Verizon's new top data plan is like unlimited, but with limits
Check yourself before you wreck yourself, fools, because Verizon's most expensive BroadbandAccess data plan is about to get a whole lot less unlimited. Yes, true, there's already a 5GB soft cap on the current plan -- but the worst that'll happen to a chronic violator is a throttled download speed or a termination of the contract. Starting March 2, the best plan offered by the carrier will truly not be unlimited in any sense of the word, to the tune of 49 cents per MB. Yep, that's the overage charge users will pay for busting past that 5GB cap, so use all due caution there. What's a guy got to do to get some truly limitless 3G these days?[Via MobileBurn]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chuck Lawrence @ Feb 28th 2008 7:10PM
Go to Sprint.
elgee02 @ Feb 28th 2008 8:42PM
Ya know I don't like this one bit either.
John @ Feb 28th 2008 8:23PM
Correct. I've been on Sprint tethering with my laptop since they started 3G a few years back and it's been truly unlimited with no gotchas.
Verizon can kiss my ass, they're the worst company I've ever had to deal with back when they were my landline.
MasterCKO @ Feb 28th 2008 8:13PM
took the words right out of my mouth.
CB17 @ Feb 28th 2008 8:24PM
Wow I mean for real? 50 cents/MB? That's INSANELY expensive. That would mean that it would cost less for the actual price of an iTunes song than the amount it would cost for bandwidth. And just another reason I'm not with Verizon.
moochy @ Feb 28th 2008 8:51PM
Uhh guess you could say America's Most Reliable AND Expensive Network.
Sprint = Free roaming on VZW's network when needed, plus its own very fast, truly unlimited 3g for much much less. Not to mention Sprints $99 unlimited plan offers much more than just voice compared to VZW's unlimited $99 plan.
Switch to Sprint and help them out with that $30 billion loss, now everyone's happy!! haha.
ruindpzzle @ Feb 28th 2008 9:39PM
Well, my contracts up with VZW, so now I'm definitely going to another carrier. Thanks for making up my mind big v.
GoodWill8675 @ Feb 28th 2008 9:04PM
verizon can blow me
Heffer @ Feb 28th 2008 9:12PM
Why would anyone use Verizon? Sprint is Cheaper. AT&T has better phones. T-mobile lets you make calls on their Curve via WiFi.
What's Verizon's niche? The Voyager? Please.
With the Curve coming to Sprint this April, there's no reason anyone should be on Verizon. They just have a really good marketing team with the Geek and the "Verizon Network".
oki @ Feb 28th 2008 9:18PM
I've been using my razr with 3g on AT&T with media net. Its been truly unlimited I've used about 10 gb so far. My expirence with verizon is it isn't too.fast for me but maybe its just where I live
mikeed8986 @ Feb 28th 2008 9:29PM
i would much rather have verizon go out of business than sprint... atleast sprint's trying with top-notch deals. i agree with above comment, what the heck does vz have?! i for one never had good cust. serv. with vz when they kept messing my bills up and overcharging me like it was armageddon.
screw verizon, and they can take the voyager with them! haha. =D
fincan @ Feb 28th 2008 9:38PM
So each extra GB costs $490. Whoa. Am I making a calculation error or are they truly insane?
Joe @ Feb 28th 2008 9:39PM
Ah yes. There's a 5gb cap, but now there is no limit on what you can do in the T&Cs. Stream video, slingbox, anything you want. Just keep it under 5gb.
Myke @ Feb 28th 2008 9:52PM
Then don't go over the 5gb if you don't want to pay overage. That's what Verizon wanted anyway. I mean, what percentage of aircard users actually even approach 5gb in a month? I'd say it's less than 3%
ShortFuse @ Feb 28th 2008 9:52PM
I heard AT&T is getting the 5GB limit as well, but I'm not sure. I like tethering my $20 data plan. I used to use about 25GB a month or so. :-/
Sprint will likely follow suit. It's only a matter of time. The same thing happened with the text messaging increase, remember?
Matt @ Feb 28th 2008 10:37PM
I say wait for T-Mobile to launch their 3G and watch them kill everyone with no limits at all...
