Quote :

"I have always hated the subsidized model. But people are terrible at math."

and that's exactly why you won't see the subsidized-phone model going away any time soon...people aren't getting any better at math

9/11/2013 1:08:07 PM

So I finally upgraded last month and supposedly lost my unlimited data, however the myverizon page showing data usage still shows unlimited. Did I slip through the cracks somehow?

9/12/2013 3:00:11 AM

my wife and I are getting ready to upgrade to 5s, so I guess we will lose our unlimited

My bill will also go up b/c our corporate discount gives us 20% off the bottom line price right now

but with the shared plan, they only take the 20% off the monthly access plan and not the data portion....BS

9/12/2013 5:47:46 AM

I upgraded a while back and lost my unlimited because I wasn't going to buy $1400 in phones and still pay subsidized monthly payments just to keep unlimited when I wasn't using it to the fullest anyway. We didn't switch to the new shared shit so we both now have 2gb data each. With wifi at work and home faster than LTE I can easily stay under my 2Gb limit. My company has an 18% discount and with two lines I am at about $130/mo after tax. How does that compare with what you pay now?

BTW I got my phones off newegg and activated them over the phone which waved the $30 upgrade fee on both lines. I realize you probably wont be able to do that with the new 5s but I would look into it.

9/12/2013 9:10:39 AM

^^^ I got a new phone in December and I see the same thing. I still haven't a clue if it's accurate.

9/12/2013 10:28:34 AM

Did you do your upgrade in-store or online? The only option I get online is the "share everything" plans when I look at new phones.

9/12/2013 9:21:04 PM

I'd be curious what exactly the two of you did... But, I'd be too chicken shit to try to game them

9/12/2013 9:41:51 PM

it won't be permanent, i'm sure...when they finally do away with unlimited by the end of the year, they're going to force everyone...though kudos for keeping it as long as you can

9/12/2013 10:28:34 PM

so are you confident they are doing away with unlimited by the end of the year? As I mentioned earlier, I've considered getting a new un-subsidized phone to keep unlimited, but if they are doing away with it, I'd rather see what their new plan is regarding subsidized phones or not to take advantage of the best "deal" vs just buying one retail now and having things change a couple months down the line anyway.

my current phone still works so I've been waiting to see what happens. Unfortunately with this stuff, sometimes you can wait forever hanging onto rumors.

[Edited on September 13, 2013 at 7:54 AM. Reason : ]

9/13/2013 7:48:07 AM

No one knows for sure. I still think it'll be late next year into 2015 at the earliest which is when they plan on releasing LTE only phones but who knows with it being Verizon.

9/13/2013 9:05:31 AM

some (supposedly) corporate VZW employees on a number of forums are the ones that first started the "end of 2014" rumor and the reasoning seemed sound (there should be virtually no one still under contract with unlimited then)

i haven't really kept up with the rumor mill over the past couple of months, though, so maybe they'll keep it longer...and as pttyndal noted, it's verizon, so who knows

i'm pretty set on leaving verizon within the next month, anyway, because unlimited 4G isn't worth $80+ month

9/13/2013 9:33:57 AM

Quote :

"i'm pretty set on leaving verizon within the next month, anyway, because unlimited 4G isn't worth $80+ month"

I said screw it a couple weeks ago and terminated my contract. Was pleasantly surprised that Verizon goofed and prorated from $175 instead of $350. Flashed my GS3 to Selectel (like Page Plus but runs on Verizon's post paid network) with no problems. No LTE but the ~$80 savings per month is worth it.

9/13/2013 9:40:04 AM

gigabit???


this sounds legit

9/14/2013 10:25:00 AM

ha yeah, their site needs some work. Still no online account management but that's supposedly coming before the end of the year. No service related complaints so far though. I'm using the $75 yearly plan which includes 2000min and 1500texts and using the $10 flex cards for data (200MB @ .05/MB) when needed. That'll probably end up being way more than enough since I'm around wifi 90% of the time and use GrooveIP for calls and Google Voice for texts. Also use the Groove Forwarder app to automatically set the forwarding location based on whether I'm mobile or on wifi. Wifi call quality is way better than when I was trying out republic wireless.

9/14/2013 10:58:09 AM

i bought the droid 4 off of wirefly, they were the only place that still had it, i ended up selecting 2gb/month under the data section, but yet somehow it still says unlimited, so who knows.

9/14/2013 3:35:51 PM

I did this last night. Got the moto x to replace my gnex. Nothing really tickled my fancy, but its hard to turn down the ability to spend $200 on a phone versus $600!

Everything looks kosher so far, I haven't received my device yet, and even when I do, I will wait for people to start activating them and report back if it breaks their unlimited. Reps have been acknowledging the glitch, and saying Verizon will honor, though.

http://www.droid-life.com/2013/09/28/verizon-allowing-you-to-upgrade-and-keep-unlimited-data/

[Edited on September 29, 2013 at 12:44 PM. Reason : link]

9/29/2013 12:44:10 PM

interesting

i'm wondering if they'll actually honor it or reduce your service to 2GB and let you out of the contract while keeping the phone at the subsidized price (since it's not like you're really going to go anywhere else with it)

the only reason i'd think they might do the latter instead of just letting a relatively small group of people keep unlimited on contract is so they can actually do away with it altogether...but i AM surprised there hasn't been more semi-official talk (ie. folks who work for big red corporate blabbing on forums) about the forced end of unlimited

9/30/2013 8:14:44 AM

It's definitely possible to upgrade your phone and keep unlimited data. My advice is go to a Verizon Authorized Retailer rather than a corporate store. They're not supposed to do it, but it can be done.

