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I've climbed a cellphone tower
Don’t die! Your family will lose unlimited data, if you do. When Verizon Wireless shut off unlimited data plans, PhoneNews.com was the first major member of the mobile media to tout that you could still get one — by taking over someone else’s account.
When the unlimited data plan shutoff first occurred, many were still unaware of the value of these plans down the road. Since even a 3G smartphone with unlimited data can be transformed into an unthrottled, uncapped 4G LTE smartphone with a simple handset swap… obviously, this is of interest to the tech-savvy.
The process, known as an Assumption of Liability, is not new in the industry. It was first created to allow customers to take over a plan if a family member registered on the account passed away. Later it was expanded to allow customers to hand off their plan to someone else, and avoid paying an early termination fee.
But today, it has become an attractive option to lock in unlimited data. Verizon appears to not be happy about that, and appears to have picked the same day as rolling out Verizon’s shared data plans to close it off.
Verizon Wireless has confirmed to PhoneNews.com that, effective June 28, Assumptions of Liability will be stripped of unlimited data plan codes during the account transfer. New customers receiving the account will be required to select from Verizon’s metered data plan add-ons for legacy Nationwide and America’s Choice II accounts, or switch to a new Share Everything plan.
The main problem, is that this will negatively impact those who suffer a loss in the family. If someone passes away, say a husband, the surviving widow can no longer keep the same plan terms. Worse, a customer cannot port out without an assumption of liability. This creates an awful Catch-22 potential for families looking to keep their phone numbers; either accept massively higher bills under Share Everything, or pay massively high Early Termination Fees to port out.
For many, the move is seen as unsurprising. Verizon’s CFO Fran Shammo stated that “all customers” would be forced onto a Share Everything plan once they went into effect, and upgraded devices. Verizon quickly clarified that customers who waived handset subsidies would still be permitted to keep their unlimited data plans, even when migrating from a 3G smartphone, such as an iPhone 4/4S, to a future LTE smartphone.
The carrier does still have economical unlimited data options. As we reported yesterday, Straight Talk will soon begin offering an LG Enlighten, its second Android smartphone, on a $45 unlimited plan powered by Verizon Wireless. However, evidence indicates that the plan is relatively not unlimited, and faces a “soft cap” of around 4 GB per month of data.
Grandfathered customers on Verizon Wireless proper continue to enjoy truly unlimited, unthrottled 4G LTE data, even on alternative devices. 3G smartphone owners (again, such as iPhone 4/4S) have faced throttling, but only when the Verizon Wireless network is impacted. For now, Verizon’s workaround for throttling in 3G markets, is to upgrade to a 4G LTE smartphone, which is unthrottled even on 3G CDMA.
Certainly this change will have customers rushing to Craigslist to quickly try to lock in a change before the deadline. 4G LTE grandfathered data plans, such as AT&T’s coveted unlimited iPad data plan, have been sold for well over a thousand dollars on eBay… device not included.
Verizon Wireless defended the lack of a specific mention of this change, citing that they have said all along that Share Everything plans will apply to all new customers. For those suffering the loss of a family member, and use a Verizon unlimited data plan, it will be adding insult to injury that they may be forced off their plans.
We’ve followed up with Verizon Wireless, and we’re checking to see back if there will be some exception crafted for losses in the family. However, we doubt it.
http://www.phonenews.com/verizon-may...hursday-20615/
I have a blue tooth
The demonizing via "loss of a family member" is terrible writing designed to evoke an emotional response even though they are only telling the half truth.
How about a story on how Phonenews is profiting off the death of their reader's family members? It's just as truthful.
I've climbed a cellphone tower
How is it demonizing? Or telling a half truth. What it is saying is that if the account holder dies or can no longer assume control of the account and you are on a shared family plan, you won't be able to assume control of that data plan or the plan itself and everyone on that plan will be forced to a new tiered plan.Originally Posted by Vatothe0
I think you took the writing waaaay to personally.
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I've got more phones than fingers
Here's how: OMG, my husband just died, what do I do? Hmm, first call family? No... Call neighbors? No....Arrange a funeral? No. Oh, I know what the right thing to do is: call Verizon!!!!
I have a blue tooth
Starting an article with "Don't die!"? Really? Thanks for the tip Phonenews. I was planning on dying next week but thanks to your information article I've changed my mind.
Also, the other half of the truth is that you don't have to do anything other than keep paying the bill to keep unlimited data.
My screen is bigger than yours
Not sure why some are suddenly coming to the defense of VZ. They have made quite a few anti-consumer moves. Nevertheless, VZ seems to be banning assumptions of liability since apparently they can be really profitable for someone who e-bays their unlimited line. Anywho, seems to me VZ is becoming really restrictive and heavy handed regarding unlimited data.
What's unfortunate is with the economy slowing down, most if not all of these moves will not bode well for the future of the company.
VZW LTE! Too bad the data cap is so low... might as well stick with 3G.
I've got more phones than fingers
Google needs a FUD filter but they can't risk their profit.
My screen is bigger than yours
When all the dust has settled with the funeral, hospital payments and so forth... you need to fix the family plan. I saw this happen myself when my mother passed away. She was the primary on an AT&T account and my father had me assume the account so that I could take care of paying the bill. It happens and what VZW is doing is rather heavy handed and unfortunate.
I've got more phones than fingers
No one is. It's just a stupid article.
So phone news should write about it
My screen is bigger than yours
Not sure why you're so upset... having been involved in many current events (ex air force), I can tell you that the media sensationalizes many things. This will not be the first website nor the last to do this. As a matter of fact, www.stopthecap.com picked up the same article and expanded by adding what I said in the previous post.
My screen is bigger than yours
Nobody is defending VZW. Everyone here is just as irritated with the loss of the unlimited options as you.
But what is more irritating is FUD articles like this piece of crap. It's not journalism, it's just irresponsible. Yes, they will no longer allow for unlimited data to be retained through an AOL after Thursday. No, it's not about Verizon wanting to screw over families experiencing the loss of a family member. To claim that it is is just silly. It's about them wanting to get everyone away from unlimited data plans, not just dead people. The spin on this story makes it sound like the targets here are the families of the recently deceased, and that's just ridiculous. This is why everyone is against the article, not because we're all Verizon lovers. Trust me -- right now, that's the last thing a lot of us are.
I've got more phones than fingers
A rational discussion would be useful. First, phonenews prints a sensationalist article because they can make money no other way. Then it spreads here. Then you think a post regarding that is defending Verizon. Then you think a response is "so upset". Everyone is just carrying on a la phonenews. Must be contagious.
Mobile Pro
with the new account level pricing, there is no primary line. Why AOL, just add yourself as an authorized user and go from there. Plus, you can disconnect due to death with no etf. If someone dies and you immediately think about selling off their data plan, you need to readjust priorities...
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My screen is bigger than yours
I'm not defending the article, I'm just saying that is how the media is. I was also trying to clarify that VZ's motives aren't necessarily to make life harder for those who lose family members but to eliminate the unlimited data plan.
If I mistook the tone of your post, then my apologies. It seemed you were upset over something that seems to be the modus operandi for media and journalism.
My screen is bigger than yours
I totally agree and that is why I made the mention of it being sensational as well as the clarification of it being targeted towards the AOL and not families. Unfortunately, they make mention of what will most certainly be collateral damage coming from this. Also, I was just adding something anecdotal with my personal experience.
I too have issues with the article. However, like I said before, this seems like a common practice among many of the articles and news I come across.
Verizon Number with Unlimited Data Plan: Say NO to Tiered Data Prices
Verizon only offers unlimited data plans for 6700 now?
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