Verizon $5/mo renew method has changed?

Mine is still working, although when I call the 6804 number it doesn't give me an expiration date. Even though it says I am on the $30/month, I only added $5 as I have done in the past.
Will see how it goes.

I read today Verizon will not renew any new 3G activations.

https://www.cnet.com/news/verizon-will-no-longer-activate-your-old-non-4g-phone/

That article says they will no longer "activate" 3G phones. Activate applies to new accounts. Doesn't say they will shut off existing 3G phone/hotspot accounts.

Ramblin' Ralph

I think it is the beginning of the end.

My wife had a Casio GzOne 3g flip phone that she loved registered initially on Verizon then on Tracfone/Verizon network. She got a message that the phone would no longer be supported and that she could not renew her monthly subscription with that phone. I tried every phone company I could find and there was no one that would accept her phone. It was an expensive flip phone that was only about 4 years old.

It now sits in a drawer so she is using a Jitterbug phone on the Great Call network and she loves it. I don't know if that is a 3g phone or not - don't care as long as it works well for her and she is happy. :)

I would say Yes, the end is near for 3g phone service if it has not arrived already.
Barney

my DW phone is G'Zone and still working as of yesterday
i think this one is 6yrs old this month
long time customer on post paid, my Android and her flip phone on this account

It looks like Verizon is clamping down on the $5/month plans. Several people on the Cheap RV Living forum have reported losing their account. I've had a 3G account for two years and a 4G since May. The 4G is still working, but I suspect that it won't last long. It was good while it lasted.

Heisenberg wrote:
I think it is the beginning of the end.

I definitely agree with that! Even if they don't stop renewing the $5 hotspots, then the "only 4G towers" situation will make it unusable. I've already found a few areas while traveling the last couple of years where mine didn't work, even though there was a strong signal.

I have flip-phone about 10 years old. Never thought about that becoming unusable. Don't really want a smartphone. Too big.

My account is no longer active, quit last week on our return to New Orleans.

My $5 Jetpack is still working, but the renewal date is approaching. It'll be interesting to see what happens.