Cell Phone Data Plans: Verizon vs AT&T OR SPRINT?

 UPDATE:9/28/11-Word has it that Sprint will be offering the iphone & unlimited data plans that Verizon or AT&T don't offer anymore

Every heard the Phrase, "There are NO more free rides".! Of course you have. One, not free, but discounted ride is about to expire as well.

Verizon Wireless is said to announce the end of unlimited data plans for all it's smart phones starting on July 7, 2011. Going the way of AT&T, it will introduce, according to reports a tired pricing plan some what comparable with AT&T.

The question I've been getting asked, and I wonder myself, if your a Verizon Wireless customer, do you get the iphone 4 NOW and get locked in to the unlimited data knowing according to reports that the iphone 5 is just months away?

Do you switch to AT&T or Verizon?

Which plan is better?

Let it be stated that each plan does NOT count Wi_Fi usage.

Verizon Indirect Dealer Memo

Here is a complete summary of everything:

• As of this morning we have been given the green light to start training on the data changes Verizon Wireless is making effective 7/7/11.

• $29.99 unlimited data will be discontinued effective 7/7/11

• EXISTING CUSTOMERS- That have our $29.99 unlimited data plan WILL BE GRANDFATHERED IN, they will keep their unlimited plan after 7/7/11

• EXISTING CUSTOMERS- That current have the unlimited data WILL BE ABLE TO UPGRADE AND KEEP the unlimited data feature (No known end date on this as of this moment)

• EXISTING CUSTOMERS- That add lines post 7/7/2011, will NOT be able to choose the $29.99 unlimited data feature

• NEW CUSTOMERS- Any customer that sets up service from now, until 7/7/2011 WILL BE ON, AND WILL BE GRANDFATHERED into our $29.99 unlimited data package

• NEW CUSTOMERS- Any new customer that set up service AFTER 7/7/2011, WILL NOT be able to choose the $29.99 unlimited plan

• BUSINESS DISCOUNTS- Currently our business discounts apply to the $29.99 data plan on the primary line only. Most discounts are 20% despite whatever monthly access discount they have

• BUSINESS DISCOUNTS- After 7/7/2011 data discounts will only apply to the $50 and higher data packages on the primary line.

• Discount break down ex. of customers with a 20% feature discount on their primary line. ($50-20%=$40/month for 5GB and includes the business e-mail feature)

• – ($20/GB vs. $40/GB+ Business e-mail )

New data pricing for smart phones is as follows:

• $10 a month for 75 megabytes of data usage

• $30 for 2GB with $10/GB overage

• $50 for 5GB (this also includes business e-mail at no additional charge) with $10/GB overage

• $80 for 10GB (this also includes business e-mail at no additional charge) with $10/GB overage

• So all changes effective July 7th, 2011.

• Existing customer KEEP their $29.99 unlimited data plan

• If an existing customer upgrades from a feature phone to a smart phone after 7/7/11, they will NOT be able to add on the unlimited data package. They must choose from the new data plans.

• Anyone who sets up new service with unlimited data, upgrades from a feature phone to a smart phone with unlimited data, or customer currently on the $29.99 before July, 7, 2011 will be grandfathered in.

• These changes also apply to employee plans as well (personal accounts w/work discounts applied)

• SO, This is a huge time for us to set our customers up with the right package for them! We only have 14 DAYS remaining for unlimited data, and until the new data pricing takes effect. (14 days to setup new customers w/unlimited data, and customers upgrading from a feature phone to a smart phone)

PLEASE, PLEASE make sure we take advantage of this heads up and get our heavy data users set up on these unlimited plans before they change.

AT&T Data Plans:

• $15/month for the DataPlus plan which includes 200MB of data transfer. If customers exceed 200MB in a monthly billing cycle, they receive an additional 200MB of data for $15 until the end of that billing cycle.

• $25/month for a 2GB data plan. If subscribers exceed 2GB during a billing cycle, they will be charged $10 for an additional 1GB of data.

Also remember it's also which carrier has better coverage, fewer drop calls, faster customer service, etc....

I would LOVE to get your feed back on the great Data Cell Phone Debate to help us ALL DECIDE!