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Verizon Wireless Goes Ahead With 'Bucket' Data Plans

Posted by Soulskill on from the just-what-nobody-wanted dept.

CanHasDIY writes "Previously, it was reported that Verizon was considering eliminating their current data plan scheme, as well as the grandfathered unlimited plans, in favor of a new 'bucket' plan in which up to 10 devices would share a data allotment. Verizon has now officially acknowledged the new scheme, called the 'Share Everything' plan, which will go into effect as of June 28, 2012. According to USA Today, 'Under the new pricing plan, a smartphone customer opting for the cheapest data bucket, 1 gigabyte, will pay $90 before taxes and fees ($40 for phone access and $50 for 1 GB). Customers can add a basic phone, laptop and tablet to share data for $30, $20 and $10, respectively.' Those of us still grandfathered into the unlimited plan will be forced (when upgrading) to either sign up for Share Everything or one of the tiered pricing plans currently in effect."

6 of 376 comments (clear)

  1. Oh really? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Looks like the prepaid phone market's getting another customer when my Verizon contract ends.

  2. What the Hell??? by jtownatpunk.net · · Score: 5, Insightful

    $50 for 1 gigabyte of data?!? That's insane!

    1. Re:What the Hell??? by Jon_S · · Score: 5, Insightful

      OK, verizon, so then go ahead and charge me by the megabyte (or gigabyte). They aren't doing that.

      They require at least a $50 base charge (supposedly made palatable because it also includes the voice and text -"now unlimited!' - I never used up my voice and text quotas!) for 1 GB. Can I just pay per gigabyte after that? No. If I upgrade my dumb phone to a smart phone so I can use that data, I have to pay an extra $20 - $30/mo. *with no extra data* (adding a smart phone to the plan is $40/mo. Right now, adding a dumb phone to a family plan is only $10 plus $10 for text).

      Every time one wants to "share" the rationed GB's with another device, one has to pay $20 - $40 /mo. extra for no more data. That's not paying by the GB.

      Stop lying through your teeth VZW! If bandwidth is limited, then just sell it by the GB.

  3. Re:Ugh. Worst summary ever? by SydShamino · · Score: 4, Insightful

    DID you not see the BIT about them dropping all THEIR other plans? So there's plenty point TO comparing these new prices to existing one-LINE Verizon prices as Verizon CUSTOMERS will soon be paying these prices or no LONGER be Verizon customers.

    --
    It doesn't hurt to be nice.
  4. Re:Seriously? by dkleinsc · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Unless the other carrier follows suit, how on Earth do they expect to keep customers?

    Odds are good that they're trying to see if other carriers follow suit. Back in the days before the Internet, 1 airline would raise prices at 4:45 PM on Friday afternoon, see if the other airlines raised their prices to match over the weekend, and if they didn't then lower the prices back down at 8:15 AM on Monday morning. Legally, that's not price fixing, even though in practice it is.

    --
    I am officially gone from /. Long live http://www.soylentnews.com/
  5. Re:less minutes and less text by LurkerXXX · · Score: 4, Insightful

    So get a prepaid cell phone plan and use free wifi for the data.

    Some of us have jobs and can't hang out at McDonald's all day. Some of us live and/or work in rural areas and don't have any McDonald's or other free wifi close by.

    Please stop giving out ProTips. You kinda suck at it.