Verizon Unveils Industry's Most Expensive Metered Data Plan

From DailyTech: Verizon Wireless has been cagey with regard to details of what its new metered smart phone data plan would entail. Now customers may find out why.

New smart phone subscribers will no longer have the option to get unlimited data, starting July 7. In its place they will have an array of plans that while gentle on overages and flexible, are generally expensive for base use.

The cheapest plan will be $30 USD/month for 2 GB -- $5 USD/month more than AT&T Inc.'s (T) price on an identical data allowance. Verizon does not offer a 200 MB plan like AT&T ($15 USD/month). Instead, it offers two pricier, higher cap plans -- $50 USD/month for 5 GB or $80 USD/month for 10 GB. Overages at least, are relatively reasonable compared to past rates on Verizon's metered air cards, dropping in at $10 USD per extra GB.

The good news for existing customers is that they will be able to keep their unlimited data plans for at least one more upgrade cycle.

Verizon also revealed details on its plan to crack down on LTE hotspot usage. Here existing customers aren't entirely spared -- for them the previously free unlimited data service will now cost $30 USD/month. New customers have it even worse, though -- they won't have an unlimited option. They will only get a $20 USD/month 2 GB option.

The pricing was revealed by Verizon spokeswoman Brenda Raney in an interview with FierceWireless.

The new data costs will take effect July 7. During the interview Verizon also revealed that shared data plans ("family plans") will indeed be incoming -- similar to T-Mobile and AT&T's. Verizon has not yet put a timetable on the deployment of those plans.

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