Smart Phone Verizon Data Plans

[luvmy3]

Yes, as of January 2010 they did require the $9.99 data plan on all but a couple of their most basic phones. Apparently they have quietly done away with that, and if you have that required plan now, you can call and have them remove it. My friend just did that for her daughters EnV3 last week.

I know, but the pp said she didn't have a smartphone and she was required to have a data plan. That's what I'm confused about. I have an older smartphone, that never required a data plan, my dd has a different older one, and my dh has a newer one that doesn't require the data plan. I just don't know what non-smartphone the pp has that does (or did at one time) require one

 

[elgerber]

I know, but the pp said she didn't have a smartphone and she was required to have a data plan. That's what I'm confused about. I have an older smartphone, that never required a data plan, my dd has a different older one, and my dh has a newer one that doesn't require the data plan. I just don't know what non-smartphone the pp has that does (or did at one time) require one

That is what I was trying to explain. As of January 2010, Verizon DID require a data plan on almost all of their "non smartphone" phones. The LG Env3, and many others, the ones that appealed to teenagers especially. Only a couple of very basic phones didn't have to have it. As far as I know, all smartphones at Verizon have always required a data plan. I know I have had to have one since my first smarphone, the Blackberry Pearl years ago.

 

[cats mom]

Yes, as of January 2010 they did require the $9.99 data plan on all but a couple of their most basic phones. Apparently they have quietly done away with that, and if you have that required plan now, you can call and have them remove it. My friend just did that for her daughters EnV3 last week.

Exactly.

DD had her EnV (without data plan) in her pocket on a particularly wet ride on splash mtn. Oops!

When we went to replace her ruined phone with the exact same model, they required a data plan. Grrr!

The rules have now changed again and you no longer have to carry a data plan on that phone. Yea!

DH just called last week and got the data plan removed from DD's phone.

*******

This has news been all over several tech and deal forums I visit. I'd love to know how many people have/will upgrade to unlimited data plans with verizon before 7/7. Pretty shrewd marketing if you ask me.

I'm afraid I agree with bicker on this one. Yes, you'll be grandfathered into an unlimited data plan, but there's plenty of verbage in the T&C that allows for changes down the road. Maybe it will work out well for some folks, but I bet it won't end up being the best option for many, if not most.

 

[Thumper_Man]

How do you know how many gb you are currently using?

You can check your monthly statement. You can also go to the My Verizon App on your phone or check online.

 

[luvmy3]

That is what I was trying to explain. As of January 2010, Verizon DID require a data plan on almost all of their "non smartphone" phones. The LG Env3, and many others, the ones that appealed to teenagers especially. Only a couple of very basic phones didn't have to have it. As far as I know, all smartphones at Verizon have always required a data plan. I know I have had to have one since my first smarphone, the Blackberry Pearl years ago.

I guess thats where my confusion is because when I contacted Verizon specifically about the EnV3 when I was shopping for phones, I was told it was considered a smartphone (by them) and would require data. I went with an EnV2 so that I didn't have to get the plan.

 

[bicker]

hopefully economics will start to come into play soon, and as prices go up they will lose customers, and have to lower prices again to keep the ones they have. im choosing to see the data plan as half full.

Economics will likely work both ways: The more people figure out great stuff to do with cellular broadband, the more prices will go up to reflect that added value. By the same token, added demand will foster added supply, and that will moderate prices. The elimination of the unlimited option simply paves the way for prices to ride both those streams, and therefore probably come out the other side pretty-much where they are now, adjusted for inflation. Without elimination of the unlimited option, they'll end up where terrestrial broadband is - with a broken marketplace where casual users pay more to subsidize the heavy usage of those who best exploit the unlimited option.

 

[maggiew]

Maybe they reclassified that phone (EnV3) from a smartphone to a feature phone?

My kids and DH and Dmom all had the Alias2. It has smartphone capabilities but at the time we purchased them, they did not require a data plan. When our contract was up in Jan., if we got new versions of those phones, we would have had to pay the data plan. My DDs chose new phones of a different style that were feature phones and didn't require the data plan. DH and DMom still are using their Alias2. We don't have to pay for a data plan for those.

Maggie

 

[elgerber]

Maybe they reclassified that phone (EnV3) from a smartphone to a feature phone?

