Verizon's not known for simplicity when it comes to plan selection (actually, most carriers aren't) -- currently, individuals can choose from Basic, Select, Connect, and Premium plans in a variety of voice bucket sizes, each featuring different text message and data allowances. It looks like that's about to change, though, on leaked slides showing that the current postpaid individual plan structure will be completely wiped out and replaced with just six options on the 18th of this month, down from 16 prior. Overall, the move is a trade-off -- unlimited voice pricing will come down a whopping 30 percent, while
data packages will now be required on all but the most basic handsets. Comparing all-you-can-eat packages from all the major carriers, this slots Verizon $10 below AT&T but still well above Sprint and T-Mobile, same as always. Prepaid is getting tweaked, too, with all postpaid plans magically turning into prepaid for $5 more per month minus Friends & Family numbers. It's a thorough restructuring from a company that doesn't move very fast or very often, and it'll be interesting to see if (and how) the other guys respond.
posted January 14th 2010 7:28PM
Just in time for the Nexus One.
@Unverified
Last time I checked I was Eric Schmidt, not Unverified-care to explain?
@Unverified You broke yourself.
@Unverified
Maybe your name broke like the Nexus One on T-Mobiles 3G...
@Unverified You aren't Eric Schmidt, apparently. Fail.
@Unverified And the Palm Pre Plus :)
@Unverified
Agreed, but not on big red...
"actually, most carriers aren't" says Engadget...
Check T-Mobile Engadget... It's cheap, simply priced, and the network is great.
@Aubrey Anyway, I'm still sticking to Red V and not that deadlast carrier: http://bit.ly/att-going-down-verizon-is-laughing
Each carriers will always have their own flaws, but me? I'll choose something that's less more evil.
I wonder if the $29.99 unlimited is really unlimited... or 5GB...
@Warren
Good point
@Warren
Who cares? Have you ever gotten anywhere close to 5 GB of data?
@Steve B with teathering it would be possible .. but yes your point is well taken. Our rates are so extreme that they allow and encourage teathering. This is cheap!
@Warren Hello? YouTube? Video up and downloads, there is a torrent app. for Android phones even.
@Steve B
it's the principal of saying unlimited and not really meaning it. If someone said 'hey this buffet is all you can eat!' but then charged me once I went back for
my 4th helping of macaroni &cheese I'd be pissed.
@Warren
True, but if that "unlimited" had an asterisk by it, that should give you some indication that there's a catch and its not necessarily all you can eat, but your point is still valid.
I think I'd feel better if they just changed "unlimited data plan*" to data allotment.
@Warren
I wonder if people are going to finally figure out they're paying an additional $20 a month for text messaging.
@credo
(VZW) 450 + txt + web = $90
(ATT) 450 + txt + web = $70
(SPT) 450 + txt + web = $70
(TMO) 500 + txt + web = $70
Verizon = ripoff. When my contract ends and this pricing is still in effect (this spring) I'm leaving.
@credo I believe this is cause to terminate your contract without fee. Technically, they broke contract by changing it on you without your acceptance.
@Tommy Five
no no no. I mean I'm not renewing with them at the new cost. If they had changed my rates mid-contract I wouldn't be writing about it on engadget; I'd be slappin a hoe.
@Warren Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, do these sound like the actions of a man whose had ALL he could eat?
@credo You're right about Verizon being a rip off, but you are giving AT&T more credit than you should. Their 450 minute, unlimited text and data plans are also $90, just like Verizon's.
@BMWracer0
450 Minutes - $39.99
Messaging & Data Unimited - $30.00
39.00
+30.00
----------
69.00 < 70
70 + 20 = 90 ---> 70 < 90 ---> 70 != 90
qed.
@credo Except that you're not just paying for the number of minutes and txt and web services, but also the reliability and availability of that service. I very rarely have calls dropped when talking to someone on verizon or a landline. That's not true when I'm talking to someone that uses one of the other three networks (AT&T being the worst by far regardless of device).
@Warren
Spoke to Verizon, it's unlimited for now.
@DerekRA Thanks for checking.
@GTMac
Yes, I understand. And if you'll notice, most of the plans cost the same when it comes to voice minutes. Here I would have to rely on Verizon. Hell, I might even pay a few dollars more. However, the fact that when you add text you also add $20 more than other carriers is highly odd, since text messaging uses far less bandwidth than a phone call. Plus I've never had to worry about "dropping" a text message...
So, anybody else notice the yellow sweater? I'm thinking Verizon's gonna buy Sprint. Why else would a Verizon ad (who uses Red predominantly) have someone in a yellow sweater? Yes she has a red shirt, but you can barely see it. All you see is the yellow sweater and black pants (yellow and black = Sprint). Just a theory based on one ad, though.
@Musicman247
Though an interesting theory - I doubt the marketing executives told her to put on a yellow sweater just to see if anyone would 'pick up' on a subtle hint they were gonna buy Sprint in the future.
"Lets put the woman in a yellow sweater, because were gonna buy Sprint!"
"No one will EVER notice! HAHAHAHA"
Thank God she wasnt wearing a Magenta sweater...
@Musicman247 That would make sense... if they operated on the same frequency.
@Musicman247
I couldn't get past her haircut.
@Musicman247
The yellow sweater is over the red shirt, though. Maybe Sprint is buying Verizon?
What color are her undies? That's what really matters.
@Musicman247
Unfortunately to your theory, this was an internal training, not an advertisement.
@Musicman247 the yellow sweater is OVER the red shirt..some might say 'smothering'...sprint to buy verizon CONFIRMED
@Musicman247
Sometimes a yellow sweater is just a yellow sweater.
- Sigmund Freud
@Musicman247 My only theory is that she needs to eat something and FAST. Her thinness has created a tear in the space-time continuum. I didn't even get to her clothes.
@Valicore
I think it's a Photoshop Disaster.
Someone forgot to hold the Shift key while resizing...
@Musicman247
I believe her top two layers are trying to symbolize that Verizon (slashing prices) is trying to be more like Sprint.
As for the blue and white jacket she had on...
it got full of crap and so she had to send it out to the cleaners.
@Michael Scrip
Photoshop Disaster??? Speak for yourself...
I like my women 8'6" tall with a six year old boy's haircut.
@fanboy Verizon runs on both 850 and 1900, so they could use Sprint's spectrum, and all Sprint devices already have 850 to roam on VZW.
@DaveBach
LOL, that was great.
@Musicman247
Woo hoo! First post to be downranked to Oblivion! Thanks for setting me straight, everyone. Had a moment of insanity. :-D
Data plan required? O great...
@The Shadow
My sentiments exactly. I don't use Data on my phones. A waste of my money for me, as the only thing I use my phones for are calling people. Hell, I still prefer flip devices. You know how hard it is to find a flip-phone these days? Next to impossible.
@Solidstate89 "You know how hard it is to find a flip-phone these days? Next to impossible."
Really?
I see a dozen flip-phones on Verizon's site.
@Michael Scrip
He meant with a rotary dial.
@Michael Scrip
Quality flip phones. There are several Samsung and LG models I've seen...but. They're less than good quality. Ironically the only good I've been able to find in my area is the Blackberry Perl Flip. Which is overkill for what I need it for.
@Solidstate89 You can get unlocked Motorola V 195's for less than US$80.
I love that phone. It is simpole, reliable, and has worked for four years. I have a spare for when this one dies. It is unlocked.
What have their designes done to that poor woman !!!
@mtissington
Let's see hey stupid we can make this model look... Bwahahaha
Damn! Verizon is stepping up!