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Verizon’s “One Size Fits Most” Share Everything Plan

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Verizon Wireless announced Share Everything Plans that make me think of a clothing store that only sells “one size fits most” sized clothes. I understand VoIP apps and services challenge Verizon’s voice plans and apps such as Apple’s iMessage provide free alternatives to Verizon’s own texting plan. I do not understand or believe the Share Everything Plan Verizon presented is the only possible offering to shared data. The following chart, provided on Verizon’s news site here, provides a pretty clear breakdown for calculation the new cost of a multi-line plan with Verizon Wireless:
One Size Fits Most?

Unfortunately, there is a finite amount of data that can be transmitted over the carriers’ wireless networks. When coupled with the explosion of mobile data usage seen here compared to voice usage: Voice and Data growth,

It is logical that data plans transition from unlimited to an essentially pay-per-use model. With this type of data model a necessity, it makes even more sense for a shared data plan to exist. Much as shared voice plans have existed for years. It is fair for Verizon Wireless to claim they’ve accomplished an “industry first” with their shared data plan. However, there are a few things that just do not make sense to me, things I believe open the door for AT&T to rectify with their own likely shared data plan.

If Jetpacks, USBs, Notebooks/Netbooks and Tablets cannot make voice calls (using Verizon’s voice network) or send texts (again via Verizon’s text service), why are they different access line costs? All of these devices are accessing and possibly sharing data.

Why are smartphones’ monthly access prices more expensive than basic phones? Both have access to unlimited voice and messaging, you cannot make more phone calls or send more texts on a smartphone than a basic phone, can you? It would almost make sense that a smartphone would be more expensive than a basic phone because it would be more likely and easier to consume more data with the smartphone, but this does not make sense either since the data is not unlimited. If the smartphone consumes more data, then it pays for more data. The way it is priced, it looks like it costs an extra $10 for the privilege of owning a smartphone.

Finally, my biggest question: what about those customers who do not need unlimited minutes or messages? Sure, it is a great “value”, unless of course you do not need it, then it is just an unnecessary expense and a reason to switch carriers. Does Verizon need to protect its voice and messaging revenues enough that it is essentially forcing them upon family customers who wish to share data?

There are portions of the Share Everything Plan that seem to make great sense and are important step forward due to the existence of limited data plans, namely the actual creation of a shared data plan for families. However, it is unclear whether Verizon is changing the model or releasing a “one size fits most” and expecting all customers to adopt it regardless.


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