effective January 18th.

Even a bunch of the flip phones. ......This could be interesting.



HERE IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A PHONE THAT WILL REQUIRE A DATA PLAN


OR THIS ONE, IT HAS A SCREEN THE SIZE OF A CALCULATOR

1/12/2010 8:47:56 PM

They're really testing they're luck and are apparently trying their damnedest to push away customers. Maybe the FCC will give 'em a swift kick in the ass.



[Edited on January 12, 2010 at 8:55 PM. Reason : ]

1/12/2010 8:52:57 PM

Highly unlikely, I think if anything they will spin this as a solution to all the people complaining about those random $1.99 megabyte charges on their bill. They are really doing this for the customers.

Quote :

"nother point of inquiry had to do with those annoying little $1.99 fees. Upon closer inspection, it looked like those couple of bucks were tacked on whenever users hit up the mobile web — whether intentionally or not. Verizon denies this. The company insists that users who accidentally launch the mobile web don’t get charged. Only users who open the launch page, and then navigate away from it — indicating that genuine web browsing is happening — are assessed the fee. Sounds good, but here’s the wrinkle: Verizon subscribers (and even employees) say there are still penalties being levied for accidental access. According to a Verizon staffer cited by DSL Reports, those two little dollars have been used to generate millions in extra revenue for the carrier every month. The FCC is reviewing Verizon's responses, so we’ll find out whether they satisfy the agency. But what about you? Are they up to snuff for you?"

1/12/2010 8:55:31 PM

maybe this is just verizon's way of pushing everyone to smartphones. Why pay 29.99 for data on a flip phone when you can get a droid, blackberry or touch pro 2?

And we should just make this the FCC v Verizon thread lol

Quote :

"FCC commish says Verizon's ETF response is 'unsatisfying and, in some cases, troubling' By Chris Ziegler posted Dec 23rd 2009 5:30PM Breaking News A member of the FCC's five-person commission, Mignon Clyburn, has sent out a letter today in response to Verizon's earlier reply regarding questions surrounding its gargantuan $350 early termination fee on so-called "advanced devices," and in brief, it looks like this issue is far from tied off. Her choicest quote is that she found Verizon's answers "unsatisfying and, in some cases, troubling," noting that customers are already paying "high" monthly fees and suggesting that the public interest isn't being served when someone gets slammed with a three-digit cancellation charge mid-contract. She also straight-up calls the company out on its claim that customers aren't being inadvertently charged when the press the web button on their phone without an appropriate plan, saying that "press reports and consumer complaints strongly suggest otherwise." Commissioner Clyburn's conclusion? "I look forward to exploring this issue in greater depth with my colleagues in the New Year." Dum dum dummmmm. Follow the break for the full text of the letter."

1/12/2010 9:03:43 PM

lol my buddy turned down the droid because he didn't want to subscribe to the data plan on his env touch. Whoops!

1/12/2010 9:42:43 PM

Wow glad I quit working there last month.

1/12/2010 9:45:32 PM

http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/rumor-mill-verizon-requiring-data-plans-mroe-feature-phones/2010-01-12

Summary:
- Title is misleading. It is not every phone. I bought two phones recently from Verizon and neither of them would be required to have a data plan.
- Only affects new customers.
- Does not affect existing customers until you make plan changes (including upgrading your current phone).

I don't understand the business reason behind this? What circumstances are causing this to now be a requirement vs. an a la carte basis and charge customers per use?

[Edited on January 12, 2010 at 9:52 PM. Reason : .]

1/12/2010 9:46:55 PM

my contract's up in another month, might be time to start looking into alternatives

1/12/2010 9:47:26 PM

Quote :

"Title is misleading. It is not every phone. I bought two phones recently from Verizon and neither of them would be required to have a data plan."

What phones did you buy?

1/12/2010 9:54:17 PM

misleading? are you fucking kidding me?

Quote :

"Only affects new customers."

Quote :

"Does not affect existing customers until you make plan changes (including upgrading your current phone"

well that covers about everyfuckingbody

1/12/2010 10:05:19 PM

if this is true verizon has lost a loyal customer of 10 years, as i will be taking my business elsewhere.

1/12/2010 10:06:22 PM

maybe this is so they can make a new ad that says "even with the same demand for data as a network with iPhones, we still have a better map"?

