Verizon's new plans

[jayducharme]

Naturally, they're not cheaper. But what I found most stunning about this article is that they're going to offer to throttle your speed rather than bill you for data overages ... but only if you're on the most expensive plans with the most data. If you have one of the cheaper plans, you have to pay an extra $5 a month for that privilege.

https://www.engadget.com/2016/07/05/verizon-plans-more-money-data/

 

[Cineplex]

Are those prices with voice and text.....or just data?

 

[jayducharme]

Are those prices with voice and text.....or just data?

Voice and text have become afterthoughts for mobile carriers. It seems like their entire focus is on marketing data plans. Voice and text are incidentals thrown in. When the iPhone first came out, the opposite was true.

 

[maflynn]

That's a bummer, I was contemplating switching to VZW this fall, when my ATT contract ends.

 

[jayducharme]

That's a bummer, I was contemplating switching to VZW this fall, when my ATT contract ends.

Well, by "afterthought" I mean they're included. Most every carrier now gives you unlimited (or nearly so) talk time and messaging. But the carriers no longer see voice and text as the features that draw customers in.

 

[maflynn]

But the carriers no longer see voice and text as the features that draw customers in.

Yeah, and in fact, those features are not drawing me in. With two kids on my plan, they hardly use voice and texts. Data restrictions and cost are the driving force for me. I prefer VZW because it has a better network where I'm at, but I get unlimited data with ATT, thanks to being a DirectTV customer. While not cheap (each line is 40 bucks), it allows us to not heavily monitor our data usage like I'd need to do with VZW

 

[Cineplex]

I don't think I will ever go back to the big carries. Prepaid, at least for me, is the cheapest way. My cost is technically more expensive but with my usage it is cheaper than these plans. I currently have Ting (Sprint Network) and only pay $24-$36 per month for two iPhone SEs. We only use about 400-500MB per month. There is WiFi everywhere around us now so it really isn't an issue.

It would be nice if Voice and Text were still things you could by separately. If I could get a cheap plan without data I'd be down....but not at those prices.

 

[maflynn]

I don't think I will ever go back to the big carries.

I currently have Ting (Sprint Network)

Technically you're still with the big carriers, just using a different plan model, i.e., prepaid.

I can see prepaid working for some folks but in may case right now, its not a good fit.

 

[Cineplex]

I think the data consumption rates are a sign of a bigger disconnect of society. I have a friend that uses (actually uses) 6GB+ a month!! He works in a WiFi enabled building, travels on a WiFi enabled train, lives in a WiFi enabled house. It would seem that 6GB of data means that he is spending more time with his phone when he's out than with his wife and kids. I don't really think we "need" all this data connectivity...I think people are just addicted to pointless crap. My life was not any worse off in 2000 when I had just a Nextel and no internet capabilities. I do a fair amount of usage on my iPhone and don't use more than 300-500MB.

 

[I7guy]

I think the data consumption rates are a sign of a bigger disconnect of society. I have a friend that uses (actually uses) 6GB+ a month!! He works in a WiFi enabled building, travels on a WiFi enabled train, lives in a WiFi enabled house. It would seem that 6GB of data means that he is spending more time with his phone when he's out than with his wife and kids. I don't really think we "need" all this data connectivity...I think people are just addicted to pointless crap. My life was not any worse off in 2000 when I had just a Nextel and no internet capabilities. I do a fair amount of usage on my iPhone and don't use more than 300-500MB.

People could use this amount data because they cut the cord, not necessarily because they are addicted to their phone.

 

[maflynn]

[MOD NOTE]
Please join the discussion here: Verizon Revamps Plans With More Data, Carryover Data, Unlimited 2G, and Higher Prices