Verizon to require $30 data plans for new smartphones
0. phoneArena posted on 02 Nov 2008, 10:02
Starting November 14th, Verizon will require users to subscribe to data plans of at least $30 to activate a new smartphone...
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12. crd22 posted on 02 Nov 2008, 11:39 0 0
This article is confusing. If I'm correct, this $30 requirement is ONLY for new smartphones (i.e. Diamond, Omnia, and Touch Pro, etc). So this means I can still get an XV6900 with data block, right?
13. (unregistered) posted on 02 Nov 2008, 11:49 0 0
thats what it appears. this article mentions new smartphones only, as does the leaked slide, but the bgr report says any smartphone activated after that date. as with any leaked info well have to wait for an official announcement to get the facts 100% straight
35. VZW (unregistered) posted on 02 Nov 2008, 14:11 0 0
This is incorrect, ALL PDA/Smartphones will require a $29.99 or higher data plan after Nov. 14th. Also, all HTML capable phones (Glyde, Voyager, Dare, Krave) will be required to have the $15 VCAST VPAK.
62. OPINION (unregistered) posted on 02 Nov 2008, 17:00 0 0
This is just a way for VZW employees to "bundle" the company shouldn't require the package though. I believe that if a customer doesnt want the package they should just pay regular price for the phone and if they do get the package then the phone price should be dropped to something reasonable that makes more sense because not everyone is going to buy a smartphone (evn though it is a smartphone) for internet/email/etc.. everyone has a different purpose
68. (unregistered) posted on 02 Nov 2008, 18:39 0 0
Yeah, like how some people just want to look cool, and some just want to look important. Why should those people be forced to actually USE their phones? It's not fair. What happened to the good old days, when you could just buy a PDA you can't afford to use, and tell your friends they can't use your internet because the "battery is going to die".
79. (unregistered) posted on 02 Nov 2008, 19:23 0 0
thats why they make different types of phones. If a sales rep asks you if you intend to use for e mail or internet and you say no, then you should realize as well as the sales rep should start showing you non PDA phones like the RAZR or some other basic phone. That way customers can't say they are making me get this extra PDA plan. This is all a stupid argument, if you don't want to pay extra then even though that Storm or I Phone looks so cool, maybe you should stick to a flip phone. I want a BMW 6 series and I think I should pay the same amount every month as what a Cobalt is worth.
107. (unregistered) posted on 02 Nov 2008, 23:16 0 0
sorry 63, while i completly understand you position, and as a rep, we do have people come in once and a while that need it for the med programs and whatnot, the vast majority of people that want a pDA without a data plan is the "i gotta be cool.. but dont want to spend the money". i see probably 3 of 5 of these idiots come back within the first 3 months bitching about their bill. I warned every one of them, and most of them didnt listen. Its about customer satisfaction. If there is the charge and the understanding up front, and you still buy it, you will be more satisfied with the device and the money you have invested in it, because you will be using it for its full purpose. Its a proven fact. As far as for the mobile web phones go, the same theory applies, but i dont think they should be made to have it... unless they drop the price to like 10 bux instead of 15, just so people dont blink at it. and BTW, the 30 charge on the Iphone is a JOKE. The iphone IS NOT A PDA. And that charge was raised from 20 to 30 for no reason other than it being an iphone and ATT admitted that. And people are still dumb enough to get it thinking its some kind of wonderphone.
110. (unregistered) posted on 02 Nov 2008, 23:24 0 0
i hate apple, but the iphone is now most definitely a pda and offers a MUCH better web experience than anything vzw has ever offered
130. (unregistered) posted on 03 Nov 2008, 10:12 0 0
NO! it is not about the phone models, it is about the Dates involved. On November 14th if you activate any pda style phone on VZW, the $30 plan will go with it. The last thing VZW will want is consumers buying up old / discontinued inventory (like the xv6800) and trying to activate them without the data charge well into 2009. If you want it the old way, do it before Nov 14, 2008.
134. (unregistered) posted on 03 Nov 2008, 10:26 0 0
its not a pda #111, its a dumbphone like a dare or voyager. its an Ipod touch, with phone capabilities. It is in no way shape or form, a PDA.
187. (unregistered) posted on 14 Nov 2008, 15:04 0 0
YES it is about the phone models. VZW has said you can actiavte old style smartphone without data plan after the 14th. only NEW smartphones get the NEW forced data plan. And for all you poozers out there, if I want to use a smartphone to just synch outlook between my home and work PCs why should I be forced into a damn data plan. OOOO, cause I'm not cool enough to goose step along with you other poozers. I occassionaly use my smartphone for the internet, but not to the tune of $30 / mo. Who dreamed up that requirement. Is it that idiot VZW rep who just didn't like customers complaints. Hey, Mr. PotatoeHead, that's your job as a rep to listen to customers.
20. (unregistered) posted on 02 Nov 2008, 12:47 0 0
I'd like to think the iPhone set another standard in the mobile phone world with these required data plans, I mean why not if people are buying iphones just for music and don't have a choice but to pay an extra $30 a month even though it has wifi, why should VZ do the same, hey at least maybe this will mean more phones with wifi since it won't matter since they'll be gettin paid either way
86. (unregistered) posted on 02 Nov 2008, 19:56 0 0
If they are buying I phones for music and wifi then they should buy the Apple Touch. problem solved. I Phone didn't start this. There were PDA's before the I Phone. The I Phone just made it more main stream
24. vzw fanboy (unregistered) posted on 02 Nov 2008, 13:13 0 0
what is so special about november 14th tho?
28. (unregistered) posted on 02 Nov 2008, 13:24 0 0
what you dont know!? ooooooo youre missing out on some articles lol yeah lots of things are changing for vzw coming up but o well. silly to buy a pda just to make phone calls. let me go buy a shelby cobra and keep it under 35.
42. (unregistered) posted on 02 Nov 2008, 15:06 0 0
#28- "silly to buy a pda just to make phone calls". I agree, but most people buy a PDA/phone to make phone calls AND to use the PDA features. And some don't need the internet access and don't appreciate being forced to purchase it.
81. (unregistered) posted on 02 Nov 2008, 19:30 0 0
What are these PDA features that you feel you need so badly that you need an actual PDA phone. Go buy a pocket orginizer then. ALL phones have calenders and to do lists as well as calculators and memo in them. No body is being forced to purchase anything. Its one thing if every phone on display requires a PDA package but that is not the case. If you do not appreciate as you say forced to purchase this plan, we as reps don't appreciate having our time wasted trying to talk you out of phone that requires an extra fee in to buying a phone that doesn't require that fee. Thats fair right?