1/12/2010 10:11:23 PM

My boss just disconnected all of our phones after having a plan with Alltel for over 15 years. And that was after I was bending over to try and keep the fucking account by being an indirect agent. They constantly fucked with the account and can't say as I blame him one damn bit.

1/12/2010 10:11:31 PM

i'm soooooooooo glad i still have my alltel plan...fuck verizon

i pay $80/month (after taxes and fees!) for two lines, 1200 anytime, 10 my circle (or whatever they call it), and 1000/phone text/video/image

i have the motorola flip featured above (i don't remember what it's called...entice?) and the fiancé has the samsung alias 2, both of which would be subject to these BS fees were we on a verizon plan

i've already told the verizon folks that when the day comes that i will be required to have a verizon plan, i'm going to another company

in any case, verizon will catch all hell for this...their network IS better than any GSM carrier in america, hands down...but their pricee are horse puckey

1/12/2010 10:21:41 PM

^yeh. I'm still on an alltel plan...the "corresponding" verizon plan is about 25% more with fewer features

1/12/2010 10:23:35 PM

Shit, all I want to do is call people. I'm on a family plan right now and I hardly use 200 minutes per month, I think.

1/12/2010 10:49:01 PM

I'm on an alltel plan and still paying $50/mo to talk <200 minutes per month, no text, no data. I sat down with their salesman the other day and told them straight up they had to do better. He said, "well we could switch you to verizon plans but you'll just pay more for less". Oh well, I gave them a chance.

1/12/2010 11:20:31 PM

carrier most likely to try to rape you

1/13/2010 12:47:10 AM

Working for Vzw there is no mention of this and most all of our trainings come at the latest a week before something is released and a change of this magnitude would be out already I dont see this happening.

that pic also says indirect sales who pretty much set their own policies and could very well require a data plan with the purchase of their phones.

[Edited on January 13, 2010 at 1:30 AM. Reason : ]

1/13/2010 1:28:51 AM

Guess we'll find out on Monday. And apparently they'll ding you with the data plan if you get an insurance placement also. Seems like you could just claim adverse affects and terminate your contract due to a change in cost.

hmm...and maybe verizon will have true unlimited data with LTE, it'll probably just cost you out your ass.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/posttech/2010/01/chat_with_verizon_wireless_cto.html

Quote :

"Verizon Wireless imagines that its coming LTE mobile broadband network will run all kinds of devices such as tablet computers, home appliances, automobiles, smart phones and televisions that you may not necessarily get from a Verizon store. And because so many devices in one household could be connected to its network, the nation’s largest wireless service operator thinks the days of flat-rate plans may be over, according to Verizon chief technology officer **** Lynch in an interview Thursday at the Consumer Electronics Show. Instead, the company will probably charge a base rate for its users and allow multiple authenticated devices to be attached to its network. Then it will charge by how much bandwidth is used by a provider – a business model known as usage-based pricing. “The problem we have today with flat-based usage is that you are trying to encourage customers to be efficient in use and applications but you are getting some people who are bandwidth hogs using gigabytes a month and they are paying something like megabytes a month,” Lynch said. “That isn’t long-term sustainable. Why should customers using an average amount of bandwidth be subsidizing bandwidth hogs?” And with so many consumer electronics tapping into the Web, many of those devices running on Verizon’s network won’t be sold through the company. They will be bought from the Best Buys of the retail world or directly through the Web, similar to what Google announced it would do earlier this week with its new Nexus One phone, Lynch said. “The whole paradigm of how we sell devices into the public is changing,” Lynch said. “At the same time that we announced LTE, we announced an open development initiative where we encouraged third-party developers to deploy devices on our network.” Verizon said it has launched LTE markets in Boston and Seattle but they aren’t ready for customers. By the end of the year, the company expects that its LTE high-speed Internet network will cover a population area size of 100 million people. AT&T is on track to also deploy its own LTE network in tandem with Verizon Wireless. Newcomer Clearwire, which is a WiMax ultra high-speed network, has had a head start, covering several major cities and markets already."

1/13/2010 7:36:52 AM

^I refuse to sign up with an ISP that throttles or caps bandwidth, or attempts to charge based on usage. When I download Top Gear or stream with Netflix, I use the bandwidth given me and nothing more. I am not paying out the ass because I game online, watch movies with Netflix/Hulu and torrent shit we can't get in the USA.

