Should I Switch? Verizon Unlimited Data vs More Everything Plan

Last Update: September 21, 2018

Verizon Wireless Unlimited Data 2018

In 2017 Verizon Wireless brought back the Verizon Unlimited Plan.  Previously they had an unlimited data plan but stopped offering it for years. Those with grandfathered unlimited data hung onto it fiercely.

With Verizon Unlimited, you can get HD video streaming, Mobile Hotspot, calling and texting to Mexico and Canada and data roaming in Mexico and Canada.  There are 3 different levels of Unlimited Data.

go unlimited

Base level: $40 + $35 Line access = $75 per line for unlimited data, talk and text on your smartphone with paper-free billing and AutoPay.

• DVD-Quality Streaming (480p)
• Unlimited Mobile Hotspot (600 kbps)
• Verizon Up Rewards
• Mexico and Canada Talk, Text, Web (2G speed after 512MB/day)

beyond unlimited

Mid level unlimited: $50 + $35 Line access = $85 per line for unlimited data, talk and text on your smartphone with paper-free billing and AutoPay.

• Premium Unlimited 4G LTE Data (22GB at full speed)
• HD Quality Streaming (720p)
• Unlimited Mobile Hotspot (15GB at 4G LTE)
• Verizon Up Rewards
• Mexico and Canada Talk, Text, Web (2G speed after 512MB/day)

above Unlimited

Top level unlimited data: $60 + $35 Line access = $95 per line for unlimited data, talk and text on your smartphone with paper-free billing and AutoPay.

• Premium Unlimited 4G LTE Data (75GB at full speed)
• HD Quality Streaming (720p)
• Unlimited Mobile Hotspot (20GB at 4G LTE)
• Verizon Up Rewards
• Mexico and Canada Talk, Text, Web (2G speed after 512MB/day)
• 5 TravelPasses per month for use in 130 Countries
• 500GB of Verizon Cloud

Military and Corporate discounts are available.

• Add 2 more Tablets, Jetpack Mobile hotspot, or Internet connected devices to the single smartphone plan for a $20/month line access fee each for Jetpacks and Tablets, or $5/month for an Internet connected device like a smartwatch with cell service. Hot spots are capped to 10GB/month.

Unlimited Data Limitations

• Limited mobile hotspot / tethering per Line, that gets slowed with use
• Autopay is direct bank debit not using a credit card. Saves them $$

Unlimited Data Speed Fine Print

To ensure a quality experience for all customers, after 22 GB of data usage on a line during any billing cycle Verizon may prioritize usage behind other customers in the event of network congestion.

We now have some tips for those with old grandfathered Verizon Unlimited Data Plans:

Grandfathered Unlimited Data Plan Price Increase

Unlimited data plan price raised by $20 on November 5, 2015 (unless you are in a contract), but Verizon announced that no throttle of speed will occur. Business and government users will not see a price hike.

Last July 2014, Verizon introduced their "More Everything Plan", which introduced simplified monthly data allowances shareable up to 10 lines and a plethora of data package options to fit different user needs. In July 2016 they increased data caps and prices with a new plan. However, if you are part of the <1% of customers still hanging onto unlimited data, the caveats to this new plan are worth noting:

• There is still no discount for those who have paid full price for their devices or are out of contract (in comparison to other carriers such as T-Mobile)
• Prepaid and grandfather plans are not eligible.

Verizon Wireless $50 off select smartphones Coupon Code: VZWDEAL New device payment activation required, excludes upgrades

These changes came in the midst shifting strategies for many mobile phone carriers. AT&T introduced a rollover data plan in January 2015 with similar drawbacks. In an earlier post, we presented a similar framework for thinking about how best to think about saving on AT&T’s mobile plans.

Unlimited data changes

With these changes that no longer prevent us from keeping our unlimited data plans, it's time to figure out a smart solution. We could possibly save money and or add new features with a change of plan. Should we purchase a full-price smartphone to avoid being locked in to the terms of the new plan, or is there a better way? BuyVia is committed to helping consumers save money on all their purchases including Smartphone plans. In this article, we'll talk about how to get both a device upgrade and keep your unlimited data.

What is Grandfathered Verizon Unlimited Data?

Verizon charged $50 (It used to be $30 before November 2015) for unlimited wireless data up until mid 2011,  following suit shortly after AT&T stopped offering a similar plan. As their spokesman Ken Muche described it,  Verizon had decided to transition to a more "usage-based model".  Users who had unlimited plans were able to retain their old plans as they upgraded to newer devices, hence the term "grandfathering". Since data package options now come in every shape and form but unlimited, some of us who enjoyed the benefits of constant streaming or other data-consuming processes seem to be out of luck.

Downsides of Grandfathered Unlimited Data

Having this grandfathered benefit does include some limitations.

