yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] brizey:
Wow, Assuming that is mostly streaming video? I don't think I watch that much video on my HTPC a month at 8 to 12 GB per movie, lol. Must be nice having that kind of free time on your hands.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] cell128:
I tether to my gaming laptop to play online games I think it burns a lot of data. Also I use xbmc to stream movies and do some Torrenting. I might skip out on gs4 and wait to see a phone with that snapdragon 800 chip I'm very interested in the quickcharge 2.0 it has that they decided to leave out on the 600 sadly
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] SlimJ87D:
My friend has a grandfathered unlimited data plan but to upgrade to LTE he has to sacrifice it. What's up with that?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] cell128:
Verizon is trying to kill off unlimited data users and forcing them to pay $50 for 1gb
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] open1your1eyes0:
Specific rule Verizon enforced. 3G to 4G basically means new contract to them even if you buy the phone full price they have to "upgrade" your plan as well to allow you to connect to LTE: Details Here

Details on how to keep unlimited: Link Here
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 299792458:
So the link above is good info, but is there any more detail missing? I've got unlimited LTE on my Galaxy Nexus and plan on pre-ordering the S4 tomorrow at full retail 649.99. Is there anything to be cautious of when placing the order?

I shouldn't have to change plans or anything, but is there anyway I could screw this up?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] berfles:
Does that mean I lose my unlimited either way since I only have 3g right now, even if I buy without a new contract?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] hoola20055:
My sister in law went from the droid x to the Verizon galaxy nexus last month and did NOT lose unlimited. She just went and picked up a Sims card and popped the ***** in. Took maybe 2 minutes for the phone to be fully functional. Her plan wasn't changed at all. If you take upgrade price you will lose it
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] open1your1eyes0:
Pretty much it's simple. To avoid losing your unlimited data you have to meet the below requirements:

Be already on an LTE device with an unlimited data plan

Purchase your new device all full retail or on the new device payment plan (dividing full price into 12 monthly payments)

Avoid using an "upgrade" on the line you have unlimited data on at all costs!!

Try to avoid making any little other unrelated changes in your service (you never want to give them a excuse to force you over to tiered)

If you have other lines that can upgrade (like family plans) you can use their upgrade to get the device at the cheaper price and then just swap your microSIM card into it

Unfortunately it appears to be the case. But who knows, maybe if you yell loudly enough and threaten to leave Verizon unless they can confirm they will keep your unlimited data, maybe someone will be able to do some "behind-the-scenes magic" and transition over for you. But in all reality, without a serious fight for it I wouldn't count on keeping it if you upgrade even at full price.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] berfles:
Well if I spend $650 on the phone, I damn well will scream at them if they tell me I still lose unlimited. I'm going to have to try to find out before I do anything I guess, not like I have anything else to do for 36 damn days.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] brizey:
See I guess there it is. I am never really in a situation anymore where I would tether my laptop. Our laptop is four years old and basically sits at the end of our kitchen table. We are pretty much 100% tablets for mobile computing now. I don't have time for in depth games much anymore. Work/gym/kids eats all my time. And if I am going to sit and "do computer", I am going to do it in the study in a proper chair with a proper keyboard, a big monitor, a mouse, and fast tower pc. Laptops have been squeezed out of my personal life by the superior overall experience of a real desktop set up and the superior portability of a tablet. Don't get me wrong...my work computer is a laptop, but I don't see much need for one for personal stuff the way my life is set up now.

I guess if I were a single twenty-something it would be different, but really, I don't have much of a need for big data mobile computing.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Don_Don:
I just called and what they are telling me is that the only way to stay grandfathered in is to pay full retail value of phone and not promotional 200.00. He did say that I have 2 weeks to make changes. This is the third verizon I have called. I'm trying to get my unlimited data back that ended 4 days ago when I upgraded.

