Verizon CFO buries his head in the sand, claims unlimited data is ‘going by the wayside’

Verizon CFO buries his head in the sand, claims unlimited data is 'going by the wayside'

“La la la la. I can’t hear you.” Verizon’s CFO, Fran Shammo, might’ve just as well made those comments with his hands firmly cupped over his ears, as the firm’s chief number cruncher told attendees at today’s Goldman Sachs investor conference, “Unlimited is just a word, it doesn’t really mean anything.” While Sprint and T-Mobile would certainly take issue with that statement, Shammo then dug the hole deeper by saying, “That whole unlimited thing, I think, is going by the wayside.” These comments were made in the context of Shammo playing up the carrier’s shared data plans, wherein he explained his belief that consumers “think they consume a lot more data than they really do.” Shammo also revealed that Verizon has converted more subscribers and devices over to the new scheme than it’d initially anticipated.

Naturally, change within any industry takes time, but now that Sprint is in a position to offer unlimited data at a meaningful speed and T-Mobile has climbed aboard the bandwagon, Verizon may have to change its tune if a significant number of consumers decide that unlimited isn’t dead after all. You can view the entire transcript at the source link below, but consider this: would you take unlimited plans into consideration when shopping between carriers, or is Mr. Shammo right that consumers really don’t use that much data? Give us your thoughts in the comments below.

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Verizon CFO buries his head in the sand, claims unlimited data is ‘going by the wayside’ originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 17:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Verizon’s ‘secret menu’ Share Everything plans offer 20GB for $150 (update)

Verizons secret menu Share Everything Plans offer 20GB for $150 but only over the phone or in store

Like Starbucks’ Short Latté, Fatburger’s Hypocrite and Wendy’s Meat Cube, Verizon is offering its own not-so-secret menu on its Share Everything data plans. Big V’s Brenda Raney told Computerworld that there are five more tiers beyond the 10GB top-limit shown on the company’s website — that are only available if you ask on the phone or in stores. The options run from 12GB for $110 all the way to 20GB for $150, but only as long as you’ve agreed the limit in advance of blowing all that data. If not, then you’ll be spending another $150 in penalty charges for your overage. There’s no official word if you need to offer a secret password or handshake, but we’d do it anyway — if only to feel a bit like James Bond.

Update: Verizon’s confirmed the pricing tiers and let us know that you can now grab the bigger data plans without ever having to wink at a sales rep. Simply add a handset to your cart and push through to “Plans” on Big V’s website and you can scroll to the right to access the 12GB – 20GB offerings.

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Verizon’s ‘secret menu’ Share Everything plans offer 20GB for $150 (update) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Aug 2012 05:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AT&T and Verizon shared data plans compared

AT&T and Verizon shared data plans compared

With the introduction of AT&T’s Mobile Share this morning, the two largest mobile operators in the US (the other one, of course, being Verizon) have officially embraced the idea of pooled data plans. The concept is simple: bundle talk, text and data together in the same family plan, instead of forcing each individual member to pay a separate fee if they want internet access. With the announcement of these plans, we were instantly curious to find out if these new options will save customers money on a monthly basis — and which company offers the best value. Determined to get some answers, we’ve broken down AT&T and Verizon’s plans and will highlight the pros and cons for you after the break.

Continue reading AT&T and Verizon shared data plans compared

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AT&T and Verizon shared data plans compared originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Jul 2012 15:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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