Verizon Smartphone Users

[RANOVRU]

So where do they get off forcing you to pay a min of $15 a month for the BS data package, WHEN YOURE GETTING A PHONE WITH BUILT IN Wi-Fi???

The only "selling point" they have is, "Oh well the phones going to do automatic updates you wont be able to stop, thus the "required" package."

What they FAIL to tell you is that you can disable the auto-update feature, wait until youre in a Wi-Fi friendly spot (which is just about anywhere now), and do the updates at your own convenience, using youre own source for a connection & not their network.


Anyone else called to dispute this matter?? I will be & will let you guys know the outcome. I basically look at this like stealing....

 

[jeepron]

"thumbsup"

 

[jcboof]

Ok, heres the down low. The whole idea behind a "Mobile" smartphone is to access information on the go. Not everyone has the ability to access a WIFI hotspot. If that was the way you intended to use the device, Maybe a regular cellphone would be better for you and then get an Ipad or some type of Netbook to access the net.

I use my smartphone on a regular basis when there is no wifi available. Imagine being out of a Wifi area and needing to use your phone for data reasons. Seeing that you have purchased an internet and data capable device, wouldn't you expect to be able to use it as intended without wifi??

I understand what you are saying and that it should at least be an option to purchase a data package. But with all these phones are capable of doing, I'd gladly pay the 30 bucks a month that it costs me to use my phone on the go.

Verizon now has 4G service available and if they are going to do it like Sprint already has, any of the 4G capable devices that are on their network require an additional $10.00 premium for 4G service. That is above and beyond what you are already paying for a data plan. Even if you don't have 4G service in your area!
Do I feel that Verizon will do this?? I'm sure there will be some sort of premium charge for this service, but remember, If you chose the premium phone for 4G service, you have to know that you are paying for the latest and greatest service out there, Even if you are not in a covered service area.

 

[paintballer9876]

remember that you agreed to pay the extra money, its not stealing if you say they can charge you that much "thumbsup"

At my school wifi is either to congested or is non existent, being able to tether my phone to my computer and use its 3g when no wifi is available.


oh and jcboof "thumbsup"

 

[2JSC]

Ok, heres the down low.....

Exactly. Also why I love that I have unlimited data. Tethering my laptop for internet access is awesome, and I use it often.

Plus, working where I do has it's benefits. I have a monthly bill of $75 and have unlimited data included... used nearly 12GB this month. "thumbsup"

 

[RANOVRU]

You guys are just reiterating the selling points.

My point is its not something everyone needs, PERIOD.

I got the phone I did so I wouldnt have to buy an expensive HD camera/camcorder, and be able to access the internet if available by Wi-Fi.

I could care less about trying to surf the web while Im driving down the road. Seriously, if Im using the interweb on my phone Im stationary. And pretty much everywhere from Wally-World to McDonalds, and everything in between, has free Wi-Fi. Oh, and lets not forget my house.


I know technically no one is "putting a gun to my head", but its a bum rap for sure. Completely unexceptable...

 

[jcboof]

I got the phone I did so I wouldnt have to buy an expensive HD camera/camcorder, and be able to access the internet if available by Wi-Fi.

I could care less about trying to surf the web while Im driving down the road. Seriously, if Im using the interweb on my phone Im stationary. And pretty much everywhere from Wally-World to McDonalds, and everything in between, has free Wi-Fi. Oh, and lets not forget my house.


I know technically no one is "putting a gun to my head", but its a bum rap for sure. Completely unexceptable...

You just reiterated my point exactly..

You purchased the phone fully knowing that you would be responsible for the extra data package.;-)

No one put a gun to your head to buy the phone. You purchased the phone yourself. Knowing that a data package would be required.


Don't get me wrong, I see exactly where you are coming from. But honestly, you can't tell me that there is anyone on this site here who will drive around looking for a wifi spot just to use their phone.

I tether my computer on a regular basis with my Droid and its a huge convenience to me. The fact that you have so many close and completely accessible wifi spots is great! But its just impractical for most to seek out those spots.
The phone is a convenience, and we pay for that convenience. My monthly wireless bill is $188.00, I have 3 lines on my account with a 700 minute plan. 2 of the lines have unlimited data plans and the other is just a basic phone that I sent to my dad in Wisconsin so he can keep in contact with me. My plan even includes a substantial discount on my plan and on the features of my primary line. It saves me about 35 bucks a month.


