Verizon itching to unleash its new shared data plans on us, system screenshot reveals
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A rep claims that this is part of training material for a new update of Verizon's account management system, and it means that the launch of those elusive shared data plans that carriers have been talking about for a while now, is imminent.
The screenshot exhibits an "account level data test 7" field, and allegedly represents a charge for data allowance with $9.99 per additional line. The full kit plus pricing for these promised shared data plans on Verizon are unknown yet, but judging from this leak, the launch shouldn't be far away.
source: Engadget
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14 Comments
2. twashington4 posted on 30 Jan 2012, 07:37 4
I want to be excited for this. I really do...somehow I don't think it's going to do existing customers any favors. Sure, it's cool and all, but I'm sure they'll spin it in a way where you come out paying the exact same thing or more than what you're currently paying.
3. Tux4g63 posted on 30 Jan 2012, 07:50 5
The ONLY way this would really be a great value is if existing customers could parlay a grandfathered unlimited data into a set fee for the family to share.
5. McLTE posted on 30 Jan 2012, 08:53 0
I agree.. while the concept is amazing, the execution WILL definitely be less than what we'd like. This is especially true for those of us on the unlimited plans.
I can't think of any pricing structure changes that have ended up being positive.. aside from allowing us to keep the unlimited data plans.
4. BikeRunBrian posted on 30 Jan 2012, 08:49 2
If this is true, there's no chance unlimited will be shared, it'll likely be similar to the plans that are there now, but shared, so 2GB for $30, 5GB for $50, etc. Great for low data users, which is ideally who the carriers want to lure into smartphones, but not so useful for the heavy users. Likely, they'll make it really appealing for an unlimited internet user to drop their $30 single line data plan in favor of joining the 4 or 5 line family $80 10GB plan, especially when grandma and grandpa both have iphones and use 50 MB a month just to check their email.
6. fleanote posted on 30 Jan 2012, 09:11 0
I don't like it. I am boycotting VZW 4G until they have unlimited pricing like i did with 3G. I recall the auction a few years back when VZW bought the spectrum for 4G and it wasn't cheap - but the same happened multi-years ago with the 3G spectrum, so just be patient.
With any luck, it'll be all-inclusive in about 2 years when I'm due an upgrade. of course by then they'll be teasing/offering 12G or something...
7. GoodFella posted on 30 Jan 2012, 10:25 1
I can PROMISE you that Unlimited Data is gone...for good. It won't come back. Those of use with Unlimited plans are fortunate and we hold them close. The carriers know too well that unleashing an unlimited plan will get a ton of their bandwidth sucked up by only a few users who will abuse it.
Look at some of the cable providers, including AT&T (Uverse). Those are limited too! They recently capped them in the last year... expect more and more companies to follow suit.
11. hobble posted on 30 Jan 2012, 14:26 0
ATNT just upped their data to 3 gb for 30 bucks. I believe as soon as the 4g craze is over and calms down, unlimited will come back.
13. fleanote posted on 01 Feb 2012, 18:48 0
I agree, and if it helps - this was the final Phone Arena thread to get me to make my upgrade decision. I'm going to get a VZW Iphone 4. If 3G is the only unlimited they'll offer, then I'll get the best 3G phone they offer. Now before any Android police show up and argue the best 3G phone on VZ's stable - add the caveat that I want this phone to be just as viable and valued today when I order it, as 2 years from now when I trade it in for a better VZW phone. One of my best friends is on ATT and still pimping an Iphone 3G. It's no slower, or less usable than it was 4 years ago, and still going strong.
Stop drinking their price structure kool-aide, we control the prices in the market, not the carriers. We can all fix this 4G price gouging, just refuse to get off 3G plans. You think they're gonna run that 3G network forever? You think they're gonna force you up at tiered pricing. We ALL know how that story ends when businesses try Gustapo pricing tactics.
An on this Android tip...why are faster processing, more RAM, beefy storage - newer OS versions of Android coming out every 18 days (sarc)? No wonder the prices drop so fast, the market doesn't trust them. Why doesn't the Iphone hardware get beefed up? Why don't Apple owners care? Why? Because it's fast enough.
As much as I've said, I'd 'never drink the Apple kool-aid', for practical purposes I have to. These phone companies have got to stop this s**t.
8. Droid_X_Doug posted on 30 Jan 2012, 12:14 0
I doubt you will see unlimited data plans grand-fathered into a shared F&F plan. VZW is basically trying to make new options more 'desirable'. Another plan feature that was recently released is tethering that applies to the entire data plan. Previously, you purchased an add-on tethering option that was separate from the handset data allowance.
IMO, shared data would be a good thing.
9. thephoneguy92 posted on 30 Jan 2012, 12:58 2
I am so tired of hearing people complain because they can't get exactly what they want. Here I see Verizon trying to help there customers with less expensive plans that can fit people who don't need nor want to spend $30 for 2GB of data when they will barely hit 100MB. You people are all so spoiled to the point that if you don't get free unlimited data and a rocket ship, you will complain. And even if you did get that, you would probably still be pissed it didn't come with a clown. There is no reason for someone to use over 10GB in most cases, unless you are abusing the system (i.e. using hotspot for PS3, Xbox 360, laptop, TV, iPod etc). Get used to the fact that nothing in life is free, and that you are going to need to pay money to be able to use the insane amounts of data that you use. I would really love to see all you people stop complaining about this.
10. CRICKETownz posted on 30 Jan 2012, 14:02 1
its an unfortunate truth. people are never satisfied. cries came from the hills for a shared data plan option for Verizon customers & here we sit on the verge yet people already have complaints.
12. AAABall posted on 30 Jan 2012, 16:02 0
Using the current price structure:
5 Gigs for $50 + $9.99 each line to share 5 gigs
10 Gigs for $80 + $9.99 each line to share 10 gigs.
Do the math.