Is there a different department that you think I could call. Also the last time I called I didnt give my number just to see if I got a different answer but results were the same. Thanks for any help!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] zetachi:
If you used your own upgrade then you are probably out of luck. If you have the ability to return the S4 and then a) switch the upgrade to a different line or b) get a new line with the S4 on it and then put a dumb phone on that line and switch the S4 to your line you may have better luck.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] jvcjbl:
I used my own upgrade. My company discount qualified me for $50 instant rebate (I found out rebates are instant online) as well as an additional $50 mail in rebate thus making the phone $149.99 after it is all said in done. The guy who switched me back to unlimited (from the loyalty department) credited my account $50 so I didn't have to wait for the rebate to come in. He told me that in order to keep my unlimited data he would have to switch my plan back to the old plan but he could change it from 700 mins shared to the unlimited talk variant (which we opted to do).
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] andross77:
It all depends if you paid $249.99 + tax or $649.99 + tax for your S4....If you paid the lower price that means you took advantage of the contract subsidy and they are right, you lost your unlimited data. If you paid outright, you should still have it.

Verizon does not let unlimited data users take advantage of phone subsidies anymore. AT&T on the otherhand does. Difference is, ATT&T throttles after about 5gb and Verizon doesn't. I'd rather have Verizon's take on unlimited.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] 299792458:
Whatever u do....no subsidy and dont change your plan!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] zetachi:
just got off the phone with Verizon. I gave them this scenario. 3 phones on Nationwide T&T. One unlimited, one 2GB, one dumb. Upgrade available on Unlimited. I want to give my wife (2GB) my upgrade will I loose my unlimited. Yes, wait no. If she is already on 2GB then you will not, if she was on unlimited then she would lose it. So if I give her my upgrade and order and activate S4 on her line everything is OK. Yes... What if next week she decides she wants to go back to her old phone can I transfer the S4 to my line and not loose unlimited? Yes no problem with that.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] gt5oh:
everyones trying different ways to get around the system

Verizon will F%!& you in the end.

Corporate is pushing reps hardcore to move people off of unlimited data plans with promotions and incentives for employees.

The only way to keep this for the long hall -- do not mess with your plan, make no changes.

Bring your own phone to them.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] andross77:
Exactly. Dance with the Devil and you WILL get burned!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] imablackhat:
Had empty line no data and my line with unlimited and upgrade. At Verizon they used the upgrade on the other line activated put data on pulled data off then switched to unlimited data line and here I am. And at that store they do this for a lot of customers and I still have my data unlimited
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] zetachi:
So tried to do this at my local non-corporate verizon store. 1st they told me that it could not be done with a dumb phone, then they changed their mind and said it could be done but, I would need to purchase 2 SIM's @ $20 each, I would need to keep the phone on the dumb line for 24hrs because I was committing fraud If I didn't, and 3 they would hold the phone until after that 24 hrs was up. Looks like I'll be heading to a real verizon corporate store tomorrow.:rolleyes:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] andross77:
yeah this has been talked about earlier in the thread. non-corporates and even corporate stores (the 2 closest to me were guilty) will feed you the line about 24 hours. that's just so they don't get a chargeback from shady customers. So if you still want to get it at that store, just do the upgrade, leave the store, call 611 and have them switch it over :) of course you'll need a 3rd active phone to make the call to 611 and have them activate i think.

Also, LOL at the two $20 sims. Just trying to sell you stuff you don't need....
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] zetachi:
yeah, i figured that the SIMS was to make money on the deal, couldn't quite figure out why 2 as I would think the phone comes with one. All in all it left a sour taste in my mouth. I'll stick with corporate Verizon. At least they will back what they do. (hopefully )
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] jnuts5423:
So one would rather pay a guaranteed 240 over 2 years cause the chance they might have to pay $10 once (maybe) in two years for going over 2 gigs!? Sounds pretty ridiculous to me...
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] imablackhat:
I use about average 150-300gb a month.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] gt5oh:
Its not about the short term. You have to look out at the long term picture...

