Verizon to ditch phone plans, go with shared plans

[BrAinPaiNt]

I am pretty ignorant when it comes to these cell phone plans so I don't know if this is a good or bad thing but my guess is that it is probably not a good thing.

LINK TO ARTICLE

NEW YORK (AP) -- Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest cellphone company, is dropping nearly all of its phone plans in favor of pricing schemes that allow consumers to share data usage among up to ten phones and other devices.

The new plans will let individuals add non-phone devices like tablets and laptops to their plans, as well as the phones of family members.

The change takes effect June 28.

 

[casmith07]

This is the way ahead, and has been discussed a lot leading up to it.

Basically, you will no longer sign up for "minutes" and then "data" and all of that -- with the advent of LTE being an extremely fast wireless network, all phone calls will essentially be VoIP calls. You will purchase wireless data plans, and then all of your phones/devices (tablets, etc.) will share that parcel of data monthly.

The interesting thing is going to be seeing how much bandwidth up/down voice calls take up. As well as sending picture/video messages, etc. It could get problematic. But it SHOULD in the long run TECHNICALLY make cellular data plans more affordable because of the tech. But we'll see. They'll likely gouge prices for a while especially as long as lawmakers don't step in and regulate this kind of stuff.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Soon everything will be data only, because everything (voice, tv, etc along with everything that is already delivered data) will all be delivered over data networks.

If you've got "the bundle" at home. (tv, voice, internet) Chances are a large portion of all information traveling across that coaxial line that enters your home, is traveling over either TCP or UDP.

 

[Cajuncowboy]

I might be wrong but it looks like you can have two smartphones sharing unlimited talk and text and share 2 gig of data per month for 60.00. That sounds like a pretty good deal.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I am pretty ignorant when it comes to these cell phone plans so I don't know if this is a good or bad thing but my guess is that it is probably not a good thing.

LINK TO ARTICLE

NEW YORK (AP) -- Verizon Wireless, the nation's largest cellphone company, is dropping nearly all of its phone plans in favor of pricing schemes that allow consumers to share data usage among up to ten phones and other devices.

The new plans will let individuals add non-phone devices like tablets and laptops to their plans, as well as the phones of family members.

The change takes effect June 28.

For many it's not. Our kids have phones, but none of them have data plans. I've bought them smartphones because they wanted one, but I bought them outright because I refuse to let them have a data plan.

People who don't want a data plan get screwed here as their price just went up. Verizon is expensive anyhow compared to companies like T-Mobile.

 

[YosemiteSam]

I might be wrong but it looks like you can have two smartphones sharing unlimited talk and text and share 2 gig of data per month for 60.00. That sounds like a pretty good deal.

No, it's around $150/mo. Not $60. I have Verizon and my minutes and texts are not unlimited and I have the 2GB data plan (though I get 4GB due to a special) and my phone bill after taxes is almost $90/mo. There is no way they are going to give you *two* lines with more than what I have with one and then do it for 2/3 of the price.

 

[Cajuncowboy]

No, it's around $150/mo. Not $60. I have Verizon and my minutes and texts are not unlimited and I have the 2GB data plan (though I get 4GB due to a special) and my phone bill after taxes is almost $90/mo. There is no way they are going to give you *two* lines with more than what I have with one and then do it for 2/3 of the price.

This is what the article said....

The data allowances start at $50 per month for 1 gigabyte. That's enough for prudent two-smartphone users who use Wi-Fi a lot, but Verizon recommends getting 2 gigabytes for $60. After that, each additional 2 gigabytes cost an extra $10 per month.

did I read this wrong?

Edit: I see where it says 90 per month for 1 gig. Then 10 for the second gig.

But what is the add for the second phone?

 

[YosemiteSam]

This is what the article said....

The data allowances start at $50 per month for 1 gigabyte. That's enough for prudent two-smartphone users who use Wi-Fi a lot, but Verizon recommends getting 2 gigabytes for $60. After that, each additional 2 gigabytes cost an extra $10 per month.

did I read this wrong?

Edit: I see where it says 90 per month for 1 gig. Then 10 for the second gig.

But what is the add for the second phone?

