Verizon today introduced its first unlimited data plan since 2011. Verizon Unlimited, which includes unlimited talk, text, and 4G LTE data, will cost $80 per month for a single smartphone or tablet, or $45 per month for four lines. The plan will be available to new and existing customers starting Monday.
Verizon charges an access fee of $20 per month per smartphone and $10 per month per tablet, but it did not confirm if those charges will apply to its new unlimited plan. If they do, the actual cost of Verizon Unlimited will start at over $100 per month. Taxes and any device payments if applicable are also extra.
Verizon Unlimited includes 10GB of 4G LTE tethering per month, with tethering reduced to 3G speeds after the 10GB of usage. The plan includes full HD video streaming, unlike T-Mobile and Sprint's optimized plans that stream video at 480p, and AT&T's opt-out Stream Saver mode that likewise reduces video quality.
The plan also includes calling and texting to Mexico and Canada, and up to 500MB per day of 4G LTE roaming in those countries.
Verizon Unlimited's pricing requires paper-free billing and AutoPay. In line with rivals AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint, Verizon may de-prioritize customers who exceed 22GB of data usage in a billing cycle in the event of network congestion, so its definition of "unlimited" will be debated.
Verizon said customers can add a smartwatch or other connected device for an extra $5 per month. TravelPass, offering customers 500MB per day of 4G LTE data while traveling outside of the United States, Canada, or Mexico, reduced to 2G speeds thereafter, is available for an extra $10 per month.
Verizon becomes the last of the "Big Four" U.S. carriers to offer unlimited data. AT&T's unlimited data plan starts at $150 per month when you factor in the minimum cost of a required AT&T U-verse or DirecTV subscription, while T-Mobile ONE starts at $70 per month and Sprint Unlimited starts at $50 per month.
Verizon's existing plans, including S, M, L, XL, and XXL tiers, will remain available to new and existing customers.
Tags: Verizon, unlimited data
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