Verizon WWYD

[jiminyC_fan]

Verizon is ending it's unlimited internet access (whatever it's called) for your phone on July 7th. It will then be tiered. For instance 2G will be 29.99. I don't have it on my phone yet but think I will use it in a few months when we start travelling. I just got a new simple phone about six months ago so I don't qualify upgrading yet. This is what they told me I could do:

1) add a third line to our contract for 9.99 per month and in two years take it off. This will entitle me to a free Droid starting now.

2) add the unlimited internet for 29.99 per month

Would you do this now thinking you will use it in a few months? I mean I would start using it now but don't NEED it now.

I am totally confused.

Do you like your Droid?

Thanks for helping me think this out.

 

[JoiseyMom]

Verizon is ending it's unlimited internet access (whatever it's called) for your phone on July 7th. It will then be tiered. For instance 2G will be 29.99. I don't have it on my phone yet but think I will use it in a few months when we start travelling. I just got a new simple phone about six months ago so I don't qualify upgrading yet. This is what they told me I could do:

1) add a third line to our contract for 9.99 per month and in two years take it off. This will entitle me to a free Droid starting now.

2) add the unlimited internet for 29.99 per month

Would you do this now thinking you will use it in a few months? I mean I would start using it now but don't NEED it now.

I am totally confused.

Do you like your Droid?

Thanks for helping me think this out.

I wish I had an answer for you. I am going through the same thing, I ahve an old LG phone. DH loves his droid and lives on it, and is getting ready to get a 4G phone. I have no idea what to do. I really don't want to spend 30.00/month for data..but if I don't do it now then what??

 

[golfgal]

I LOVE MY DROID!!!!!!!! It's by far the best phone I have ever owned (I have a Droid X). Yes, add it now because that will give you some time to play with it and get used to it before you need it. You could use that extra line as your home phone too-saving money in the long run possibly. You just keep your current phone at home-you can even get some 'regular' phones that are bluetooth capable so you can answer your cell phone on your home phone.

I looked to see how much Data I was using and I have yet to come close to the 2GB so I don't anticipate my bill changing at all in the future.

 

[satorifound]

I like my old iphone better than my husband's Droid. It is personal preference. I just find the iphone more user friendly. (I am not a techy).

 

[jlewisinsyr]

It would have been nice if Verizon actually communicated this to their customers, you know, the ones they even exist to support.

I'm not against tiering, but notification timeline is important. I'm grandfathered in right now (for the two lines), but I was thinking of getting a new phone in September, I might just have to do it this weekend to ensure I'm grandfathered in still (Note: There are rumors that upgrading to a new phone on an existing unlimited data plan will not reset the unlimited, but who knows if that will hold true).

I personally use about 1GB a month of data, but my partner runs about 8GB a month (Netflix and Pandora are data killers).

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Yikes, so there is different kinds of Droids as well? I feel so dumb.

It just seems that the world is changing to these types of phones with so many features that eventually I would need one. Having the unlimited seems good for down the road.

 

[Geoff_M]

Yikes, so there is different kinds of Droids as well? I feel so dumb.

Just to make sure you understand, "Android" refers to the SmartPhone operating system created by Google and is used by a number of SmartPhone makers in lots of 3G and 4G enabled phones. "Droid" refers to a line of Android-based SmartPhones made by Motorola, and yes, there's several models of "Droids" for sale now. My son has an X2 (he paid the extra $$$) and really likes it. My wife, daughter, and I have Samsung Fascinate Android phones (they were free upgrades) and like them a lot too.

 

[cybrkitn]

I'm a bit confused by this as well since this is the first time I'm hearing of it. DH already has unlimited internet on his Thunderbolt and uses it practically every day (he's a techie and an IT Mgr). He also pays for Hot Spot so he can use the internet anywhere there is a cell signal.

Does the charge only affect those who are getting it for the first time or to those who already have it as well? We just got our cell phone bill down $20 and don't need it going back up again

 

[Geoff_M]

Good news.... existing customers won't be affected even if you upgrade/renew down the road (however adding new lines won't be grandfathered).

 

[cybrkitn]

Good news.... existing customers won't be affected even if you upgrade/renew down the road (however adding new lines won't be grandfathered).

Phew! Thanks!

 

[Geoff_M]

If you want info, here it is. These are leaked copies of the training materials that Verizon is sending to "indirect" retailers like BestBuy.

 

[rwdavis2]

If you really want the internet access then get the extra line now. You will want the unlimited access. I have the R2D2 Droid 2 and love it. I don't think Verizon offers it any more but look anyway. Here the things it has besides normal phone:

- Wifi access, if I am home I turn on the phone's wifi and can surf the net over our wireless network

-Browse anytime. Even 3G speeds are pretty good.

-Email

-This and I think most Android phones come with built in GPS systems. So you can use it much like the stand alone GPS. The catch is that is needs a phone connection to get maps/directions. But it works very well.

But DO NOT setup facebook on the phone because it will add all your facebook friends to the phone's contact list and there is no way to get rid of them or the phone's facebook account.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

Thanks, all this is interesting and helpful.

 

[ToyStory Fan]

If you really want the internet access then get the extra line now. You will want the unlimited access. I have the R2D2 Droid 2 and love it. I don't think Verizon offers it any more but look anyway. Here the things it has besides normal phone:

- Wifi access, if I am home I turn on the phone's wifi and can surf the net over our wireless network

-Browse anytime. Even 3G speeds are pretty good.