• Data is throttled or slowed down after 6.5GB a month when using 3G
• Data is not supposed to be throttled on 4G after users complained
• No hotspot feature
• Family Plans did not have unlimited talk and text
• Adding a new line would force it to use a different plan
• Some have reported that they are unable to change plan attributes

Why Grandfathered Unlimited Data is better than 2017 Unlimited Data Plan

• No 10GB limit for tethering
• No network management throttling above 22GB per month
• No autopay requirement

When Should You Keep Grandfathered Unlimited Data?

With Verizon's new More Everything Plan, we found that worth re-evaluating the plan and any positive changes possible.

You should keep unlimited data if:

• Your data usage is above average
• If a new More Everything plan with enough data costs more
• You do not need the extra minutes or unlimited texts
• Additional phone lines are not required (Line 3, 4)
• You do not need to add a Tablet with mobile data
• Full speed data on 3G is not an issue
• Having a hotspot is not an issue
• No need for Unlimited international messaging from the US

If you are affected by some of these issues, you should consider switching plans.

Verizon Unlimited Data vs Current Plan

An typical individual plan from the Grandfathered Unlimited data era.

If you switch to a Verizon Plan for 1 line with a typical 4GB of data use, you would actually save money. In fact you could sign up for a 24GB plan and still pay the same amount as the grandfathered plan.

Here’s a breakdown of the unlimited plan vs the new plan, given a family package with two lines.

This would be an existing existing plan for 2 Smartphones with unlimited data and a small messaging pack for those not using iMessage.

Switching from Unlimited Data to Verizon XL 16GB Shared Plan

What if we switched our plan to the currently available plan? Would we save money? Would we gain worthwhile additional features?
Lets assume we have the same 2 lines with an iPhone 6S or Samsung Galaxy S7 with 2 year plans. We initially pay the $199.99 x 2 = $400 + sales tax for 2 phones.

How to tell if it’d be worth switching:

Take a look at your actual usage. If you never exceed the allotted monthly minutes or texts and average data usage is within a range that would not render unlimited access to data “excessive”, then it may be cheaper to stick with the original plan. However, it is also important to consider the degree of your need for features like faster speeds and other capabilities. Additional lines or tablets with wireless data. If you end up needing these features or using more data, talk, or text than the old plan holds for, it may be worth it.

How to Keep Grandfathered Verizon Unlimited Data

If you determine that it is more worthwhile to keep the unlimited data plan, there are a few ways of going about doing so.

• The first method is simply to purchase a FULL PRICE new, unlocked (off contract) device and add it as a replacement phone on your plan. However, this can be costly -- an unlocked iPhone 16GB 6 will cost $649 plus sale tax. The Verizon Edge installment plan will not allow you to keep unlimited data.
• You can buy your iPhone elsewhere like from Apple on their iPhone Upgrade Program and bring it to Verizon.
• In October 2015 Verizon announced it would let Unlimited Data customers buy new phones using their Edge Installment plan.

The other way to go about keeping the old plan takes a few more steps, but can end up saving you more money.

• Start with a second smartphone line with limited data plan that is eligible for a device upgrade. You cannot use the discounted upgrade on the unlimited data line, even if it qualifies.
• After purchasing a new phone using the upgrade promotion, you can have the devices swapped between the two lines at any local Verizon store. Make sure the rep known you have unlimited data and want to retain it. The SIM card should be swapped, but the newer device may have a smaller card.
• After this, you will be able to access unlimited data on the new device.

Conclusion

If you have a grandfathered Unlimited Verizon Plan, it is time to examine your usage and needs. If you have 1 line, you will probably be best served by keeping the plan. You might be better off with the new More Everything Plan in these situations:

• You cannot afford to pay full price for a new smartphone
• You do not need to share data with new lines or tablets
• Preference/need for higher speed especially on 3G
• Paying for text plan
• Paying extra for minutes

You cannot adjust your plans number of minutes or texts with Unlimited. Any change will cause unlimited data to go away!

You may save money when you switch wireless plans. Unless you can save money and benefit from one of these additional features, you are probably better stay with your

Unlimited Data plan. Have you made the switch from Unlimited Data or decided not to?

Let us know your thoughts, comments, or experiences below:

2 responses to “Should I Switch? Verizon Unlimited Data vs More Everything Plan”

1. Amyy king says:

   June 29, 2015 at 10:57 AM

   I just got the 45$ a month plan for a moto e smart phone.(prepaid)At a minimum I need to also use my iPad Air tablet. The amount off data with this plan is very minimal. The plan is more expensive then just about everyone else with less data. Not sure what I should do. Whether I should get a mobile hot spot, try to increase service, switch to another company. I know your job is to sell your services and equipment. However, I live on a low fixed income. I need to be able to research things, order what I need and even have some fun. I am a senior and very disabled. I have always preferred unlimited everything service so I just don’t have to worry about it. But that is not as readily available anymore. And customer service plays a big role for me also, since I need what I need when I need it. One of the big things that would help me is have free info. Calls. I no longer have a landline. With that I had free info. And free connect. I need this badly but do not want to go back to a landline.

   Reply
2. A User says:

   July 29, 2015 at 8:00 PM

   Ive changed my minutes on a UDP recently and still have unlimited data…

   Reply