My kids and DH and Dmom all had the Alias2. It has smartphone capabilities but at the time we purchased them, they did not require a data plan. When our contract was up in Jan., if we got new versions of those phones, we would have had to pay the data plan. My DDs chose new phones of a different style that were feature phones and didn't require the data plan. DH and DMom still are using their Alias2. We don't have to pay for a data plan for those.

Maggie

No, they were never smartphones. The data plans were required on feature phones.

 

[luvmy3]

Maybe they reclassified that phone (EnV3) from a smartphone to a feature phone?

My kids and DH and Dmom all had the Alias2. It has smartphone capabilities but at the time we purchased them, they did not require a data plan. When our contract was up in Jan., if we got new versions of those phones, we would have had to pay the data plan. My DDs chose new phones of a different style that were feature phones and didn't require the data plan. DH and DMom still are using their Alias2. We don't have to pay for a data plan for those.

Maggie

I think in 2010 when they started to require data plans they changed the classification on some of their feature phones, so while they technically weren't smartphones, since they have the ability to be, Verizon figured they could charge people for data if they had them.
I really hate how expensive VZ is so I just bought a palm pixi plus (smartphone) and I'm switching to PagePlus. They use the Verizon network so coverage wiill be virtually the same, they have a $30 a month plan that includes 1200 talk minutes, 2000 texts and 100MB of data.

 

[graygables]

Please help me make a decision!!!

15yo hates her phone (so do I). I can transfer DH's upgrade to her line and get her the iPhone she has longed for with unlimited data.

12yo has a "smartphone", but I just pulled the 9.99 data plan b/c she doesn't use it and it's no longer required.

I have a Moto Droid w/ unlimited data. I use it a LOT and the agent told me that my highest usage so far was 818MB. Since they are selling the data in gigs and I'm not anywhere near that, I'm wondering how important it is to get 15yo grandfathered in this next week on unlimited data. I don't know that she will use hers more than I do unless the iPhone sucks up more data than my Droid???

15yo is an awesome kid, very responsible, took VERY good care of me, her sister, and the house during my recent recovery from surgery and I'd love to get it for her, but, boy, is it a hit to the budget.

Opinions? Advice?

 

[elgerber]

Please help me make a decision!!!

15yo hates her phone (so do I). I can transfer DH's upgrade to her line and get her the iPhone she has longed for with unlimited data.

12yo has a "smartphone", but I just pulled the 9.99 data plan b/c she doesn't use it and it's no longer required.

I have a Moto Droid w/ unlimited data. I use it a LOT and the agent told me that my highest usage so far was 818MB. Since they are selling the data in gigs and I'm not anywhere near that, I'm wondering how important it is to get 15yo grandfathered in this next week on unlimited data. I don't know that she will use hers more than I do unless the iPhone sucks up more data than my Droid???

15yo is an awesome kid, very responsible, took VERY good care of me, her sister, and the house during my recent recovery from surgery and I'd love to get it for her, but, boy, is it a hit to the budget.

Opinions? Advice?

I think the $29.99 is the only data plan option right now for true smartphones , there is nothing lower, so I would for sure get her on the umlimited plan now. Even if you don't use it as much, there will not be anything cheaper, and the $29.99 plan will surely become the lower useage level plan.

 

[luvmy3]

Please help me make a decision!!!

15yo hates her phone (so do I). I can transfer DH's upgrade to her line and get her the iPhone she has longed for with unlimited data.

12yo has a "smartphone", but I just pulled the 9.99 data plan b/c she doesn't use it and it's no longer required.

I have a Moto Droid w/ unlimited data. I use it a LOT and the agent told me that my highest usage so far was 818MB. Since they are selling the data in gigs and I'm not anywhere near that, I'm wondering how important it is to get 15yo grandfathered in this next week on unlimited data. I don't know that she will use hers more than I do unless the iPhone sucks up more data than my Droid???

15yo is an awesome kid, very responsible, took VERY good care of me, her sister, and the house during my recent recovery from surgery and I'd love to get it for her, but, boy, is it a hit to the budget.

Opinions? Advice?

If you plan on her having a data plan then I would do the upgrade now and get her grandfathered in. After 7/7 you will be paying $30 a month for data regardless, so might as well have it be for unlimited.

 

[MickeyManiac]

If you plan on her having a data plan then I would do the upgrade now and get her grandfathered in. After 7/7 you will be paying $30 a month for data regardless, so might as well have it be for unlimited.