Btw, skankinande this is completely legit. I just logged into InfoCenter and found the training document. That screen cap is from it. This is no bullshit.

1/13/2010 9:00:28 AM

Quote :

"maybe this is just verizon's way of pushing everyone to smartphones. Why pay 29.99 for data on a flip phone when you can get a droid, blackberry or touch pro 2?"

unless I am mistaken, isnt the rumor that they would just be required to buy into the lowest data plan @ $9.99? Thats still a crock for people that don't care about data usage on their phones, but I doubt this is going to push anyone towards paying even more to get a smartphone...

I have an LG Dare with mobile email, unlimited data, unlimited texts (extension off my parents' family plan; I pay them for my portion). As much as I think it would be cool to have a smartphone, I just don't think I can justify the huge price jump over what I pay now.

[Edited on January 13, 2010 at 9:05 AM. Reason : ]

1/13/2010 9:01:05 AM

yeah but the 9.99 package is only for 25MB which isn't very much but would probably be ok for those who don't really do anything. Hell, I used over that with mobile web when I had my Glimmer. Anyone with the current 75MB package for 19.99 would be forced to get the 29.99 "unlimited" option if they upgrade or get another phone. Why pay 29.99 for a "3G Multimedia Phone" when you can get a much better device for a little more up front but pay the same each month?

[Edited on January 13, 2010 at 9:12 AM. Reason : ]

1/13/2010 9:10:16 AM

I just extended my plan when I bought the eris and I have noticed the change in my bill. I should be able to manage it though. If it goes up anymore, I will be

1/13/2010 9:12:55 AM

^^Hmm I'll have to check what I pay now. I paid my parents last summer for a whole year for my portion of the family bill and I don't remember what it was. But I don't remember even paying $19.99 for unlimited data on my Dare.

[Edited on January 13, 2010 at 9:15 AM. Reason : ]

1/13/2010 9:13:56 AM

yeah, they have a category of "enhanced multimedia" phones now that require the 9.99, 19.99 or a connect or premium plan. Believe it's limited to the rogue and env touch currently but verizon is just extending that by changing it to "3G media phones"

1/13/2010 9:17:47 AM

weird. just went and tried to pick as similar as a family plan as I did last year for my parents. Just grabbed the Env Touch as my pretend phone in this plan and yea 75MB for 19.99 or 25MB for 9.99 are the choices. They must have changed that data charge structure sometime last year because a little over a year ago when I got my Dare I'm 99% sure I added unlimited data for 14.99

Looks like when this contract runs out this November I'll be paying a lot more for cell phone service. I was trying to remember what I paid my parents and I think my portion of the family plan with all my data and my email included is only like $35 a month

[Edited on January 13, 2010 at 9:25 AM. Reason : ]

1/13/2010 9:21:52 AM

ha yeah, I think I paid $10 for unlimited web on my Glimmer with Alltel and maybe another $10 for unlimited texts. The times have changed lol

1/13/2010 9:24:05 AM

You are only required to do the $9.99 25MB data package. You are optionally allowed to do the unlimited $29.99 package.

1/13/2010 9:24:18 AM

yeah we know that. My point is for those who currently use the 75MB plan or anyone who wants to be on the safe side and get the 29.99 "unlimited" with a new phone. Seems like a smartphone is the better value which verizon will probably increase those packages eventually.

1/13/2010 9:27:23 AM

^Main downside is you get buttfucked on the double ETF.

1/13/2010 9:39:01 AM

In other news, sales of PTT handsets expected to go through the roof (without the PTT feature).

1/13/2010 9:41:47 AM

worrying about a $350 ETF is only a problem for those who plan on cancelling.

1/13/2010 9:45:30 AM

^^That is only for current PTT handsets. The star on the end clearly states that new ones will be regrouped into different categories.

1/13/2010 9:46:56 AM

I want to get the Casio G'zOne Rock to just see what kind of shit I can put it through. It's pretty bad ass for a flip phone

1/13/2010 10:12:55 AM

I went to Verizon this past Sunday to upgrade, and the sales rep told me that the EnV Touch required a data plan. That was before all of this stuff came out. I didn't buy anything.

1/13/2010 12:23:12 PM

^ scooter incest?

