Need Upgrade Advice

[Skydog]

I am a single-line user, with the "grandfathered" unlimited (3G) data, off contract with a DX and was eligible for an upgrade last November. I also pay for 1GB of data for my 4G Xoom. I've been waiting for the Droid HD but, in light of recent announcements, I am thinking I should switch now to a 4G device.

If I understand correctly, I will retain my unlimited plan if I upgrade now and sign a 2-yr contract(?). If I do this prior to the summer, will I keep my unlimited (4G) data plan as long as I do not upgrade again in the future? What happens to those of us who remain off-contract with 3G, or 4G?

Even after reading so many posts here, I am still somewhat confused and would like to clarify this before jumping on a new phone in the next week or so. I also want to be fully informed/aware before talking to a rep. My concern is that my current phone is still 3G.

Thank you in advance.

[ushneb]

Seems like if you're on 4G before the shared data is available you'll be able to keep unlimited data as long as you don't upgrade using carrier subsidies. Which means you'll have to pay full retail for every device you'd want in the future.

Moving from 3G to 4G will also cause you to lose unlimited, once shared data is available. So do like you've described and upgrade to 4G before shared data is upon us.

[Skydog]

Thanks, ushneb -- too bad the new devices will not be out before the change.

[jtludwig]

Seems like if you're on 4G before the shared data is available you'll be able to keep unlimited data as long as you don't upgrade using carrier subsidies. Which means you'll have to pay full retail for every device you'd want in the future.

Moving from 3G to 4G will also cause you to lose unlimited, once shared data is available. So do like you've described and upgrade to 4G before shared data is upon us.

I'm pretty sure that moving from 3G => 4G won't kill your unlimited data..it's buying phones with the subsidy. I guess we'll find out for sure when it actually happens.

- Customers who purchase phones at full retail price and are on an unlimited smartphone data plan will be able to keep that plan.

-The same pricing and policies will be applied to all 3G and 4GLTE smartphones."

[Steveanderson13]

Thanks, ushneb -- too bad the new devices will not be out before the change.

Maybe, maybe not. Just wait and see, if you can. If not, jump now.

[ushneb]

I'm pretty sure that moving from 3G => 4G won't kill your unlimited data..it's buying phones with the subsidy. I guess we'll find out for sure when it actually happens.

- Customers who purchase phones at full retail price and are on an unlimited smartphone data plan will be able to keep that plan.

-The same pricing and policies will be applied to all 3G and 4GLTE smartphones."

That's the way it is now, but things are going to change once family share data is available.

Verizon Wireless (NYSE:VZ) plans to eliminate the $30 per month unlimited data plan that it still provides to 3G customers who were "grandfathered" into the plan because they were data customers prior to the company's switch to tiered data pricing last July. Speaking at the 40th J.P. Morgan Technology, Media and Telecom conference, Verizon Communications CFO Fran Shammo said that as these 3G unlimited data plan customers migrate to 4G LTE, they will have to purchase the company's data-share plan (which Verizon plans to launch in mid-summer) and move off the $30 per month unlimited data plan. "Everyone will be on data share," Shammo said.

Verizon's data share plan is scheduled to launch in mid-summer but no pricing details have been announced. Shammo said that he believes this new plan will make it easier for families and small businesses to connect multiple devices. The industry, Shammo said, has constrained the market around connected devices because people think they need an additional data plan. "If I can add as many devices as I want, that is more efficient from a family perspective and a small business perspective," he said.

However, Shammo said that with the launch of this new data share plan, the industry will have to change a key metric--average revenue per user. Shammo said that Verizon will move to a "revenue per account" metric that will more accurately measure the company's business.

When asked how Verizon will drive customers to this new data share plan, Shammo said that LTE will be the anchor for the new plan and that as customers upgrade from 3G to LTE, they will have to be on a data share plan, allowing the company to sunset its unlimited 3G data plan. "A lot of our 3G base is on unlimited," Shammo said. "When they migrate off 3G they will have to go to data share. That is beneficial to us."

Read more: Verizon will kill 'grandfathered' unlimited data plans, push users to data share - FierceWireless http://www.fiercewireless.com/story/...are/2012-05-16