I agree. Next month that same $30 will only get her 2 gigs.

My DS (almost 17) only has one more year before college and I'm thinking he'll really need the unlimited option then. We went ahead and added the unlimited plan to his Rogue this weekend and we'll probably get him an iPhone or Droid for Christmas when he's due for his upgrade.

 

[maggiew]

No, they were never smartphones. The data plans were required on feature phones.

Well, what I was saying is that it was NOT true for our feature phones. The whole family has feature phones and I only pay for data for my smartphone??

Maggie

 

[yoopermom]

We're facing a similar, if worse, situation. DS16 and I are both not eligible for our upgrade until late August, don't have smart phones now(LG Envs), and I'm stuck with either paying more for the smartphones now in order to be grandfathered in for the unlimited data, or waiting for the better phone price and having to pay the higher data price. Actually, I can do the "early" upgrade for $20 more for one of us, but not both. Verizon really has me over a barrel! Aargh!

Terri

 

[MickeyManiac]

We're facing a similar, if worse, situation. DS16 and I are both not eligible for our upgrade until late August, don't have smart phones now(LG Envs), and I'm stuck with either paying more for the smartphones now in order to be grandfathered in for the unlimited data, or waiting for the better phone price and having to pay the higher data price. Actually, I can do the "early" upgrade for $20 more for one of us, but not both. Verizon really has me over a barrel! Aargh!

Terri

Can you add the unlimited data plan to your Envs now and then upgrade the phones in August? That's what I just did for DS who is not due for a phone upgrade until late December. Does the Env support a data plan? I thought I read earlier in this thread that someone had the $10 plan on their Env. If so, it should work.

 

[luvmy3]

We're facing a similar, if worse, situation. DS16 and I are both not eligible for our upgrade until late August, don't have smart phones now(LG Envs), and I'm stuck with either paying more for the smartphones now in order to be grandfathered in for the unlimited data, or waiting for the better phone price and having to pay the higher data price. Actually, I can do the "early" upgrade for $20 more for one of us, but not both. Verizon really has me over a barrel! Aargh!

Terri

I don't quite understand the upgrade, do you get the phone for free or at a sunstantial discount when you are eligible for it? If you upgraded early you would be required to pay full retail?
There are plenty of cheaper smartphones to be found on ebay that you could buy to use to get the data plan now, I just don't know if that is financially better for you than the what Verizon allows you to do now.

 

[becauseisaid]

I don't quite understand the upgrade, do you get the phone for free or at a sunstantial discount when you are eligible for it?

With the "New Every Two" arrangement, you can upgrade your phone every 2 years (approximately) for the 'new contract' price rather than full price. The main line on the account can pay $20 to upgrade a few months early. Every other line has to wait the full 2 years. We just went through this with my husband who is the primary account holder and eligible for an early upgrade. He chose the Casio G'zOne Commando.

Regular price: $449.99
New Customer Price: $199.99

My husband paid (well, I did since it was an early B-day/Father's Day gift) the $199.99 plus the $20 early upgrade fee.

If I were to try and upgrade my phone right now, I would be required to pay the full $449.99.

Did that make sense?

 

[shirleyb]

I'm just sitting here thinking what a colossal expense this is. I currently have 5 phones on my plan - hoping to drop to either 3 or 4 this fall, so if I had data on just 4 of those phones, that's $120 at a minimum. I think I only pay about $35 a month for unlimited for my house and that gets used a lot more than the internet on the phones!

It is handy to have - DH and I have the $10 plan on our Samsung Rogues right now, and I also have it on my Blackberry for work, so I do see the convenience factor, but I can't say that it's $30 per month per phone worth of convenience!

 

[yoopermom]

Can you add the unlimited data plan to your Envs now and then upgrade the phones in August? That's what I just did for DS who is not due for a phone upgrade until late December. Does the Env support a data plan? I thought I read earlier in this thread that someone had the $10 plan on their Env. If so, it should work.

I wish, but no it has to be a smartphone and they don't consider Envs that. (I tried, believe me...)

I know everyone's getting different messages, but I was told that the unlimited would only be for the life of the phone (aka until you upgrade to a new one), so no I can't buy a cheap one now and then use my upgrade at the end of August, either.

Urgh...

Terri