US telecom operator Verizon on Sunday announced unlimited data plan for its mobile network users – facing tough competition from T-Mobile, AT&T and Sprint.
Verizon said the price for its unlimited plan is $80 per month for unlimited data, talk and text for the first line and an additional $45 per line up to four lines. The wireless operator had stopped offering unlimited data plans for most customers in 2011.
Verizon strategy
The new strategy of Verizon follows a poor performance in Q4 2016. Verizon posted 5.6 percent drop in revenue, due to the divestment of three wireline markets to Frontier Communications in April and lower wireless ARPU.
Verizon’s wireless revenue growth was limited by its lackluster postpaid phone net additions, which fell to 167,000 in Q4 2016 against 449,000 in Q4 2015. “The mobile carrier struggled to attract holiday shoppers against T-Mobile One and Sprint Unlimited Freedom unlimited data plans,” said Steve Vachon, research analyst at Technology Business Review after analyzing Verizon’s Q4 revenue for 2016.
TBR said Verizon is re-emphasizing its prepaid to attract value-minded customers, refraining from undercutting T-Mobile and Sprint to gain postpaid customers. Verizon had eliminated its two lowest-tiered prepaid plans in November and is trying to add wireless customers to its $50 and $70 plans that feature more data than comparable postpaid plans.
On February 10, Sprint announced unlimited data, talk and text for $50 / month for the first line, two to five lines for $90 per month.
Verizon bets on 4G
Verizon said its 4G LTE network covers more than 2.4 million square miles and consistently delivers fast speeds in more places than any other network.
Verizon’s LTE Advanced provides 50 percent faster peak speeds in more than 471 cities nationwide.
Verizon can adjust to customer demand in real-time with the latest antenna technology coupled with software platforms.
Verizon claims that its small cell deployment is the largest in the US.
“We’ve built our network so we can manage all the activity customers undertake. Everything we’ve done is to provide the best experience on the best network – and we’ve built it for the future, not just for today,” said Ronan Dunne, president of Verizon’s wireless division.
Verizon Unlimited
# $80 for unlimited data, talk and text on smartphone
# $45 per line for four lines with unlimited data, talk and text
Verizon said it may prioritize usage behind other customers in the event of network congestion after 22 GB of data usage on a line during any billing cycle.
Customers can add connected smart watch, GizmoPal, or other connected device for $5 each month.
Mobile Hotspot with 10 GB of 4G LTE data is included at no charge (after 10 GB you’ll get 3G data speeds).
Sprint plan
Sprint is looking for customers on the networks of Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile.
AT&T offers unlimited data plans if you sign up for DIRECTV or U-verse TV – with a minimum of $50 per month.
AT&T unlimited users can save up to $180 per month when switch five lines to Sprint.
By switching to T-Mobile customer can save $90 per month on unlimited plan for a family of five, excluding taxes and fees.
Baburajan K
editor@telecomlead.com
