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Verizon waves the full phone price stick to those who want to keep their unlimited data plan carrot

By Daniel Petrov

Published: May 18, 2012, 4:11 AM

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Verizon waves the full phone price stick to those who want to keep their unlimited data plan carrot

Verizon has been dealing with the fallout of CFO's Fran Shammo quick remarks at an investor conference that Big Red plans to weed those with grandfathered $30 unlimited data plans out this summer.

The carrier was quick to send an email explaining that things will happen gradually, and nobody will be forced to drop their unlimited plan. If customers want to keep their unlimited option, however, they will have to pay full price for a new handset, which for the high-end iOS and Android phones is often north of $600. Those who want subsidized $199 phones will have to wave goodbye to their unlimited option.

Verizon's spokesperson Brenda Raney chimed in: "Customers won't be automatically moved to new shared data plans. If a 3G or 4G smartphone customer is on an unlimited plan now and they don't want to change their plan, they won't have to do so". Over time, however, when those contracts expire, everyone will have to move up to the tiered structure. Here's the full statement:

– Customers will not be automatically moved to new shared data plans. If a 3G or 4G smartphone customer is on an unlimited plan now and they do not want to change their plan, they will not have to do so.

– When we introduce our new shared data plans, Unlimited Data will no longer be available to customers when purchasing handsets at discounted pricing.

– Customers who purchase phones at full retail price and are on an unlimited smartphone data plan will be able to keep that plan.

– The same pricing and policies will be applied to all 3G and 4GLTE smartphones.

source: NYT

$90

$210

$120 off (57%)

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Daniel, a devoted tech writer at PhoneArena from 2010 to 2025, has been engrossed in mobile technology since the Windows Mobile era. His expertise spans mobile hardware, software, and carrier networks, and he's keenly interested in the future of digital health, car connectivity, and 5G. Beyond his professional pursuits, Daniel finds balance in travel, reading, and exploring new tech innovations, while contemplating the ethical and privacy implications of our digital future.