Verizon: We Have Top-Tier Data Pools, Too
Verizon Wireless offers five additional shared data pools not openly offered on the website.
Earlier this week, AT&T announced that it will launch its own shared data plans on August 23. Unlike Verizon, the company listed two plans offering more than 10 GB of data: 15 GB @ $160 + $30 for each smartphone, and 20 GB @ $200 + $30 for each smartphone. Verizon currently lists six Share Everything plans spanning 1 GB to 10 GB only.
"Need more than 10 GB of data? Add 2 GB for $10/month by logging in to My Verizon," the website reads.
Brenda Raney, a spokesperson for Verizon Wireless, recently told Computerworld that the Big Red has actually offered five additional tiers since June, only they're mainly acquired through customer service via phone, or at Verizon's brick-and-mortar storefronts. The company doesn't list these tiers online because "the majority of customers use under 2 GB a month."
These hidden tiers are actually based on the 2 GB for $10 disclaimer: 12 GB for $110 a month, 14 GB for $120 a month, 16 GB for $130 a month, 18 GB for $140 a month and 20 GB for $150 a month. Verizon's Unlimited Talk & Text with 10 GB of shared data has a base price of $100 before adding phones.
Based on those numbers, Verizon's 20 GB monthly plan is $50 less than what AT&T plans to offer for its 20 GB tier later this month. However Verizon customers wanting a subscription to one of the higher tiers will need to make an arrangement with customer service to make the allotment -- whether it's just 2 GB or the full 10 GB -- as part of a monthly plan.
Unlike AT&T, Verizon doesn't offer discounts on smartphone fees in the higher tiers: it's a standard $40 for smartphones, $30 for basic phones, $20 for USB modems and $10 for tablets across the board. On AT&T's plans, smartphone fees range for $45 to $30 each -- basic phones are a flat $30, USB modems are $20 and tablets are $10. Does it make a difference? Let's compare:
Verizon Wireless
10 GB of data ($100) + 2 Smartphones ($80) + 1 Tablet ($10) = $190 before taxes and surcharges
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AT&T
10 GB of data ($120) + 2 Smartphones ($60) + 1 Tablet ($10) = $190 before taxes and surcharges.
Here's where the price difference rears its head:
Verizon Wireless
20 GB of data ($150) + 2 Smartphones ($80) + 1 Tablet ($10) = $240 before taxes and surcharges
AT&T
20 GB of data ($200) + 2 Smartphones ($60) + 1 Tablet ($10) = $270 before taxes and surcharges.
So why would anyone need this much data? As Verizon points out, users generally consume only around 2 GB per month. However downloading a full-length HD movie eats up more than 3 GB of data on a single device. Now tack on four additional devices downloading the same movie, and you have 15 GB already used up.
Of course, that's why we love Wi-Fi so much.
Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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stopthe_bomb Virgin mobile - 35 dollars a month unlimited text AND data! 300 min a month > Verizon/at@tReply -
lunyone ReplyVirgin mobile - 35 dollars a month unlimited text AND data! 300 min a month > Verizon/at@t
Unless you need better coverage than what Virgin offers. If your in a major city that offers 4G LTE and don't travel much or don't have a car breakdown in a less than populated place...... -
freggo It's like in the old days with AOL... charge by the minute and KB.Reply
I am sure that will go the way of the Dodo eventually.
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samwelaye the thing i dont understand is how they get away with charging PER DEVICE if you are using a set amount of data. Its stupid, no matter how many devices you have trying to connect, youre not going to strain their network any more or less. absolutely ridiculousReply -
2hot4u What!? It's far, far cheaper to get an unlimited everything plan!!Reply
Why is data getting even more expensive! -
wildkitten These data pool and family data share plans are a joke. They charge an exorbitant amount for the data, then a large amount per phone.Reply
If you have 5 phones paying for 4GB of data each, that's $200 for total of 20GB. However, under the share for 20GB, you pay $200 for the data PLUS $x for each phone. Who would sign up for such a deal??? -
aznshinobi Wow... That's a pretty huge ripoff, personally T-Mo's plans have always got me. Currently using a business consumer based value plan from T-Mo, pretty sweet. 5GB Unlimited* Data + 1000 minutes and unlimited texting for only $45 a month. Don't get the discounts on phones but not really a big deal when all unlocked phones work for T-Mobile and I have friends/family that work at the Bellevue based company. :)Reply -
vvildcard Robbery, through and through. I will cling to my grandfathered $30 for unlimited data until they shut down 3G for good... and then I'll drop them like a ton of bricks to find someone who isn't committed to usury. So that one HD movie over 4G (in the article) will only cost $40x4 + $130 = $250! What a bargain!Reply