BK @ Feb 28th 2008 10:44PM
So let me see if I have this right everything thats posted they rather go to another provider because of the new / old 5GB limit on the new plans. If you weren't downloading movies, porn, or playing WOW all the time you would be hard press to hit the 5GB limit. All I'm hearing is bitch, bitch, bitch.... Yes, lets all go to sprint the reason why they don't limit anything is because thats the only way they can keep customers.
miklm @ Feb 28th 2008 10:45PM
I STILL do not understand how you can get anywhere near 5GB/mo. with tethering. I travel and use my BlackBerry tethered on Verizon on EVDO for hours on end, and I've never broken 100MB in a month. I used to tether with my Q before the Pearl, and a Treo before that. That includes email data, web use and Google Maps, Calendar, etc., on the smartphone too.
The service is far too slow to actually download files or play media -- its great for access to email and web sites, but seriously, how can you even get close to a GB unless you're trying to use this as your only Internet connection -- and I'd rather steal somebody's Wifi before I'd try that.
The fact of the matter is this: Quit yer whinin'. Verizon simply has the best coverage in the US, hands down. Sprint is a joke, I cancelled that contract after less than 3 months. I have an extra ATTW phone for backup, and its pretty pathetic signal too compared to Verizon. Does Vzw have problems? Absolutely, but this 5gb soft limit is the least of them.
togetsome @ Feb 28th 2008 11:12PM
2% exceed the 5GB limit - -not a big deal at all
elgee02 @ Feb 29th 2008 12:31AM
"AT&T has better phones"
I will concede AT&T has the iPhone and the Tilt, but outside of that no way if that statement true. The "dumbphone" selection at VZW is much better than AT&T's
Navi Thach @ Mar 2nd 2008 5:03AM
Because Verizon panders to the Hollister kiddies they target on MTV and all the teeny-bopper mags like Seventeen, while AT&T caters to the power user. I would jump ship from Morizon if I wasn't stuck with them for another 16 months.
elgee02 @ Mar 2nd 2008 1:32PM
You actually believe what you just said? Wow...
ALL carriers pander to EVERYBODY. I see the marketing and VZW is FAR from the exclusive "pander"er to the "hollister" crowd. One of the most uneducated comments I've seen in a while actually.
moochy @ Feb 29th 2008 12:05AM
While you guys make good points, you are missing the point. Even though most subscribers don't come close to the limit, the fact of the matter is that it's there - and that it's marketed as "unlimited".
Call if false advertising or whatever you want, but it's company pulls like this that make customers that much less apt to trust carriers with sales schemes. The problem most people have with terms like these is that they are sick of having to read the fine print for something that shouldn't even be there. If it's sold as "unlimited" it should be unlimited. If their network can't handle it to the point where they have to nickel and dime the customers who reach above and beyond 5 gigs, then they shouldn't consider themselves the most reliable network, nor should they label that service as unlimited. Those are the customers who are just trying to get the most bang for their buck. So yes, Sprint may have had the largest churn rate - but I doubt they are using this as an excuse to "keep their customers". I have yet to see Sprint mock this VZW data cap to have a one-up on VZW. It's people who follow up on providers like us that make those predeterminations.
Michael @ Mar 4th 2008 1:29PM
This new plan that charges .49 per MB is not even titled as an unlimited plan. Prior when you went over 5GB you received a notice and needed to reply. Basically it was asking if you were violating the contract- no voip, etc, etc. If you responded you were ok, but your speeds were reduced to 200 kbps in broadband areas for 14 days. Now there are no restraints. If you want to use voip, download videos over and over, fine. Do it. Just be sure to watch your usage with the -new- 5GB plan. If you have the previous plan, I hear you can stay on that one without migrating to the new terms and conditions. They are two different plans.
Workin Man @ Feb 29th 2008 12:10AM
Every network reserves the right to shut off your data usage, even the beloved Sprint (see Customer growth 4Q). Read your Customer Agreement, if Sprint (or any company) decides that your usage will be harmful to the network (see 25 GB and affecting other subscribers) then they WILL shut you down.
Tim Thorpe @ Feb 29th 2008 12:47AM
For those of you saying "It's no big deal only 2% of users ever go over the cap" that isn't the point or the problem.
The problem is Verizon is advertising it as "Unlimited" meaning Without Limits when there is in fact a limit, not only that, they are RAPING with fees. 50 cents per megabyte (or probably even megabit) is outrageous.
When our contract is up we are switching.
CB17 @ Feb 29th 2008 12:49AM
@elgee02
Right right, of course. Let's just completely forget about the Blackjack 2, the Samsung SYNC, SLM, LG Shine, Nokia N75, Pantech Duo, Samsung a737, and that Sony Ericsson slider.
