Verizon to kill “grandfathered” unlimited data plans
A Verizon Wireless exec has revealed that the carrier plans to do away with its unlimited data offerings later this year
Verizon Wireless is planning to migrate “grandfathered” unlimited data plan users over to tiered shared data plans sometime later this year, according to Verizon CFO Fran Shammo. Shammo revealed the news while speaking with investors at a J.P. Morgan Technology Media and Telecom conference on Wednesday.
During his speech, Shammo noted that users will be forced to move to tiered shared plans sooner, rather than later. When the move takes place, the unlimited data offering will completely disappear and not be an option for anyone.
While not confirmed, the new shared plan structure will likely let families share data the way they share minutes. It will also perhaps let Verizon manage bandwidth more effectively, as consumers will be able to purchase a set amount of data for a certain number of devices.
Though Verizon Wireless ended unlimited data plans for new customers last summer, the carrier allowed its old customers to keep their unlimited plans. Verizon always said users wouldn’t be able to keep them forever, but its surprising the carrier is killing unlimited data this quickly.
Unfortunately, Shammo did not provide specifics on how such changes would roll out, but you can expect to hear more later this summer. Verizon will also likely be planning a major PR effort to help users use less and less data as the unlimited data end date approaches.
Interested readers can listen to Shammo’s comments here. They start at about the 10-minute mark.
In: Smartphone · Tagged with: data, grandfathered, kill, plans, unlimited, Verizon