Clarification for Verizon "Data Plan" Users

[Matt Torbin]

Hey all,

I pretty much had it out with Verizon to get this definition from them. Unfortunately this is not what I consider a decent alternative. I really hope that we can band together and let Verizon know that this nickel and diming scheme isn't going to fly.

OK, now down to the meat of this post. "Hey Matt! What's covered on my data plan with Verizon," you ask. Good question. The short answer, not much.

WHAT IS COVERED:
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

• Emails you recieve
• TEXT ONLY emails that you send
• Web browser usage

WHAT IS NOT COVERED:
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

• Sending photos in ANY way
• Emails that you send that contain attachments
• SMS messaging

Now, I know what you're thinking and you're right. THIS DOES SUCK. How are we, the professional users of this device, supposed to operate when we can't send a photo or attachment without being nailed? Well, the good news is that if you must send an attachement, it will cost you $0.25. The bad news is that it will cost you $0.25. You can buy SMS packages for a few dollars if you need it, but by the time you're done with that, the data plan, your phone plan, insurance, etc. you're up well over $100 (as I am).

Verizon, please... have some friggin' common sense. If you MUST nickel and dime us, at least lower the price of the data plan. Even T-Mobile isn't THAT money hungry.

- MT

[stevel]

This looks like nonsense to me. It should be very simple.

Anything that uses the data connection is data. That includes all e-mails, sending and receiving, with or without attachments, and any web browsing.

SMS and MMS messages don't use the data connection and are charged separately - usually text (SMS) messages cost less than MMS (messages with attachments).

[Matt Torbin]

Steve,

I'm in complete agreement with you, but this comes directly from the supervisors at customer care. It took me two hours to get this information straight. Let's put it this way, if I'm wrong, Verizon owes me money and an explanation.

- MT

[stevel]

It may have come from the supervisors, but I still think they have their head up their... My guess is that whoever you spoke with is unfamiliar with the way e-mail works on data-enabled devices such as the Treo. They may be thinking only in terms of "messaging" services. When you use a real e-mail application such as VersaMail or Snappermail, you're using data, pure and simple. There's no way for the carrier to charge separately for attachments.

Sad to see that Verizon customer service is as clueless as Cingular's.

[Matt Torbin]

I'll be glad to make a call and ask again today. Yes, I know it doesn't make sense, but this is what I was told three times.

- MT

[kathy.schrock]

I have the full Verizon data plan, but a picture message showed up on my bill this month.

I did not use the MMS service, but did send a jpg attachment using Snapper mail...guess that is what the $.25 charge is for! Geesh...I figured data was data and it all should be covered under the outrageous price they charge for the monthly data service.

Kathy

[Destructor]

Reading this makes me really, really glad I went with Sprint and their $10 a month unlimited internet plan.

And it makes me glad I live in a state (Arizona) where I get all of the main providers, and have the option to choose which one is the best.

And it makes me wonder how Verizon can charge what they do and get away with it.

[AlanG]

I'd go with Sprint, but in my area, their coverage is a little bit spotty. (I can't get a signal in my office building.) So, for now, I'm stuck with Verizon. I have a 5MB data plan on my Treo, so I keep the data use (and vice calls for that matter) to a minium. It's there if I need it, but I can't go hog wild either. I have a little ove a year to go before I can get out of the 1 year contact, or I can just pay the termination fee. At that point, I think I'll take another look at Sprint's offerings. I'd like to have a cheaper data plan so I can use more of the cool wireless Treo applications without having to spend an arm and a leg every month to get it.

Alan G

[stevel]

I'm trying to figure out how Verizon knows you're attaching a picture to an e-mail, unless they perhaps monitor this through their SMTP gateway. Bizarre.

[ChefLionfoot]

I have the unlimited data plan with Verizon and I send many emails with picture attachments, as well as receive emails with attachemnts (docs etc) and have never been charged beyond the data plan.