Unlimited Talk/text for 49.99 is REAL. Pilot/promo test project in 11 states
Just talked to a Verizon prepaid operator. This plan was launched today in 11 markets , primarily in the south. Unlimited talk/text (no mms) is available via phone operator only (no online option) in the following 11 states: georgia texas miss lou ark alabama florida tenn nc sc ok
Similar to the old "Lucky 13" original states in which Boost cdma was first available in before it went fully nationwide.
It is currently a beta type project apparently. They are test marketing it there to see how it goes.
My guess is that if you have access to an address in one of the 11 states, you will be able to try this plan out.
49.99 Unlimited talk/text on Verizon prepaid? I never thought I see that, even as a test.
Tmobile loses on coverage but still beats them with messaging because of mms vs just plain sms. But it is Verizon prepaid's first deal that's comparable to the other prepaid players and has a better pricepoint then Att Gophone (which is $60 but has mms and international text as well as all gsm unlocked phones as byod...)
I guess Verizon got tired of losing thousands of subs to Page Plus, Straight Talk and other mvnos...lol
Hope they go national. This will put a lot of pressure on Att...
Plus all those Verizon prepaid phones kicked off of Page Plus will finally find some use again...albeit at five bucks more...well at least they'd get unlimited data as an option...
Another (partial) byod Verizon network option at the $50 unlimited price point is never a bad thing...
Kind of a no brainer it's going to go over a lot better than their $94.99 unlimited talk and text. That's weird though it that it wouldn't include MMS. All the existing Verizon "text" plans-- both prepaid and postpaid-- treat MMS and SMS the same. It's one "message" either way, and they never charge separately for the MB of data to transport MMS.
This isn't much more expensive than PP with discounts and without the bad customer service or the drama of what phone will work. For those that use mms well its not for them.
It's only going to take one bad experience with PP for a customer to look and see that this is close in price and that getting a phone isn't a NASA production. The 20mb that PP offers? That's a tease imo and a cause of headaches.
Could this be part of the reason that Straighttalk is bringing in another carrier?
This option does sound both attractive and unlike Big Red. Where are you learning the details of the plan? I see you spoke with a VZW operator, which is a good source, I'd imagine... I'm just wondering if there are any 'printed' materials anywhere. I see you mentioned that it cannot be ordered online, but I was wondering if the details were published online anywhere.
So far, all I've seen is your posts here and in the Page Plus forum...
Details I'd be interested in are BYOD (can you bring a smartphone?), confirmation of data rates, confirmation of SMS/MMS (are they treated the same or different), coverage. I assume coverage would be standard VZW prepaid - can you 'roam' in VZW postpaid coverage areas like you can with Page Plus?
Being in one of the 'lucky' areas, this option could be good for me.
This option does sound both attractive and unlike Big Red. Where are you learning the details of the plan? I see you spoke with a VZW operator, which is a good source, I'd imagine... I'm just wondering if there are any 'printed' materials anywhere. I see you mentioned that it cannot be ordered online, but I was wondering if the details were published online anywhere.
So far, all I've seen is your posts here and in the Page Plus forum...
Details I'd be interested in are BYOD (can you bring a smartphone?), confirmation of data rates, confirmation of SMS/MMS (are they treated the same or different), coverage. I assume coverage would be standard VZW prepaid - can you 'roam' in VZW postpaid coverage areas like you can with Page Plus?
Being in one of the 'lucky' areas, this option could be good for me.
I'm not in a lucky area but if it's anything like the old Boost cdma unlimited, that can be bypassed.
As for the details, my basic assumption is that it is a new monthly plan for Verizon prepaid and everything else in their infrastructure, data rates/plans (dollar a day unlimited use on days used), mms rates , etc, stay the same.
That includes their partial byod policy of NO smartphones and/or html web devices (unfortunately). But, there are some ways to mitigate that , such as using Netfront capable wap phones like certain Samsungs.
I see this as a complement to Page Plus . Verizon prepaid has certain disadvantages like the lack of a full byod selection. BUT, it does allow phones not allowed on PPC/other Vz byod mvnos: the prepaid Vz phones.
And it is backed up by the Verizon brand name, better (slightly) roaming rates, unlimited data options, more apps/brew, ringtones, etc.
Page Plus increased their unlimited price while Vz is decreasing theirs. This ends up equalizing prices largely.
If Verizon goes nationwide with this , it will definitely have an impact.
At that price, they would have to keep limiting byod because of the losses their postpaid side would sustain.
Verizon has better CS and less doubt about supported/unsupported devices and a better overall billing/CS/service support system then PPC does.
PPC has enjoyed a relative monopoly in this area since their unlimited plan launch last year and hasn't had a single strong contender with it all (Price, byod, Verizon network, etc). Verizon prepaid itself is the closest real competition it may get (aside from non byod carrier ST, which itself has done really well with its heavy Walmart backing).
Really, Page Plus has been a little arrogant and been getting too comfortable . They need the push. I hope Big Red gives it to them.
To find out more, call the Verizon postpaid number, ask for a live prepaid operator and ask them the questions you have and they will confirm it . 800-922-0204
Be aware, you probably won't have to wait about holding for an hour to get a CSR.
To find out more, call the Verizon postpaid number, ask for a live prepaid operator and ask them the questions you have and they will confirm it . 800-922-0204
Be aware, you probably won't have to wait about holding for an hour to get a CSR.
I love the last comment. I'm currently on VZW postpaid (last contract expires next month), and I've pretty much always gotten good (and reasonably quick) customer service from them. As for Page Plus, I'm well aware of their CS reputation (especially over hold times) - the only time I needed them (so far), though, they were on the spot (short hold time) and very helpful.
I'm not sure when I'd be able to check into this - possibly not today. But the no smartphone, while not surprising, may be the dealbreaker for me. I was planning to get one (to use primarily with wifi at home, while keeping a close eye on limited 3G data usage) on Page Plus. The big question is whether I'd get a better deal with the data option on VZW prepay vs PPC - since I don't have the smartphone yet I don't know how much I'd use. For my talk/text needs, Page Plus is still a clear winner.
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Originally Posted by offthegrid
I'm just wondering if there are any 'printed' materials anywhere. I see you mentioned that it cannot be ordered online, but I was wondering if the details were published online anywhere.
I'm currently on VZW postpaid (last contract expires next month), and I've pretty much always gotten good (and reasonably quick) customer service from them. As for Page Plus, I'm well aware of their CS reputation (especially over hold times) - the only time I needed them (so far), though, they were on the spot (short hold time) and very helpful.
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