Verizon's BlackBerry Pearl gets new data plans, too

They're still miles away from T-Mobile's ridiculously cheap $10 for unlimited BlackBerry email, but Verizon's trying to reach out to a more personal, consumer-based audience as it preps to launch its own Pearl with a new data pricing structure of its own. Unlimited web and email will run you $29.99 when purchased with a voice plan, $34.99 without, offering support for up to ten POP3 and IMAP accounts. Again, T-Mobile's got these cats beat hands-down if saving dinero is the priority -- but then again, Verizon takes the cake for total coverage area and, of course, 3G speed. Pick your poison.

[gibber9583 @ Nov 1st 2007 3:22PM]

Thats priced very competitively. Beats AT&T and Sprints pricing.

[LordJohnWhorfin @ Nov 1st 2007 3:53PM]

No it doesn't. Ever heard of Sprint's SERO? $30/month for 500 anytime minutes, unlimited nights and week-ends, unlimited SMS, and unlimited data.

[Mark @ Nov 1st 2007 4:12PM]

SERO doesn't apply to Blackberry.

[gibber9583 @ Nov 1st 2007 4:21PM]

Thank you mark.

[pubblejak @ Nov 1st 2007 6:55PM]

29.99 is AT&T's price for Blackberry unlimited data and email, with up to ten email accounts, cause that is a Blackberry thing and not a service provider thing. This has been the price for over a year..and you don't have to get a voice plan to get that rate.

[Grayson @ Nov 1st 2007 8:39PM]

Actually, SERO from Sprint can apply to the Blackberry. Since Sprint has already announced (or was it leaked?) a BB plan for $30 with unlimited email, web, Sprint navigation and text messaging, combined with the SERO voice plan - you have an incredibly cheap and extremely functional Blackberry.

Verizon can't even come close to matching the SERO combination, but since they are raking in the customers, I supposed they don't have to. If more people new about the SERO plan, though, Sprint would be climbing up to the top very fast.

[Ari @ Nov 1st 2007 3:24PM]

I assume this will apply to current Blackberry users as well. Right now I'm paying 44.99 for the same thing with my 8830.

[jmattick @ Nov 1st 2007 3:27PM]

Yes, it will, but you have to call in and request the change. The $44.99 still exists, but for corporate and business customers.

[jmorano @ Nov 1st 2007 3:24PM]

The $29.99 plan has a max monthly data transfer of 10mb. I do approx 10 to 20 mb of data a month with my 8703E without sending pictures and now that VZW has the pearl cameraberry, I bet that will at least double.

[jmattick @ Nov 1st 2007 3:28PM]

Not on this plan. This is brand new and is unlimited (which means the 5gb cap exists).

[gibber9583 @ Nov 1st 2007 3:30PM]

Can you please provide documentation? VZW used to or currently offers a 10mb plan for $19.99.

[jmattick @ Nov 1st 2007 4:13PM]

Call Customer Care back and tell them you want the $29.99 plan for unlimited data. If they tell you it's not unlimited, they are adding the wrong code.

Ask for them to lookup Vision code 73618. They'll add the right code.

[jmorano @ Nov 1st 2007 3:37PM]

I just VZW customer service and they told me the $29.99 plan was only for 10mb of monthly data transfer. I would love to be proved wrong on this.

[toasty @ Nov 1st 2007 3:42PM]

if you called just today, then yeah you probably got bum information... this plan is supposed to roll out with the pearl... i.e. Nov 8th. It's likely that the rep you spoke to didnt know what you were asking.

[jmattick @ Nov 1st 2007 3:42PM]

I can't really take a picture of the new rate plan guide right now, but if I could, I would.

I've been trained on these materials, and it is for Unlimited web and email transfer. Every single piece of documentation says this, including the brand new rate plan guides rolled out in all Verizon retail locations.

If you don't believe me, go on down to your local VZW store and grab one of these guides. Even the fine print says 5gb is the *limit*. Not 10mb. The new plan is listed on page 13 of the new Business guide.

This is what sucks as a retail Verizon Wireless employee. Customer service doesn't go through the same training as we do, and as such, misinforms the consumer.

[jmorano @ Nov 1st 2007 4:56PM]

I get what you are saying but what does the $44.99 plan get you over the $29.99 one if both are unlimited data transfer? Would facebook mobile be considered web transfer and thus be unlimited?

[jmattick @ Nov 1st 2007 5:32PM]

Essentially nothing. The $44.99 plan still exists and will continue to exist as it is a requirement for Corporate and Business account provisioning of Blackberry Internet Service, done on our end of things.

The $44.99 is just a business data plan. Also, I think the $44.99 is required if you are going to tether for the additional $15, but I may be mistaken.

