Verizon Wireless kills Pay as You Go data plans, data plans now mandatory
This has been rumored to be coming but VZW E dropped the bomb on us all by leaking a Verizon Wireless document detailing some drastic changes to Verizon’s data plans. Starting November 14th, 2008, all new PDA / Smartphones will require a $29.99/month or greater data plan. Gone are the pay as you go data plans, 1X data block plans and the 10 MB $24.99/month plans. The good news is that those who are currently signed up for any of the now canceled plans will not be forced to change. If you have a data block, you can keep your data block and continue to use Wi-Fi instead of EV-DO for you data connection. The bad news is that once you swap out your phone for any reason, you will be forced to upgrade to a $29.99 or higher monthly plan. The leaked document also notes that a similar plan will go into effect in 2009 for select Mobile Web 2.0 phones. Since the document mentions HTML web browsing capability as the criteria for a mandatory data plan, we assume this will affect phones such as the LG Dare, the LG Voyager and the new Krave ZN4. With this change, you will be forced to subscribe to the $15/month VCast plan that provides unlimited data for email and web browsing. This move, though controversial, is not entirely surprising. Verizon is apparently trying to better montize the growing interest in smartphones and generate a constant revenue stream by requiring data for all its advanced data-capable phones. Oh, one other thing. You know all of the hot new phones set to hit store shelves in November? Don’t be surprised if we see them become available after November 14th when this new mandatory data plan policy takes affect.
Everybody needs to call and complain about them making you add the data plan. A rep said if enough people call and complain, they will drop it.
Huh? Verzion are culprits. All they need to do is block data for customers who don’t want it. It’s not like we aren’t already paying them enough. If verizon wasn’t so greedy the default would be no data. that way the user would know that they were activating data. Nowadays there are so many free WiFi sites that there is no reason to use overpriced, slow, cell phone data plans.
Ignorance is amazing. A HD tv with a built in HD tuner works just fine with rabbit ears. In fact it probably works better than cable because OTA signals don’t get compressed like the cable company does. Samething applies to a smart phone with WiFi. Chances are you will get better internet service with Wifi than with some overpriced verizon plan.
A premium for slow internet on a 3″ screen????? You have to be pretty desperate to do that. No one is asking for a hand out from verizon. We just want to use a multipurpose device that also happens to be a phone. Free WiFi is everywhere, so why would you be dumb enough to pay a premium for inferior service? I would love to be able to block the data plan and still get the phone. But verizon is getting greedier and now says that is not good enough. These dumb plans are going to cause them to lose customers.
dont wanna pay the 30 bucks for internet? want WIFI device? then bring a laptop!! you are paying top dollar for the service and mobility. you all wanna cry about something that really is a smart move business wise for verizon. they nickel and dime us…..we all know it so get over it because when it comes down to it we all pay the bill and go on with our lives…
You make it sound like we are not paying for the phone and verizon is doing us a favor by accepting us as a customer. If I wanted to carry a laptop with me I would. It’s these stupid policies that verizon comes up with that will lose them customers.
It’s a much more dignified business practice to bill for services rendered, rather than forcing additional service fees onto all customers when only a relatively small percentage use the low-value portion of that plan’s cost. Be it WiFi, TV-services, Radio, or whatever.
All the content providers who keep Verizon [or any other carrier] supplied with services do so at a fee to the carrier. Therefore, charging the customer for services not needed/wanted, even under a ‘bundled’ plan is charging more than necessary to the individual who doesn’t want/need the low-value ’service’.
If you want to see a change in this policy you need to let them know how you feel.
Contacting customer service (Dial *611 from your cell phone (800) 922-0204) will at least alert them of the number of people dissatisfied with this new policy, but even the supervisor’s don’t have any power. It is probably best to send an email to their complaint department. The link is under Contact Us -> Send an email
Whether you agree or disagree with the need for a data plan with a pda phone, the removal of choices by any company should always be viewed with concern.
I absolutely agree with Fritz! Contact Verizon and voice your opinion about this mandatory data plan. Go to Contact Us->”Send us an Email” on the VZW site. It seems they will respond to all e-mails, they did for me.
Why to ‘not’ get a data plan for a Smart Phone??
My wife bought a BlackJack II because it was ‘pretty’. She has no idea how to use it mostly, and further no understanding of use-minutes.
She doesn’t need, nor use, the internet functions, yet will be required to pay a huge chunk extra?? That sucks, and is NOT putting the customer first.
I notice a lot of people on here saying things relative to, “if you have a smartphone, you should have a data plan, why would you have a smart phone without data”… Well I have been using Palm phones for about 4 years now because of working in the medical field.
I don’t use a data plan because I don’t need one, but I “LIKE” having a phone in hand along with my PDA device that lets me use my office documents on the go and allows me to “SYNC” them at work with the network.
I used to carry my old phone with my other PDA and bought a smart phone because carrying one device with me was easier.
Working on my phone using speaker and taking care of business is much easier this way.
A smartphone doesn’t “NEED” to have a data plan to be utilized fully, especially when Palm devices have a DUN to use while working.
So to all of you saying, “why would anyone buy a smartphone and not have data?”
BECAUSE VERIZON PROVIDING DATA TO THE PHONE IS NOT ALWAYS WHAT’S NEEDED!
