Verizon shared plans to connect 10 devices, cap data at 10GB
updated 01:10 pm EDT, Tue June 12, 2012
Shared data plans include unlimited voice minutes and messages
Verizon Wireless has detailed its forthcoming shared plans that were alluded to in recent comments. The Share Everything plan will enable up to 10 Verizon devices to share unlimited voice minutes and SMS/MMS messages, with a single data allowance between all handsets. Provision for mobile hotspot functionality are also included, though tablets are included at an extra charge.
The new plans outline a range of prices depending on the type of device; each smartphone and basic handset included in the plan costs $40 or $30, respectively, regardless of the data plan tier. Notebooks, USB dongles and other data-only devices can be added for $20, while tablets cost $10 per month.
The tiers for the price plan all contain unlimited shared minutes and messages, differing only by the total amount of allocated data. The lowest monthly plan supplies just 1GB of data for $50, while the top tier bumps the allowance up to 10GB for $100.
Vice president and chief marketing officer Tami Erwin called the shared price plans an “industry first” that “represent a tremendous shift in how customers think about wireless service.”
The Share Everything plans will be on sale for new and existing Verizon Wireless customers as of June 28. Many Verizon customers still have individual plans with unlimited data, however those customers will be forced to adopt a data share plan as they transition from 3G to 4G devices.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2009
expensive
I plan contains 4 iPhones and 1 old phone so I'm looking at (4 x $40) + $30 = $190, then add another $50-$100 for shared data = $240-$290. Add an iPad for another $10 and I'm at a minimum of $250. This is no different than what I'm paying now (AT&T) and combined, our data plans are near the 10GB level. I was hoping shared data would reduce the costs but at the moment it doesn't look that way.