9/30/2013 8:38:44 AM

i was speaking more to the long run...the number of folks who slip through (either from the online glitch or a CSR doing something they're not supposed to) MIGHT represent a small enough group that VZW would rather reduce their service (maybe offering them a 4GB or higher cap for the same price they had with unlimited) and give them an out and waiving the ETF (knowing they're likely not going anywhere)

given the lack of discussion from supposed insiders, i'm far less sure than i was that unlimited is going to "really" be gone by the end of the year...it's possible VZW just gave up on the notion of forcing the demise of unlimited and figured it'll work itself out as people upgrade

mad props to anyone who wants to continue paying such a high price, be locked into a contract, and was able to keep their unlimited...if you don't mind the first two, then the third is awesome

9/30/2013 11:06:46 AM

Got the Maxx from Amazon last week. What's the fastest charger out there? My older chargers take 4+ hours to charge the Maxx. Might need to look for one on ebay. Also, do those weatherbug apps drain battery?

9/30/2013 11:28:37 AM

Quote :

"Got the Maxx from Amazon last week. What's the fastest charger out there? My older chargers take 4+ hours to charge the Maxx."

not sure about that phone's maximum draw, but i guarantee it's not more than 2A (and likely 1A, if i had to guess)...higher amperage means faster charging and the phone will pull as much as it can until the charger's max has been reached (ie. a 2A charger won't necessarily charge at 2A unless the phone pulls that much)

Quote :

"Also, do those weatherbug apps drain battery?"

most likely not unless you're using a widget...anything that uses background data or hardware will contribute to battery drain

weather widgets likely use the GPS to determine location and data to get updates, though it's probably pretty low and you can usually configure them to update at a given interval

also, this is my favorite: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.palmarysoft.forecaweather

followed by: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.handmark.expressweather

9/30/2013 1:16:30 PM

My phone shipped. I really don't know what their plan i going to be. Before I activate it, I'm going to let it sit a couple days and see what happens to some people. Maybe I'll end up returning it.

It'd be pretty shitty to end this batch of customers unlimited and not give the choice of returning the device and returning to status quo, while allowing others to remain on unlimited. The higher cost really isn't there for me, with NY familys share it works out to $50/month. So I haven't really felt compelled to switch to anything else.

9/30/2013 4:22:14 PM

Verizon released an off8cial statement. Upgrades from this weekend are being honored

9/30/2013 4:36:54 PM

Lucky bastard!

9/30/2013 9:27:11 PM

Basically got a $400 birthday gift from Verizon

9/30/2013 9:48:35 PM

Does Verizon still offer personal plans outside of the Share Everything plans? We're looking to save some money on my girlfriend's bill and she doesn't need unlimited calling and texts, but I can't find anything less than that on their website.

11/9/2013 4:40:29 PM

Nope

11/10/2013 4:50:19 PM

^^go with republic wireless. saving money and verizon are not compatible.

11/10/2013 9:59:03 PM

She has another year on her contract, so switching isn't an option.

11/11/2013 2:25:21 AM

http://www.gottabemobile.com/2013/03/27/verizons-secret-70-iphone-android-plan-revealed/

This is an option if you can stand a minimal plan.

11/11/2013 6:12:31 PM

I don't see how that plan is attractive at all unless you just really, really want to stay with Verizon. If it was say, $50 then I could maybe see that maybe.

Sprint has unlimited Talk, Text, & Data for $80.
Straight Talk has Unlimited Talk, Text, and "Unlimited" data (2.5GB then throttled) for $50.

I hope Straight Talk works out for a long time for us; I can't believe the prices people are charging for 2GB plans these days. Just crazy.

[Edited on November 11, 2013 at 8:37 PM. Reason : ]

11/11/2013 8:27:13 PM

yeh, that plan looks like garbage.

still have my unlimited VZW data... no throttling either... just waiting for the day it all comes crashing down

11/11/2013 9:06:54 PM

^^ sprint sucking massive dick is the only thing keeping me clinging to my unlimited vzw

11/12/2013 6:59:21 AM

Quote :

"Straight Talk has Unlimited Talk, Text, and "Unlimited" data (2.5GB then throttled) for $50."

i just re-upped 6 months for less than $37/month...if nothing else, there are several ebay sellers (one of which i used) who will add a month at a time to your account for $43 or so

but yeah, verizon has a fantastic network...which they will gladly charge you $texas to use

sprint's network blows, no doubt, but with republic it's pretty easy to deal with for $25/month (for 3G only, once the moto X is released this week)

[Edited on November 12, 2013 at 8:16 AM. Reason : .]

