Why is Unlimited 4G only present during 30 day intro period?

[Bigstrapper256]

I used 202.56 Gb with my jetpack routing to computer, laptop, and wifi phone during first 30 day introduction period. Then 36 hours into second billing cycle the data usage hit 10Gb and went to 3G which effectively shuts down internet connection. That seems a lot like 'Bait and Switch' to me. If they would have shown me the true picture during that first billing cycle, before the end of the introduction period, I would have known that 3G shuts off internet and I would not have been charged a termination fee.

Verizon is playing a game with the word 'Unlimited' and more than that they are guilty of 'Bait and Switch' in this case. Poor value system from the top down. These are conscious decisions being made at a high level in meeting rooms. Check out the discussion topics on this 'Unlimited' 4G that have been locked. I'm now a happy TMobile customer.

[Ann154]

The threads were likely locked because they were answered.

Did you review the FAQs for the plan? The new Verizon Plan Unlimited FAQs | Verizon Wireless

[Bigstrapper256]

Hello Ann,

Do the FAQs cover the bait and switch that I referred to? I am specifically

referring to leaving data speed at 4G for the entire 30 day introductory

period and allowing me 202.56 Gb of data. Then when introductory period has

ended, the switch is made to the true service so that a termination fee can

then be charged upon cancellation. None of this can be by accident can it?

John B

[Ann154]

Depending on when you switched to the unlimited plan, I suspect in my opinion that Verizon Wireless didn't have all of their system checks in place when they first introduced that plan and everyone got a "free pass" for a month or two before they were in place. If you read other threads in the community you will there were a number of customers who used large amounts of data before they started getting notifications from Verizon Wireless about reaching the 10 GB limit for LTE high speed hotspot data.

There is precedent for something like this happening before. The Nationwide Plan with unlimited data had a free hotspot feature for a few months after the first 4G LTE smartphone was released. After a few months and VZW probably had figured out how much data was being used for that feature and how to determine what data was the hotspot usage, they implemented a $30 per month fee for the mobile hotspot feature on smartphones and it was an unlimited hotspot allowance.

[Bigstrapper256]

Hello Ann,

I was a new customer and there was no confusing switch from another plan.

What I hear you saying is that VZW didn't have a system check in place to

monitor data usage during my first 30 day intro cycle but managed to get it

functioning 1.5 days after the introductory period ended. Then when my

internet connection was shut down to 3G and I had to cancel service I could

be charged the early termination fee.

The fact that something like this may have happened to other people in the

past is interesting anecdotally but because this seems like a case of bait

and switch, keeping to the pertinent facts today is probably best. This is

good material, I'm not sure who you are but thanks for responding and

please keep it coming.

John B

[Ann154]

What I'm saying is the policy was in place from the outset, but I don't think the implementation was ready until later.

They stated quite clearly on the press release before the plan was actually available. Read the last paragraph.  Get unlimited data on the network you deserve: Verizon | About Verizon

[Bigstrapper256]

Hello Ann,

It doesn't seem that my messages are being read. It appears the point you

are trying to make is that VZW just happened to be able to implement a data

monitoring system coincidentally 1,5 days after my introduction period

expired. That seems like a very low probability event. Probably much higher

probability is that this same story is told to any customer who objects to

the bait and switch. Hopefully all parties involved in this matter will

eventually see the value and importance of conducting business in an

ethical manner. If we can all work to put an end to the practice of bait

and switch then we will have helped the consumer to be treated fairly and

in the end it should benefit VZW to convert to a more ethical approach

regarding customer service.

John B

[Ann154]

Re: Why am I just now being capped?

[pherson]

Every major carrier states that after a certain threshold it's slowed down. Cellular data was not meant to do 200 gb per month. It's not landline and it's unreasonable. If everyone did that service would stop.

[Bigstrapper256]

Hello Pherson,

You miss the point entirely. If 200 Gb per month would kill the system then

that is all the more reason that VZW should never show that service level

as normal during the introduction period in order to BAIT the customer and

then 36 hours after intro period has expired SWITCH to the real service.

VZW is saying that they just happened to get their system in place that

checks usage mere hours after my intro period expired. I only wish they

would have shown the service honestly as it really existed while I had a

chance to terminate during the intro period and avoid the early termination

fee. That is what introductory periods are all about. Thanks for your

reply, I am more than happy to keep explaining the problem over and over.

John B