Welcome to Our WirelessAdvisor Community!

You are viewing our forums as a GUEST. Please join us so you can post and view all the pictures.
Registration is easy, fast and FREE!

Join Now

Rumor Mill: Verizon to launch 'Unleashed' $50 unlimited prepaid nationwide Sept. 12

Discussion in 'Wireless News' started by ComicalMoodyDan, Sep 4, 2011.

  1. ComicalMoodyDan

    ComicalMoodyDan Gold Senior Member
    Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2001
    Messages:
    6,302
    Likes Received:
    53
    Location:
    Kingsport, TN
    My Phone:
    LG Volt
    Wireless Provider(s):
    Sprint
    Rumor Mill: Verizon to launch 'Unleashed' $50 unlimited prepaid nationwide Sept. 12
    September 2, 2011 — 12:06pm ET | By Mike Dano

    Verizon Wireless (NYSE:VZ) plans to take its "Verizon Unleashed" offering nationwide Sept. 12, according to a person familiar with the situation who asked to remain anonymous. Verizon first launched its Unleashed service in April in Southern California and parts of Florida. The service provides prepaid unlimited wireless calling, texting and data for $50 per month.

    A Verizon spokeswoman said the company does not comment on rumors.

    Verizon hinted last month that it was considering taking the offer nationwide. Verizon Communications CFO Fran Shammo said at the time that Verizon might expand Unleashed to additional markets, but did not provide details. "The crown jewel for us is the postpaid base," he said. "We have to make sure what we do doesn't cannibalize the postpaid base."

    Verizon's Unleashed service represents a counter to the prepaid unlimited offerings from the likes of Sprint Nextel's (NYSE:S) Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile, as well as prepaid carriers like MetroPCS (NYSE:pCS) and Leap Wireless (NASDAQ:LEAP). Boost Mobile kicked off the unlimited $50 prepaid game in 2009. Currently, MetroPCS offers unlimited talking, texting and data for $40 per month, Leap prices it at $45 per month and MVNO TracFone also offers unlimited service for $45 per month.

    Interestingly, according to industry sources as well as reporting from investment banking firm Deutsche Bank, Verizon Unleashed currently isn't making much of an impact in the two markets where it is available. Based on store checks, the firm wrote recently that "the product is having minimal impact on sales of competing prepaid brands [and] Unleashed is not cannibalizing postpaid sales at Verizon Wireless. In fact, we estimate that each participating VZW store is selling an average of only 2 Unleashed lines per day with demand primarily coming from a few customer niches that are willing to pay a premium for heavy voice and text messaging (but no Internet) on the Verizon Wireless network."

    Verizon Unleashed is available on three feature phones: The clamshell-style LG Accolade for $39.99, the bar-style LG Cosmos (with a slide-out Qwerty keyboard) for $99, and the Qwerty Pantech Caper for $79.99.

    Verizon also offers Unleashed per-day and per-minute pricing: Customers can pay $1.99 per day for unlimited talking to any number, with texts at 2 cents each and daily mobile Web browsing at 99 cents per day; or customers can pay 99 cents per day for unlimited calling to Verizon customers, with calling to other numbers costing 10 cents per minute, texts costing 10 cents per message and mobile Web browsing costing 99 cents per day.

    Verizon last year tested a $50 prepaid monthly unlimited plan across the Southeast. The tests covered 11 states.

    Interestingly, Boost, MetroPCS and others have recently added Android-powered smartphones into the mix as a way to separate themselves from the competition.

    Rumor Mill: Verizon to launch 'Unleashed' $50 unlimited prepaid nationwide Sept. 12 - FierceWireless
     
    #1 ComicalMoodyDan, Sep 4, 2011
  2. Steve B

    Steve B Bronze Senior Member
    Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2004
    Messages:
    879
    Likes Received:
    19
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    My Phone:
    iPhone 12 Pro Max
    Wireless Provider(s):
    Verizon Wireless
    Re: Rumor Mill: Verizon to launch 'Unleashed' $50 unlimited prepaid nationwide Sept.

    If I read that correctly, I would venture to say that the reason why it hasn't had much of an impact is because of the limited and I would personally say, crappy phone selection available for that plan.