WE BUY THESE PHONES BECAUSE WE ARE ON THEM CONSTANTLY AND USING OUR WORKNETS TO WORK WITH THE PDA ASPECTS OF THE PHONES!
As suggested, I emailed Verizon to complain about this stupid policy. Someone called me back. I missed the call, but they left a messge. They apologized many times, but just repeated the same nonsense. Some users used the data services and rang up some very hefty bills. What Verizon is completely missing is that they can easily block the data access. Then I can use all the features of the phone as I see fit and not get hit with ridiculous charges. I’m still pissed. It’s ridiculous that they just want to ream their customers.
Late to this game… but for those fools praising this because of those “idiot consumers” who don’t “rtfm” how about this for some perspective.
I’m a 23 year old IT professional in Annapolis MD. Now I don’t know how many of you have been to Maryland, but open WIMAX/WIFI is almost everywhere I go.
Honestly *IF MY PHONE HAS 802.11G* why /would/ I want the data plan??? Among other expenses I can’t afford $30 a month ($360 a year)
Now I support several offices in DC/Baltimore/Annapolis area. Every office here I’ve setup their my customers phones… guess what carrier I’m now telling them to avoid?
I really don’t think Verizon realizes that it’s bad business to screw with the tech’s who do most of your viral advertising.
yea ok well funny thing is most of us in america are not in a WIMAX zone and hotspots are too far apart….have you ever though maybe the extra revenue will be used to develop other metro areas for WIMAX? I wish I had WIMAX, I wish I had verizon landline service period! only wireless for me out here in sacramento, CA. I DONT GET MOBILE TV EITHER! yet im hoping this newly formed revenue stream will help my market since im paying the same amount you all are and not getting as many perks!!!!
$30.00 a month is not trivial, and only an idiot pays for what he doesn’t use. If I have no need of data services for my smart phone (which I use for wifi and syncing plus various other tasks) why the hell should I have to pay when those with non-smart phones, getting the EXACT same Voice service as me, don’t?
Verizon is supposed to be “Open Access” now, meaning all compatible devices are allowed into the network with no penalty, but this penalizes users of certain types of phones. I don’t care if they only give discounts on the phones they sell if you opt for a data plan, but phones purchased elsewhere (EBAY) should be allowed to pay voice only if that’s all the customer wants—regardless of the type of phone.
If they are so worried about users getting huge data bills, they can simply block data when no data plan is in effect. And besides, they don’t make everyone get unlimited TEXT plans because users often go over their allotted amount.
This feels to me like something the FCC should look into, especially since with Verizon’s recent acquisition of the 700 MHz spectrum they are obligated to provide “Open Device” service. This is essentially a surcharge for certain phones which is not open device at all.
let me just suggest a reason for a possible move like this….SKYPE….this program is on a path to be portable enough for a smart device to run as an app. This would effectively reduce Verizons main cash flow of voice profits therefore the company taking major losses….just an idea but maybe this is a way to gear up for competition among other cheaper carriers..google skype and smart device and you will see what im talking about…VoIP is not so far in the future for cell phones any more…
$20/month for unlimited internet, email, wifi,etc. sounds good to me!
I find it mysterious that every pro “required data plan” person argues the exact same way… You’ll see posts of people saying:
“I just want Wifi and a phone I can synch my schedule and email to!! I don’t want to pay for data!”
but then “someone” (probably verizon reps) will go:
“Why would anyone want a smart phone without a data plan? That’s just stupid.”
I’m not one for conspiracy theories, but seriously… practically every post is like that. Why would anyone support something like this that removes the basic consumer’s rights for choice? I’m in a contract, and I can’t upgrade to a new technology without paying a forced $30 a month fee. Why would anyone support that?
… Initially I was stunned that Verizon was dictating such a policy!…
But after reading six pages of comments here? I’m now just stunned (and saddened)that so many “consumers” are in defense of Verizon.
Seriously, I’ve not read such ignorant, elitist, pro Verizon drivel in my entire life. Disgusting.
verizon sucks.
This site has been invaded by Verizon employees…
Ha ha! I like the comments “$20 for unlimited wireless, messaging, etc … AND WIFI … sounds pretty good to me!”
Sure. If you’re a Verizon employee. Because you know what sounds better to me? All of those features, NO DATA PLAN, and WIFi for *FREE*…
…you know, like my laptop, my (aging) PDA, and everything else that uses wifi for free? And has for like at least 4 years or so?
i’m going back to using 2 empty soup cans, string and buttons! heck maybe back to smoke signals. Anyone find a way to tax breathing air yet?>
This is just ridiculous..putting in my 2 cents
I don’t get it. I don’t have a data plan on my verizon smartphone. I got it in March 2009 and selected the pay as you go plan (for $0.015/KB or $15.36 per MB – help me understand that when $1.99/MB is the fee for standard cell phones) and then I disabled the verizon internet connection so it can only use wifi. Verizon did try to automatically switch me to the +$30/mo data plan when I activated the phone, but customer service switched me back.
If I go to verizonwireless.com and try to change the phone’s features, pay as you go is not an option, but the feature list says I have it. I ordered my phone from the verizon website in March 2009 and pay as you go was an option then. it’s on my receipt too…