Verizon is doing away with contracts

[Happytraveler]

Verizon is doing away with contracts
The Verge

Verizon is getting rid of contract plans, switching its offerings over to month-to-month plans like AT&T and T-Mobile did before it. Verizon's new plans are all based around shared data buckets — there's no single line or family plan. Instead, subscribers pay for a specific amount of data and then pay a per device fee to hook it into the plan.

Everyone loves per-line access fees!

The options include 1GB for $30 per month, 3GB for $45 per month, 6GB for $60 per month, and 12GB for $80 per month. Adding a smartphone to the plan is $20 per month, adding a tablet or hotspot is $10 per month, and adding a smartwatch is $5 per month. Verizon says that larger plans will be available for those who want them; for those who just need a little bit of extra data one month, Recode reports that they'll be stuck paying $15 for an extra gigabyte, though they can always jump up to a new plan the next month. As usual, the pricing is not really friendly or tailored for anyone, but Verizon is under the odd impression that it's easier to understand.

The plans go live next Thursday, on August 13th. Current Verizon subscribers will be able to hang onto their existing plans or switch over to the new plans "with some restrictions."

Though doing away with contracts is a big shift, it's something we've seen coming. T-Mobile kicked off the trend about two years ago, and AT&T began following it recently by dropping contract offerings from third-party sellers. Alongside the shift away from contracts is the shift away from subsidized phones, meaning that people are going to need to start buying phones at full price or using carriers' payment plans. Verizon has been offering such a plan under the name Edge, though it's now decided to rename it "device payment option," which actually is easier to understand.

ViaCNET Recode
SourceVerizon Wireless
Related Items verizon contract two-year contract off contract no contract verizon wireless


Moderator's Note: Corrected the forum's auto filter for blocking a legit word - smartwatch.

[enblethen]

You can get good quality "smart phones" without all the cost of Apple products.
Look at the Samsungs and Androids.

[Bull_Rider]

So, my wife wants to move up to an Iphone, from a dumb phone. We have Verizon and we have the unlimited data plan.

Should we make the move before this Thursday? I'm wondering if we shouldn't just get a new account for her Iphone so that we don't lose the unlimited data.

Maybe we will be losing unlimited data anyhow.

Thanks.

[rvten]

Question
On the old program. After 2 years your still paying for a phone that should be payed for till using the 4s.
Going to have to stop in at the VZ store.

[tatest]

Iraqvet05 wrote:
Does that mean the "cheap" subsidized smart phone that would have cost you $200 with a contract plan is now going to be $500-600?

Yes, but not necessarily that much of a jump, because the subsidy is only about $200 on a two-year contract. Depends on the phone or tablet you choose, retail prices can range $200 to $1500 as you get into laptop grade tablets.

[pianotuna]

Hi all,

Here is an article from the Tecknomedia folks:

new verizon plans



I wish the plans were "flex" where you start out with a small amount of data and then get bumped up to the next level. Bell Canada and Telus both have such plans.

[Denny___Jami]

Sorry double post

[Denny___Jami]

I will have to stop into a store and check it out, we have just one smartphone with 6GB data shared with our MiFi for about the same price they are offering with the new plans (we bought our own phone) . The biggest difference is only 20 for another phone instead of the 60 they wanted before, it that is the case I will buy a phone when my Tracphone minutes are used up and transfer my number. May also go to the 12gb data.

Denny

[az99]

RetiredBob wrote:

Snowman9000 wrote:
So what I wonder is if we will be able to switch data plans up and down on a month to month basis, and if there will be any sort of change fee when a plan is switched or a device is added.

According to a rep at the Verizon store yesterday, you will be able to change data plans monthly, no mention of a charge to do this.

That is how the ATT plan works. The only catch is that you lose any rollover data when you switch plans.
I go back and forth between the $30 no data but unlimited phone and the $45 1.5 GB data plan as needed.

[GMandJM]

Pay-as-you-use plans scare people.

Remember back when AOL dial-up was pay-by-the-minute?

(Yeah, I'm dating myself by saying that)

[2oldman]

falconman wrote:
How about a plan where I pay for only what I use?

I like it.

[falconman]

How about a plan where I pay for only what I use? Lose these data plans and stop ripping of the consumers. I get tired of paying for 10 gigs of data on our jetpac and using only 6 gigs some months and more on others then charged a premium if I go over it. I don't by gas or electricity that way. I'll keep our phone unlimited data forever and will cancel the jetpack and start using the hotspot. They already charge an "line access" fee for each one, the data plans need to go if they expect unlimited data users to come around.

[TomG2]

tragusa3 wrote:
This "new" plans are what I got into back in the spring. Not sure why it says it is "coming" Aug 17th?

....snip.........

It is not so much the new plans are coming as it is that the old plans are leaving. No more burying the cost of the phone in the monthly charges. You pay for the service, you pay for the phone.

[burlmart]

what if you do not need data or text? i can't follow the step-by-step planning on their site?

[greenrvgreen]

If VZ really were to "do away" with the unlimited plans, Grandpa and I would likely stay and move to the most equivilent 4g plan. VZ is still by far and away the best of the bunch, and the 4g plans are fairly attractive in the larger data ranges.

Since most unlimited plans are tied to 3g, and the 3g equipment reallly is going away (slowly), Grandpa and I are preparing ourselves mentally for that day.