Loophole: How to get unlimited data

**mpossoff** · 01-12-2012, 06:52 PM

Originally Posted by NBAJ2K

mpossoff and akhi216 thanks for your thoughts. I suppose if I call in and ask if I'm able to keep it, there is a chance the rep has my account flagged and takes the data off anyway, so I could end up screwing myself. I was going to give them a call tonight to just ask if I am going to have any problem in the future with potentially losing unlimited data, and have my account notated so I would keep it. Verizon is definitely ahead of Sprint and will always be that way I'm sure.

Although Sprint didn't grandfather people in with the hotspots, they would catch A TON of heat if they did that for phones. I'm on one of the Sprint Sero plans, and am worried that may plan may not accept an LTE phone (they did this for a period of time in the past).

I just hope I can keep Verizon. I have the Galaxy Nexus and to be honest compared to my Epic Touch on Sprint I actually like the Sprint phone better. I'm hoping to stay with Verizon and sell my Nexus when one of those new HTC phones are released.

If you have unlimited when you cancel and didn't port your number, they can definately give you your unlimited data back. Each time win back has called unlimited data is on my account that I cancelled, 1 line with MHS and unltd data, and 3 lines with no MHS(which I removed) unltd data.

**NBAJ2K** · 01-12-2012, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by mpossoff

If you have unlimited when you cancel and didn't port your number, they can definately give you your unlimited data back. Each time win back has called unlimited data is on my account that I cancelled, 1 line with MHS and unltd data, and 3 lines with no MHS(which I removed) unltd data.

I guess I could cancel and give it a try.... The problem is for some reason if Verizon doesn't call back in my case, I might be stuck without it. Just having a convo with a rep saying I'm cancelling if I can't keep unlimited data may be the best bet. If I do it I'll be calling tonight.

**mpossoff** · 01-12-2012, 07:04 PM

Originally Posted by NBAJ2K

I guess I could cancel and give it a try.... The problem is for some reason if Verizon doesn't call back in my case, I might be stuck without it. Just having a convo with a rep saying I'm cancelling if I can't keep unlimited data may be the best bet. If I do it I'll be calling tonight.

Well I don't think anyone had called VZW to verify if they'll lose unltd data after removing MHS.

**NBAJ2K** · 01-12-2012, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by mpossoff

Well I don't think anyone had called VZW to verify if they'll lose unltd data after removing MHS.

Since I already have the unlimited data though and can say I was never told I would lose it, I would think it would be slightly different. Could be playing this the wrong way, just thought its an idea.

**NBAJ2K** · 01-14-2012, 12:43 PM

For anyone that's interested, I called Verizon today since my trial ends tomorrow. I mentioned how I have unlimited data, stating that I wanted to be sure I wouldn't ever lose it since my trial is ending and I have to make a decision. She saw exactly how I got it by adding the hotspot bundle and removing the hotspot and explained that was how I still had it. She said I was lucky to get it that way, but that I will absolutely never lose it for any reason in the future, and notated that on my account as well.

So I should be good to go :-) I'm planning on porting my Sprint number over to Verizon in the next few days.

**Duckmeister** · 01-14-2012, 03:16 PM

Was she saying that you were "lucky to get it that way" because it is no longer available or because they will no longer let people keep it after the hotspot? Thanks for sharing.

I've got to believe that there are some out here with friends who work at Verizon (or they work there themself) who is "in the know" as to what Verizon is going to do. I can't verify that my account was annotated as such but it was clear to me when he said "don't drop hotspot or you will lose unlimited data and be reverted back to what you had before you got it."

**whitetigergrowl** · 01-14-2012, 11:06 PM

I asked my local Verizon Rep about it. I started to do it in a subtle fashion, which he immediately picked up on. He was like, "Oh you mean that thing where you add the 4G Hotspot and get Unlimited Data? Yeah I know a guy that got that. I know about it." lol

I asked him what his take was on it, while I just played dumb.

He referenced it as the promo that was cancelled this past summer. He mention they DID bring it back as a promo again at some point, while not promoting it, and that it was supposed to end at the end of December. That much he knew. So it's obvious some did know about it. He wasn't sure why it wasn't shut down yet. He also wasn't 100% sure what will happen to those that drop the hotspot, if anything. But he did say those that still have the Hotspot should be fine since they are following the requirements to have it and the Unlimited phone data.

