Verizon Wireless: Unlimited Data vs. Upgrade

[Red Storm]

I don't understand why people keep paying Verizon. Both Sprint and T-mobile offer unlimited data.

Verizon and AT&T are the two biggest carriers and charge a boatload for their service. People keep paying it, telling these companies that it's OK to charge what they are charging, or even charge more (see AT&T's recent "admin fee"). Vote with your wallet.

T-mobile you can get unlimited everything for $70 a month (or less per line on family plan). Heck, they even have a prepaid plan that gives 5G data, unlimited text, and 100 minutes for $30! And you can find refill cards even cheaper than that!

On Sprint, you can get unlimited data for about the same price as T-mobile. Their 3G network sucks, but if you are in a LTE area it's supposedly good.

People complain about dropped calls and worse coverage on T-mobile and Sprint. This is true, but if you live in an area with coverage, does it really matter? Heavy data users typically do not use voice all that much.

There could be a time or two where you are out and about and don't have service. If I were to walk up to you and say "If you give me $1000, I'll let you make a call from here", you'd call me nuts. Yet many people pay $1000 a year or more (if you include full price of phones) for that coverage just for the few times they want to make a call outside of their normal areas.

T-mobile also has wifi calling for free.

T-Mobile unlimited data is ~$70/month, Verizon grandfathered unlimited data is typically ~$80/month. It's not that much cheaper, and Verizon has much better overall coverage. I'm in DC and I only get one bar of LTE with T-Mobile. I could go way out in the country in Virginia and I still would have LTE coverage with Verizon.

 

[Tweak155]

I went from unlimitted to capped data (but I switched carriers) and haven't really been affected. My normal usage is under 500mb.

The biggest gain was going from Sprint to Verizon... way better coverage. Also at first I was paying about $5/mo more per line but now it's at the point where I'm the same or cheaper (keep adding friends / family to my plan).

 

[stag3]

yea they tried that shit with me and the look you only use X mb a month and you can (looks @ new share everything plan) .... pay more for less....

i'd end up paying an extra 30 or so a month for limited data LOL.

i just "added" a basic line for 10/mo, to get the subsidized phone, then immediately xferred the phone to my line to keep the unlimited. and put no phone on the basic. so i ended up saving 150 or so that way. phone retail 600, subsidized phone 200+10x24 = 440 , so 600-440 = ~160 saved over the 2 years than buying the phone outright.

 

[xBiffx]

Won't be long before Big Red eliminated unlimited data altogether. I had unlimited data before I upgraded to my Droid DNA. I choose to lose it to get a cheaper upgrade and went with the 2GB/mo plan. The monthly price didn't change and I haven't even come close to using 2GB. I might, on occasion, go over 1gb but that't it. With all the Wifi hotspots out there and my phone constantly reminding me to use them, I find it useless to have unlimited data.

And like I said, its only a matter of time before they get rid of it altogether. Might be a good time to figure out better habits to get around not having it and not quit cold turkey when that time comes.

 

[NutBucket]

Part of it for me is the principle of it. I'm paying for unlimited data so I'm gonna use it! I don't turn on wifi unless I'm somewhere with spotty reception. Plus LTE is faster than any hotel wifi I've ever used. Hell, its faster than my home internet sometimes.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Sell the unlimited plan on ebay then switch to T-Mobile.

 

[Insomniator]

Sell the unlimited plan on ebay then switch to T-Mobile.

I switched from Verizon to T-mobile and only lasted a year before having to go back to verizon. Had no service anywhere.

Granted this was 4 or 5 years ago but that pretty much scared me to leave Verizon again. My $100 cell phone plan is useless if I don't have service.

With Verizon I feel like I have 4G... pretty much everywhere.

 

[vshah]

I believe their unlimited data is capped, unlike Verizon's grandfathered plan.

no, tmo's $20 unlimited data plan is true unlimited. it doesn't include tethering though.

 

[AstroManLuca]

For me, Verizon is totally overrated. I know everyone has a different situation so I can't speak for everyone, but most of Verizon's advantages are lost on me.

Seems what people like is the unlimited data, rural coverage, and LTE.

Well, I don't have unlimited data (I'm on a 2 GB cap), but even if I did, I don't think I'd use it. I've never gone over 1.5 GB and I usually don't even get a data use reminder (which they send when I hit 1 GB). Normally I am on wifi anyway. I understand that some people aren't always in an area where they can use wifi, but for me, mobile data is more of a minor convenience than a necessity.

Rural coverage isn't a huge deal either. We live in the city and when we're out in the middle of nowhere, usually we're with family and have access to their phones if need be. I have a GPS in my car so I can still get directions if that's all I need.

LTE is overrated IMO. Yes, it's fast and has great ping times and building penetration, but it sucks my battery down like crazy. My phone gets super hot when I use it for more than a minute as well, so I usually just leave it off and let my phone connect via 3G instead, or I just use wifi.

And on top of all that, Verizon is really expensive and you can't bring your own device. You have to buy one of their overpriced phones or get a used one (and I've seen the way other people treat their phones).

I suppose Verizon is great for smartphone "power users" who need fast data, widespread reception, and don't care about the cost. Personally I am moving to Platinumtel (a T-Mobile MVNO) and will be cutting costs as much as possible. I picked up a Lumia 521 for $130 and will probably leave mobile data off most of the time, making use of wifi and offline maps whenever possible. With the wife and I each switching to this setup, we should be able to save about $100 a month, bringing our phone bill from $140 with Verizon down to ~$40 (give or take) on Ptel.