Verizon's new "Share Everything" plans include unlimited phone calls and texting, and will start at $90 per month for one smartphone and 1 gigabyte of data.

I believe the $50 is just data. I guess it's $50 for the first GB then $10 for second GB and $10 each additional 2GB after 2GBs.

The unlimited talk and text is the other $40 to make the initial cost $90 for the first line and 1GB of data. Then $10 for each additional devices that isn't a USB device which is $20.

EDIT: So, 2 phones with 2GBs of data and unlimited talk and text would be $110 + tax probably.

 

[Cajuncowboy]

I believe the $50 is just data. I guess it's $50 for the first GB then $10 for second GB and $10 each additional GB after 2GBs.

The unlimited talk and text is the other $40 to make it $90 for the first line and 1GB of data. Then $10 for each additional devices that isn't a USB device which is $20.

So it looks like for two lines with unlimited talk and text and two gigs shared would be 110.00.

1st line 40 for voice and text 60 for 2 GB data and then 10 for each extra line.

EDIT: Posted before I saw your edit.

 

[rocboy22]

I believe the $50 is just data. I guess it's $50 for the first GB then $10 for second GB and $10 each additional 2GB after 2GBs.

The unlimited talk and text is the other $40 to make the initial cost $90 for the first line and 1GB of data. Then $10 for each additional devices that isn't a USB device which is $20.

EDIT: So, 2 phones with 2GBs of data and unlimited talk and text would be $110 + tax probably.

i could really go for this. I am paying 160 plus taxes, making it 180, per month for 2 phones with 2gb a piece. I do not need that much data, and have always wished we could share the 2gb. Around the house we use our wireless.

 

[Duane]

Going to check out the T-Mobile Monthly 4G once my contract with Verizon is up. I never use my voice minutes so I could go from $70 a month to close to $30 by using the 100 minute plan.

http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-plans

 

[Cajuncowboy]

http://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/2012/06/12/verizon-rolls-out-shared-data-plans/

This story says the above example would be 140.00. 90 for the first line with 1 gig of data plus 10 for the extra gig and 40 for the second line.

From the article.


The cheapest plan, which would be just one smartphone and 1GB of data, would cost $90. Additional smartphones are $40 and tablets tack on another $10.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

My plan up here is just for me as Mrs CCF gets her's through work. I pay including tax about $55.00 for a normal month, 200 weekday minutes to my non top 5 calls, unlimited text, unlimited weekends and evenings, 1 gig of data.

I pay more when I get add ons for travel to the US etc. My firm also reimburses me so no biggie.

 

[vta]

http://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/2012/06/12/verizon-rolls-out-shared-data-plans/

This story says the above example would be 140.00. 90 for the first line with 1 gig of data plus 10 for the extra gig and 40 for the second line.

From the article.


The cheapest plan, which would be just one smartphone and 1GB of data, would cost $90. Additional smartphones are $40 and tablets tack on another $10.

It's all junk. Add taxes and FCC charges and you have this money vampire sucking a good chunk of your money every month. Is 150.00+ for yapping with people really a valuable thing?

 

[Kangaroo]

I am still unlimited on verizon grandfathered in my contract is up in October and I am bailing on them.

 

[TheCount]

http://www.foxbusiness.com/technology/2012/06/12/verizon-rolls-out-shared-data-plans/

This story says the above example would be 140.00. 90 for the first line with 1 gig of data plus 10 for the extra gig and 40 for the second line.

From the article.


The cheapest plan, which would be just one smartphone and 1GB of data, would cost $90. Additional smartphones are $40 and tablets tack on another $10.

That sounds about right, I'm under no delusion this move is being made to save me a dime.

 

[03EBZ06]

I have Sprint's unlimited data for $82 a month after some (Boeing) employee discounts. I have EVO4 phone so that includes 4G network, which is $10 extra compared to Sprint's 3G phones.

 

[burmafrd]

If you just want a phone go with NET 10; I pay just over $16 a month for 200 minutes. I think for 300 it is around $25.

 

[Tusan_Homichi]

Doesn't seem like a bad deal really. I'm somewhat surprised it's not worse.

 

[Longboysfan]

What if you just talk and text - mostly.
I get a rare pdf or jpg file sent to me.