Verizon pushing out new data plans for Enhanced Multimedia Phones

Verizon pushing out new data plans for Enhanced Multimedia Phones

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Published on: 27 August, 2009 by PhoneArena Team

Verizon pushing out new data plans for Enhanced Multimedia Phones This article contains unofficial information.

Before you read this, please keep in mind that not all the information is released yet, and we are working hard to verify this with various sources.

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We've been hearing over the past two days that not only will Verizon be launching the Samsung Rogue U960 and Intensity U450 on September 8th, but there will also be new data plans. These are strictly for "Enhanced Multimedia Phones" (not smartphones), which the Rogue will be the first one. What does this mean, you might ask? If you want to purchase the Rogue, it can only be activated on a Nationwide Plan (which is nothing new), but if that happens to be a Nationwide Basic or Select Plan, you will be required to also purchase one of two monthly data plans: 25MB for $9.99/month or 75MB for $19.99/month. This means the current $15 VCast Pack will no longer include Unlimited Data like it has. (We're hearing that VCast will be lowered to $10/month). However, if you activate the Rogue on a Nationwide Connect or Premium Plan, then you will not be forced to buy a data plan, since unlimited data is already included.

On the one hand we can understand why Verizon is doing this, because they are losing money on the $15 VCast pack with Unlimited Data (most likely because of tethering), but it also seems bad for the average consumer who will end up paying more each month for adding a data plan or having to go to Connect or Premium Plan.

If you have any information about this, please email us at tips@phonearena.com

Let us know what you think in the comment section below.

Thanks to SnapDude for the info!

*UPDATE*
More information can be found here.

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1.
Your welcome Phonearena!
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2.
COMPLETELY NOT TRUE! THE PRICING IS CORRECT BUT CUSTOMERS WILL NOT BE FORCED TO ADD ON A DATA FEATURE
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+1
4.
completely true......
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #2 ( Show )
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7.
EVERYONE CAN SAY WHAT THEY WANT.....THE EXACT PRICING ALONG WITH THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS WILL BE MADE OFFICIAL TO THE PUBLIC ON 8/31/2009. EVERYONE WILL SEE THE TRUTH THEN.

TO THOSE FOLKS WHO ALREADY HAVE THE $15 UNLIMITED VPAK PLAN WILL GET TO KEEP IT UNLESS UPGRADING TO A NEWER PHONE.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #4 ( Show )
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9.
i sure hope you're right
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #7 ( Show )
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26.
yeah it is just like when the data plan became required for pdas. Not really a big deal. To my understanding it is not required.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #7 ( Show )
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28.
Stop yelling, please.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #7 ( Show )
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36.
You are incorrect. They will be per our infomanager. I work for Verizon. It has to be activated on newer phones that will be coming out. Not all phones will need it but higher end models will. Connect or premium plans are the way to go realisticly.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #2 ( Show )
Reply to Snapdude Hide 7 replies to this comment
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3.
This really sucks if this is the whole story.
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5.
This makes Sprint's Everything plans look that much better, typical vzw
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11.
the sprint everything plan still doesn't matter... if it did, everyone would be on sprint, rather than sprint continuing to lose 1/4 million subs every 3 months. People will pay for what they want... and it is obvious that they want AT&T or VZW, T-Mo, Alltel (who still gets more subs that Sprint each quarter, despite not existing as a company anymore), and even Cricket get more.... Sprint is losing people... who cares about anything sprint does. Obviously not the American Consumer, or they would actually net adds instead of losses.
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20.
I'm actually a very happy sprint user. And before you go spouting off about how nobdy cares about sprint, there are 48.8 million sprint subscribers left. Sprint's "Everything" plans are the best out there, providing that you (and your whole family if you have a family plan) want every feature on your phone to work and you dont to be nickeled and dimed to death. Because verizon and att are gaining customers, they are able to do things like these absurd data plan rates, which are designed to extract lots of cash and provide very little in service. These are by far the worse data plans you could possible get on, because users will feel they are covered and can VERY EASILY go over there limit and get charge PER megabyte. The smarter users will up there plans to the unlimited plans. Eitherway, verizon will now get a lot more money for the same service they were providing either by users not using much data, users going over there limit, or users upgrading there plan to avoid overcharges.
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27.
actually both verizon and att are dumping tons of money into their networks. That is why your seeing the prices. I would expect for att to follow suit soon as well. Sprint has had WiMax for so long and it still is only available in a few markets? Att is back hauling and increasing its capacity and speed with hspda plus(or whatever they call it) and verizon will be rolling out LTE soon. By the way the connect plan is 10 bucks more for a single line on top of the select plan and gets you unlimited data. Even if you were only using the 10 txt package and the 15 vcast, then the move is 5 bucks more. Yeah kinda sucks but it isnt earth shattering. I would imagine it has to also deal with the fact that apps will become more and more abundant for those devices.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #20 ( Show )
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32.
"Get The Network Facts
Did you know that we've invested more than $50 billion in our network since Verizon Wireless was formed in 2000? That's an average of $5.5 billion each year! Learn more about this investment and get the facts about our largest and most reliable network."

