OT: Anybody else a VZW Unlimited Data 1%er?

PhilaPhans

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Apr 23, 2005
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Three cheers for taking it up the you-know-what next month when we get our $20 increases!
 

PhilaPhans

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Sprint's is going up $10. Verizon $20.

Definitely have to start paying attention closer to my bill and figure out my best options going forward.
 

RU4Real

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
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I have an unlimited VZW data plan on my phone through my employer. I also have a VZW Mi-Fi with an unlimited data plan. Since I never see the bill for either one, how much it costs doesn't really cause me any pain.
 

RU4Real

Heisman
Jul 25, 2001
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I honestly know next to nothing about hot spots and stuff. How much value do you find in those types of devices?

Well, for one thing, we use them on the job all the time. When we go out to customer sites we have network access without having to worry about "guest wi-fi".

For another, I can run the whole gamut of "on demand" television programming through it using a laptop or tablet. With my ChromeCast device on a full-size TV I can run the same programming to a large screen.
 

RUJohnny99

All-American
Nov 7, 2003
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Son of a b. First I'm hearing of this. Got the iPhone first day it was available on Verizon & the unlimited data for $30/mo ever since. I'm going to have to figure out whether it's worth it to keep it or stop averaging 11 gigs/month.
 

PhilaPhans

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Apr 23, 2005
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Son of a b. First I'm hearing of this. Got the iPhone first day it was available on Verizon & the unlimited data for $30/mo ever since. I'm going to have to figure out whether it's worth it to keep it or stop averaging 11 gigs/month.

Check your last bill. There may be a little note on it somewhere.

Exact same situation I'm in. I think I'm averaging 12-13 the last few months. Still on the same iPhone 4. Resisted upgrades to keep the plan. Missed out on the two day "glitch" that some people were able to upgrade without losing their plan. Now they're just trying to push everyone left out. Except for some people it may still be cheaper.
 

Bigtom2000

Redshirt
Dec 31, 2008
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I have the unlimited plan with Verizon.. and I will never give it up..

Its how I stream live TV at the Tailgates.

I average about 12GB a month.
 
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DHajekRC84

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Aug 9, 2001
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wait-what? I have a 10gig plan (with an extra 1 promo) and is that going up?

Funny how they can send email after email about upgrading to an new phone early but nothing about change of pricing (if that is the case)... 1 reason I do not like paperless billing.
 

dieselkeane

Junior
Jun 14, 2008
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Hold on I am not sure if I am following. I still have my Verizon 4s with unlimited data. Like many people here, I never upgraded to keep my unlimited service.
Are you saying next month we will no longer have the unlimited data plan and we will have to pay an addition $20 a month?

I currently use 12gigs of data a month.
 

PhilaPhans

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Apr 23, 2005
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We keep the unlimited plan for only the grandfathered people, but they're raising that unlimited package from $29.99 to $49.99.
 

PhilaPhans

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Apr 23, 2005
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wait-what? I have a 10gig plan (with an extra 1 promo) and is that going up?

I don't have a tiered plan, but here are the new tiers:

The Verizon Plan now offers five familiar choices for buying data that match how our customers use wireless service:
  • Small: $30/month for 1GB of shareable data
  • Medium: $45/month for 3GB of shareable data
  • Large: $60/month for 6GB of shareable data
  • X-Large: $80/month for 12GB of shareable data
  • XX-Large: $100/month for 18GB of sharable data
Each size comes with unlimited talk and text, and can be shared among up to 10 devices, with extra data available for just $15 per GB.

Monthly line-access charges on the Verizon Plan are simple, too – every smartphone line is $20 per month, tablet and Jetpack lines are $10 per month, and connected device lines for devices like smart watches are $5 per month.

Funny how they can send email after email about upgrading to an new phone early but nothing about change of pricing (if that is the case)... 1 reason I do not like paperless billing.

Yup. And it's happening with one billing cycle's notice. Supposedly there's a little note blocked off on your billing, whether paperless or paper. But I don't have fifty people calling me to tell me about the change like I do the same people trying to get me to upgrade to a different package.
 

Jesse_C

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Jan 17, 2002
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I know that TMobile's coverage still isn't as good, but man am I paying a lot less and I've got no real complaints about the service. Like, a lot less.
 

dieselkeane

Junior
Jun 14, 2008
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We keep the unlimited plan for only the grandfathered people, but they're raising that unlimited package from $29.99 to $49.99.
What is the deal with upgrading the phone? Can we now get a new phone or do we still have to have to one at face value?
 

nortonlax

Redshirt
Nov 30, 2005
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As other posters have noted, the big four are all generally following the same game plan WRT unlimited and high volume users.