Like I said before, perhaps getting a regular phone and maybe even purchase an older used smartphone from fleabay or something like that to use in your wifi areas, you wouldn't even have to have the phone activated and it would be free!

Wireless phones these days are AMAZING in what they can do. Whether it be just regular phone use to emails, tethering, internet access, photo editing, texing, video conferencing, and all the other great things they can do. You can't expect to get all those features for just the nominal phone access charge.

If you are unhappy with Verizons service and charges, Check out Sprint. They have an EVERYTHING plan for $69 that includes EVERYTHING. Voice, text, data, emails. Its a VERY cheap plan for all you get and they have one of the BEST smartphones available, The EVO4G.

Just sayin.. not trying to bust your balls, just trying to help you see the other side of the page that everyone else is reading.

Exactly. Also why I love that I have unlimited data. Tethering my laptop for internet access is awesome, and I use it often.

Plus, working where I do has it's benefits. I have a monthly bill of $75 and have unlimited data included... used nearly 12GB this month.

I use about the same every month. I rack up a lot of GB listening to Pandora Radio.

That is something really big for me, the fact that I can drive from coast to coast streaming music for FREE. But you wouldn't get to far too fast stopping at every Micky D's and Walmart to pick up their WIFI signal just to stream music.

 

[Sniper4370]

You guys are just reiterating the selling points.

My point is its not something everyone needs, PERIOD.

I got the phone I did so I wouldnt have to buy an expensive HD camera/camcorder, and be able to access the internet if available by Wi-Fi.

I could care less about trying to surf the web while Im driving down the road. Seriously, if Im using the interweb on my phone Im stationary. And pretty much everywhere from Wally-World to McDonalds, and everything in between, has free Wi-Fi. Oh, and lets not forget my house.


I know technically no one is "putting a gun to my head", but its a bum rap for sure. Completely unexceptable...

Those "free" Wi-Fi signals are spotty at best. You'll be surprised how much you use your phone for data intensive things once you get used to it. Also, those "free" wi-fi- hot spots, whenever you want to use them, you have to go in to your settings and create a new connection, or, leave your wi-fi radio in the phone "on". Leaving the wi-fi on in your phone can and will drain your battery! I understand your point on the option of the fee, but imho it is worth it.

 

[RANOVRU]

Its a simple difference of opinion. I dont go driving around looking for spots, theyre just there. Today I was in the Bojangles drive-thru and decided to watch the news because it was convenient and free. I dont need to have that access 24/7.

Point is, one shouldnt have to pay that fee with a WF capable phone. Theres just no "need to have" reason. Therefore I think its wrong. If you want it great! Pay for it. But it shouldnt be a requirement given the circumstances...


I wouldnt be suprised if theres others that have had there eyes opened and have protested this, which is one reason I started this thread.

 

[RANOVRU]

Oh, and as far as the quality/signal, so far every spot Ive hit in town is as good or better than the DSL at the house, which is good enough for me.

 

[slobin3d]

It would be nice if it were an option to buy the phone without the mandatory data plan, with the express knowledge you can't use their network for anything data related. as of right now if you want the new iphone, droid, or windows phone you either pony up the extra $$$ or move along. I would think that getting more phones out there people would recognize the need for the mobility and then upgrade from there. but, their company their rules. if you don't like it don't buy it"thumbsup"

 

[binaryterror]

You guys are just reiterating the selling points.

My point is its not something everyone needs, PERIOD.

Look at it this way...

What if they didn't require it and your phone was mis-placed and then used for awhile on the super high no-plan method. You do realize you are responsible for your phone at all times.

Another way to look at it is they are protecting themselves from asshole customers who are too ignorant to think correctly, and will then just blame Verizon later.

If you don't like it use a cell phone and buy an iPod touch...done.

 

[chevy42083]

You'll be surprised how much you use your phone for data intensive things once you get used to it.

THAT is probably why they do it. There's plenty of us that say we don't want it, but once we have it, get accustomed to it.

We'll see, as I just got a smart phone yesterday and opted for unlimited data... we'll see how much i use it, and then decide if I'm gonna keep unlimited, drop to limited, or I THINK I can turn it off completely with T-mobile (not sure).

