We knew that Verizon would be rolling out tiered data plans this month and the nation’s largest carrier has finally started offering these plans.
If you hop on over to Verizon’s website, you’ll be able to see the tiered data plans you can choose from. As expected, you’ll now be able to pay $15 a month for 150 MB of data of month. That will be available for 3G feature phones and high-end smartphones like the Motorola Droid X.
If you go over your data limit, you’ll be able to pay another $15 for 150 MB. Of course, if you’re a heavy mobile data user or just don’t want to worry about counting your data, you can still get an unlimited data plan for about $30 a month.
The Verizon tiered data plans could be seen as a way to open up smartphones to the masses, as the long-term data plans are what keep many away from these devices.
The tiered data plans come as Big Red’s chief rival AT&T killed unlimited plans in order to offer multiple pricing. AT&T will give you 200 MB a month for $15 but it no longer offers an unlimited plan unless you’re grandfathered in.
Verizon still has the reputation for being the best voice and data network but it definitely is pricier than some of its competitors. The tiered data plans is trying to address that concern and the nation’s largest carrier is also reportedly testing other price-sensitive initiatives.
A report suggests that Big Red is testing unlimited mobile-to-mobile calling, no matter which carrier you’re trying to call. This will also include bottomless texting to other carriers, which could be a strong draw.
Sprint already offers unlimited mobile-to-mobile calls with its Simply Everything plans and I think that makes it one of the best deals for smartphones. You’ll essentially pay $70 or $80 (if you’re using a 4G phone) a month and not have to worry about counting minutes, data or text messages.