Unlimited Verizon Plans Should Launch Today

[Pete Paxton]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/17/verizon-to-offer-unlimited-voice-data-and-messaging-packages/' target='_blank'>http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/17/...aging-packages/</a><br /><br /></div><em>&quot;This past Saturday we told you about Verizon Wireless&rsquo; plans to offer an unlimited voice option starting Tuesday, February 19. Now, additional details have emerged and it looks like Verizon is going for the gusto. $99 for unlimited voice will just be the start of Verizon&rsquo;s unlimited offerings; in fact there will be six plans in total. Users who opt for one of the unlimited plans will see some additional benefits as well. Namely, the soft limit of 5 GB per month for data usage is out and current customers will not have to extend their contracts to upgrade to an unlimited plan. Now it&rsquo;s time for Verizon customers to break out the calculators and see if any of the new unlimited options make sense for them.&quot;<br /><br /></em><img border="0" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//spt/auto/1203395283.usr11642.gif" alt="" /><br /><br />What do you all think about this? Is it priced right? Too cheap or expensive? It wouldn't benefit me because I just don't use the minutes to justify the cost but I can see how it could benefit some. Do you think other carriers will follow suit? I wonder how big of a hit this will be. I've always felt that T-Mobile has the inexpensive plans, AT&amp;T has the rollover minutes (and the best smartphones in my opinion), Sprint has the cheapest unlimited data plan, and now Verizon is offering unlimited plans. Is this opening a new door or will it be just a fad?

[nosmohtac]

I don't think it will be a fad, but it also isn't cheap. Heck, in one of the articles the VZW spokesman even said "We know it isn't Cheap...."

They're trying to attract a high end user, and they will likely succeed, but I think they're off a little bit in thinking that peoples dependency on wireless, for voice call alone, has increased that dramatically.

Sprint supposedly just kicked off some regionally available unlimited plan for 119.xx a month, but it includes unlimited everything! I can't see why anyone who needs data as part of their package would go with anything but Sprint SERO (provided you have good Sprint coverage in your area). Even if you don't have great Sprint Coverage, it includes unlimited roaming on VZW and Alltel, and even data roaming in some areas.

[Pete Paxton]

Well, if it's a fad, it's catching on quickly:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080219/tc_nm/att_pricing_dc_1

[dgage]

I just checked into this and the plans may have unlimited minutes but their data plans are now by the MB or very expensive. Apparently, they know that data is taking more bandwidth so they want to switch people from XXXX minutes/unlimited data to the reverse.

David

[Rocco Augusto]

I remember a majority of the carriers doing this several time a few ago before Cingular bought AT&T. Eventually they would pull the plans like they always do once they start losing some money.

Stunts like this usually pop up every now and then when the carriers notice there subscription rates are falling and they really need a boost in numbers.