He did mention something about the feature codes and how those that dropped the hotspot may still possibly end up keeping the Unlimited Data. He was surprised the thing hasn't been shut down yet though. But suspects it will be soon.

The thing that threw me is that he referenced it as a promo that was supposed to end at the end of December. And he knew people that did this and knew of people personally and it didn't seem to be an issue.

So, hey, if it still works for some people great! Have at it. Still off the charts though on how many different responses there are to this.

**vzwinagent** · 01-15-2012, 03:25 AM

Here is my take. This is no promo, it simply is what it is. Let me give a little background here.

I honestly don't think Verizon can really distinguish between different data on 4G like they can on 3G. That's why the 4G hotspot was free and unlimited for so long when 4G was introduced. It's also why when they went to tiered data that things like visual voicemail and vz navigator started using data or counting towards your data when they didn't before. They have no way on the 4G devices to tell a difference. Now of course on unlimited data it didn't really matter, because nothing really mattered. But think about dumb phones. They had limited data plans on those that those features I mentioned didn't count towards. Now it does. They wanted to make it the same across the board, and couldn't not count it on 4G.

This leads to the unlimited 4G mobile hotspot feature and also why mobile hotspot now works differently. Before on 3G devices you had unlimited data and paid $20 extra for mobile hotspot and got 2GB of data for the hotspot while your phone data remained unlimited. When 4G devices came out they just gave everyone unlimited hotspot too. It took time for them to figure out what they were going to do. They had to wait until they went to tiered data to do anything about it. Now hotspot works differently. They don't distinguish between the data they just allow the capability and give you 2 more GB of data that can be used between your device and the mobile hotspot. Still following and make sense? This is also why they have the 4G hotspot unlimited for people with unlimited data plans. They can't take those unlimited data plans away from those people because they are grandfathered. But they also had to give them a way to get mobile hotspot. The only thing they could do was make an unlimited hotspot feature because they can't distinguish between what data is used on the device or via the hotspot, again that's they same reason why hotstpot on tiered plans just adds 2 more GB and isn't a separate allotment for mobile hotspot.

So... as long as unlimited data is grandfathered and people have it, and as long as they want to allow those people to have a mobile hotspot feature on a 4G device, there will also be an unlimited hotspot option. Unless of course maybe they find a way to distinguish between the data. Having said that those two features are tied together. You can't have the unlimited hotspot feature without unlimited data. That's what it's made for. When a rep picks unlimited hotspot in their system that's why it triggers unlimited data to also be added, because it's a prerequisite of the feature. I'm not sure why they haven't made it so that can't be done though. They should just make the system not allow that feature unless unlimited data is already there. I would think that can be done. Maybe not though. CS has the capability to do a lot of things within the billing system with grandfathered features. I know they can see and do things my system won't do. The unlimited hotspot feature isn't even listed in my system unless the person is already on an unlimited data plan with a 4G devices. They can't do that to CS though because someone has to have the capability to see these features and fix errors.

My take is this whole thing is lack of training or employees that don't care. In my system the only mobile hotstpot options available are the tiered options which are actually just bundled data plans. It's not even a separate feature. It requires changing the actual data plan from a $30 2GB plan to a $50 4GB plan that includes hotspot. I'm sure that plan is also in the CS systems and should be what they're picking if the person is already on tiered data. Instead, some are just doing what they are asked by the customer because they don't understand how the system works and what it will do, or they simply don't care or don't know any better.

Now as you can see, this is no promotion. This really isn't even a loophole. It's just poor training or understanding on the reps part.

I also don't think anyone that gets unlimited will lose it. There are still all kinds of reasons for someone to get unlimited data. Lots of accidental system things can cause a person to end up on tiered data and then be put back on unlimited data because of the mistake. They would have to audit for anyone that had tiered data then added unlimited hotspot and unlimited data and then removed hotspot to find these accounts. I'm sure it can be done, and possibly will be done, but I'm not real convinced it ever will be.

