Verizon Wireless, today, introduced a totally revamped pricing structure for new customers and new contracts called "The Share Everything Plan." The new plans will be in force starting June 28 and you don't have to change from your present Verizon plans as long as you don't sign a new contract and buy a new subsidized phone.
Share Everything Plans with at least one smartphone include unlimited voice minutes, unlimited text, video and picture messaging and a single data allowance for up to 10 Verizon Wireless devices.
"The pricing has been set at flat dollar amounts to make it easier for customers to calculate their payments," said Verizon Wireless spokesman Albert Aydin, "We have also included mobile hotspot use at no extra charge."
Those with unlimited data be grandfathered as long as they don't upgrade to subsidized smartphone previously Verizon spokeswoman Brenda Raney wrote:
"When the new options are introduced, Unlimited Data will no longer be available to our customers purchasing handsets and signing a new contract. Customers who choose to purchase phones at full retail price and are currently on an unlimited smartphone data plan will be able to keep that plan. The same pricing and policies will apply to all 3G and 4G LTE smartphones'
We asked Albert Aydin to clarify other ways a Verizon customer can keep the unlimited data plan. Say, for example you currently have a Droid RAZR with unlimited data. Next year, you buy a Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III on eBay or get a Droid RAZR MAXX hand-me-down from your cousin. Can the customer keep unlimited data and only pay the activation fees?
"If you obtain a Verizon approved device from a source other than Verizon Wireless, you can keep your current Verizon plan including unlimited data. It is not considered an upgrade," said Aydin.
New Verizon individual basic phone customers won't have to sort through the various plan options. For $40 a month you'll get 700 anytime minutes, unlimited mobile-t0-mobile and unlimited nights and weekends. Unlimited messages and 300MB of data will cost $70.00 a month.
Here's a chart showing how the shared plans work.
| Step 1 | Step 2 | |||
Monthly Line Access | Shared Minutes | Shared Messages | Shared Data | Monthly Account Access (shared with up to 10 devices) |
Smartphones - $40 | Unlimited | Unlimited | 1 GB | $50 |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | 2 GB | $60 | |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | 4 GB | $70 | |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | 6 GB | $80 | |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | 8 GB | $90 | |
| Unlimited | Unlimited | 10 GB | $100 | |
Last Chance for Subsidized Smartphones
Verizon Wireless customers with unlimited data plans who have a contract up have until late June 27 to sign a grandfathered contract for a subsidized smartphone. Many have decided to preorder the Samsung Galaxy S III online from Verizon Wireless due out later this month. Original Droid Incredible owners who bought their Droids two years ago may or may not have a chance to buy the Droid Incredible 4G LTE depending upon the release date which should be soon.
Those who buy a USB modem or Wi-Fi hotspot will see the greatest for "data-only" devices savings with $20 a for modem/hotspot line or $10 more for tablet and shared data for data-only devices costing $30 for 4GB shared, $40 for 6GB, $50 for 8GB and $60 for 10GB. Click on image to see details.is