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As of today, new Verizon iPhone customers don't have an unlimited data option. As a result, new customers will need to keep track of their data usage. From VZ's press release about the change:
#DATA – Customers can check data usage by dialing #DATA and pressing send from Verizon Wireless phones to receive a free text message with the information.
My Verizon and My Verizon Mobile – Customers can monitor data usage directly from their handsets via My Verizon Mobile or online through My Verizon.
Data Usage Calculator – At verizonwireless.com, customers can learn about common features and activities that utilize data and determine estimated total monthly data usage using the Data Usage Calculator. It can be found by simply searching for “data usage calculator” on the Verizon Wireless website.
Of course, existing Verizon iPhone owners can keep their unlimited plans, just like their AT&T brethren.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)If you're already on Verizon...
...why would you cancel if you already have unlimited data grandfathered in?
I think he's just pissed on a philosophical level...as am I. $30 per month for unlimited data was overpriced enough. Now things are just criminal.
Instead of attracting more customers through price reduction, they're taking advantage of their customer's "need for smart phones/mobile web access". They have to be smugly congratulating themselves. It's the classic tale of giving less for more. The punch line to this one however, is that service costs them such a small fraction of what we pay.
I dont mind the price of milk going up in light of fuel/grain prices rising. BUT, what magical ingredient to the ISP/VSP is increasing that justifies their action? None. They cite data caps as required to reign in "heavy data users who burden the network". Fine. Ill believe that. Now, just give us "normal folk" 2GB per month with free tethering for $15.00...and those "heavy users" can pay more accordingly. Sorry, I can barely keep a straight face while typing that dream.
Im really not a hippie socialist on most topics, but these fat cats need to be shot.
Do you know that the SMS alerts send by the carriers like AT&T and Verizon are subjected to delays? It's not really true that the carriers provide real time data usage tracking and alerts to the customers. Their figures are not updated immediately after you used some data. It could take hours or days for the carrier to refresh and give you the latest usage amount. This is mentioned in the disclaimers. For example, on AT&T's site (http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/plans/data-plans.jsp), it reads: Data usage information generally will be available for viewing within 24 hours or less of actual data usage.
Thus, it would be wise for a consumer to install an app like DataMan to provide true real time tracking that gets the usage amount directly from the iPhone. It's stats are always up to date. Hence, its threshold alerts are real time. DataMan is able to alert the user using local notification once a user-customizable threshold is exceeded. This helps stop overage charges.
At least at&t offered a $5 discount for 2gb. Now Verizon is charging the same by providing way less. What value are they providing?
I 100% agree. I actually think (and demonstrate (http://www.techperfect.net/2011/07/unlimited-data-plans-can-hurt-average-consumer/)) that capped plans can be good for most consumers when they are reasonable like AT&T did, but verizon is just plain old gouging.