**mpossoff** · 01-15-2012, 03:46 AM

Originally Posted by whitetigergrowl

I asked my local Verizon Rep about it. I started to do it in a subtle fashion, which he immediately picked up on. He was like, "Oh you mean that thing where you add the 4G Hotspot and get Unlimited Data? Yeah I know a guy that got that. I know about it." lol

I asked him what his take was on it, while I just played dumb.

He referenced it as the promo that was cancelled this past summer. He mention they DID bring it back as a promo again at some point, while not promoting it, and that it was supposed to end at the end of December. That much he knew. So it's obvious some did know about it. He wasn't sure why it wasn't shut down yet. He also wasn't 100% sure what will happen to those that drop the hotspot, if anything. But he did say those that still have the Hotspot should be fine since they are following the requirements to have it and the Unlimited phone data.

He did mention something about the feature codes and how those that dropped the hotspot may still possibly end up keeping the Unlimited Data. He was surprised the thing hasn't been shut down yet though. But suspects it will be soon.

The thing that threw me is that he referenced it as a promo that was supposed to end at the end of December. And he knew people that did this and knew of people personally and it didn't seem to be an issue.

So, hey, if it still works for some people great! Have at it. Still off the charts though on how many different responses there are to this.

The rep I talked too that added the MHS said the same thing that it was a promo.

**Vatothe0** · 01-15-2012, 03:58 AM

Originally Posted by vzwinagent

Here is my take. This is no promo, it simply is what it is. Let me give a little background here.

I honestly don't think Verizon can really distinguish between different data on 4G like they can on 3G. That's why the 4G hotspot was free and unlimited for so long when 4G was introduced. It's also why when they went to tiered data that things like visual voicemail and vz navigator started using data or counting towards your data when they didn't before. They have no way on the 4G devices to tell a difference. Now of course on unlimited data it didn't really matter, because nothing really mattered. But think about dumb phones. They had limited data plans on those that those features I mentioned didn't count towards. Now it does. They wanted to make it the same across the board, and couldn't not count it on 4G.

This leads to the unlimited 4G mobile hotspot feature and also why mobile hotspot now works differently. Before on 3G devices you had unlimited data and paid $20 extra for mobile hotspot and got 2GB of data for the hotspot while your phone data remained unlimited. When 4G devices came out they just gave everyone unlimited hotspot too. It took time for them to figure out what they were going to do. They had to wait until they went to tiered data to do anything about it. Now hotspot works differently. They don't distinguish between the data they just allow the capability and give you 2 more GB of data that can be used between your device and the mobile hotspot. Still following and make sense? This is also why they have the 4G hotspot unlimited for people with unlimited data plans. They can't take those unlimited data plans away from those people because they are grandfathered. But they also had to give them a way to get mobile hotspot. The only thing they could do was make an unlimited hotspot feature because they can't distinguish between what data is used on the device or via the hotspot, again that's they same reason why hotstpot on tiered plans just adds 2 more GB and isn't a separate allotment for mobile hotspot.

So... as long as unlimited data is grandfathered and people have it, and as long as they want to allow those people to have a mobile hotspot feature on a 4G device, there will also be an unlimited hotspot option. Unless of course maybe they find a way to distinguish between the data. Having said that those two features are tied together. You can't have the unlimited hotspot feature without unlimited data. That's what it's made for. When a rep picks unlimited hotspot in their system that's why it triggers unlimited data to also be added, because it's a prerequisite of the feature. I'm not sure why they haven't made it so that can't be done though. They should just make the system not allow that feature unless unlimited data is already there. I would think that can be done. Maybe not though. CS has the capability to do a lot of things within the billing system with grandfathered features. I know they can see and do things my system won't do. The unlimited hotspot feature isn't even listed in my system unless the person is already on an unlimited data plan with a 4G devices. They can't do that to CS though because someone has to have the capability to see these features and fix errors.

My take is this whole thing is lack of training or employees that don't care. In my system the only mobile hotstpot options available are the tiered options which are actually just bundled data plans. It's not even a separate feature. It requires changing the actual data plan from a $30 2GB plan to a $50 4GB plan that includes hotspot. I'm sure that plan is also in the CS systems and should be what they're picking if the person is already on tiered data. Instead, some are just doing what they are asked by the customer because they don't understand how the system works and what it will do, or they simply don't care or don't know any better.

