Technically if you were to set up a plan right now you could still get unlimited data on Verizon Wireless, but come tomorrow that won't be the case. It's something that's been in the air for a while now, but hasn't been cemented in fact until this week (with strong rumors for the past 2).

This means of the major 3.5 mobile providers in the US, only Sprint will have true unlimited data after this. T-Mobile has unlimited data, but is throttled after 10 GB IIRC, and T-Mobile is to be bought by AT&T barring some miracle of the merger actually being stopped... So it'll completely end then.

Normally this wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing if it meant you could get a discounted plan for those that don't use the bandwidth... this won't be the case with Verizon Wireless as here are the plans:

http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/05/verizon-speaks-up-confirms-usage-based-data-plans-are-coming-ju/

The 75 MB and pay-as-you-go plans won't be available to smart phone users, meaning 2 GB for $30 is as cheap as it gets, which is the same price as 3G unlimited right now... Tethering fees aren't going away either and will add another $30/mo on top of that (of course smart Android users will never have to pay these ).

As someone who was considering Verizon, this is quite saddening. I'm not going to go out and get a phone right now just for unlimited data as I'm not ready for the extra burden of a smart phone's costs right now, and I don't like the idea of just rushing in.

So... how much longer until Sprint falls?

Edit: Current Verizon Wireless users have nothing to worry about. It only applies to new users (well, if you have a bundled setup and someone switches to a smart phone/add a line, then you do as those won't be grandfathered in)

I pay $30 a month now, and have only used .53 GB nearing the end of my billing cycle, so I guess websites on my phone don't use as much data as I thought.

I really wish I had stayed with Sprint, I left them because of their lack of Android phones, now they are catching up with the competition and their plans are still the cheapest.

So is this meaning no unlimited texting in the plan? My parents are thinking of switching to verizon, but if it means no unlimited texting, they are going to stick with the plan they have. I wasn't sure if no unlimited data included texting or not.

Verizon has talk + text plans that include unlimited texting.

Texting is separate from data (and minutes obviously separate from both of those). The entire thing just stinks, though. The main argument for tiered data is that it allows the non-users to save money while the users pay for what they use, which isn't the case with Verizon's new tiered data plans: you still have to pay just as much as before, but now you are limited leading to only the potential of having to pay more with no chance of paying less.

Glad I am with Sprint. :whistling:

oh ok. I had no idea. thanks. I really need to come to the forums more often for technological questions. Way easier then trying to look it up on the internet.

I'm kind of thinking about switching providers once my contract is up. I've never been thrilled with Verizon, and they only seem to be getting worse. Sprint has always had decently priced plans, and their phone choice has definitely improved lately, I might switch to them. Although knowing the state of the telecommunications industry, I doubt it'll be long before this pricing model becomes a standard <_< . Free market competition, huh?

...well that's bad news bears if ever I have heard. This phone is my only source of internet at the moment. *sigh* Time to rob a computer store with water pistols.

As I said in the OP, it doesn't effect current users, just new users.

Something that always confused me, since it doesnt effect current users it wont effect me with my Droid right now. (Happy about that since I use upwards of 5GB/month) But if I upgrade phones in a couple months would I still be considered an existing user? It would still be the same Verizon account.

I was very disappointed when AT&T got rid of the unlimited plan, but I figured Verizon would as well.

Originally the rumors were that current users would lose their unlimited data when they upgraded, but Verizon confirmed this isn't going to be the case (at least for now)

I'm using Virgin Mobile. I know it's the Sprint network other than that I have no idea how its affiliated with unlimited data. I don't think I would ever reach 10GB on my phone though. That's a lot.

I would still check Verizon right before switching phones, though, just to be sure nothing has changed.

If it was 5 GB for $30 I'd say that would be "fair", but going over 2 GB is pretty easy.

Funny, since I just switched from Verizon to AT&T.

Where do I go to see my data usage? I've been with Verizon for years and I have an unlimited data plan. I'm constantly on my web browser on my Droid 2.

There is an app on the marketplace. Just search, "My Verizon" on the market and it should pop up. Or go to Verizon.com and login.