BTW, back in the day when sprint switched from the plan ol' digital backlit screens to the new fancy picture phones... they too required you to pay for the extra "G" or whatever they called it. No choice. That was one reason I kept my old phone so long.

I think it's called "industry standard" :lmao:

BTW, IMO all the "buy this instead" arguments are kinda dumb, don't want to carry two devices around. Hence the idea behind a smart phone. Which.. i guess is one reason you'll pay to play :mrgreen:

EDIT: although, everything I am reading says that T-mobile now require data plans. When talking to my friend (who was my CSR), he knows I didn't really want it. We agreed to sign up for unlimited, then drop it if needed... so maybe they have a way around it. He didn't go into detail. My phone was a price match, so maybe since I wasn't using their new contract rebate, that excludes me? Maybe? EDIT EDIT: Asked, he said i do need to carry the $10 limited data plan for the contract period.

 

[dont slow down]

What pisses me off is that I have an iPhone, with unlimited data package from ATT and pay about $20 per month, and then ATT wants to charge me another $20 per month to enable tethering on my phone to use it with my netbook!!! While I understand ATT's reasoning behind it (overloading the network, going over a data limit etc) with an unlimited plan it is not acceptable. So I jailbroke my phone and tether for free now. Haven't looked back and wish I had done it a long time ago. So.....Hey ATT!

Ok I'll get off my soapbox now.

 

[soundcolor]

Well, since I work for Verizon, maybe.I can shed some light as to why the data package is.reaaly there.

Take your typical flip phone, let's say the lg accolade.
it has a cost (what we pay lg electronics for the device) of 175 dollars.
Now follow along as we do some simple math.
Scenario 1.
customer comes into the store/online and wants to use their upgrade to get the accolade. Remember now, 175 cost
customer gets the the phone for free. So, we lose 175.00 on the deal out of the gate.

Now, I know what your thinking, your thinking that we get a 2year contract out of the deal. And you would be right.
Basic math again here.
39.99 x 24 months is 959 dollas and change. Now take out that 175 for that device, that leaves roughly 770.00. FOR TWO YEARS OF SERVICE...
brother if you can find service that cheap, you let me know.

Scenario 2...

Let's take your new uber phone that your complaining about having to pay a data package on.
let's say you got a shiny new samsung fascinate. Cost on that phone is 560.00
now, let's say you didn't have a data package at all,
Your monthly plan is 59.99
x 24months
is
1439
you paid 200 bucks for your phone
So, 360 - 1439
1080, give or take dollar or two. Now, that's for 24 months of service.

Oh, Verizon is getting rich aren't they...

Except that 92 cents of every dollar paid goes back into our cellular infrastructure, which only leaves. 43 dollars a year for paying salaries, tech support, r&d, and all other expenses. For YOUR PHONE.
Which im sure you've figured out is a loss for us.

Now, considering that only 25- 30 percent of the market currently has smartphones, you can most likely figure out why there is a Required data package.

Couple with that the fact that smartphones use triple the amount of network resources asa regular old flip phone and I think your starting to get the picture.

It sounds like to me that you want the cool ferrari, you just don't want the cool ferrari bill.

Hey, there's plenty of good nissans out there.

 

[RANOVRU]

Look at it this way...

What if they didn't require it and your phone was mis-placed and then used for awhile on the super high no-plan method. You do realize you are responsible for your phone at all times.

Another way to look at it is they are protecting themselves from asshole customers who are too ignorant to think correctly, and will then just blame Verizon later.

If you don't like it use a cell phone and buy an iPod touch...done.

I wont be waiting days on end to report my phone as lost, if it were to happen. From my experience in the past, once you report it lost they do not hold you liable from that point on. Now wait 2 weeks to try and find it, and yes, you are responsible.

Please explain why I would have any reason to blame Verizon if Im operating my phone with the mobile network disabled & running off a connection completely irrelevent to VZW's network?? That is just one more BS statement that has nothing to do with them charging you extra money for no reason.

Multiple devices??? Come on now...


This is just one more of those things that people in this country have evolved to accept, for no real rhyme or reason, but because they are told they need to. And unbeknowns to me, people just do it with no question or thought as to why.

At least someone who robbs you at gunpoint has a very real, obvious, crystal clear reason why you should give up the goods.

