Connect with us

Android

Verizon Unlimited Data Price Hike: What You Need to Know

Published

on

This week news has emerged that Verizon plans to increase the price of their old unlimited data plans for existing customers. Unlimited data is no longer an option from Verizon, where users can eat up as much internet activity as their hearts desire, but some are still “grandfathered” into old plans with unlimited data. However, come November, those plans will automatically see an increase of $20 per month, and here’s what Verizon users need to know.

Back in the early days of the iPhone, or even dating as far back as Alltel, customers had truly unlimited data on Verizon Wireless. Being able to stream as much Netflix, YouTube, or download and video chat as much as they’d like with no overage fees. Today though, Verizon and most carriers offer tiered data plans with caps, like Verizon’s current S/M/L/XL data plans for families.

If you’re one of the millions of users that have been with Verizon Wireless for ages, you may have an old unlimited data plan, and have been holding on to it for a long, long time. Verizon hasn’t offered unlimited data since 2011, and on November 15th they’ll be raising the price, to try and get customers to switch away from these old plans.

iPhone5s-2

On October 15th Verizon will start letting customers know that grandfathered old unlimited data plans will be getting a price increase. Currently millions of users pay over $100 for 10-15GB of data, but old unlimited plans are only $29.99 a month. Which as you can see, is extremely lucrative and why customers have been using loopholes to keep unlimited data. In November they’ll be seeing a price increase on their bill, and here’s what you need to know.

What to Expect

On October 15th Verizon will notify customers with unlimited data that starting on November 15th (giving you one month to decide) that their current old unlimited data plans will be automatically increased to $49.99 a month. Adding $20 a month to your bill. They don’t want to be the bad guy and get rid of it completely, especially considering others like Sprint still offer unlimited data.

On November 15th customers can choose to keep those old unlimited data plans and pay an additional $20 a month, or switch to one of Verizon’s many new options. Currently the highest is 18GB of data a month, for $100, but for each phone that uses that data you’ll be charged another $20. So two lines with 18GB of data will be $140 per month, and so on.

Screen Shot 2015-10-08 at 11.19.47 AM

On November 15th users will have to decide if they want to switch to a new plan and maybe merge them with friends or family members, or keep unlimited data and pay $49.99 a month, rather than $29.99. This doesn’t count what you’re paying for unlimited text and minutes with these old unlimited data plans from 2011. Back then text and calls were separate.

Who is Affected

From what we’re hearing around the web, Verizon isn’t making this change for everyone, and instead this currently only affects those who are out of contract. And considering Verizon hasn’t offered contacts with unlimited data for over two years, most aren’t in contract, unless they used the loophole mentioned above.

If you are no longer under a 2-year contract with Verizon, and have an old grandfathered unlimited data plan, you’ll receive this notice.

Who Isn’t Affected

If you have an unlimited data plan and are still under contract, this price increase won’t affect you. However, once your contract expires, the increase of $20 will arrive, and you’ll have similar options to those outlined above, or whatever Verizon is offering at that time.

According to Droid-Life Verizon isn’t making this change for too many accounts at this time. Those with employee discounts, ECPD, CLEU and Government customers will not be affected. Nor will old plans from the Alltel days. Like the Legacy Alltel SmartChoice plan. These will not see a $20 increase on their bill, and you’ll be able to keep the truly unlimited data you’ve been enjoying for years.

Upgrades

For the past few years those with unlimited data plans were unable to upgrade, and get a new smartphone with a 2-year agreement. Instead, in order to keep unlimited data customers had to buy their new smartphone out right, at the full retail price. Or upgrade to a new tiered plan and get a phone on contract. Verizon offered no way to upgrade, get a 2-year plan with a discounted phone, and keep unlimited data.

With this change, Verizon will allow for upgrades. What this means is those out of contract with an unlimited data plan, after November 15th, will be able to upgrade through Verizon’s device payment plan and get a new smartphone for $20-$30 per month. You’ll now be paying $49.99 for unlimited data rather than $20, but be able to get an upgrade through the payment program.