And most importantly they all have decent aesthetics...Yeah that's right, I'm talking about that VX9400 or the u740.
elgee02 @ Mar 2nd 2008 1:31PM
For every one of those phones you name, VZW has an equivalent or better one available. Like I said, there are only 2 phones AT&T has that VZW can't match: the Tilt and the iPhone.
CB17 @ Mar 2nd 2008 2:36PM
Really? Cool then which of your phones is a dual slider like the Duo? Which of your phones is a symbian flip phone like the N75? Or how about any of ATT's other 3G phones that do video share? And lets not forget since ATT is GSM, there's also pretty much unlimited phones available including the N95 and the E61i.
elgee02 @ Mar 2nd 2008 3:35PM
Which on of AT&T's phones is a dual hinge like the U740? Which one of yours has a flip qwerty like the enV? Which one of yours has 3 megapixels with a rotateable screen like Samsung U900 Flip Shot? Which one of your phone has a built in 2 GB dumbphone built especially for music like the Juke? What about all of VZW's phones with MedioFlo? Does AT&T offer THREE PDA's with slide out qwerty like the 6800, 5800, and i760? Does AT&T have a 3G palm like VZW's 700p, 700wx, and 755p? Which one of AT&T's phones is built to military-spec durability for water, shock, and dust resistance like VZW's casio G'zone? What touch screen slider does the Venus?
That's what I thought.
elgee02 @ Mar 2nd 2008 4:00PM
Err lemme correct myself on that last one.. Which touch screen slider does AT&T have like the Venus?
CB17 @ Mar 2nd 2008 4:37PM
ATT had flip open QWERTYs before Verizon even knew what that was with the old 9300 and now the new E90.
Nokia N95 has a FIVE megapixel camera.
The Sony Ericsson 580i is a MUCH better music phone than the Juke and looks a lot better and is WAY more functional than that ridiculous switch blade opening action. Oh and does the Juke support Napster music like the SYNC does. There's at least 3 or 4 different music phones on ATT (not counting the iPhone).
The only reason ATT doesn't have a 3G Palm based phone is cause of a limitation in its HORRIBLE operating system. ATT does have the 750 though (Windows based).
ATT also has the 2 BEST Windows Mobile phones w/ slide out keyboards not even counting those from overseas:
The TILT and the DUO
And just because the LG Shine doesn't have a touchscreen doesn't mean it's a WORSE phone than the Venus. Touchscreens aren't ALWAYS a good thing. Only if implemented properly.
As for Media Flo. Well, while I've gotten nothing on that one (yet), I will say that I'm not really all that excited about it yet. I mean what does it REALLY get you that Slingbox or Orb doesn't. On the contrary, I can do WAY MORE with those services like watching recorded TV shows and streaming content from my home computer. Maybe if ATT/Verizon would let you record stuff on their servers (for a fee) that would be one thing, but right now I think it's just a waste of space in the phones.
RC @ Mar 16th 2008 9:25AM
There goes elgee again, doing his daily duties as an anti-AT&T troll. This guy needs to get a life. And get laid.
youngcalihottie @ Feb 29th 2008 3:32AM
as far as phones, gsm phones are for the most part way better and will continue to be better because they have r&d budgets based on worldwide sales whereas cdma phones have r&d budgets based on roughly a dozen countries. most decent cdma phones were gsm phones first. end of story.
back to the topic at hand, unlimited should mean unlimited. i dont think this should even be legal. i heard of a case on the news a few years back where an overweight person went to an "all-you-can-eat" buffet and was told they had eaten too much so they had to leave. they sued and won. carrier should be no different. if they sell something as all-you-can-eat then that is what you should get. if i ever had one cent of data overage on an unlimited data plan they would either give me my credit or i would start a class action suit. maybe instead of the government worrying about subsidized phones they should be worrying about false advertising.
togetsome @ Feb 29th 2008 2:43AM
This isn't being marketed as unlimited next month. It will be marketed as 5GB/month. Do you read?
ShortFuse @ Feb 29th 2008 7:09AM
@ miklm:
Getting more than 5GB a month really isn't hard when your connection is about 170-200KBPS (1.3-1.5mbps) (AT&T). That's T1 speed and faster than some people's DSL. I use it all the time at work in NYC. Verizon Business DSL speeds are 768kbps for $30. Funny since I pay $20 for Media Net.
Cycomachead @ Feb 29th 2008 9:45AM
First: the problem is the cap. How can you market this as unlimited? I don't see how anyone can do that - no matter what fine print they use. The 'terminating service if harmful to others' is a load of bull, but it's a different story.
