Verizon Wireless is reportedly looking to lure customers currently signed up for unlimited data packages through a new offering tied to its recently unveiled Edge upgrade program.
Over the weekend, several websites showed photos of a new offer dubbed “Verizon Max.” (There was no sign of the service on the Verizon Wireless website this morning nor any announcement from the carrier.) The offer looks to provide current smartphone customers holding onto Verizon Wireless’ legacy unlimited data plan with either six gigabytes of data for $30 per month or 8 GB with the carrier’s tethering option for $50 per month. The unlimited data plan, which Verizon Wireless stopped offering in 2011, was priced at $30 per month, with tethering charged at an additional $30 per month.
By signing up for a capped data package, customers that forgo the unlimited data plan will have access to Verizon Wireless’ Edge program that allows customers to spread out the cost of a device over a 24-month period, with customers only required to pay the first month installment upfront. After six months and with at least 50% of the device’s total price paid, customers can trade the device in for a new phone with the same payment requirements. The offering counters a rash of similar models that have been launched by rivals this year.
For Max, customers would maintain their current voice and messaging bucket if so desired, only trading out their unlimited data bucket for the capped offer that includes the Edge program. Verizon Wireless’ current Share Everything plans charge $80 per month for 6 GB of data, and unlimited messaging and voice service, with customers then charged an additional fee for each device accessing those resources. The 8 GB plan starts at $90 per month, and the tethering feature is included for free with both tiers.
AT&T Mobility has joined Verizon Wireless is moving away from unlimited data plans, though that carrier has been more aggressive in curtailing the unlimited nature of the offering through the use of speed throttling, putting a brake on network speeds once a customer goes beyond 3 GB of data usage per month. Verizon Wireless has said it would only limit data speeds on unlimited data customers should they be accessing service through a cell site that was running near maximum capacity.
Smaller rivals Sprint and T-Mobile US continue to offer unlimited data packages to smartphone customers in a move to differentiate themselves from their larger rivals, something that has shown diverse results in recent months.
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