Verizon Unlimited Data Plans For Grandfathered Customers To End Soon

A Verizon exec has announced that the company plans to do away with its unlimited data plans for grandfathered customers in favor of new tiered "data share" plans, effectively killing off the final unlimited plans at the nation's largest mobile carrier.

As first reported by FierceWireless, Verizon CFO Fran Shammo told a crowd at J.P. Morgan's Technology, Media and Telecom conference in Boston that eventually the company would force all of its current unlimited users over to data sharing, a new kind of "family" plan which launches on Verizon in the summer and allows members of a family to share a set amount of data across all of their devices. In other words, rather than paying for data by the device, a family could purchase, say, 100GB of data per month that everyone on the plan would be able to share. So if Mom uses 80GB of data, and Dad uses 2GB of data, and Little Jimmy uses 16GB of data, it doesn't matter -- you're just paying for that 100GB of data across all of your devices (smartphones, tablets, netbooks, smart refrigerators, whatever).

Though Verizon ended unlimited data for new customers in July 2011, America's largest wireless carrier allowed its old customers to keep their unlimited plans so long as they stuck with the company. That's ending: "Everyone will be on data share," FierceWireless has quoted Shammo as saying.

You can listen to Shammo's comments here; the part about unlimited plans ending begins around the 10 minute mark.

A Verizon spokesperson declined to expand when asked to confirm Shammo's statement regarding the axing of unlimited plans. "We don’t have anything to add to our CFO’s comments," the rep said in an email to HuffPost.

As PhoneArena points out, this is good news for small businesses and families (depending on how expensive the new data share plans are). It's also potentially good news for smartphone owners who also have 4G tablets, who would no longer have to buy a separate data plan for their tabs. All of this depends on the pricing of these data share plans, however, which Verizon has yet to outline.

Though Verizon would not comment on exactly when those grandfathered unlimited data plans will disappear, the move has seemed inevitable for some time now. Verizon has been cutting down on heavy users of unlimited data, throttling the speeds of the top five percent of unlimited data users. A Verizon spokesperson declined to comment on when those unlimited plans will disappear.

Shammo did give a hint in his speech, indicating that when grandfathered customers upgrade from 3G phones (like the iPhone) to 4G LTE phones (like any Android phone, or perhaps the next-generation iPhone), they could be forced to abandon their unlimited plans for a data share plan.

That would mean that only Sprint and AT&T offered unlimited data plans: Sprint to new customers, and AT&T to those subscribers grandfathered in. AT&T, like Verizon, killed off unlimited data for new customers in 2011.

The big question that remains is when the end of unlimited data at Verizon for grandfathered customers will take effect. We'll update you when we get official word from the carrier.

Also on HuffPost:

Take a look through the slideshow for some helpful tips that will boost your cellphone battery life.

Loading Slideshow

• Don't Wait To Charge

  Charge your phone frequently. Recharging when the phone is almost dead too often will make the battery do more work and lower its life expectancy. Charge when your phone is 40 percent full, not 10 percent.

• Don't Vibrate

  It takes more energy for the phone to vibrate than to ring.

• Kill Unnecessary Apps

  Apps running in the background of your phone will make it run out of juice faster. Shut down all the apps you don't need to keep it going a little longer.

• Turn Off Wi-Fi

  If you don't need to download big files, and you aren't performing some crucial task online, turning off WiFi will let the battery rest.

• Disable Location Services

  Apps that use location are constantly communicating with cell towers to pinpoint where you are. While they're doing it, your battery is dying. Turn them off in settings when you need to get that last bit of life.

• Dim The Screen

  Dim the brightness of your screens to give battery life a boost. Lowering the default brightness will ensure that the phone uses less charge over time.

• Lock Your Screen

  Locking the screen on your phone not only keeps strangers from snooping, but will also keep the phone from turning on--and using power--if it accidentally brushes up against things.

• Get Accessories

  While some people already tote around chargers in the dire case that their phone might die, an easier way to prepare is to outfit your phone with a "battery extender case" that packs a spare battery within its skin. When your phone's battery runs out, it will draw power from the case battery.

• Get A New Battery

  After two years, there's a good chance your battery is running on its last legs. At this point, it might be better to replace it in order to get the full battery life you once had.

• Put The Phone In Airplane Mode

  Even when you're not up in the air, putting your phone in Airplane Mode will keep the battery from dying, as it prevents the phone from receiving and sending signals. Of course, when it's in Airplane Mode you won't be able to call, text, or get online, so this may be a last resort.

• Keep Your Battery Cool

  Overheating can damage your phone's battery cells and make it die faster after a charge. Keep your phone out of the sun and other hot places. A phone that gets too hot while in use could be experiencing some kind of charge malfunction and should be checked out.

• Turn Off Push Notifications

  The function that allows your phone to automatically download new email, and notifications from third-party apps, also makes your battery run out faster. If your phone's almost dead, go to settings to turn off this feature.

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Comments

[Jea3]

03:46 PM on 11/23/2012

While I have been a loyal V.W customer, I will be leaving and since they are breaching their contract how do I get out without paying any fees? Can someone help me out?

[loriNAlabama]

04:32 PM on 07/06/2012

the only thing that picks up in our area is verizon. we are considering straight talk. we were forced into verizon when altell sold out. It is a monopoly in our area. there is nothing to choose from....... take this or do without. I CAN'T STAND VERIZON!!!