Mobile data will be in your everyday life soon enough moreso than it is. In your car, your day to day electronics (starting your car, turning on your air conditioner remotely, controlling your home security network, logging onto your computer remotely, streaming higher quality videos and music, netflix, hulu, google music, pandora, spotify, bigger game downloads as graphics and quality increase in relation to better phones and devices etc...)

As data speeds get faster, and more devices get connected, people will be using more and more data.

This is a revenue source in the future for many carriers... Hence tiered data. Their goal is profits. Profits come from lowering margins (people using less data due to having a ceiling) and profits also come from people going over their data cap and paying overage fees.

Your thinking like a consumer, you have to think like an owner.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] zetachi:
eek, guessing that's your home internet?:eek:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] mikel_:
q about alternate upgrade, activation and keeping unlimited data

Hi guys,

I'd love to get Verizon S4 at subsidized price and keep my unlimited data and Nationwide 1400 plan.

I currently have 2 lines:

- my Incredible 2 with UNLIMITED data ELIGIBLE for upgrade;

- wife's Rhyme with 2Gb, NOT ELIGIBLE for upgrade yet;

As I understand from this and some other threads, I need to do the following:

- transfer upgrade from my unlimited line to my wife's 2Gb line and order subsidized S4 for my wife's line;

- activate S4 on my wife's line

- re-activate old Rhyme on wife's line

- move/activate S4 to my line using new SIM card from Verizon store

I still have a few questions:

1) What does it actually mean to activate S4 on my wife's line? Do I just need to enter wife's phone number during the activation? Is it enough?

We do not currently have any 4G SIM cards since we have older 3G phones on both lines.

2) The term "upgrade transfer" is a little misleading. It looks like it is impossible to trasnsfer elligibility without actually ordering new phone at the same time. i.e. you have to "use upgrade to buy the phone for another line" or "do alternate upgrade" as they call it.

Verizon rep in a SF Bay Area store told me today that I will loose unlimited data regardless of the upgrade type - normal or alternate :( He said that it would work if my wife's line had an upgrade, but I cannot transfer my upgrade without loosing unlimited.

Another rep in the same store 5 days ago told me that I can keep my unlimited data by doing alternate upgrade!

I went to Costco and sales person there also said that I will loose my unlimited even if I do the alternate upgrade. She would love to help, but she can't.

Who is right? :)

3) If this method with activation on another line works, do you think I can get S4 from Costco instead of Verizon store (cheaper + additional accessories)? They would probably activate the phone right there at Costco. Do I need to tell them to do something specific for the activation?

Do you think it is better to get S4 from Verizon instead?

4) How do I swap the phones/lines after activation? I do not have a 4G SIM in my current phone. I guess I should first somehow re-activate wife's old Rhyme on her line (online or by phone) and then I need to go to Verizon retail store to get a new 4G SIM card and activate S4 on my line?

Do I need to remove/hide original 4G SIM card from S4 before going to the store? I will not be able to use 4G micro sim in Rhyme.

Thanks!!

Please let me know if there is a better place to ask these questions (another thread or forum).
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] bkhorn:
Went in to a Verizon Corp store yesterday to buy an S4. The girl told me that I would have to call 611 because if she did it I would automatically lose my unlimited data. I told her that isn't what I had read or knew. She wouldn't do it. So I call 611 tonight and tell the guy my story and he says "you are correct" "would you like me to call that store?" I tell him no thanks. I would rather deal with a store closer to home. So Sat I plan on taking the wife to the mall and so I can head over to the Verizon store and get a new phone.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] imablackhat:
Yes sir.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] lifanus:
Lucky... now look at us pathetic sprint users with "unlimited" data...

