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Verizon to iPhone Users: You Will Buy the $30-per-Month, Unlimited Data Plan and You Will Like It

January 25, 2011 at 3:29 am PT

When the iPhone goes live on Verizon’s network on Feb. 10, the carrier will indeed offer it with an unlimited data plan, as I reported earlier this month. But not because of an exception it’s made for the iPhone–because it’s doing away with its tiered smartphone data plan entirely.

A data-service pricing document leaked to Engadget suggests Verizon has scrapped its $15-for-150MB plan, leaving a mandatory $30-per-month unlimited data plan as the sole option for “feature phones and 3G smartphones” like the iPhone. Note the specificity of that designation–it excludes upcoming LTE handsets, which will presumably debut with higher, tiered data-pricing plans.

Meanwhile, rival AT&T continues to offer the iPhone with two capped data plans–200MB for $15 a month, and 2GB for $25.

[Image Credit: Engadget]

Tagged with: 3G, Apple, AT&T, carrier, data, data plan, debut, document, Engadget, feature phones, handsets, hardware, iPhone, John Paczkowski, LTE, network, plan, pricing, service, smartphone, tiered, unlimited, Verizon

comments so far. Add yours.

Anonymous

it’s the best option for most people. some people are under the assumption they can save by choosing the cheaper data plan. they don’t realise these phones are constantly sending and receiving data, not to mention apps. I am on the unlimited plan at AT&T and am surprised how much data a month my phone uses. I have never come close to 1 gig but I don’t stream much media either. unlimited is the way to go.
http://www.facebook.com/stevenjwilson Steven Wilson

I hate to thread crap here but the truth is that a $30/month unlimited plan is a great offering. I’m on AT&T with an iPhone and am lucky to have such a plan. They’ve grandfathered me on that plan since I’ve had an iPhone with them since the 2G was introduced. New customers can only get a 2GB/month plan at $45/month. I’m sure that will change once Verizon’s iPhones are up and running but for now, $30/month for unlimited data is a bargain.
Anonymous

2 gig is 25.00 a month
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7OSWN2O3DBE2BNINBNIGLYF4O4 free thinker

The ATT 2 G plan is 25/mo.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7OSWN2O3DBE2BNINBNIGLYF4O4 free thinker

The ATT 2 G plan is 25/mo.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7OSWN2O3DBE2BNINBNIGLYF4O4 free thinker

Vz offer little for the customer who wants a fully featured phone without data. I switched my entire family plan to ATT because of the hardware options (and a new antenna in my town). I have 3 full featured phones w/o data and my iphone (a full featured iphone unlike Vz’s) for 147/mo including taxes and a discount due to the company I work for. With Vz the three phones would have been crappy LGs or an outdated samsung and my plan would have been $160+ apples to apples.
Anonymous

Unlimited plans are better for everyone. Users don’t have to track it, and don’t get overage charges, and they can buy apps and stream media and explore new uses for their phones. From the carrier perspective, most users use a small amount of data, and the few that use a lot are the ones who inspire their friends and families to get these phones in the first place. For content publishers and app developers, you can encourage users to participate in a conversation without having to warn or apologize for the data you’re helping them use.
Anonymous

If I had my druthers I’d have no data plan at all. I’m getting by just fine with wifi. I have my phone, for calls, and my ipod touch for internet, etc. I’d just like to combine them into a single device. If I have to pay an extra $30 a month just to have an iPhone that’s a deal-breaker for me.