This was emailed internally to me this morning. And the data plan is not so bad from my end when you have customer buying phones "they want" and ones they cant afford monthly...If you cant afford the Data DONT USE IT!!!! Buy a RaZR or Something basic...If you want to look cool to your freinds be prepared to pay for it, since when in our entire existance did popularity ever come for FREE? NEVER!
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #27 ( Show )
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37.
my only question is why you would recommend a Razr.... ever.. and also they have been EOL for a long time now.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #32 ( Show )
Reply to DonLouie Hide 5 replies to this comment
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6.
I got the enVtouch when it first came out in June and I've had the vcast vPak, can I still keep the $15.00/month vcast??
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21.
Yes. The Env Touch is not an enhanced multimedia phone in the current class of devices.
Reply to this comment
Reply to liberty5jeep Hide 1 replies to this comment
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8.
well it's cool there will be flash support and multi-page browsing.
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10.
Who cares about heresay on this. I will wait and see what is actually announced.... the connect plan is the way to go BTW... only 10.00 to your select plan and includes unlim data and their 5.00/month mobile email plan... who cares about Vcast at 15.00, and if you want mobile email it is still 5.00 extra.
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12.
This isnt true i talked to a vzw rep and they said they wont push or forca anybody to get a plan with a phone because 1.they arent happy unless you are.. thats there motto.. they said they wont do it...
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13.
good call. retracted.
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15.
who ever you are you should not be sharing information about were you work. I think some people look at these sites and you could get in trouble.
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17.
As a former VZW emp. I can a test to the up and coming changes in data charges..In 2005 when VCast 1st came out no one AND I mean no one wanted vcast. Why? Simply put social networking and HTML capable phones. Smart phones and HTML capable phones burn through data like a large person in a buffet hence the premium(extra/per megabyte charge) does it suck..Hell yes it does!! Believe me when i say that VZW knows what their doing and doing it well. But i will agree (and pls. no need to educate me on this) that smart phones and HTML phones are different but still consume data spectrum nonetheless.

Of course most reps and store managers wont know for certain but only phone geeks like ourselves will know. after all its only business and money VZW is after.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #15 ( Show )
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30.
and the boogeyman will get you. Also no premarital sex or underage drinking.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #15 ( Show )
Reply to willieg3 Hide 3 replies to this comment
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14.
If this is true... goodbye Verzion and hello Iphone. If they make me pay more for 75mb's I would rater get a smartphone and plan. Since nothing on VZW is as good as an Iphone in my opinion, I would rather go to AT&T.
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16.
In my case going to the PDA Samsung Omnia will be my best bet. I'll only spend $15 more per month vs. $25 for the Connect plan. Even though the price difference will only be $10 MORE (when added to my $10 Texting and $15 Vpak). It's always a penny here a penny there.
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18.
Yea internet on VZW is a joke. Phones like the Env touch are already at a disadvantage when it comes to viewing web pages. Most of them show up as just text and no pictures. VZW willl eventually get rid of unlimited data for everything. They are getting way to greedy.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #16 ( Show )
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23.
That is why I PLAN to move to a PDA phone. But I still like to use my legacy phones too.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #18 ( Show )
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31.
Wow! You're extremely misinformed when it comes to web capabilities on dumbphones. I'm glad I don't come to you for any of my wireless questions.
Reply to this comment This comment is posted in response to #18 ( Show )
Reply to rehnhart Hide 4 replies to this comment
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19.
Lets see. $30 for 5000MB for a smartphone data plan and $20 for 75MB for a feature phone data plan. Anybody else see some sort of rapage here for feature phone users? (or "advanced multimedia phone""). You can easily burn through 75mb in a day if watch a lot of youtube vids, so anybody who is inclined to watch video not on the vcast service will get a hugh overage bill if they arent aware. I'm not even sure if 75MB is enough for light web browsing for a month (is their 10MB plan enough to check the weather or email everyday for a month?). I myself have burned through 3.5GB (3500MB) of data a month on my touch diamond just watching vids and browsing for about 2 hours a day (5 days a week). So, if you cant upgrade the plan to a connect plan that has unlimited data, go for a smart phone instead.
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24.
Exactly. Upgrade to a PDA phone because (for now) the unlimited data plan is $29.99.
I use atleast 2+ GBs in a month on my Dare streaming music at 192 Kbps and internet radio.
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Reply to spunks74 Hide 1 replies to this comment
  Total: 48 post(s)
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