That said, I'm just going to drop this in here, since I helped launch a company(https://www.defensemobile.com/) that works in this space. The point is that there are a lot of other ways to get your signal...we'e one of about a thousand in the US.

First-you have to be part of the military community to be a member. This includes Veterans, Reserve/Guard, Cadets, and families.
  • We use AT&T, Sprint, and very shortly will offer VZ signal as well.
  • Member care is in the US and staffed 100% by other Veterans.
  • We set aside 10% of our profit to go to non profits and other programs that support the community.
  • Prepaid, non-contract, no credit checks or deposit. (Side note-this is the way you should look hard at getting your wireless, regardless of who you use)
  • Lots more good, free stuff we bring to bear (like our free Veteran Benefits app, miliSOURCE)
  • Bring the phone and the number you have.
 

nortonlax

Redshirt
Nov 30, 2005
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I honestly know next to nothing about hot spots and stuff. How much value do you find in those types of devices?
Norton's opinion on hotspots...most people don't need these any more, since they typically have the capability built in to their phone.
 

PhilaPhans

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Apr 23, 2005
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What is the deal with upgrading the phone? Can we now get a new phone or do we still have to have to one at face value?

You can do the whole "pay $25/month" for a new phone without giving up the unlimited data. Or buy retail price. Anything else and you give up your plan.
 

Veiox

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Sep 30, 2013
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There is a reason why I have not given up my unlimited data plan. I average 80+ GB per month. So the bums are going to tack on $20...:(
 
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Veiox

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Sep 30, 2013
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Pandora and videos/movie streaming. As a college student I often have a few hours between classes and so I watch a movie or re-watch one of our games on ESPN3, etc. One month I used 105 GB. I never bother with wifi hotspots, etc.

I just checked and it is a light month so far for me, I have used 20.1 GB and today is 10th day of cycle. Looking like a 60GB month which is light for me.
 

KevH

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Jul 25, 2001
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Three cheers for taking it up the you-know-what next month when we get our $20 increases!

I figured it wouldn't last forever. Damn!

As more and more people unplug traditional tv service and flock to streaming services, look for the cost of Internet access to skyrocket folks.
 

KnightFan

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Dec 30, 2008
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Three cheers for taking it up the you-know-what next month when we get our $20 increases!
I have it and screw them.. Unlimited data and unlimited hotspot, which I use all of the time for work and family both

Verizon has been trying to screw unlimited plan holders to force them to give it up and I'm not going to.

I will however, use even more data
 

KevH

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Jul 25, 2001
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It costs an ISP around 1-3 cents for a gig of data... They are straight robbing people.

Internet access is the new crack, and they know it. What we need to do is start switching over to the cheap carriers en masse. Their networks may not be as robust (which is a pain in the ***), but the big boys have to be put in a position where they're competing for our business with lower priced providers. Make market forces work for US.
 

saran

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May 17, 2011
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I figured it wouldn't last forever. Damn!

As more and more people unplug traditional tv service and flock to streaming services, look for the cost of Internet access to skyrocket folks.

Yep - as a desktop person who loathes phones, laptops, mobile sites etc I hope people keep getting suckered into using data on little phones for an arm and a leg and subsidizing the telecoms
 

PSU_Nut_rivals17625

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May 29, 2001
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I know that TMobile's coverage still isn't as good, but man am I paying a lot less and I've got no real complaints about the service. Like, a lot less.
I am watching T-Mobile very closely. They are currently deploying equipment on their towers that is head and shoulder better quality then what Verizon or AT&T has. They maybe about two years away to rivaling them on area covered but where they do have coverage it can't be beat.
 
Nov 10, 2003
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This really sucks. My one son works in the city uses at least 22 g every month my other son uses about 12g a month and my wife only uses 1g a month. I don't have a smart phone, and both my sons pay me their share even though has moved into his own house. He said he will never get off my unlimited,lol.
 

theRU

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Dec 17, 2008
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It costs an ISP around 1-3 cents for a gig of data... They are straight robbing people.
i'm sure they're profiting but its a business isn't it? Sometimes people amaze me how they expect everything to be free.

These companies have huge overhead and capital investments
 

Leonard23

Heisman
Feb 2, 2006
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wait-what? I have a 10gig plan (with an extra 1 promo) and is that going up?

Funny how they can send email after email about upgrading to an new phone early but nothing about change of pricing (if that is the case)... 1 reason I do not like paperless billing.
Don't blame the company because you (& I & most people) don't read your ebill.

Hold on I am not sure if I am following. I still have my Verizon 4s with unlimited data. Like many people here, I never upgraded to keep my unlimited service.
Are you saying next month we will no longer have the unlimited data plan and we will have to pay an addition $20 a month?

