SubscribeAt the end of business Wednesday, Verizon Wireless will end its unlimited data plans for new customers. If you are an existing customer, you will be able to retain unlimited data for your smartphone indefinitely, but those considering an upgrade to 4G may want to consider doing so immediately, if you want to have an unlimited 4G tethering plan for your 4G-capable phone.
Verizon Wireless data pricing effective 7/7/2011
New Verizon Wireless Customers: You must buy and activate a 3G/4G-capable phone on Verizon’s network no later than 11:59pm Wednesday evening to qualify for the $29.99 unlimited data plan. At this point, this means buying a phone from Verizon Wireless’ website or visiting a local store. If you want the best possible price, we recommend calling Verizon Wireless and negotiating with them directly. Verizon is often able to match prices from online retailers like Wirefly or Amazon, usually by throwing in service credits for your first month’s invoice. New 4G customers can score an unlimited tethering add-on plan from Verizon for an additional $30 a month. That means $29.99 for the data plan plus $30 for the tethering option, but if comes without any usage limits. After July 6, all those new to tethering will only find one option: $20 for up to 2GB of tethering access.
Existing Verizon Wireless Customers: You will keep your current unlimited smartphone data plan indefinitely, perhaps even after upgrading your phone. However, if you were interested in tethering on Verizon’s 4G network, consider upgrading to a 4G phone before Thursday to qualify for the $30 unlimited tethering plan, good only for 4G users with an existing tethering relationship with Verizon. You must select the 4G tethering option before Thursday to qualify. Call Verizon Wireless at 611 from your handset and make sure they take care of this for you to avoid complications. An automatic update will be pushed to the Thunderbolt, Charge, and Revolution on July 7 to cut off the Hotspot free ride those customers had been enjoying up until now. You will have to buy the service if you want to continue using it. All 3G phones (iPhone, Droid X, etc.) will not see any pricing changes for 3G tethering – it is still $20 a month for up to 2GB of usage, no unlimited options for you.
Other pricing details:
- Verizon customers opting for the $30 for 2GB plan will lose company discounts on their data plan. You must select a higher-cost data plan if you want to keep any employer discount;
- Verizon is now specifically prohibiting tethering any of their phones without a Verizon add-on tethering option. This means third-party tethering apps you may have used before now violate your contract with them.
[flv width=”360″ height=”290″]http://www.phillipdampier.com/video/WCPO Cincinnati Verizon ending unlimited data plans 6-24-11.mp4[/flv]
WCPO-TV in Cincinnati covers the imminent funeral for Verizon’s unlimited data plans. Verizon customers are not happy with the loss. (2 minutes)
“START THE CAR!”
-Ikea
I had a real hoot of a time trying to confirm the $30 unlimited tethering plan for LTE/4G owners. Verizon Wireless phone reps and in-store reps did not have the first clue what I was talking about. A $30 unlimited tethering plan from VZW is the only good news out of this company’s summer of Internet Overcharging. It would be worth an upgrade just to lock in such a plan — if Verizon reps confirmed it actually existed. One sort of did — VZWSupport’s Twitter feed made a passing reference to it, but no word on if those who ordered… Read more »
I now have official confirmation that customers who had/ordered a 4G phone prior to 7/7, even if they haven’t received it yet, do qualify for Verizon Wireless’ $30 unlimited tethering plan on the LTE network only.
You should be offered it sometime today forward as an option. If you don’t, drop me a note on our contact form and I will assist.
Hello Phillip,
I locked in the unlimited data plan on 7/5/11 on my HTC Thunderbolt. I was quoted on that date that there would an unlimited tethering/hotspot feature for $30/month after 7/7/11.Today I saw it isn’t available online. I called customer service twice and no luck. I also tried to reference plan #76153, which supposibly is the unlimited plan and they said that was the 2GB plan. Thank for your help. does anyone have a plan number with the unlimited tethering that I can reference?
Go read this and try calling the store in Kansas and see what happens. AFAIK, 76153 is unlimited data. Me thinks the rep is giving you a song and dance routine trying to sign you up for usage limited plans.
Let me know how it goes.
http://stopthecap.com/2011/07/12/how-to-get-verizon-wireless-4g-30-unlimited-use-hotspot-feature-added-to-your-account/