Verizon offers new flat rate, unlimited plan
High-end mobile phone user? Tired of overage charges? Verizon Wireless believes it has your solution starting today.
The service provider, which has its Midwest headquarters in Schaumburg, is expected to introduce three monthly price plans for unlimited calling anytime to anyone in the United States -- both wireless and landline phones -- at flat rates. The plans start around $100.
"Customers have been asking us for this, especially those who keep getting overage charges," said Mike Ritter, Verizon Wireless vice president of marketing.
Ritter said this is a completely national plan with no long distance charges and still beats the so-called unlimited plans of competitors.
"A lot of others offer rollover minutes, but they're not unlimited," Ritter said. "For example, there's a $99 plan for 2,000 minutes out there, but we've had some people go well beyond that."
Like who?
"Oh, you'd be surprised," Ritter said.
Verizon Wireless, which has about 60 million customers nationwide, anticipates up to 10 percent of its subscriber base would sign up for one of the new plans. And anyone who has recently signed a contract with Verizon could still upgrade without penalty, Ritter said.
"This is a very aggressive move by Verizon to go after the heaviest users," said Roger Entner, senior vice president of the communication sector for New York-based IAG Research.
The new basic plan offers all domestic roaming, long distance, Mobile Web 2.0 and Internet access for $99.99 per month.
The next step up, called Select, offers the basic plan plus unlimited messaging to anyone in the United States for $119.99.
The Premium package offers the features of the first two plans, plus V Cast Video, VZ Navigator and Mobile E-mail for $139.99.
Customers will still be charged $1.99 per megabyte for data usage when downloading ringtones, games and other things. V Cast Music is also available with all plans at no charge. Other plans for family sharing, personal digital assistants and smartphones vary.
In addition, Verizon Wireless is expected to start March 2 with new BroadbandAccess plans with one- or two-year contracts. Plans range from $39.99 to $59.99 per month.