    Now, from a consumer stand point, pricing is good, phones suck. I probably would stay away from such plans only because I'm so used to my iPhone and going to such a basic phone would not work for me.

    From VZW's stand point, this is a good idea. If you offer what I would have to imagine is crappy phones with this awesome plan, you minimize if not completely stop from cannibalizing the postpaid customer base.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #2 Steve B, Sep 4, 2011
  3. patwackp

    patwackp New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2009
    Messages:
    9
    Cell Tower Picture Gallery:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Austin, Tx.
    My Phone:
    Samsung Galaxy Victory
    Wireless Provider(s):
    Sprint
    Re: Rumor Mill: Verizon to launch 'Unleashed' $50 unlimited prepaid nationwide Sept.

    I am a Verizon prepaid customer. According to Verizon, this plan is indeed happening. It will starting on September 15,2011. Not on the 12th as announced.

    It will be available on any BASIC PREPAID PHONE PACKAGE.
    Current and new subscribers will be able to get this plan starting on 9/15/2011.

    I was told this by several Verizon store managers and Verizon Customer Service.

    :googlyeye
     
    #3 patwackp, Sep 9, 2011
  4. ComicalMoodyDan

    ComicalMoodyDan Gold Senior Member
    Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 21, 2001
    Messages:
    6,302
    Likes Received:
    53
    Location:
    Kingsport, TN
    My Phone:
    LG Volt
    Wireless Provider(s):
    Sprint
    Re: Rumor Mill: Verizon to launch 'Unleashed' $50 unlimited prepaid nationwide Sept.

    Verizon has confirmed the Unlimited prepaid plan will be launching soon nationwide. Although I haven't heard an official date from them but I've heard both the 12th and 15th.
     
    #4 ComicalMoodyDan, Sep 11, 2011
  5. Steve B

    Steve B Bronze Senior Member
    Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2004
    Messages:
    879
    Likes Received:
    19
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    My Phone:
    iPhone 12 Pro Max
    Wireless Provider(s):
    Verizon Wireless
    Re: Rumor Mill: Verizon to launch 'Unleashed' $50 unlimited prepaid nationwide Sept.

    For non-smartphone people, this could be beneficial. A reliable network and a good plan.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #5 Steve B, Sep 11, 2011
  6. bobolito

    bobolito Diamond Senior Member
    Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 2002
    Messages:
    12,735
    Cell Tower Picture Gallery:
    50
    Likes Received:
    53
    Location:
    in front of my computer
    My Phone:
    iPhone SE
    Wireless Provider(s):
    T-Mobile
    Re: Rumor Mill: Verizon to launch 'Unleashed' $50 unlimited prepaid nationwide Sept.

    As carriers get a tighter grip on the phones people can use on their plans, you can see how they are managing to come up with these plans to compete with the smaller carriers. Just 5 or 10 years ago, carriers had no control over what phone I would use on my plan. Today, even if I do just tethering on my jailbroken iPhone , AT&T will immediately send me a txt threatening to change my plan.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #6 bobolito, Sep 12, 2011
  7. Steve B

    Steve B Bronze Senior Member
    Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2004
    Messages:
    879
    Likes Received:
    19
    Location:
    Seattle, WA
    My Phone:
    iPhone 12 Pro Max
    Wireless Provider(s):
    Verizon Wireless
    Re: Rumor Mill: Verizon to launch 'Unleashed' $50 unlimited prepaid nationwide Sept.

    I think its all crap. To me, its going back to the days of when Ma Bell actually had a say on what phones you had (really charging per phone, if I remember correctly). Its a damn shame that our gov't. is bought and sold because this crap in wireless should've been stopped a long time ago.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #7 Steve B, Sep 12, 2011
  8. bobolito

    bobolito Diamond Senior Member
    Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 2002
    Messages:
    12,735
    Cell Tower Picture Gallery:
    50
    Likes Received:
    53
    Location:
    in front of my computer
    My Phone:
    iPhone SE
    Wireless Provider(s):
    T-Mobile
    Re: Rumor Mill: Verizon to launch 'Unleashed' $50 unlimited prepaid nationwide Sept.

