Verizon's new plans

EDarby · 05-20-2015, 11:50 AM

I have AT&T but, after much research, have been planning on switching to Verizon when I take off in October. Have been seeing ads for their new plan: 10GB data/month for $80 (plus taxes, fee, etc.).

I don't know what the 10GB would have cost prior to this new announcement. Does anyone know if this is a good deal?

Also, does anyone use their iphone as a hot spot for their computers, etc. through Verizon?

Thanks everyone!

Mountain_gal · 05-20-2015, 01:59 PM

My husband and I each use the hotspot functionality (he has an iPhone, I have Android) when traveling away from networks. The data does tend to add up. You can increase your data allocation on just the months when you will be using the hotspot if you don't intend to use it all the time.
It does appear to be significantly cheaper than what we are paying but it is the EDGE plan only (cost of phone included in monthly payments).

EDarby · 05-21-2015, 09:11 AM

Thanks, Mountain Gal. Will probably go with Verizon. But would love it were a bit less of a chunk of $ each month.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mountain_gal

My husband and I each use the hotspot functionality (he has an iPhone, I have Android) when traveling away from networks. The data does tend to add up. You can increase your data allocation on just the months when you will be using the hotspot if you don't intend to use it all the time.
It does appear to be significantly cheaper than what we are paying but it is the EDGE plan only (cost of phone included in monthly payments).

Rossue · 05-21-2015, 11:47 AM

Switched last July to this plan; it us a result of a price war started by T-Mobile trying to churn AT&T customers. Anyway, you will get your best deal bringing your own phones to activate vs. going on a 2year contract. You can do their version of the AT&T Next program, however we buy new Verizon phones on Amazon. They are usually one model year old but new in factory sealed boxes.

The 10GB plan is the price war match and you wont save much going lower. But call every 3 months to see what is out there or go online to check because in the US at least it is a very competitive biz and plans will change. Carriers are always happy of course to have you pay more on an old rate plan and are under no obligation to let you know of a better deal.

EDarby · 05-21-2015, 11:58 AM

Thanks Rossue. Good tip on buying new Verizon phones on Amazon - had no clue about that.
The 10GB was the plan I was considering. Yup, several times I called AT&T with price issues and they reduced the price every time! They certainly weren't going to offer the price to me on their own!

EDarby · 05-21-2015, 12:02 PM

OK, just checked prices and a bit confused. Why would an iPhone 6, 16 GB cost around $700 on amazon yet only $199 through the Apple store?

**rbryan4** · 05-21-2015, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EDarby

OK, just checked prices and a bit confused. Why would an iPhone 6, 16 GB cost around $700 on amazon yet only $199 through the Apple store?

The actual cost of a phone is usually hidden because if you buy it through a carrier, or in this case the Apple Store, it comes with a carrier contract. They are 'subsidizing' part of the cost because you'll be paying them monthly for at least 2 years. Notice also that the $700 phone is unlocked. You can move it from carrier to carrier by swapping the sim card. The one from the Apple Store is definitely NOT unlocked, which means you'll pay alot less.

EDarby · 05-21-2015, 12:13 PM

So all these years that I've had an iPhone (purchased through Apple) and used AT&T, my monthly charge from AT&T would have been less had I already owned my iPhone? AT&T pays Apple a % of my payments to them?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbryan4

The actual cost of a phone is usually hidden because if you buy it through a carrier, or in this case the Apple Store, it comes with a carrier contract. They are 'subsidizing' part of the cost because you'll be paying them monthly for at least 2 years.

**rbryan4** · 05-21-2015, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EDarby

So all these years that I've had an iPhone (purchased through Apple) and used AT&T, my monthly charge from AT&T would have been less had I already owned my iPhone? AT&T pays Apple a % of my payments to them?

No, it doesn't really work that way. Usually, the carrier charges you for the plan, and discounts the phone because you're under contract. The phone manufacturer usually sells the carrier these locked phones for less than they charge other customers for unlocked ones. Having said that, trying to figure out all the wheeling and dealing between carriers and phone makers is mission impossible.

EDarby · 05-21-2015, 12:32 PM

Ha! Yeah, many parts and pieces in this every day life!

Thanks for the info!

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbryan4

No, it doesn't really work that way. Usually, the carrier charges you for the plan, and discounts the phone because you're under contract. The phone manufacturer usually sells the carrier these locked phones for less than they charge other customers for unlocked ones. Having said that, trying to figure out all the wheeling and dealing between carriers and phone makers is mission impossible.

Scuba55 · 05-21-2015, 01:23 PM

Costco also has Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, etc...phones at reduced prices. I bought my Samsome Galaxy 4 for a pennie. Hard to be that!

Greggo · 05-21-2015, 04:57 PM

I'm switching to Verizon/Straight Talk as soon as I get home from the rally. I have Sprint/Virgin and have been without service for 10 days! Glad Ann's Straight Talk is along with us! Works fine nearly everywhere!

Greg

Rossue · 05-21-2015, 07:02 PM

The cell phone biz has become like used cars for some time now which is one reason I sold my stores and got out. Remember, the price of the phone is one thing but the rate plan is really what you are paying for. When you get that $.01 Android from Costco you will be paying $25/month more than if you do not have a contract. Costco doesn't sell phones without a contract and it is not even Costco that you are dealing with in reality it is a company called Wireless Advocates.

Scuba55 · 05-21-2015, 07:17 PM

We have the contract, my rate has been the same for several years. Actually, they just gave me a extra gig of data each month for free.

EDarby · 05-22-2015, 10:36 AM

Thanks everyone!!! Yeah, pretty convinced Verizon is the way to go since I will be full-timing starting in Oct and have no idea what mountain I may wind up on.

Hooked on iPhones so that's a given. Will be watching to see if any new plans materialize within the next few months.

Rossue · 05-22-2015, 12:49 PM

We pay $80/month for 10 GB(11GB w/promo) and our per phone charge us $15/month each. With a contract it is $40 per month per phone.

Vermilye · 05-22-2015, 03:13 PM

I'm paying $99.99 per month for 20GB, the $ they offered to Millenicom users when Verizon shut them down.

Mike Lewis · 05-22-2015, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vermilye

I'm paying $99.99 per month for 20GB, the $ they offered to Millenicom users when Verizon shut them down.

Me too, and I'm quite satisfied with the service. At home I normally use about 14-15 GB per month, but on the road so far I've noticed I use quite a bit less. I've used only 6.4 GB so far in May, barely a third of my monthly allotment. I need to find some OS iso images to download or something.

gbaglo · 05-22-2015, 05:51 PM

Mike,

Download this video to help:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmF_bG5IVnM

**rbryan4** · 05-22-2015, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Lewis

Me too, and I'm quite satisfied with the service. At home I normally use about 14-15 GB per month, but on the road so far I've noticed I use quite a bit less. I've used only 6.4 GB so far in May, barely a third of my monthly allotment. I need to find some OS iso images to download or something.

Netflix or Slacker should take care of that.

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