 

[RANOVRU]

Well, since I work for Verizon, maybe.I can shed some light as to why the data package is.reaaly there.

Take your typical flip phone, let's say the lg accolade.
it has a cost (what we pay lg electronics for the device) of 175 dollars.
Now follow along as we do some simple math.
Scenario 1.
customer comes into the store/online and wants to use their upgrade to get the accolade. Remember now, 175 cost
customer gets the the phone for free. So, we lose 175.00 on the deal out of the gate.

Now, I know what your thinking, your thinking that we get a 2year contract out of the deal. And you would be right.
Basic math again here.
39.99 x 24 months is 959 dollas and change. Now take out that 175 for that device, that leaves roughly 770.00. FOR TWO YEARS OF SERVICE...
brother if you can find service that cheap, you let me know.

Scenario 2...

Let's take your new uber phone that your complaining about having to pay a data package on.
let's say you got a shiny new samsung fascinate. Cost on that phone is 560.00
now, let's say you didn't have a data package at all,
Your monthly plan is 59.99
x 24months
is
1439
you paid 200 bucks for your phone
So, 360 - 1439
1080, give or take dollar or two. Now, that's for 24 months of service.

Oh, Verizon is getting rich aren't they...

Except that 92 cents of every dollar paid goes back into our cellular infrastructure, which only leaves. 43 dollars a year for paying salaries, tech support, r&d, and all other expenses. For YOUR PHONE.
Which im sure you've figured out is a loss for us.

Now, considering that only 25- 30 percent of the market currently has smartphones, you can most likely figure out why there is a Required data package.

Couple with that the fact that smartphones use triple the amount of network resources asa regular old flip phone and I think your starting to get the picture.

It sounds like to me that you want the cool ferrari, you just don't want the cool ferrari bill.

Hey, there's plenty of good nissans out there.

I worked for them for 8+ yrs. But this is not a pissing contest.

You might be able to pitch that garbage on someone not in the know, but I am.

Even with the math you just stated, a blind man can see that theres a definitive profit there in both scenerios. And VZW has what 40+mil customers, or at least they advertise they have the most. Now do some multiplying on a gross scale. Please, youre not convincing anyone theyre hurting for money.:roll:

 

[binaryterror]

Please explain why I would have any reason to blame Verizon if Im operating my phone with the mobile network disabled & running off a connection completely irrelevent to VZW's network?? That is just one more BS statement that has nothing to do with them charging you extra money for no reason.

You can't turn off the 3G or mobile data service on my Evo 3G. You either go into WiFi, 3G, or 4G. 4G and WiFi I can control, 3G (or other internet/data service) is always on unless in Airplane mode and calls then won't work.

Again you might accept oops I had to use mobile data for a reason, however 90% of the customers will not and flip out when they get a big bill. Again they force it to prevent them having to deal with morons.

Multiple devices??? Come on now...

You could do it cheaper that way. Super cheap phone and plan and iPod Touch would be cheaper or the same price as most smartphones. Since you only want data at wifi locations.

This is just one more of those things that people in this country have evolved to accept, for no real rhyme or reason, but because they are told they need to. And unbeknowns to me, people just do it with no question or thought as to why.

OMG you are the only person who can think for them self? Doubt it. Some of us deal with the issue less because we use 3G data...I do very often. Why would I bitch like a baby about something I have a use for daily. I don't have wifi everywhere and I'm not going to be without some sort of 3G data so I wouldn't even care if they offered smart phones without data. I like navigation, google, pandora, shazam, email rcc on my phone when I want it, not when I'm near wifi.

 

[roksloski]

RANOVRU,

that is the exact reason i have an iphone 3g hacked and jail broken so i can use it on a basic att plan...
the only thing it will not do is get on the 3g network..
I like you will use it on all the free wi-fi's around if i really need to
i dont need it for surfing the web
i dont need it for navagation
dont need ck my email ...... etc... etc...
i do that stuff at home...... its no way that important to me

i know what you mean......

and as to why do i have it then
got the phone cheep
the basic service is cheep
and i like the touch screen for texting my kids and others....

 

[soundcolor]

If you worked for Verizon for 8 years then you don't have anything to complain about.
you knew the rule when you aggreed to your contract...

And just for future refrence its 96+ million and growing!!!