The other great thing about being out of contract and having a GSM phone is if you're unhappy with one company's service, you can just switch to another. If I find myself craving more data, I can just switch to T-Mobile's $30 unlimited data prepaid plan. If I am traveling to a rural area without T-Mobile coverage, I can pick up a prepaid AT&T sim and just swap it in temporarily.

 

[Sho'Nuff]

As far as I know if you don't use and upgrade/sign a contract you will retain unlimited data. I don't believe that has changed.

True. I have unlimited data from years back and have updated my phone several times, including earlier this year.

 

[Fritzo]

Here's what I'm going to do:

1) My wife doesn't have a data plan on her old phone. I'm going to upgrade that one to the new phone I want.
2) Switch the phone over to my account.
3) Reactivate her old phone and cancel the data plan.

Seems to work well

 

[Insomniator]

Here's what I'm going to do:

1) My wife doesn't have a data plan on her old phone. I'm going to upgrade that one to the new phone I want.
2) Switch the phone over to my account.
3) Reactivate her old phone and cancel the data plan.

Seems to work well

Won't that put her on a contract with an ETF?

 

[Red Storm]

Won't that put her on a contract with an ETF?

No, it basically just steals the upgrade from that line and gives it to the other. So as long as you have someone in your plan that doesn't mind you taking their upgrades, you're good to go.

 

[Tweak155]

Won't that put her on a contract with an ETF?

No, it basically just steals the upgrade from that line and gives it to the other. So as long as you have someone in your plan that doesn't mind you taking their upgrades, you're good to go.

Yes it does. You don't get that upgrade price without a contract.

 

[isekii]

I switched from Verizon to T-mobile and only lasted a year before having to go back to verizon. Had no service anywhere.

Granted this was 4 or 5 years ago but that pretty much scared me to leave Verizon again. My $100 cell phone plan is useless if I don't have service.

With Verizon I feel like I have 4G... pretty much everywhere.

Where in NJ are you that you're not getting coverage ?
I get coverage pretty much anywhere in NJ. Was getting close to 30/10 in Secaucus yesterday on my Note 2. Get about 12-15/6-8 everywhere else.

 

[pontifex]

my sister has this same issue but she says even if she upgrades the phone, they have to switch her to the new limited plan.

I guessing she is going to upgrade via verizon though as I don't see how she could afford to pay for a new phone outright.

 

[AkumaX]

honestly just wait a month or 2 for the latest/greatest phone to drop. even though an iphone 5 16gb is $650 + tax, you can find it cheaper on CL or eBay

 

[sze5003]

I'm in the same situation. Never give it up. Bought a droid DNA off swapa for $350 and run a custom sense 5 Rom on it. Stream all the data and music I want on Verizon and I pay $83 a month.

 

[Fritzo]

No, it basically just steals the upgrade from that line and gives it to the other. So as long as you have someone in your plan that doesn't mind you taking their upgrades, you're good to go.

My wife is completely anti-smartphone, so I have a ton of old phones she can use

 

[Fritzo]

honestly just wait a month or 2 for the latest/greatest phone to drop. even though an iphone 5 16gb is $650 + tax, you can find it cheaper on CL or eBay

HTC One is finally supposed to be out by the end of the month.

 

[DrPizza]

Still think it's absolute bull shit that you don't get a cheaper monthly rate if you bring your own phone.

Brilliant marketing: Get the vast majority of users to get the 2 year contract with the subsidized phone up front - everyone gets used to paying $xx per month, which actually covers the cost of the phone over 2 years. Once everyone is used to paying $xx per month, quietly only offer that price. It covers paying for the phone for some, and for others, it's just extra money in the pockets of the telcos.

It's amazing that cell phone plans in the US are about the most expensive in the world. Some countries only pay about 25% or less what Americans pay, for similar levels of service.

 

[DrPizza]

Sums up my point to a degree: http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/why-cant-americans-stomach-unsubsidized-phones/

I think it's because we're more of an instant gratification society - can't save money & pay for a phone outright. According to his calculation, you're paying even more money for the phone by paying for it over 2 years. And, if you don't get the "free" upgrade, the companies are now making even more money from you.

 

[Drekce]

Sums up my point to a degree: http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/why-cant-americans-stomach-unsubsidized-phones/

I think it's because we're more of an instant gratification society - can't save money & pay for a phone outright. According to his calculation, you're paying even more money for the phone by paying for it over 2 years. And, if you don't get the "free" upgrade, the companies are now making even more money from you.

While all that is true we might as well work within reality and still try and get the best deal. At this point I will only use Verizon since it offers far and away the best service throughout the country (I travel a lot). I can whine all day that I don't get a cheaper rate if I bring my own device, but that isn't going to lower my rate. Since that is reality I may as well take the subsidy. If I don't I am really overpaying.

Now that T-Mobile, Sprint and some regional carriers are changing their business models it may alter ATT and Verizon in the future, but face the facts that the only reason those cheaper carriers are cheaper is because they can't compete on service, so they compete on price.

 

[kstu]

Was just in the same situation and bought a used gs3.

 

[SirStev0]

More info for the group:

I live in a rural bumble fuck part of West Virginia. It is Verizon or shitty AT&T service.

I am getting a little strong-armed into an iPhone. I started with Droid. I respect the Android Op system. And I have never bought an Apple product. My co-workers all have iPhone's and it is getting to the point that I am missing out on messages by not being one of the iPhone denizens.

I don't have a problem using an older iPhone (if it is cheap) I wanted the 5 solely because I am worried that their fake 4g will eventually be off the table to unlimited data people.