Verizon Wireless to intro tiered data plans on July 7th according to rumor [updated]

By on Jun 20, 2011 at 4:30 PM
General June 20, 2011

Verizon Wireless will finally be shifting to the usage-based data plan structure we all knew was coming. Android enthusiast blog Droid Life on Monday reports that future Verizon subscribers will no longer have an unlimited smartphone data option starting July 7th. Instead, they will be forced to choose one of three tiered data options: 2GB for $30 per month, 5GB for $50 per month or 10GB for $80 per month. Those looking for tethering will have to add $20 to each of those plans, which works out to 4GB for $50 per month, 7GB for $70 per month or 12GB for $100 per month. Overages on any plan will run $10 per gigabyte. According to the report, Verizon will charge the same rates for 3G and 4G LTE data plans, so subscribers interested in newer 4G smartphones will not have to worry about paying a premium for data, as they might elsewhere — which is a good thing, considering these plans are already a bit pricey. Current Verizon customers will not be forced to switch to a new plan. BGR contacted Verizon for comment and while the company would not confirm the new plans or exact timing, a Verizon Wireless spokesperson did have this to say: “As we have stated previously, Verizon Wireless is making some minor changes to data plans including those for new smartphone customers. We will move to a more usage based model in July.”

UPDATE: Droid Life has also obtained an internal letter purportedly being sent by regional VPs that confirms usage-based pricing will be the same for 3G and 4G service. The letter can be found through the second read link below.

Read [tier pricing] Read [internal letter]

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  • Petey

    I was planning to bring three lines from T-Mobile to Verizon when the next iPhone is out… but now, I think i’ll find another carrier… plans are getting more expensive.

  • http://twitter.com/ncsurob Robert Marshall

    I streamed google music at the pool yesterday for 3 hours and used .796GB…. I stream google music everyday at work.  I don’t know how much bandwidth Pandora uses, but it is time to go short their stock.

  • Jamesnangela

    what will they do when we all decide hey we dont really need a cell phone with data everyone will just go get a boot phone or just cancel are contracts and pay the cancelation fee and just be done with it 

  • Moldyspud

    Yeah I just cancelled 5 lines and bought a landline for 10$ a month. Screw that crap.

  • Steel

    Everybody relax; we can all head to Sprint when it’s time to renew.  I tested their network out last year before pulling the trigger on the HTC Incredible and it was solid and fast, even in rural areas.  Plus, they were offering deals on the service plan just to get me to sign up.  Verizon no longer thinks it needs customers as Sprint seem to, so they just may get to find out.

  • http://jeffaudio.posterous.com/ jeffaudio

    I’m fine with the lowest cap being 2 GB (although I use 2 < 5 GB), but it should be at most $15 / mo. Especially if that's what they'll force everybody who doesn't want data into now that all but about two phones require data. I like that 3G and 4G are the same, and I wonder if that means those of us on unlimited can keep our plans and still get 4G if we don't renew our contract. Probably not.

    • Kavanova

      Notice that this report is in regards to smartphones. “Feature Phones” currently have their own data structure and I would expect that Verizon would continue to have a separate pricing structure for these “dumbphones.”

  • Anonymous

    Do the math…
    2 GB for $30.  4 GB for $50.  Each 1 GB over your plan limit is $10.

    Why would anyone sign up for the 4 GB plan when it costs the same as going 2 GB over the 1 GB limit and costs you an extra $10 if you only use 3 GB that month?

    How about data sharing (like minutes sharing) for family plans?

  • Anonymous

    Verizon gets to make more money faster.

  • Kavanova

    So, if I have the Droid X with the unlimited data plan, if Motorola releases like Droid X3 with 4G and I want to get that, will I lose my grandfathered unlimited data plan or will they just chage the name from 3G to 4G on my bill?

    • McClure

      You will lose the unlimited even if you buy the phone retail, because 4G is a different line item in the service agreement, therefore changing the contract.

  • Youngjboy

    Cue the dancing frog…..hello my baby hello my darling……Sprint here i come.

    • Lukos69

      Yes, like Sprint can actually keep their network up and running on a consistent, long-term basis.  Based on their undercutting of other companies just to staunch the flow of customers walking out their door, they are slitting their own throats.  There is no way they can expand or improve their network, which is what keeps customers in the long run, with the nickel-and-dime approach they have adopted.  They are so far in debt right now, I expect them to be in the market for a buyout at anytime.  Unfortunately, with their financials, they will be a hard sell for anyone to bail them out.  And if they do, you can bet their prices would shoot up faster than your dick looking at a bar full Thai ladyboys.  You bunch of pussies whining about what it costs in this country for service need to go to Europe and pay $800-$500 U.S. outright for your  fancy phones.  Yeah, that get’s you no contract, but you are paying out the ass for every little thing you want to do with it.  People want great coverage, fancy-ass phones, and unlimited usage, but think everything should be free or so damn cheap no company can maintain their position in the market.  Damn  Americans are cheap, whiney and always want something for nothing.  Don’t like it?  Build your own fucking network and let everyone on it for free on your dime.   

  • A_g_ness

    I guess I will never renew my contract and just will start paying full price for my iPhone’s when buying one in order to keep my unlimited data.

    • Maxim730

      How’s that going to work? the way I read it, if ur out of contracr on 7/7, you will not be grandfathered.

  • Troy_mcneill

    buy a virgn mobile phone,  $45 gets ya 1200 minutes and unlimited data, texting.    NO BRAINER!!!!!

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