Second: For those who think this is expensive (it is, but...) Consider VZw's dumbphone plans at $1.99/MB - which are only unlimited with the Premium plan selection. The consider the pay-as-you-go and 10MB PPC/Smartphone/Palm plans. That's $.015 per KILOBYTE!!!!!!!! Or a whopping $15.36 per MB!!!
Also an extra GB would cost you $501.76 That's .49*1024 wow! Where as the above would land you with a $15,736+ bill!
Sean M. @ Feb 29th 2008 10:27AM
I'll concede that the previous marketing of 'unlimited' was deceptive at best. However...the new plan & pricing are ** not ** marketed as 'unlimited' it is a 5GB plan (read: 'not unlimited'). I do think the overage cost is nuts, but I'd have to say I've never been in danger of breaching that limit.
I suppose if it were to video-conference my brains out while downloading the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy torrent, I'd be a bit on the screwed side.
But I think we all know that VZW is not a 'budget' friendly provider. For those that don't prefer the 'network' or their CS or their devices, it's doubtful you were ever drawn to them by the glow of the pricing.
KBV @ Feb 29th 2008 11:13AM
Verizon (or any company) should be sued for false advertising !!!! Unlimited is Unlimited no exculiosns period!!! they need to name it
5 Gigabyte Limited Usage Plan.
We all need to stick together and vote with our wallet. Move to another service thats the only way change will happen.
But if Sprint is so good why are they loosing customers? Because this is a mobile data plan to be used while you are on the go you need coverage everywhere this is where Sprint looses. Sprints Coverage and Quality leave a lot to be desired.
Ido not know about the others .
chris @ Feb 29th 2008 11:29AM
Paying for a Verizon overpriced voice plan is bad enough, but their data plans?! Ew.
VZWguy @ Feb 29th 2008 12:24PM
for all of you idiots complaining that verizon is advertising a unlimited plan with a 5gb softcap, that is true, however none of you simple minded fools have seen the new adverts
they clearly state the smaller limit, as well as the larger limit
do i think the rest of the big companies will follow?
yes
do I think verizon is shooting themselves in the foot when they have a wounded dog laying on the side of the road looking for the final kick into the sewer system in sprint?
hell yes
dare instructor @ Feb 29th 2008 12:27PM
Seriously people, read. As of 3/1, this will no longer be marketed as unlimited.
dare instructor @ Feb 29th 2008 12:42PM
And by 3/1 I mean 3/2... haha. Reading is indeed useful.
sinz @ Feb 29th 2008 2:05PM
i dont care what sprint has or what plan is or is not "unlimited" fact is..
Sprint is in a big hole all thats needed is the tombstone and the dirt to cover them up.
Vzw isnt.
elgee02 @ Feb 29th 2008 3:47PM
Wow some of you people are dense!! Let me state this so some of you better understand:
THIS IS NOT BEING MARKETED AS UNLIMITED FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!
Seriously.
sicwill @ Feb 29th 2008 8:39PM
1st off like everyone else is saying it is not being advertised as unlimited anymore so you can all stop talking about suing people for something that isn't true. 2nd, if you are an existing customer on the current Broadband Access plan nothing changes for you unless you change out your aircard or add a new broadband card. Existing plans will be grandfathered in as long as you don't request a change.
Johnsie776 @ Mar 1st 2008 12:42AM
Wireless Data is a BUSINESS...
Sprint is losing money hand-over-fist
Which leaves 1 question...
You want your service "UNLIMITED". But when you use 200 times more bandwidth than the average user and pay the same price who is losing?
The guy paying $60/mth and only checking e-mail, CNN and weather.com...
So how do you provide dependable, income producing service without damaging the speed/accessability of other users?
Easy you cap usage w/ overage charges. Or "throttle" the speed down. And offer cheaper plans for the smaller user thereby opening the access to more people so you can invest in new equipment...
Robert99v6 @ Mar 1st 2008 10:33AM
VZW did this because they need to protect the network. The more everone uses it, the more that it bogs down the evdo network. This means its going to slow down the people that are using this for getting email and surfing the web. This is not that bad of an idea. Maybe if other companys did the same they would have a better data network.
Michael @ Mar 4th 2008 1:33PM
Per my previous note, the .49/MB is charged only when exceeding 5GB.
Elton McClelland @ Apr 22nd 2008 4:54AM
Plus keep a look out for VZW 4G called LTE it will blow all other out of the water with no limits...... But is at least a year away.