-Email

-This and I think most Android phones come with built in GPS systems. So you can use it much like the stand alone GPS. The catch is that is needs a phone connection to get maps/directions. But it works very well.

But DO NOT setup facebook on the phone because it will add all your facebook friends to the phone's contact list and there is no way to get rid of them or the phone's facebook account.

I have similar issue with DD's phone - she is the onlly one not on a smartphone and the only one with no data plan. I am assuming I can just upgrade her under the current plan, but I cna either pull the trigger now or roll the dice and see what happens later.

As for the FaceBook friends comment above - that is not entirely true, there absolutely is an option to show which contacts - including facebook contacts that you would like to display in your contact list. I know this was definitely an option under Android 2.2 and it is definitely an option in Android 2.3 (2.1 did not have this ability unless you opted out during the facebook install options)

A word of warning though depending on your choice of phone - there are currently ALOT of problems with Android 2.3.3 (Gingerbread) (i.e. signal drops, WiFI connection issues, sync issues, contact list issues) which is currently only available on the Motorola Droid X, other Motorola Droids (Droid 2, R2D2 etc) still have 2.2 (Froyo) running and while it has its issues seems a bit more stable than the newest version...thus prompting Verizon/Motorola to halt any future releases of 2.3 on any additional phones until Google creates a patch/updated release. I have a Droid X and couldn't wait for Gingerbread - now I am wishing I could revert back to Froyo...this thing is killing my whole smartphone experience - I've never seen such a loss in functionality on what was termed an "upgrade".

 

[DMickey28]

Good news.... existing customers won't be affected even if you upgrade/renew down the road (however adding new lines won't be grandfathered).

I hope that true! We have two lines right now and don't expect to change that. My MIL is on one, non data, and I have an Incredible. DH has the Incredible through work as well. We love them. They are one of HTC's Android phones.

DH's Incredible has been acting up lately though and if he needs a new one he is going to take mine and I am going to get an iphone. I have a new iPad and want to sync it with my phone!

 

[sam_gordon]

1) add a third line to our contract for 9.99 per month and in two years take it off. This will entitle me to a free Droid starting now.

I would NOT do this. Added line = 9.99/month * 24 months = $239.76 + (I'm assuming) REQUIRED data plan for Droid @ $30/month.

What I'm thinking about doing is changing MY phone's data plan (LG EnVTouch 9.99 for 25mb) to unlimited for 29.99, then when my contract is up in September, upgrading to the Droid/Iphone.

 

[golfgal]

Good news.... existing customers won't be affected even if you upgrade/renew down the road (however adding new lines won't be grandfathered).

I hope this is true!!!

 

[golfgal]

I would NOT do this. Added line = 9.99/month * 24 months = $239.76 + (I'm assuming) REQUIRED data plan for Droid @ $30/month.

What I'm thinking about doing is changing MY phone's data plan (LG EnVTouch 9.99 for 25mb) to unlimited for 29.99, then when my contract is up in September, upgrading to the Droid/Iphone.

GOOD IDEA!!!! DD wants a smartphone but we aren't up to renew until October but she has an the LG Touch too with the 9.99 plan....

 

[ndelaware]

If you really want the internet access then get the extra line now. You will want the unlimited access. I have the R2D2 Droid 2 and love it. I don't think Verizon offers it any more but look anyway. Here the things it has besides normal phone:

- Wifi access, if I am home I turn on the phone's wifi and can surf the net over our wireless network

-Browse anytime. Even 3G speeds are pretty good.

-Email

-This and I think most Android phones come with built in GPS systems. So you can use it much like the stand alone GPS. The catch is that is needs a phone connection to get maps/directions. But it works very well.

But DO NOT setup facebook on the phone because it will add all your facebook friends to the phone's contact list and there is no way to get rid of them or the phone's facebook account.

Personally this is one of my favorite aspects of the Android platform, having everything in one place and synced with all my devices.

I have similar issue with DD's phone - she is the onlly one not on a smartphone and the only one with no data plan. I am assuming I can just upgrade her under the current plan, but I cna either pull the trigger now or roll the dice and see what happens later.

As for the FaceBook friends comment above - that is not entirely true, there absolutely is an option to show which contacts - including facebook contacts that you would like to display in your contact list. I know this was definitely an option under Android 2.2 and it is definitely an option in Android 2.3 (2.1 did not have this ability unless you opted out during the facebook install options)

A word of warning though depending on your choice of phone - there are currently ALOT of problems with Android 2.3.3 (Gingerbread) (i.e. signal drops, WiFI connection issues, sync issues, contact list issues) which is currently only available on the Motorola Droid X, other Motorola Droids (Droid 2, R2D2 etc) still have 2.2 (Froyo) running and while it has its issues seems a bit more stable than the newest version...thus prompting Verizon/Motorola to halt any future releases of 2.3 on any additional phones until Google creates a patch/updated release. I have a Droid X and couldn't wait for Gingerbread - now I am wishing I could revert back to Froyo...this thing is killing my whole smartphone experience - I've never seen such a loss in fnctionality on what was termed an "upgrade".

My Droid X was great before the upgrade and even better now with Gingerbread. No issues whatsoever. Sorry to hear you are having problems.

 

[phorsenuf]

What I'm thinking about doing is changing MY phone's data plan (LG EnVTouch 9.99 for 25mb) to unlimited for 29.99, then when my contract is up in September, upgrading to the Droid/Iphone.

That's what I just did with my sons phone (EnVtouch as well). He was going to upgrade in September to a smartphone so I added the data plan now to his existing phone so that he will be grandfathered in come then.