The End Of Unlimited Data On Verizon

The era of unlimited data on Verizon is coming to an end as the news has leaked, and has since been confirmed, that starting July 7th Verizon customers signing a new contract will no longer have the $29.99 data option. What hasn't been confirmed yet but is being widely reported is that you will still be shelling out at least 30 bucks for your data plan, but now that will be the cost of their minimum option and will only get you 2GB of bandwidth.

Here is the rumored data pricing structure:

2GB – $30/month
5GB – $50/month
10GB – $80/month

And if this wasn't bad enough, Verizon also thinks that you shouldn't be able to use your bandwidth how you chose and will implement a "required" data plan for those that like to tether for the "bargain" pricing below:

4GB – $50/month
7GB – $70/month
12GB – $100/month

Why exactly does it matter how I use my bandwidth especially since it is no longer unlimited?

All above plans include a $10 per GB overage charge and a bottle of Vaseline to ease the pain when you bend over. (1 hour streaming Netflix will eat up around 1gb for those wondering)

If you are a Verizon smartphone user in South Dakota, what does that mean to you?

As long as you happen to spend most of your time along the I29 corridor and don't travel to points west very often, you still have the option of telling Verizon to pack sand and sign up with Sprint. They have a very good selection of Android and Blackberry phones (no iPhone) and still offer true unlimited data for those of us that tend to use our phones like they were intended to be used. But if you are like me and spend a lot of time outside of Sioux Falls, Sprint is not an option.

That just leaves new South Dakota resident AT&T. Unfortunately, they have long since done away with their unlimited data programs after finding out that their crappy network couldn't handle the traffic. They do have somewhat better pricing plans, averaging about $5 a month less plus they have a much more wallet friendly plan for those that are small time data consumers but if you plan on streaming a lot of music or video with any carrier other than Sprint, plan on taking on a 2nd job.

200MB – $15/month
2GB – $25/month
4GB – $45/month

Where does that leave current Verizon customers that often use over 2GB a month?

If you are currently enjoying unlimited data, you should continue to do so and will until you sign your next 2 year contract. If you are eligible for an upgrade but were just waiting for Verizon's next super phone i.e. the Bionic, you either continue to wait and then get hit with the new data pricing or you chose one of Verizon's current offerings before the 7th and get locked in under the old pricing. If you aren't due for an upgrade until sometime after the 7th, you either keep your current phone, pay full price for one now, or bite the bullet after the 7th and use wi-fi wherever possible. So far no word on what will happen to those who are month to month and chose to pay full price for their phones yet.

Finally, what if you are like me and being told that you will effectively be required to pay more for less doesn't sound very palatable? 

That remains to be seen for me as I just renewed and have 2 years to decide but that old Motorola Razr in my desk drawer is looking a lot better as does saying goodbye to Verizon altogether.

(via DroidLife)

UPDATE: It now looks like customers already on Verizon's $29.99 unlimited data plan as of 7/7/2011 will be grandfathered in for the foreseeable future even after renewing their 2 year contracts. The rumors now point to only those buying new lines or moving to smart phones for the first time having to choose a tiered data plan.

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