    Not to get into politics, but with so much talk about large government and deregulating businesses, how about businesses stop regulating customers?
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #8 bobolito, Sep 12, 2011
  9. patwackp

    patwackp New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2009
    Messages:
    9
    Cell Tower Picture Gallery:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Austin, Tx.
    My Phone:
    Samsung Galaxy Victory
    Wireless Provider(s):
    Sprint
    Re: Rumor Mill: Verizon to launch 'Unleashed' $50 unlimited prepaid nationwide Sept.

    It's OFFICIAL, Everyone! It was RELEASED TODAY! And I'm lovin ti! Even bought a new phone for it! LG Revere!
     
    #9 patwackp, Sep 15, 2011
  10. hme83

    hme83 Bronze Senior Member
    Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2006
    Messages:
    1,035
    Likes Received:
    31
    Location:
    Oklahoma
    My Phone:
    Nokia E7, E70-2 & 6820
    Wireless Provider(s):
    at&t
    Re: Rumor Mill: Verizon to launch 'Unleashed' $50 unlimited prepaid nationwide Sept.

    At&t has had a comparable prepaid plan for $50/month since mid-June. :) If you use a smartphone you do have to purchase an additional data feature with a limited allotment amount in order to have cellular data access.
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #10 hme83, Oct 1, 2011
  11. patwackp

    patwackp New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2009
    Messages:
    9
    Cell Tower Picture Gallery:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Austin, Tx.
    My Phone:
    Samsung Galaxy Victory
    Wireless Provider(s):
    Sprint
    Re: Rumor Mill: Verizon to launch 'Unleashed' $50 unlimited prepaid nationwide Sept.

    sure.... but Verizon has a much better network!
     
    #11 patwackp, Oct 1, 2011
  12. hme83

    hme83 Bronze Senior Member
    Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2006
    Messages:
    1,035
    Likes Received:
    31
    Location:
    Oklahoma
    My Phone:
    Nokia E7, E70-2 & 6820
    Wireless Provider(s):
    at&t
    Re: Rumor Mill: Verizon to launch 'Unleashed' $50 unlimited prepaid nationwide Sept.

    lol. Depending on where you are there's probably a lot of truth to that statement.

    I simply didn't realize it had taken Verizon so long to follow suit with the $50/month "all you can eat" prepaid plan. Prior to reducing it to $50/month in June, it was $60 at at&t; and they'd had it for quite some time. From the Verizon press release it sounds like it was a big deal in Verizon's mind when they decided to recently expand from having it in just a couple of test markets. :)
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #12 hme83, Oct 2, 2011
  13. bobolito

    bobolito Diamond Senior Member
    Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 2002
    Messages:
    12,735
    Cell Tower Picture Gallery:
    50
    Likes Received:
    53
    Location:
    in front of my computer
    My Phone:
    iPhone SE
    Wireless Provider(s):
    T-Mobile
    Re: Rumor Mill: Verizon to launch 'Unleashed' $50 unlimited prepaid nationwide Sept.

    So, which are the phones available for this VZ $50 unleashed plan?
     
    Stop hovering to collapse... Click to collapse... Hover to expand... Click to expand...
    #13 bobolito, Oct 3, 2011
  14. patwackp

    patwackp New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2009
    Messages:
    9
    Cell Tower Picture Gallery:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Austin, Tx.
    My Phone:
    Samsung Galaxy Victory
    Wireless Provider(s):
    Sprint
    Re: Rumor Mill: Verizon to launch 'Unleashed' $50 unlimited prepaid nationwide Sept.

    any prepaid "Basic" or "Messaging" phone. Non smartphone:browani
     
    #14 patwackp, Oct 3, 2011
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)

Share This Page

Copyright 1997-2023 Wireless Advisor™, LLC. All rights reserved. All registered and unregistered trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
WirelessAdvisor.com is not associated by ownership or membership with any cellular, PCS or wireless service provider companies and is not meant to be an endorsement of any company or service. Some links on these pages may be paid advertising or paid affiliate programs.

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...
    Dismiss Notice