Good news is just ordered two S4s on Verizon and ditching sprint this weekend... 2 GB data is all we need for basic needs such as navigation on the go and checking out important emails and docs during business meetings, which both Sprint's data plan has failed on me... I'm only able to pull 90mb per month or less every month on the pathetic sprint's unlimited network.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] soopervoo:
wait til you try out Verizon's LTE

I used to only hit 300mb a month on 3G, and maybe 1GB if I tried really hard.

Once I moved up to 4G LTE, started somehow using 5-9GB per month

the LTE speeds are faster than my Comcast cable speeds so I don't even bother to connect to wifi at home
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] andross77:
This. Best post ever about unlimited data :) I think of the quote often incorrectly attributed to Bill Gates that "No one will ever need more than 640k RAM on their personal computer"

But the faulty thinking is true. Just because RIGHT NOW you use a max of 500mb per month, does not mean in 2 years or 4 years you are going to use 10 times that. The world is going to data EVERYTHING.

There is literally no conceivable universe, APART FROM World War 3 happening (which is possible, but then who cares cause we are all dead?), where data will get used LESS.

Data will only get used MORE and MORE by EVERYONE. To what degree is the question. But everyoen will use it more. That's why if you don't have unlimited data it would be smart to get on Sprint for when they improve their network or get bought out and you get to use a better network :) or buy the unlimited lines for Verizon off ebay.

And if Verizon decides to pull the plug on us at some point, then we can move wherever we want to go penalty free.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] zetachi:
Heading to Corporate Verizon store soon. wish me luck with my unlimited upgrade :) Will post results later.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] imablackhat:
Goodluck. They can do it. They just don't admit it nor want to do it. I had a non corporate store do mine free.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] zetachi:
Success!!! Though it took 2 salesfolkwho said it could not be done, them telling me that their manager told someone the other day it could not be done, then talking to the manager and her checking and sure enough I was right.

Now to root, and pick a case!!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] imablackhat:
Congrats man. Welcome aboard. Eff verizon.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] mikel_:
I just ordered S4 online using "transfer upgrade" to my wife's line... Order email/invoice shows only my number since it is the one eligible for upgrade.

Hopefully it is straightforward to activate S4 on my wife's line. I have never done it before.

Costco website did not give me alternate upgrade option and I bought the phone from VZW website. In store (both VZW and Costco) salespeople said they would have to change my unlimited plan to something else if I bough the phone from them.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Parafly:
I sold my 2 unlimited plans for 350 each. Don't shed any tears for me
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Don_Don:
Can someone share the phone number to verizon Loyalty department please.

I'm going to try this again but only number I can find is an 800 number to tech support.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] soopervoo:
OP should add a list of which stores allow cross upgrading then cancel data plan with ETF

Just found out Amazon and Wirefly doesn't
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Don_Don:
Well I called 800 number again and this time the guy really wanted to help so I explaind my disappointment about being grandfathered in and last week finding out I'm not after upgrading phone. I said I was thinking about returning phone since I'm within 14 day mark and he said he would add my unlimited back. Couldn't guarantee how long that might stay though. Checked my account and it says unlimited.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] rednoved:
Simple math has shown the amount of data the 4 smart phones on my account use would cost me more on a tiered data plan compared to unlimited. That temporary 350 profit would end up costing me money. Unless of course Verizon changes their mind about their data plans, and decides it should be free. :rolleyes:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Parafly:
I agree it depends on usage patterns. I work from home a few days a week and am almost always on wifi so for my wife and i it was a no brainer. Our bill also dropped by 15 per month
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] ultima86:
I READ THIS JUST NOW AND BLEW THE F*%$ UP!!! i ordered my s4 yesterday and been feelin wierd bc i lost my unlimited...i see this thread and start feeling it worse then i saw that. i called vzw immediatedly hot as hell...Amy calmed me down and told me to refuse it/or accept it take it unopened into a store and cancel order then reorder

i bought my D4 outright and went in for a SIM card easy but i knew i wouldnt have it for s4 and i want it now lol

she also asked "other than that hiccup how has verizon been?" since i had went from 100 to 5 or 6 lol i said good..she says "great, we dont want to lose you as a customer" lmao

so in the end ill be able to keep my unlimited...YES!!!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Don_Don:
I'm just say guys that I was totally upset to find out (after I paid and upgraded) that I lost that grandfathered in unlimited data plan. I called a total of 6 times to there 800 number and was never angry on the phone but today I just said since I was still in my able to return period of 14 days I was probably going to return and swithc carriers. He checked and the added unlimited back fir life not only to mine but my wifes. I was looking at tablet at same time to verify changes.

