Verizon has revealed from their communications CFO, Fran Shammo that they will be getting rid of any grandfathered unlimited data plans. This came from a presentation given by Shammo at the JP Morgan Technology, Media and Telecom conference. Yet another anti-consumer move by communications companies.

Shammo said, “Everyone will be on data share,” and everyone will be forced onto Verizon’s new shared data plans once the upgrade cycle comes.



This just goes along the line of there really isn’t anything that is truly unlimited anymore and now companies are making that a reality even for those who are still on unlimited plans. Verizon’s unlimited data plan hasn’t been available since they cut the option to new customers last summer. AT&T also got rid of their plans in 2010 and so far they haven’t indicated getting rid of grandfathered unlimited accounts. However, even AT&T’s unlimited plan is not really unlimited. Frequently users have reported getting a message when they exceed 3GB of use in one month, something easily done if you are using a Netflix or other streaming app. AT&T warns it’s customers when this happens that their connection will be throttled if they do so again.

Verizon has allowed its 3G users to keep the unlimited plans when they moved to LTE with no added charge. However, there were signs that Verizon had been considering axing unlimited as it had pushed to make 3G Facetime only available if you were not an unlimited customer.

For most of the general public, they don’t tend to even need unlimited data. But the biggest issue here is that when a company such as Verizon offers what they call unlimited and then retracts it from those who don’t abuse it, it’s not good business practice. It is very frustrating from the consumer standpoint.

Source: Verizon