1/13/2010 1:28:41 PM

^^ yeah, the env touch and samsung rogue are considered "Multimedia devices" and require the 9.99 25MB or 19.99 75MB package. The other phones non-smartphones at least allow a pay as you go option. Verizon is just trying to move to mandatory data on pretty much everything. After the 18th, you'll have 3 categories, the 1X and PTT phones requiring no data package, the 3G Multimedia phones requiring a 9.99 or 29.99 package, and PDA/Smartphones requiring a 29.99 or 44.99 package.

Talked to a rep today while I was getting the desk and car mounts for the droid and he said they weren't looking forward to the change and that they've lost a lot of potential sales on the enV Touch and Rogue after they told the customers about the mandatory data on those.

[Edited on January 13, 2010 at 1:50 PM. Reason : ]

1/13/2010 1:49:42 PM

Shit. I've got an enV Touch that I've had for about 6 months that I rarely use data on. If they're going to charge me for a data plan, I might as well upgrade to a Droid.

I wonder if I do that do I have a penalty to pay for this phone? I extended the contract back when I got it to get the discount on it.

1/13/2010 4:08:48 PM

people are making way too much out of this.

i have a Samsung Alias and already pay $4.99/month just to access the internet. The fact that they require a $9.99 service that gives you internet as well as mobile email and up to 25MB/month, it's not that bad.

i thought AT&T's data plan forced upon iPhone users was bad at $29.99/month.

1/13/2010 4:26:17 PM

^ the iphone plan is the same as any other PDA/Smartphone plan on Verizon. And I'm sure a lot of people buy those phones for just texting. Why should they required to pay at least 9.99/month? Just give them a data block option.

^^ you won't be required to add a data plan unless you get a replacement enV Touch or for some reason take it off and put it back on after the 18th. And only way to get the droid would be to pay retail ($559), add a line and move it to yours, or pay the ETF (145 for 6 months) and get the droid with a new contract. Luckily you got yours before they upped the ETF to $350.

[Edited on January 13, 2010 at 4:37 PM. Reason : ]

1/13/2010 4:36:42 PM

Quote :

"What phones did you buy?"

Samsung Knack
Samsung Smooth

Quote :

"I've got an enV Touch that I've had for about 6 months that I rarely use data on. If they're going to charge me for a data plan"

Does not affect existing customers until you make changes to your account.

I'm not defending Verizon here, as I said earlier, I want to see the business reason behind them doing this. Just don't flip out before its been announced officially and see how exactly it does affect you. (Then again, this is TWW...)

[Edited on January 13, 2010 at 5:59 PM. Reason : .]

1/13/2010 5:58:07 PM

New rumor is there will be some changes to the voice plans that may offset the cost of this for most customers. (changes in the customers favor) We will know on Monday for sure I guess.

Lets face it, voice service is becoming less expensive, Boost, Cricket, Page Plus, Straight Talk, hell even T-Mobile and Sprint....I think Verizon may be repositioning to be cost effective for voice service and have the most options for data and smart phones as well.

1/13/2010 10:56:57 PM

^ that i could get behind. i spend most of my time around raleigh, but i do spend a decent amount of time in areas in BFE that verizon and us cellular are pretty much the only carriers with coverage. and i'm not switching to us cellular.

1/13/2010 11:11:07 PM

We make changes to our account pretty frequently, so I'll get hit with this sooner rather than later. Could be a good excuse to get a Droid if it's not financially infeasible to the stupid level.

1/14/2010 9:40:22 AM

more leaked info about the changes coming Jan 18th.

http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2010/01/14/verizon-wireless-to-overhaul-its-phone-and-data-pricing-plans/

1/14/2010 12:12:55 PM

so what's the difference in talk & talk+text? just texting? $20 for unlimited texting???

1/14/2010 12:27:03 PM

what is a "data plan?" basically Internet?

sorry I'm a fan of the comes-free-with-the-plan cell phones.

[Edited on January 14, 2010 at 12:33 PM. Reason : ]

1/14/2010 12:33:32 PM

looks like verizon is trying to be more competitive with the unlimited customers.

Cost Comparison

1/14/2010 2:05:58 PM

that doesnt look right...

my fiance and i are on a family shareplan with 1400 min/unlim messaging/unlim data and its only $160/month total

according to that it would be 1400/unlim messaging ($119.99) + (2) x 29.99 for unlim data = ~ 180

1/14/2010 2:21:29 PM