Now as you can see, this is no promotion. This really isn't even a loophole. It's just poor training or understanding on the reps part.

I also don't think anyone that gets unlimited will lose it. There are still all kinds of reasons for someone to get unlimited data. Lots of accidental system things can cause a person to end up on tiered data and then be put back on unlimited data because of the mistake. They would have to audit for anyone that had tiered data then added unlimited hotspot and unlimited data and then removed hotspot to find these accounts. I'm sure it can be done, and possibly will be done, but I'm not real convinced it ever will be.

If they can't tell the difference between 4g phone data and 4g hotspot data, why do you get the redirect page when you try to use hotspot without paying?

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

**Duckmeister** · 01-15-2012, 05:44 AM

Originally Posted by mpossoff

The rep I talked too that added the MHS said the same thing that it was a promo.

When I look at my account online, it is listed under PROMOTIONS... so it must be a promotion. Has anyone else looked at what it is listed as in your online account?

I think I'll just walk in to my local store and just blatantly ask them about it and see if my account is annotated that I will lose unlimited data it if I drop MHS (which is what I was told by the rep giving it to me).

**whitetigergrowl** · 01-15-2012, 08:31 AM

Originally Posted by Duckmeister

When I look at my account online, it is listed under PROMOTIONS... so it must be a promotion. Has anyone else looked at what it is listed as in your online account?

I think I'll just walk in to my local store and just blatantly ask them about it and see if my account is annotated that I will lose unlimited data it if I drop MHS (which is what I was told by the rep giving it to me).

Mine doesn't say that that I can see. Unless I'm not looking in the right place.

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**Duckmeister** · 01-15-2012, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by whitetigergrowl

Mine doesn't say that that I can see. Unless I'm not looking in the right place.

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Interesting! When I went back to Verizon so that I could tell you exactly where I looked, it has changed. Under MY VERIZON, go to MY PLANS AND SERVICES and it will list what your plans are as well as promotions. Now mine simply says that I have UNLIMITED DATA and under PROMOTIONS, it simply says that I have some discounts. Previously it said that I had MHS under a PROMOTION. Now I'm even more confused as to what Verizon is doing. I am one who has kept the MHS....for now.

**Blue Pearl** · 01-15-2012, 03:09 PM

Time-sensitive question:

I am about to pull the trigger today and get a Verizon plan and phone, as the Sprint network is not good in NYC. I will get a 4G phone and take advantage of the Double-Data Promo (today's the last day), and then add the MHS. to get the unlimited data. That way, when I remove the MHS at some point, if they take off the unlimited data, at least I'll have the double data.

So, do I have to add the MHS on the phone with CS, or can I do it in the store? Or online? I remember that I think it has to be done on the phone with CS. And does it ever happen that you don't automatically get unlimited data?? I want to make sure that I get the unlimited data. I also want to keep it, of course, but don't want to keep MHS indefinitely. I'll keep it for a while though to try to keep it indefinitely.

**whitetigergrowl** · 01-15-2012, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by Blue Pearl

Time-sensitive question:

I am about to pull the trigger today and get a Verizon plan and phone, as the Sprint network is not good in NYC. I will get a 4G phone and take advantage of the Double-Data Promo (today's the last day), and then add the MHS. to get the unlimited data. That way, when I remove the MHS at some point, if they take off the unlimited data, at least I'll have the double data.

So, do I have to add the MHS on the phone with CS, or can I do it in the store? Or online? I remember that I think it has to be done on the phone with CS. And does it ever happen that you don't automatically get unlimited data?? I want to make sure that I get the unlimited data. I also want to keep it, of course, but don't want to keep MHS indefinitely. I'll keep it for a while though to try to keep it indefinitely.

You have to add it on the phone. Success on getting it has been varied but overall successful. Just let them know you were on your My Verizon account and tried adding the 4G Hotspot and it give an error to call in to add it. It may take a few tries.

Once the rep adds it though, unless you get audited, it is added almost immediately and in most cases stays that way for good.