I currently use 12gigs of data a month.
No. You will still have your unlimited data but it will cost $20 more per month.
I am watching T-Mobile very closely. They are currently deploying equipment on their towers that is head and shoulder better quality then what Verizon or AT&T has. They maybe about two years away to rivaling them on area covered but where they do have coverage it can't be beat.
I don't know about that Mr. Legere but the facts show a different story, as Verizon has continuously won the network quality awards for years by a large margin, including the 1st half of 2015 by RootMetrics, where Verizon dominated overall performance, network reliability, call, data & network speed nationally, by state & metro area. No one was close in overall performance or network reliability. Google is your friend.

i'm sure they're profiting but its a business isn't it? Sometimes people amaze me how they expect everything to be free.

These companies have huge overhead and capital investments
Yeah, if Verizon & AT&T didn't invest tens of billions of $ each year in network, they'd all be Sprint & TMO with limited coverage & lesser reliability but yay it would be cheaper for subpar service.
 
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billhobo

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Jan 7, 2004
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Internet access is the new crack, and they know it. What we need to do is start switching over to the cheap carriers en masse. Their networks may not be as robust (which is a pain in the ***), but the big boys have to be put in a position where they're competing for our business with lower priced providers. Make market forces work for US.
Recently dumped a 3-line Verizon plan for 5-line Cricket plan and now paying $100 all in per month. It's not as good, but the 60%+ cost savings was a no brainer for me and the service works pretty well, surprisingly.
 
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DHajekRC84

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Aug 9, 2001
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Don't blame the company because you (& I & most people) don't read your ebill.
exactly where did I blame the company?
I implied it was a disconnect that they send separate emails to highlight opportunities to buy stuff but keep the price increases only noted on the billing.
I also said that (not reading the e bills) is the reason I don't like them.

:grimace:
 

KevH

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Jul 25, 2001
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Recently dumped a 3-line Verizon plan for 5-line Cricket plan and now paying $100 all in per month. It's not as good, but the 60%+ cost savings was a no brainer for me and the service works pretty well, surprisingly.

I'll definitely be looking at other options soon. I pay over $200/mo for 4 lines with VZW. Only 3 are smartphones. My youngest just has voice and text.
 

IheartRutgers

Redshirt
Oct 16, 2012
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You're doing it wrong and need to call up VZW to get the current rates. (They won't automatically put you on the newer less expensive plan).

Under new plan (no contract), 3 smartphones and one connected device is $65. Then data is as low as $30 a month for 1 GB to $100 for 18 GB (which is crazy high). We have 4 smartphones and use about 6 GB so that plan is $60.

60+65 = $125. Unless you are still paying off phones or finishing up a contract,no way should you be paying $200 at VZW.
 

Masajoje

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Feb 24, 2015
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If you look at the top companies in terms of annual capital investments in the U.S. you will find AT&T and Verizon at the top. I think AT&T is actually #1. Before people start complaining about the cost of data plans, understand it takes tens of billions to run and maintain a network. Especially when you have Netflix filling up the pipes. Plenty of people I know spend more on Starbucks per month than they do on their cell phone bill. Absurd. There's nothing wrong with T-Mo/Sprint if you like shopping at the dollar store. You get what you pay for.
 
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nick614

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Oct 19, 2014
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i'm sure they're profiting but its a business isn't it? Sometimes people amaze me how they expect everything to be free.

These companies have huge overhead and capital investments

They also get billions of dollars in subsidies from taxpayers at both the state and federal level and consistently don't meet obligations associated with that money
 
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MrMansfield

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Feb 4, 2009
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US consumers overpay for cable and wireless, and it is subpar compared to a country like South Korea which has blazing fast wireless that is a lot cheaper. This is due to no real competition among carriers, especially cable companies which are granted monopolies.
 

PSU_Nut_rivals17625

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I don't know about that Mr. Legere but the facts show a different story, as Verizon has continuously won the network quality awards for years by a large margin, including the 1st half of 2015 by RootMetrics, where Verizon dominated overall performance, network reliability, call, data & network speed nationally, by state & metro area. No one was close in overall performance or network reliability. Google is your friend.

I am talking hardware on the towers. I also said they are about two years away from having the entire upgrade rolled out. Right now they can't compete network quality with the big two. I saying in two years it may be a different story. They have deployed their latest equipment in my office. Their data speed is 4 times faster then both AT&T and Verizon. However the network not mature or why spread enough for me to switch. In two years once the roll out is complete then it may be another story. The Ericson radios they are using are far better hardware then the big two are using. Unfortunately they have not rolled out enough of them.