New Verizon Data Plans Have Overage Charges

[AlexSian]

There are now two Verizon BroadBandAccess data plans.
(these are data device plans, like for USB720/USB727/UM150)

$59.99/mo gets you 5 GB of data and $0.49 per MB overage change.
$39.99/mo gets you 50 MB of data and $0.99 per MB overage change.

Most people would NOT be able to stay under 50 MB per month, and since there is NO CAP on the overage charges, it would be dangerously expensive to "try it out". Going from just 50 MB to 100 MB would raise the amount paid from $39.99 to $89.49!

It is NOT known at this time that any overage charges will be added to accounts that existed before March 2, 2008 (the date the changes started for new plans).

-- alex

[AlexSian]

There are now two Verizon BroadBandAccess data plans.
(these are data device plans, like for USB720/USB727/UM150)

$59.99/mo gets you 5 GB of data and $0.49 per MB overage change.
$39.99/mo gets you 50 MB of data and $0.99 per MB overage change.

Most people would NOT be able to stay under 50 MB per month, and since there is NO CAP on the overage charges, it would be dangerously expensive to "try it out". Going from just 50 MB to 100 MB would raise the amount paid from $39.99 to $89.49!

It is NOT known at this time that any overage charges will be added to accounts that existed before March 2, 2008 (the date the changes started for new plans).

-- alex

[rebelsbeach]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">It is NOT known at this time that any overage charges will be added to accounts that existed before March 2, 2008 (the date the changes started for new plans). </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

As a contract certainly protects both parties and I consider what I have with Verizon a contract, I'm not sure how they could change the terms of the contract I have with them for $59.99 and unlimited usage.
Believe me, I'm not saying they can't, just that it'd bear some explanation.

If they'd charge ME an early out fee, I certainly consider that a contract.

[Moder2]

As far as the new contract goes, I think it is acceptable, since this time they are being upfront and honest about what the limit is and what happens after that limit was reached.

What most likely will happen is if you exceed the limit in your "Old" contract you will be terminated and you can then you have the option to choose to sign a new agreement, or go elsewhere.

When they shut us off, My Opinion was that it was unethical, as I did not violate the TOS as they stated it at the time of my contact signing. They did however change that TOS, and held me to that TOS. The did not charge me the termination fee, and later a NY court settled with Verizon in a class action that they had to refund the price of the equipment we had to buy (not much, but something.)

Verizon's Service is the best out there in my opinion, and if they are now being upfront about this issue, and give you a tool to monitor your usage, I have no problem with the new contract. I would not trust them with an existing contract and would expect to get charged or terminated, unless I saw it in writing otherwise.

John

[rebelsbeach]

John, I have a relatively reliable store manager contact at my local Verizon store and will be asking him about this on Tuesday...
He's always given me the straight scoop, whether or not I was on the right side or not.

Since I'm back in a stick house I don't use the card as much, but it'd still be nice to know.

[SacsTC]

Hmmmmm,
Could possibly have an impact on some of the full-timer moderators that use this service (verizon) though...???

[Moder2]

Very cool Bob!

I am very interested to hear what the news is. My guess is they will be proceeding cautiously, but then what does a million dollars really mean to the likes of a Verizon with so many customers...

John

[rebelsbeach]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by SacsTC:
Hmmmmm,
Could possibly have an impact on some of the full-timer moderators that use this service (verizon) though...??? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well Sacs, there's always two cups and a string?

[CWHTRAINS]

OK, so last month on my data card I used 116,570 kilobytes for data. How much is that relative to the new limits?

[SacsTC]

Limit 5Gb = 5000 thousand or 5 billion bytes.
5,000,000,000
...116,570,000
Your usage 116,570 Kb = 116,570,000 bytes

[Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376]

116,570 kb converts to 113.837890625 megabytes

[SacsTC]

Only if you are formatting a hard drive..

[CWHTRAINS]

Ok, went back and checked some earlier bills and found the following usage per month:

Jan 488,575 kilobytes
Dec 455,896
Nov 565,832

So I am still way below the 5GB amount then but way above the 50 MB, correct?

[Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376]

My conversion I was converting Bits to bytes (1024) and didn't necessarily have anything to do with HD's. My mistake.