This means customers will have a monthly payment for their smartphone, on top of the monthly payment for wireless services. And while all of this is relatively bad news, this could have happened years ago, and at least Verizon is now allowing for upgrades.

It’s all a bit confusing, but what this all means is those on Verizon with old grandfathered unlimited data plans will be seeing some changes soon. Well, as long as you’re not under contract.

8 Comments

8 Comments

  1. Gina

    01/04/2016 at 12:16 pm

    i am a verizon customer with the unlimited plan and Verizon told me that my unlimited plan is older than the other unlimited plans they offered so I do not quaify for the monthly device payment plans. I have to buy the phone at full price, which I should have done years ago if I had known this was going to happen.

  2. Terri Gioiosa

    02/05/2016 at 9:25 am

    This is wrong…. I have a contract that should be binding….. What recourse do we have if Conracts don’t matter????

    • Gina

      02/05/2016 at 9:50 am

      I Wish Someone Would Start A Class Action Lawsuit,Verizon Has Been Treating The Unlimited Data Pla Users Like We Are A Burden, We Only Make Up 1%!! We Should Be Treated Like Loyal Customers Since We Have Many Choices With Other Carriers!

  3. Verizonwannabe

    02/19/2016 at 9:46 pm

    Why is there no class action suit ? 300 month now . I don’t go over 1 gig. I keep my plan because I have a handicapped child. They could at least provide me with a free phone as when I went to upgrade I.missed by a month… first I phone came out. I have not gotten a free or discounted phone from Verizon since before the IPhone !!

    I say class action… anyone ??? I signed a contract and have paid my bill in full on time and added 3 more lines ….. since 1997 !!! You are very WELCOME Verizon.

  4. Treyvor Dowrie

    05/07/2016 at 1:35 am

    I don’t exactly practice contract law but you were on a 2-year contract. After that 2 years your are no longer on a contract. Thus there is no binding contract. What is with people thinking they are entitled to the world? I am gladly paying the additional $20 per month for my unlimited data. It’s certainly not ideal but I’m not under any contact. That’s life…

  5. Steve

    06/12/2016 at 5:46 pm

    I’m an old Alltel customer and went to get a phone the other day. I went through a main store and then called Verizon and spoke with several management persons. I have unlimited data talk and texts and was grandfathered into the old Alltel plan. They told me I had to buy a phone outright off of ebay or somewhere and have them turn it on.
    That’s crap. They bought out Alltel with conditions to fulfill the contracts of alltel. My deal was unlimited for life through Alltel . Now because ive been a loyal customer, I cant even buy a phone through even a payment plan.
    I cant drop $800 on a phone at one time.Im supposed to get a call back from Verizon management within a few days. If anyone has any info, possibly a law suit with Verizon, please e mail me. [email protected]

  6. Holly

    10/04/2016 at 5:31 am

    I have an old Alltel Friends and family plan that came with unlimited data. I have three phones on the plan and i got a 60.00 bump yesterday when the bill arrived. So they are touching alltel plans with their 20 a line increase!

  7. Terry

    10/17/2016 at 7:30 pm

    I have the old Alltel Friends and family plan with unlimited data. I have 3 phones on my plan and just received my bill that was $60 more than last month. I was given no notice of this. I haven’t been on contract for years and have had to buy out right the three i-phones that we use in order to keep my old plan. I called Verizon and was told, not so bluntly, we know you have never missed a payment. We’ve happily taken your money (for not so good and over priced service) ever since we bought Alltel out. Well, too bad. You can either pay it or change plans or go with another provider. Oh yeah by the way, with all the other providers, if you get their unlimited data plan, they will slow it down after you use so much of it. Well, here is what I say. Verizon set the standard for slowing data down and has been doing it for years. I should have made a change years ago. So, thank you Verizon for finallly making up my mind for me. Verizon has gotten their last penny from me. I would encourage ALL Verizon customers to change providers. Someone high up in their evil empire must not have gotten their bonus check and decided this would be a good way to get it.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.