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Verizon to Introduce Tiered Data Pricing This Summer, Family Data Plans in Future

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Reuters is reporting that Verizon Wireless will eliminate unlimited data plans for smartphones and tablets and bring in tiered data pricing at some point this summer. The carrier also plans to add family data plans sometime in the future as well.

Verizon

The information comes from a top executive at Verizon Communications and it’s a sign that Verizon’s data plans are in for massive changes in near future. Verizon’s switch to tiered data plans has been in the works for awhile although there was no real firm window as to when it might happen.

When this plan is initiated, Verizon will stop offering unlimited data plans for a flat fee and will instead charge users based on their usage. Heavier data users will obviously be taking the biggest hit with these new tiered data plans. Right now, Verizon offers customers a flat fee of $30 per month for ‘unlimited’ data. In actuality, it’s a 5GB allowance.

Verizon’s CFO Fran Shammo has explained that the company hopes to soften the blow with the introduction of more family data plans. Right now, Verizon charges $30 per month per line for lines situated on family plans.

It’s unclear exactly when Verizon will enact these new tiered data plans or how much they will cost  but summer begins in just about two weeks so it might not be long before we get those details and finally see the death of Verizon’s unlimited data plan.

6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. Tomblewitt

    06/18/2011 at 2:41 pm

    how can it be unlimited AND just a 5G allowance on Verizon Wireless currently?

    • Heath-e

      06/22/2011 at 12:48 am

      The whole “5GB” thing is crap, and I don’t know where anyone gets it from…I called Verizon myself when I was having trouble connecting once, thinking maybe I was being blocked or throttled for the heavy Netflix use, and was told “Unlimited” means no limit. They were just having network issues in my area. I have gone over 7GB with no noticable throttling, and no overage charges of any kind.

      • Tomblewitt

        06/22/2011 at 1:16 am

        thanks! i am just deciding on the purchase of a Thunderbolt with Giant Extended Battery

        or the bing-based (?!) Revolution! just headed over to the reviews/forum on LG and everywhere for THAT device.

        I would like the Samsung but their customer service is not so great. I have no experience with HTC nor LG though…

      • Ashcplepdia

        07/02/2011 at 11:11 am

        Thanks for clearing that up. I was worried for a minute when I read that 5GB limit. Nice to see it isn’t true. I didn’t think I missed anything like that when reading the contract.

        Also new question. Since I signed a two year with unlimited data, I don’t have to pay any tier pricing until after I renew my contract in 2013 correct? I guess I signed up just in time.

  2. Sonixmon

    06/26/2011 at 6:23 pm

    Stupid to go from unlimited to 2GB for the same price! 5GB would be a fair deal for $30, especially in a family plan. O’well I will stick with my unlimited and the wife will have to keep her old flip phone a little longer! Sucks I really want to get her a droid!

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