Verizon to mandate data plans for 'enhanced' phones
updated 01:15 pm EDT, Mon August 31, 2009
New Verizon data plans
Verizon is launching a major refresh of its cellular data plans come September 8th, leaked documents reveal. The carrier is creating a new device class, the "enhanced multimedia phone," for which a data plan will be required. A 25MB plan will cost $10 per month, while a 75MB one will cost $20. Overage penalties are being set at 50 cents and 30 cents per megabyte, respectively.
To qualify as an enhanced multimedia phone, a device must have an HTML browser, EVDO Rev. A broadband, a QWERTY keyboard and a release date on or after the 8th. The first eligible phone should thus be the Samsung Rogue.
Verizon is meanwhile killing the $15 VCAST Vpak for all but grandfathered subscribers. The Vpak allowed owners of more basic "feature" cellphones to access unlimited data. Coming in its place are the enhanced multimedia options, and a $10 Video On Demand plan which only permits unlimited VCAST video.
