Calling Verizon experts: can I do this?

[rjdoc74]

Hello everyone,

I have a 5 line family plan with 2 iphone lines (unlimited) and 3 dumbphones. I am still under contract until 2/13. Two of the family members expressed desire to switch to iphones and I am trying to figure out the most economical way to do it. Is there any way I could separate the family plan into 2 leaving 2 unlimited internet lines separate and sign up for new share plan with the other 3 lines which will likely allow me to upgrade to 2 additional iphones without loosing my unlimited on the older ones? I am now on 2000 minutes plan, but if I separate 2 lines I would need to reduce minutes to minumin- would they allow to do this? I am looking for input of someone who was able to do this or something similar to this before I call CS.

Thank you.

[jseah]

If you are going to upgrade 2 of the feature phone lines to iPhones, then you can leave everything as is and just add tiered data plans to those two lines when you do the upgrade. No need to switch to share everything unless you really want to switch.

[rjdoc74]

If this is possible, that's great news! Thank you!

If you are going to upgrade 2 of the feature phone lines to iPhones, then you can leave everything as is and just add tiered data plans to those two lines when you do the upgrade. No need to switch to share everything unless you really want to switch.

[ShortSxit]

If you are going to upgrade 2 of the feature phone lines to iPhones, then you can leave everything as is and just add tiered data plans to those two lines when you do the upgrade. No need to switch to share everything unless you really want to switch.

Right, but the lines aren't eligible for upgrades

[rjdoc74]

They will be on 10/10/2012. Here is another question- if I upgrade 2 dumb phone lines to iPhone 5 will I be able to use it on my unlimited lines and put my old iPhone 4 on the new line? My relatives don't care what iPhone they use but I do

[jseah]

They will be on 10/10/2012. Here is another question- if I upgrade 2 dumb phone lines to iPhone 5 will I be able to use it on my unlimited lines and put my old iPhone 4 on the new line? My relatives don't care what iPhone they use but I do

Yep, you can definitely do that.

[rjdoc74]

Yep, you can definitely do that.

OK, so when I upgrade my dumb phone lines to new IPhone 5, I am assuming I will get the phones with LTE SIM card. If I want to use them on my old unlimited lines, will I need a DIFFERENT LTE SIM card or is SIM card not tied to a particular number?

[jseah]

OK, so when I upgrade my dumb phone lines to new IPhone 5, I am assuming I will get the phones with LTE SIM card. If I want to use them on my old unlimited lines, will I need a DIFFERENT LTE SIM card or is SIM card not tied to a particular number?

Once the phone is activated on the feature phone line with the LTE SIM card, then that LTE SIM is tied to that number. What you could do is to do an alternate upgrade, so the iPhone 5 is immediately activated on your unlimited line and then just switch the existing iPhone to the line you just upgraded. Then you don't need to worry about getting a new LTE SIM card for your line, since the one that comes with the iPhone will be used on your line.

Your best bet would be to do this in store, or over the phone. Buying the phone through the Verizon website will prompt you to switch to Share Everything. Apparently the website doesn't give you the option to stay on your existing plan.

[rjdoc74]

OK, thank you. I hate going to Verizon store because you deal with people that are just salesman and for the most part don't know what they are talking about or what they are doing. I hope this works.

Once the phone is activated on the feature phone line with the LTE SIM card, then that LTE SIM is tied to that number. What you could do is to do an alternate upgrade, so the iPhone 5 is immediately activated on your unlimited line and then just switch the existing iPhone to the line you just upgraded. Then you don't need to worry about getting a new LTE SIM card for your line, since the one that comes with the iPhone will be used on your line.

Your best bet would be to do this in store, or over the phone. Buying the phone through the Verizon website will prompt you to switch to Share Everything. Apparently the website doesn't give you the option to stay on your existing plan.

[vzwinagent]

If you do an actual alternate upgrade at least at an indirect store it realizes the line the phone is going on and will remove the unlimited data an put on tiered as part of the transaction because the line whose upgrade is being taken isn't touched other than upgrade and contract dates being extended.

You would have to actually upgrade the basic phone line. Then esn change back or to something different on that line and activate the new phone on the other line. You would need a new sim card but that shouldnt be an issue.

[rjdoc74]

Thank you so much for your input! Since I am not that savvy with these transactions, could you please check if I got this correctly:

1. At Verizon store ask to upgrade the 2 current dumb phone lines to Iphone 5 once upgrade period kicks in.
2. Activate Iphone 5s with provided SIMs for LTE.
3. Immediately ask to switch ESNs to unlimited lines and receive a NEW SIM for each phone.
4. Activate old Iphone 4(s) on newly upgraded TIERED plan lines.

Do I have this correct?

If you do an actual alternate upgrade at least at an indirect store it realizes the line the phone is going on and will remove the unlimited data an put on tiered as part of the transaction because the line whose upgrade is being taken isn't touched other than upgrade and contract dates being extended.

You would have to actually upgrade the basic phone line. Then esn change back or to something different on that line and activate the new phone on the other line. You would need a new sim card but that shouldnt be an issue.