Are current plans going away?

[MRW1215]

I'm curious, is this just a new type of plan Verizon is now offering, or is this replacing their other plans? Currently, I'm on a family plan (mine is the only smartphone), and I'm paying the $30 for unlimited data (we don't have, nor do we need, unlimited minutes and texts). Our contract isn't actually up until next April, so it's not a big concern right this very minute, but I'm just trying to look ahead.

Previously, I wasn't that bothered by the prospect of being stuck with a 2GB cap for the $30 when I would inevitably get a new phone after my contract is up, as I use just under that in a month, anyway.

But now I'm concerned, because if this "shared" data plan is the only thing Verizon is going to be offering, that means I'd have to pay double the data price (total $60) just to get two gigs...

So, what I'm wondering is, when I upgrade next year, can I opt to stick with the 2GB for $30, and keep the rest of my plan the same? I'm not concerned with unlimited minutes or texts, as I use my phone more for the Internet than, well, as a phone.

 

[CharlieD]

This may seem like a dumb question, but it is not clear to me if the newly announced Share Everything plan is replacing the current plans or is in addition to the current plans. I've read comments where some people say when it comes time to renew you can keep your current plan if you want. It's just if you upgrade to a discounted phone, you will lose the unlimited data. Others are talking like the current plans will no longer be offered after the 28th. (Yes, I realize existing plans will not be replaced automatically on the 28th and that people on them will remain on them until they choose to change.)

I have a 700 minute family plan with two smartphones. I have unlimited data and my wife has 2 GB. I'm the more active user and over the past 3 months I've averaged 1.6 GB, and that's high since for one of those months I shut off wireless to see how much I actually used. So as it stands now, going from unlimited to 2 GB is not catastrophic to me. Current cost of just the 700 minutes plus data is $130 (before discounts, taxes, fees,etc.). The new plan with 4 GB of shared data would be $150 (before discounts, taxes, fees,etc.). So, if I could keep this when the times comes for a new contract, it would be better for me. Still, we just upgraded and got new phones this past spring so it's a while before we would even think about doing anything.

Charlie

 

[euph_22]

I'm curious, is this just a new type of plan Verizon is now offering, or is this replacing their other plans? Currently, I'm on a family plan (mine is the only smartphone), and I'm paying the $30 for unlimited data (we don't have, nor do we need, unlimited minutes and texts). Our contract isn't actually up until next April, so it's not a big concern right this very minute, but I'm just trying to look ahead.

Previously, I wasn't that bothered by the prospect of being stuck with a 2GB cap for the $30 when I would inevitably get a new phone after my contract is up, as I use just under that in a month, anyway.

But now I'm concerned, because if this "shared" data plan is the only thing Verizon is going to be offering, that means I'd have to pay double the data price (total $60) just to get two gigs...

So, what I'm wondering is, when I upgrade next year, can I opt to stick with the 2GB for $30, and keep the rest of my plan the same? I'm not concerned with unlimited minutes or texts, as I use my phone more for the Internet than, well, as a phone.

Verizon is still offering the individual tiered data (ie the 2GB plan you talked about). Presumably they would still be offering it in April.

 

[timelord65]

Yes they are gone after July 7th I think, or sometime around there. You can keep your old plan if you don't use an upgrade and buy future phones full retail. If you a new customer or an existing customer and use an upgrade on a line, then you'll have to choose one of the new data tiers. As far as I know anyway.

 

[AntimonyER]

Nothing is changing except you have a new option for family plan, and if you get a subsidized upgrade on your unlimited line, you will revert to a 2GB data plan. Verizon is not forcing anyone into the new shared data plans, at least not yet.

P.S., I merged these two threads, since they are asking the same question.

 

[CharlieD]

Nothing is changing except you have a new option for family plan, and if you get a subsidized upgrade on your unlimited line, you will revert to a 2GB data plan. Verizon is not forcing anyone into the new shared data plans, at least not yet.

P.S., I merged these two threads, since they are asking the same question.

Yet being the operative word here. My bet is within a year the existing plans will be gone or you'll have to do something ridiculous to keep them (think grandfathered unlimited data here.)

 

[Cuda13]

I currently have an old 1000 minute family share plan with the following:

Primary line: smartphone w/ unlimited data (SGSIII on pre-order)
Line 2 : smartphone w/ unlimited data $9.99 cost for line
Line 3 : dumbphone for parents $9.99 cost for line

I was thinking about adding my son to the plan later this summer on something like the Samsung Brightside for his B-day. I could basically add him to the plan now for $9.99 plus a texting plan now but would rather wait until later this summer. Does anyone know if Verizon will keep me from doing this after the 28th plan changes?