hotspot. Netflix, Google Movies, Hulu, etc are all getting better and using more data. If Wifi is always available it would make sense to not worry about it, but for me I am not in a position to always have access to a Wifi hotspot.

This is just my opinion, but if Verizon makes money by getting people to pay for their data use then it would benefit them for people to need more and more data as time goes by.

ANewDay · Apr 16, 2014

Also, more and more wifi is readily available at the same time. Still, I never use wifi because of my unlimited data plan. IMO, a phone should always be connected without worrying about finding wifi.

Member112085 · Apr 17, 2014

CopperWires said:
Well it all depends on what voice and text plan the OP is on as the data usage has already been quoted.

You save $10 per month on your plan with EDGE on 250mb to 8GB of data. 10 GB or more you save $25 just so we get the info correct.

I personally have an individual plan with 450 minutes, unlimited text, and unlimited data.

450 Minutes - $39.99
Unlimited Text - $20.00
Unlimited Data - $29.99

~ $90 / mo x 24 = $2160
add phone ($600) = $2760 over a 2 year cycle

EDGE and Tiered plans

Monthly access = $35 with EDGE discount
Data = $90 (8GB) my avg. usage

$125 / mo x 24 = $3000
add phone ($200) = $3200 over a 2 year cycle

Switch to 4GB / mo and you're about the same price. Oh and add the price of a new phone after you've paid 50% of it. You could really make it worth their while to offer a plan like this.

Granted, the edge plan takes some sting out of it and was offered after I did my original calculations. It's still not worth it to ME to get ride of my unlimited plan since I'M averaging 8 GB and have used upwards of 16 GB. And the voice plan that he has with his unlimited data will obviously sway the results into your favor.

So I'll admit, my calcs are faulted due to not knowing his current plan. My original intent was to ask that people do all the calculations before diving off the deep end. Once the unlimited is gone, there is no getting it back.

Actually, with the Edge discount the monthly access would be $25 rather than $35. ($40 - $15). So $115 x 24 = $2760 + phone ($25 x 24= $600) = $3360.

For the same price you could have 10 GB because the discount is greater and that comps the increase. Either way, you have a better deal with your current plan and buying outright. For me, going to Edge got me an extra 2 GB and a new phone and my bill doesn't change and I didn't have to shell out $200. It was a no brainer for me. I lost my unlimited data a long time ago.

What to do with my unlimited data plan?

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