Just call with nice voice and confidence. Took several calls so good luck!
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] rednoved:
For life? You will likely encounter this same problem next time you upgrade.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Don_Don:
I told the wife it will probably change the very next time we have them change something with out account. I use wifi and have never gone over the 2gb anyways its just the ooint that they years ago said I have lifetime unlimited. Good luck to everyone
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] techsmut:
I honestly feel exhausted after reading this thread. It's been thoroughly explained numerous times in this thread. Upgrade or add a line that isn't yours and then disconnect the upgraded phone...

The upgraded phone at this point is no different than a phone you'd buy off ebay or borrow from a friend. Adding and removing phones from your line will not affect your data plan so long as you stick with a smartphone.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] gt5oh:
Watch in a few months when they audit lines and find a loophole to drop your unlimited data for doing this... they are relentless and will most likely find any reason to drop people eventually
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] techsmut:
I have been doing it for two years now. They don't care. They are still signing a two year contract and can forecast that revenue for two years to the investors. That is what they care about. My local manager advises customers to do it so they don't lose their unlimited. It's a very common thing.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] jacobk:
do we have any evidence of VZW ever doing this?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] gt5oh:
What evidence? There was no prior time data has been such a commodity. It used to be unlimited with every plan, either you had it or you didn't. Now that they realize its a profit booster in the future they need to make sure that they get as many people onto tiered plans as possible. I have personal friends who work at both retail level and corporate level and they both feel the pressure of upper management pushing them to get the average consumer off the plans.

Its so aggressive within the company because they all have sales goals and #s to hit that involve bringing down the # of unlimited users.

---------- Post added at 10:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:45 PM ----------

I understand that it works. I am saying that I know people on both retail and corporate that also agree that it works, the issue is that once notice comes from above your local store manager telling all customers that their data is going to tiered on a set date due to contract extension and you go back to him it won't matter. Even worse if hes out a job or demoted because he was guiding clients into this method, then you are really SOL.

You said it yourself, they are still getting that two year contract, anyone extending their contracts HAS to expect that one day they will be forced off unlimited data. By you extending a contract you agree to changing policies, and those policies can eventually be the result of you going to a tiered plan. On the other hand, if you are not extending any contracts and bringing your own phone its going to be very hard for Verizon to find a reason that you should be off unlimited. Don't give them the ammunition to eventually shoot you with later. :rolleyes:
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] JihadSquad:
Literally the entire point of share everything was to get people off unlimited. When the unlimited tether trick was around a couple of Novembers ago they looked at all the lines and removed people's unlimited if they got it from that.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Settaz:
Haha, verizon had my plan on a hold for changes but had to cancel because if issues with their sim card therefore leaving my plan on unlimited even with my upgrade.

Sent From my Rooted Samsung Galaxy S4 running CleanROM Lite
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] imablackhat:
Whenever I walk in a Verizon store retail or corporate and they pull up my account. They go omg and get all the employees over and say don't ever get rid of unlimited data. I have two lines with unlimited. Both average 150-300gb a month. And in fact when I got my s3 note 2 and s4 they kept my unlimited data by always doing whatever to work around the system.
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] Droiddude24:
How much was it?
[Verizon Samsung Galaxy S 4] atharwaqas:
Verizon GS4

649 on the Verizon Retail store... asked Best Buy and they were giving the same phone for 749.. opted to go with Verizon.