[Dubspoon]

There's a rumor that Verizon will get rid of the $15 unlimited VCast for a $10 25mb and $20 75mb. In addition to that change, any high-end html and/or multi-media be required to have either a Connect or Premium plan. This is supposed to start with the Rogue launch but I'm wondering if EnV Touch will fall under the new policy and how they'll enact the changes

[Dubspoon]

You would think there would more of an uproar with them eliminating any standalone unlimited data option

[Christopher Price]

The problem is, at this point, Verizon has already pushed folks either away from Verizon, or into their smartphone plans at this point.

The VZW UI was the first try at doing this... they readily admitted that they knew that many savvy users would "upgrade" (pay more) to get a phone with a UI that was manufacturer-built, and not carrier-crudded.

Then they refused to add HTML browsing to their phones, leaving it for smartphones. Now they're making HTML browsing one of their factors in requiring a 25/75 MB data plan... for almost the cost of a smartphone data plan with 5 GB of data.

Verizon wants to beat AT&T at the iPhone game, by forcing a large customer base into smartphones. They can then claim more smartphones (and more profit) than AT&T, without having a single iPhone on their network.

[Dubspoon]

This still is decreasing the amount of choices a sub can have, new subs with the sad UI dumbphones that want unlimited data will have to get those Connect/Premium plans.

[Christopher Price]

Dubspoon, on 06 October 2009 - 06:39 AM, said:

This still is decreasing the amount of choices a sub can have, new subs with the sad UI dumbphones that want unlimited data will have to get those Connect/Premium plans.

It's not just limited to new subs. If you don't already have the V CAST VPak on your account, you can't retroactively add it. If you ever remove the VPak, and want unlimited data, you have to switch to Connect or Premium plans.

Unlike Pay Per Use PDAs, Verizon made this change fully retroactive to all accounts, only grandfathering those with VPak until it is removed.

Of course it's limiting the choices a subscriber has. That's the point. Verizon wants you to have to pay a premium for unlimited data, either via a smartphone, or via a higher ARPU voice plan. This is part of their campaign against AT&T; they're charging top dollar like AT&T, but can guarantee 3-5x the coverage.

[Dubspoon]

I still see this as a stupid move, what suprises me is how no current subs are clamoring for a repeal of this. Most of them feel they are paying a premium for good service and anything cheaper won't be reliable and that isn't the case. This does go along with the "there's a map for that" campaign, dare them to target Sprint with this

[Christopher Price]

Current subs are grandfathered if they want to be. They just have to make sure they keep V CAST VPak on their account, and don't upgrade to a new smartphone or dumb EV-DO Rev A phone with a QWERTY keyboard and HTML browser.

Most of the internet community on Verizon has a smartphone at this point anyways, that's why you saw more outrage when they blocked new devices from the $0 PPU KB smartphone plan. Being forced to buy a smartphone data plan on new devices drew more outrage, because a much more significant number of forum/PhoneNews.com readers have a Verizon smartphone, but rely on Wi-Fi only for data. Now they are now stuck (for life) with any smartphone launched before the Touch Pro, or have to step up to $360/year in smartphone data.

[rlowell]

Interesting post, guys.

'Seems to me Sprint has been driving people this way too.

I don't want to give up my $40 PAM. And I like the fact that (on my dumb phone) EVDO Rev A data is unlimited.

All the Smart Phones they offer seem to want to go that away.

I'd be on the Pre like stink on $it if I could get the data plan I already have on it.

rlowell