Reported changes set for Verizon data buckets include more data allotments for more money each month, with rollover and speed throttling still on the table
Details continue to seep out regarding Verizon Wireless’ reported plans to alter its current data packages.
The plans, which were first reported late last week, indicate the carrier will increase the size and cost of its current data buckets, along with the previously noted addition of customers being able to keep unused data for one month and network speed throttling once a data bucket allotment is hit in order to negate overage charges.
Screen shots of the new plans, which are circulating on various message boards, indicate the carrier’s “small” data bucket is set to double to two gigabytes for an extra $5 per month; the “medium” plan will grow from 3 GB to 4 GB and from $45 to $50; the “large” plan to increase from 6 GB to 8 GB and increase in price from $60 to $70; the “extra large” plan from 12 GB to 16 GB and a $10 price increase to $90; and the “extra, extra large” plan from 18 GB to 24 GB with a price surge from $100 to $110.
The data buckets will continue to have a separate per-device charge for lines accessing the shared data, which is currently at $20 for smartphones, $10 for tablets or mobile hot spots and $5 for “connected devices.”
In addition to the rejiggered data buckets, the plan changes look to include a “Carryover Data” option that would allow customers on any size data bucket to keep unused data for one month; and a “Safety Mode” that would curtail network speeds should customers exceed their data bucket allowance, which would be standard on XL and XXL data plans, and a $5 upcharge for smaller data buckets.
Verizon Wireless’ current policy is unused data allotments are lost at the end of each billing cycle, while customers that go over their data bucket are charged $15 per GB in overage.
There also appears to be a more involved “My Verizon” application that allows for greater rate plan control, and hints that customers will be able to access rate plan features when roaming in Canada and Mexico.
Verizon Wireless has yet to officially announce the rate plan changes, though rumors suggest that could come as early as this week.
Verizon Wireless last August rolled out its clothing-sized data buckets in a somewhat controversial move that did away with rate-plan based device subsidies. The carrier later added the XXL-sized data bucket, while continuing to offer even larger data buckets that forgo a bite-sized label.
T-Mobile US was the first nationwide carrier to bring back the ability for consumers to keep some of their unused data allotments, first with the ability to keep all unused data for up to one year, which was then trimmed to a maximum of 20 GB of unused data.
AT&T Mobility last year relaunched its Rollover option, allowing customers to maintain their unused data allotment for up to one month. The rollover initiative has a history at the carrier as its former Cingular Wireless incarnation was one of the first to offer a rollover feature for its voice calling plans back in 2002.
More recently, Verizon Wireless offered a rollover of data access for its prepaid AllSet Plans.
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