I'm not going to lie... I'm more than a little disturbed by the direction that Verizon has been going recently. From what I've been seeing recently, Unlimited Data plans are on the way out, 4G plans are going to be much more expensive than the now-outdated 3G ($120-$240 more per year) plans. The in-store free-return policy has been cut in half. All new Android devices are heading toward a lock-down where Verizon will be able to control what you can and cannot do with the hardware and software. And now, they are completely eliminating the rebate program. All this while selling out to Apple to bring the iPhone on board.
I'm sorry, but I am not ok with all this. Sure, for now you will see the $199 prices, but only for phones that have already been out. Whats to keep them from charging full price on all handsets from now on? There is nothing, and thats the problem. Within 6 months, everything will be at the pre-rebate price.
If you ask me, Big Red is getting a little too full of itself, and I'm starting to think they are screwing around in areas they shouldn't. Sure, their LTE service might be nice, but I'm not sure its worth all this hassle. Especially when the network is about to be completely bogged down by iPhone users.
I'm not going to lie. I'm getting tired of people complaining when they do not have any facts just their own speculation.
VZW has NEVER stated they are doing away with unlimited data. Hell, most of the reports on the web regarding data are stating the pricing will remain the same. At worst they may add $10 to the unlimited plan for 4G (just like other vendors).
Yes, there are 4G data plans for 5GB max, but those are for USB modems and is NO different from the already in place 5GB limits on 3G.
Verizon is doing away with mail in rebates high priced smart phones and in place is just lowering the price up front when they would normally make you mail in a rebate form and sit and pray.
How the heck do you *know* that after 6 months they will do away with the lower prices which have replaced the rebate program??? You don't that's how.
How the heck do you know unlimited data plans are on the way out? You don't know. Every carrier (OK, Just AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint to name four) are talking in their board rooms about whether or not their data rates are sustainable for the required build outs, but until tiered pricing without any unlimited price comes out, you are just speculating based on rumors read in the comments sections of rumor stories.
Seriously, stopped getting so worked up over rumors. If you think the rumors of what may happen at T-Mobile are better than the rumors of what may happen at Verizon, by all means get ticked off and switch carriers.
However, speaking as one of the VZW people who got in on the customer loyalty plan for $69.95 a few months ago with unlimited data / text / F&F / 450 minutes I'm a relatively happy camper with regards to their pricing and plans.
Until something comes out as fact, I don't go crazy over what could happen possibly down the road at some unspecified date.
