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Unconfirmed: VZW to push data plans on “Enhanced Multimedia Phone” users?

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By Adriana Lee, posted Aug 27, 09 11:15 PM / 5089 views   -   add comment   -

This tidbit on PhoneArena has “unofficial information” written all over it. Really, it actually does. The blog freely admits this hasn’t been validated yet.

So keep that in mind as you read the following (unconfirmed) scoop: Supposedly, when Verizon makes the Samsung Rogue U960 and Intensity U450 available (reportedly on September 8th), the carrier will also launch a new data plan requirement for "enhanced multimedia phones" (i.e., not quite smartphones). The Rogue is slated to be the first one saddled with it.

So if you want the Rogue, you have to get the Nationwide Plan (as per usual). The twist is that, if it’s a Basic or Select version of the plan, you have to sign up for a data plan at 25MB for $9.99 per month or 75MB for $19.99 per month. And current $15 VCast Packs won’t include unlimited data anymore. (On the upside for some users, it looks like VCast might be lowered to $10/month).

Get the Nationwide Connect or Premium, however, and you won’t have to monkey with all this. Unlimited data’s already included.

So there it is. If true, these changes represent a pretty transparent grab to generate some cashola.

Now I don’t typically spread everything I hear — in fact, I’m pretty picky about what I choose to pass on — but I’ve got a sore spot when it comes to data plans. (I’m on AT&T, so there you go.) But I used to be a Verizon customer, and if this turns out to be true, I just want my former brethren to have some advance notice.

Are you a Verizon subscriber that would be ticked off by this? Or are you understanding of the carrier’s need to fund “The Network”? Most of all, if this pans out, would it keep you from getting an “enhanced multimedia phone”? Sound off below.

[via PhoneArena]

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Comments on this Post

 
Profile image icon for blacksteve11
blacksteve11 @ Aug 29, 09 10:13 PM
ah great i was actually planning on getting the samsung rogue.
Profile image icon for THEXMGUY
THEXMGUY @ Aug 29, 09 10:00 PM
It upsets me to no end! I pay about $25 for vpak and texting. I'd be paying about $25 MORE. If I get the Omnia I can get a data plan for only $15 more. Which is cheaper.
Profile image icon for ellis037
ellis037 @ Aug 29, 09 10:28 AM
This is just one more reason why I have absolutely no use for Verizon.
Profile image icon for Sunsparc
Sunsparc @ Aug 29, 09 1:16 AM
This is why Sprint is awesome.
Profile image icon for Jebediah
Jebediah @ Aug 28, 09 5:31 PM
rly im with att and my dad got us an unlimited messaging plan and if u hve tht then anyone on the plan can get a data plan for 9.99 a month(doesnt count for smartphones though)
Profile image icon for dylabooty
dylabooty @ Aug 28, 09 2:24 PM
verizon verizon verizon, they charge SO much for everything and has crappy phone selection. and besides the fact they charge for every little thing, they charge more then any wireless communications network, i can't wait till my contract is up.
Profile image icon for RFMike
RFMike @ Aug 28, 09 11:09 PM
i have verizon & have had no problems with them or the phones[i have the omnia now],cant wait for the omnia 2
Profile image icon for lifesgood
lifesgood @ Aug 28, 09 12:33 PM
Yes, it will tick me off....and yes I will be leaving Verizon.. GSM ftw
Profile image icon for giovanni_searcy
giovanni_searcy @ Aug 28, 09 10:17 AM
I jus got rid of alltel because of this but if u think about it its still a lil cheaper than alltel but think bout it....to get one of the new touch screen phones from alltel means u have to get a blackberry plan.... now its gonna be the same with vzw i should have jus stayed lol bummer but vzw yal gettin to many ideas from alltel stop it!!!
Profile image icon for theknuck
theknuck @ Aug 28, 09 10:13 AM
why can't i just have a nice slider/touchscreen phone without any of the vcast/data plan stuff? web browsing on these non smartphones suck. so whats the point in having data use if web browsing sucks? that's right, nothing. your blowing $10-$20 month just because you think you might need to use it for something someday. Rip off!
Profile image icon for theknuck
theknuck @ Aug 28, 09 10:10 AM
what the shiz is up with no more unlimited for $15. i had a hard enough time justifying that amount per month with a non-smartphone (lg dare). now they want to jack that up, screw that. spending $15/month for dare use is just dumb anyway. web browsing on it sucks as with most non-smartphones. i just like the touchscreen. so i guess the smart phone data plans are gonna jump more than their already ridiculous price too then.
Profile image icon for Samuel  Wolff
Samuel Wolff @ Aug 28, 09 10:07 AM
I'm both, personally. I wanted the rogue, but I don't pay my own cell bill and don't think who does would be willing to sport that, so that goes down the drain. It does make sense though. Phones like that deserve web browsing. So I'll be stuck with my standard Verizon UI boring-phone.
Profile image icon for biotechno
biotechno @ Aug 28, 09 10:05 AM
This really ticks me off because I really want this phone so hopefully that rumor is false!
Profile image icon for Taffydog2009
Taffydog2009 @ Aug 28, 09 3:53 PM
I KNOW!!! me too. I upgraded my last phone to the LG Chocolate 3 and Verizon made me get a special plan and now they are going to charge me $10 more if I want to upgrade to a high end feature phone! Realy? So I guess if they release the rumored Chocolate Touch I will have to pay an extra $10 for that too. I realy like Verizon but with the all of these extra costs they keep throwing on me... I don't know.

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