[Drosophila Melanogaster]

12:44 PM on 07/04/2012

Goodbye Verizon.
Not only am I leaving after 10 years of patronage... but I will vlog and blog the hell out of this on social media. As you can see by this thread...
Its a new world... news spreads fast.
You'll lose alot of would-be future business as well.
Reap the rewards of stupid!

[Russell Glerum]

06:45 AM on 06/27/2012

I wonder if the Verizon CEO worked at coke and he was the one that came up with the idea to change coke to a new formula that almost put coke out of business.

[whodey2thinkdey]

01:58 PM on 06/02/2012

I understand if you're upset about losing a locked in unlimited plan. That said, I'm excited about a shared plan because, my wife and i don't even come close to the $60 4G plan. I believe that in the end, a lot of people will save money through this new plan.

[jnegamble]

10:59 AM on 06/02/2012

This would be a breach of contract and I would simply switch carriers. I would then cancel my Fios services. Betray your customer base and we will simply walk away.

[androidmagic]

02:37 AM on 05/26/2012

First Verizon Wireless tried to sneak in extra fees for customers who don't use autopay - fees even paying manually online! Then Verizon Wireless added in a $35 fee if you renew your contract and get a new phone. And now ending the supposedly "grandfathered" plan which customers were told were never a worry. Their network is overrated and Verizon is now known as the biggest "squeeze the customer" mobile phone provider in all the world.

[Andrew FingerlickingGree]

05:09 PM on 05/20/2012

Switch to sprint people!!!

[Stephjq]

12:37 PM on 07/27/2012

Sprint sucks. They have no coverage. I should be able to have service in Northern Wisconsin. But I don't. All other carriers do!

[neferiti]

08:16 PM on 09/18/2012

Sprint reaaalllllly Sucks!

[HunterHikes]

01:03 PM on 05/20/2012

I expect they'll lose about 3 to 5 percent of their customer base. Customer loyalty is something ever brand and business strives to have. Just as Netflix squandered their brand as being one of the most loved, Verizon takes a similar turn to doing something that will negatively impact image. Image is directly related to profit. Sure, they'll make up for it in the extra fees every customer will pay who goes over their incredibly small allowance of gigabytes, but after many years of being a loyal customer, I'm growing less enthusiastic about Verizon. I detest AT&T, so I guess I'll be switching to another company that provides the iPhone when my contract is up for renewal.

While it may make sense for them on the "bottom line", you have to wonder what's most important? Immediate profit or a goal of obtaining an even larger share of the cell phone universe by luring people away from your competitors, thus still increasing profits.

This is not the way to do it. This is the way to drive your customers TOWARD your competitors.

[CVaughn1]

07:13 PM on 06/12/2012

Yeah, I have been with Verizon for 12 years. And losing my unlimited data is enough to lose my business.

[SteveDenver]

05:04 AM on 05/19/2012

What is Verizon's business model: run off customers?

Imagine if one carrier emerged that did NO advertising, but offered fair packages at fair prices, reliable service, contracts with zero fine print, and customer care that really gave a dang. They would corner the market.

[nothinbutaword]

06:56 PM on 08/17/2012

I heard about one that offers unlimited everything, no contracts, no credit checks and they share their profits with their customers. Now that's the winner!

[ae558442]

03:09 PM on 05/18/2012

F*&^ Verizon. They're already outrageously priced and the only reason I stuck with them is because of the grandfather data plan. Goodbye Verizon....and I wont be paying a cancellation fee.

[JOSECARIOCA]

05:22 PM on 05/17/2012

I believe if a carrier makes changes in the contract you can cancel it without any penalties check it out

[Elroy Jetson]

03:26 PM on 05/17/2012

I had Verizon... HAD Verizon.

[Lynnbrown45]

03:22 PM on 05/17/2012

Ok if Verizon can just up and terminate our Grandfathered plans then we can up and CANCEL our service with them and pay NO fee's !

Time to break out the Attorneys, I have been a loyal PAYING customer of Verizon for many years and now they can just change the rules at their convenience WHAT A BUNCH OF BULL SH*T !!

I will be talking to the Attorney General's Office tonight every other Verizon Customer should do the same -- all of these companies make there offers \ deals then when it doesn't fet there needs anymore they just change them -- and we all have to suffer with the increased costs.

[SteveDenver]

05:06 AM on 05/19/2012

Actually, if you're looking at a class action, SUE VERIZON for failing to fulfill contract terms, as well as the costs of establishing new service with another carrier.

[Lynnbrown45]

03:46 PM on 05/19/2012

GREAT POINT Thanks !!

[Josiah Ojeda]

12:39 PM on 09/14/2012

Where would we go to make sure we get a lawsuit going against these guys.

[conmymike]

02:29 PM on 05/17/2012

100 gigabytes what plan is that? The most I have seen for sale is 10 gigs on verizon 12 gigs on a sprint plan. The person that wrote this article is delusional if they think that verizon will have a 100 gb family plan. Besides what it would cost as the 10 gb runs 80 bucks a month ten times as much data would be around 800 a month. I'm sure they will get a lot of takers on that plan. If your going to write an article at least make it a little believable. Verizon like the other providers is looking too squeeze their customers for every dime they can plain and simple. Unfortunately people will continue to pay so they can play.