11/12/2013 8:15:44 AM

^^^^ I just moved from Verizon to Straight Talk's AT&T LTE plan with an unlocked iPhone 5. Service has been very good so far.. much better than 3 years ago when I had AT&T. No dropped calls, yet. ::fingerscrossed::

$10 for a micro SIM card - which I had to cut to fit into the iPhone 5.

$49 ($45 plus taxes) per month for "unlimited" AT&T LTE which is SCREAMING. "Unlimited" because the first 2.5GB per month are LTE speeds, then its back down to 3G. Perfect bc my price never changes.. I'll just be "toned down" for the rest of my billing period.

On Straight Talk I usually see download speeds higher than my home WiFi. I'm in the Raleigh area so nothing unexpected there. My last test was 17.6 Mbps down on cell tower compared to 15.6 Mbps on my WiFi. So far I'm loving the service for the cost.

ONE NOTE: moving to Straight Talk was not easy. The "technically challenged" may need some help, particularly installing the SIM card, activating the service with tech support (India), and then getting MMS to work. There's online threads for help, but its not an easy move.

11/14/2013 5:22:49 PM

free sim from T-Mobile
$30/month for 5GB LTE, unlimited text, 100 min (2 cents after)
+ GrooveIP/SIP

=

11/14/2013 6:40:25 PM

I tried out T-mobile in the Raleigh/Cary area for a while on an old Android and found their coverage to be horrible. Outside of places I frequent had great service but the minute I walked inside I would instantly lose service or be down to 1 bar. Maybe it was my phone/antenna? How is their LTE coverage/service?

Funny story, the guy at the T-mobile store was rocking a AT&T iPhone at the time (8 months ago). I asked him about it and he seemed nervious and kind of skirted the issue.

11/15/2013 6:33:38 PM

http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2013/11/16/republic-wireless-old-phone-new-phone-and-a-tempting-competitor/

Hilarious.



[Edited on November 17, 2013 at 9:02 AM. Reason : I actually DIDN'T mean to post in this thread, but apparently it fits perfectly]

11/17/2013 9:02:11 AM

If anyone wants to purchase a VZW Unlimited plan shoot me a PM. AoL/ToL so good standing credit history would be required.

$400

11/20/2013 4:39:02 PM

AoL/ToL?

11/25/2013 12:02:16 AM

Assumption of Liability with VZW. Sprint calls it a Transfer of Liability. Basically you hand over your account/contract to someone else that takes it over as their own.

11/25/2013 1:49:31 AM

Is it month to month or on a long contract?

11/25/2013 8:44:59 AM

Contract expires next month.

11/25/2013 5:10:48 PM

Just ported to Straight Talk last month, and Verizon is really fucking me good on the way out. I had paid a bill of ~$115 for a month of service prior to the port, and evidently none of that money can be applied to the ETF...it's just gone.

Of course I didn't know about the $125 ETF (thought I was out of contract), but I'm ok with that part. It's then not prorating the last month which really pisses me off.

Lastly, autopay is all kinds of convenient, but always remember to turn that shit off before you port

12/3/2013 3:52:30 PM

yeah, that's their policy not to prorate the final bill.

12/3/2013 4:08:09 PM

Assholes

12/3/2013 4:11:22 PM

I can't hate them too much. They goofed up and pro-rated my ETF from $175 instead of $350.

12/3/2013 4:13:20 PM

I asked them what paperwork they're basing this "no prorating policy" on and the guy could not show me a document that included it. Does anyone know if it is actually in their agreement from 2 years ago?

12/4/2013 12:02:39 PM

I luckily got in on this deal on Amazon for the 15 mins they had a pricing mistake on all their phones. I ordered a MotoX, GS4, and LG G2 but the only order that wasn't canceled was the GS4. So no contract renewal and continued unlimited data. I was pretty close to switching to T-Mobile despite their non-existant rural coverage.


http://www.droid-life.com/2013/11/07/lg-g2-drops-to-49-on-contract-at-verizon-until-november-11/

12/4/2013 1:47:49 PM

^^ http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/support/customer-agreement

Quote :

"WHAT HAPPENS IF MY POSTPAY SERVICE IS CANCELED BEFORE THE END OF MY CONTRACT TERM? If you're signing up for Postpay Service, you're agreeing to subscribe to a line of Service either on a month–to–month basis or for a minimum contract term, as shown on your receipt or order confirmation. (If your Service is suspended without billing, that time doesn't count toward completing your contract term.) Once you've completed your contract term, you'll automatically become a customer on a month–to–month basis for that line of Service. If you cancel a line of Service, or if we cancel it for good cause, during its contract term, you'll have to pay an early termination fee. If your contract term results from your purchase of an advanced device, your early termination fee will be $350 minus $10 for each full month of your contract term that you complete. Otherwise, your early termination fee will be $175 minus $5 for each full month of your contract term that you complete. Cancellations will become effective on the last day of that month's billing cycle, and you are responsible for all charges incurred until then. Also, if you bought your wireless device from an authorized agent or third–party vendor, you should check whether they charge a separate termination fee."

12/4/2013 1:51:49 PM