[tigerandbelle @ Nov 1st 2007 8:24PM]

For $29.99 your get access to Blackberry Internet Services (BIS) aka Blackberry personal email plan. For $44.99 you get access to Blackberry Enterprise Service (BES) aka Blackberry Corporate email plan which requires your corporate email to run on the Blackberry Server and have a BES license. BES is alot more secure and gives IT access to completely wipe the device remotely should it fall into the wrong hands which is why it is the only device allowed to be used by our government.

[daaper @ Nov 1st 2007 3:49PM]

Thank God!

That's really been my only gripe with Verizon all these years. Their data plan prices were always ridiculous. This is nice to see them getting more competitive with the plans. First I can change my plan mid contract, now this...great job guys, keep it up!

[toasty @ Nov 1st 2007 3:59PM]

this page:

the top lists the old plans, i.e. 10 MB, but if you scroll all the way to the bottomm, they list the new 'personal email and web'

http://stage-b2b.vzw.com/productsservices/wirelessemail/voicedatacallingplans.html

[Ari @ Nov 1st 2007 4:15PM]

nice pull!!

[Doug Ranger @ Nov 1st 2007 4:06PM]

The new Blackberry 8130 for Sprint is rolling out with the same plan, but they are ALSO including unlimited SMS for the same $29.99!

[Mark @ Nov 1st 2007 4:13PM]

Not to mention Sprint TV, Nav and Picture Mail.

[Grayson @ Nov 1st 2007 8:46PM]

I though Picture mail wasn't included. And even if it isn't, the unlimited text and navigation beats the competition.

[xman @ Nov 1st 2007 5:00PM]

I don't care if it's Verizon or Sprint, $30/mo additional for the BB plan sucks. I was going to sign up with Sprint for the SERO plan for $30/mo which includes 500mins nights wknds at 7pm, unlimited internet, email, txt, and picture msgs. This is a great plan and rate. But I want the Blackberry and to pay $40/mo extra (now) is ridiculous. They don't let you opt out of the BB plan either. So, lets say they cut it to $30/mo. That's still too expensive given the fact that it costs just as much as the discounted plan. $20/mo is my price point, which is what I currently pay on T-mobile. Screw Sprint and Verizon for charging so much for BB service. It's not adding value since both already have EV-DO. I'll just access my email via the web browser on the phone (non BB of course) and save $30/mo even though I wish I could stick with a BB phone.

[Renegrub @ Nov 1st 2007 6:26PM]

I placed my order this AM (after this story went live) and it has already shipped out via FedEx 2 Day. I might even get it tomorrow!

[sam @ Nov 1st 2007 8:52PM]

so "push" email, does that mean i cannot respond to emails? or can i?

[robert @ Nov 2nd 2007 12:14AM]

Basically, push email is a free BB service that has the phone automatically and constantly check your inbox for new messages. It is almost identical to text messaging in its speed when you get e-mailed.

It's one of the reasons e-mail will take over your life with a BB

[ptulskie @ Nov 1st 2007 6:38PM]

There is a big discussion on howardforums about this. It is in fact unlimited and a few people have it.

[booblik @ Nov 1st 2007 6:58PM]

I have T-Mobile T-zones plan for 5.99/month and I'm happy with it. It's surely slow, but I don't care much since it's 5 times cheaper than prices mentioned in your post.

[VZWguy @ Nov 1st 2007 9:03PM]

First of all I emailed this, with graphics, to engadget a month ago, and you are just NOW posting it...keep up the cutting edge work guys.


secondly, I like how EVERYONE is going to SERO plans, like sprint won't eventually jerk those from the market once everyone and their mom figures out to just imput a reps email so they can get better minutes and cheaper features. on the other hand they are hemoraging customers and thier network is falling apart....so maybe sprint is happy with people grabbing onto anything they have really.

[tigerandbelle @ Nov 1st 2007 8:36PM]

Considering Sprint just lost 400,000 customers last quarter, I wouldn't say that everyone is jumping on the SERO bandwagon.

[Grayson @ Nov 1st 2007 9:03PM]

Sprint's network is falling apart?? Um, seems like you've been drinking a little too much VZW kool-aid. Sprint's network is great and one of the most advanced in the nation.

As for customers, yes, Sprint lost a lot, but that is mostly the result of the ineffective combining of the Nextel business.

As for SERO, Sprint very well knows non-eligible people are on the plan, but they don't care (as of now) since it's pulling in customers. They might yank the offer if it becomes too much of a burden, but so what? The fact is it's available now so why in the WORLD would you pay twice as much for the same features just to be on Verizon? It's, quite frankly, fairly stupid. No knowledge of the plan (since Sprint doesn't advertise it) is the primary reason the masses haven't jumped on it yet.

And if you go with Verizon or TMobile or AT&T for a phone that you just HAVE to have, well, then you're short-sighted.

[VZWguy @ Nov 1st 2007 9:03PM]

ahh but tiger you are wrong, the sero plan is the main reason the ones left behind are staying with sprint, they can get a good price, and if they stay at home they don;t have to worry about a faulty network for the most part.


sprint, building 25 towers in a city block to be the most "powerful"....HAHA

[VZWguy @ Nov 1st 2007 9:10PM]

seriously, grayson...I can;t stop laughing at how myopic you are...really i can;t tell if that post is serious, or the sarcasm is just really well hidden.

well if it isn;t lets just look atthe AMAZING idea sprint has for a great network....
-Sprint lost 337,000 contract customers
-``Their whole strategy is in disarray,'' said Michael Nelson, an analyst at Stanford Group Co. in New York. He advises holding the shares. The outlook ``still looks pretty dismal.''
-Wireless sales fell 4.1 percent to $8.7 billion, and Sprint's marketing strategy so far has been ineffective, Nelson said. Subscribers with long-term contracts paid an average bill of $59 a month. The average for the past 10 quarters was $62.30, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

the last one reffers mainly to the SERO plans, the network is shotty, but they can claim power because they build 10 towers were the rest of the carriers build 2...wow..GREAT strategy there sprint. no wonder you are hemoraging customers, cutting others off, dropping stock shares, and overall sucking with a major lack of phone releases....


but yeah grayson...SERO will save the world.

[Grayson @ Nov 1st 2007 10:56PM]

Er...okay? I understand Sprint's conundrum with their customers. And like I said, the majority of them are from the Nextel side, since the merger was a huge mistake to begin with and it was mismanaged (you wonder why the CEO was dropped?). I agree with you that they need to get their act together in terms of marketing.

But, again, their network is truly one of the best. And, quite possibly, they've spent more time, effort, and money in improving their network technology when they should have diverted some of those efforts into marketing the Sprint name. I really don't understand your logic - that since Sprint has 10 towers when other carriers have only 2, that makes their network "shotty" (which I assume you mean shoddy, since "shotty" isn't a word). In urban areas, Sprint has some of the absolute best service reception...which by your own admission, is probably due to their 10:2 tower advantage.

And while I'm a big fan of SERO (since it saves me over $60 a month), I have no doubt that it hurts Sprint's bottom line. But, guess what? This is a capitalist society, where people are free to do what's best for them. When a company offers a service for less than half of what the competition offers, it's pretty much a no-brainer, even for those who suck at math and make up words...well...most of the time.

[jase @ Nov 1st 2007 10:25PM]

Breaking news I just got an email from Verizon, sometime early next year they will be offering the Zack Morris phone from saved by the bell but get this its EVO. I personally can't wait!!!!

[ahazan80 @ Nov 2nd 2007 1:36AM]

Morons release this piece of garbage rather than the curve. i think verizon has an ape in charge of hardware selection

[harrysfish @ Nov 2nd 2007 10:00AM]

Anyone know if the Pearl will tether (either Bluetooth or USB) to Mac OS X on Verizon?

[Bachlogic @ Nov 7th 2007 7:53PM]

Say what you want about the difference between the minutia pricing comparing Sprint to Verizon. Here's the bottom line. Everyone that I know who has Verizon here in the Phoenix area, loves them. They have no issues with dropped calls or if it happens, it is a true rarity. I have Sprint. They SUCK!!! I drop 3-5 calls a day. I receive voice mail notifications while the phone is in my hand and I have all of my bars for service. This type of service is inexcusable. When you call Sprint service, they have a very calous attitude. It is no wonder that they are losing so many customers. My service is up at the end of January and I WILL be switching and not looking back. They may be a couple of bucks more than Sprint, AT&T,T-Mobile and All-Tel, but when it comes to exemplary service, does it really matter.

The Pearl will be my phone and Verizon will be my carrier.

[bstringfellow @ Nov 25th 2007 11:22AM]

After changing from the $44.99 plan to 29.99, I was told unlimited text messaging is now included, whereas it was .15 each previously.

[bstringfellow @ Nov 25th 2007 11:22AM]

They lied. No free text messaging after all.

[mc3 @ Dec 3rd 2007 8:31PM]

since unlimited text messaging is included in the Power Vision Blackberry monthly u get to drop the price back to 25 To 30 a month, but you get BBerry security and e mail features and u get sprint music premiere, sprint tv premiere, sprint navigation thingy, 10 email boxes, and 99 cents wireless song downloads. so sprint even CEO less has you covered, if u want distinction.