Verizon has launched its new “My Plan” cell phone offerings, but is it truly a good deal, or are they trying to mislead customers with clever marketing tactics? As a telecom expert, I’ve analyzed the numbers, and unfortunately, what Verizon is presenting isn’t the value it claims to be. Let’s dive into the reasons why Verizon’s new plans might not be worth your consideration.
Breaking Down the Costs
At first glance, Verizon’s most premium plan under “My Plan” is priced at $80 per month. While this appears to be a $10 savings compared to their previous $90 plan, the reality is that Verizon is cutting down on key features that make the plan less appealing. Here’s a breakdown:
30GB Hotspot: This is 20GB less than what was previously offered under their $90 plan.
Fully Unlimited Premium Data: This remains unchanged, but the plan itself lacks some essential perks, making it an overall bad deal.
To level up to the previous standard, you’ll need to pay for additional perks:
Disney Bundle: $10 per month.
100GB Hotspot Add-On: $10 per month.
Apple Music: $10 per month.
Storage Add-On: $10 per month.
These additions bring the total cost to $120 per month, a steep increase from the previous $90 plan. This translates to a 33% price hike for the same level of service, which is not exactly helpful in today’s economy where inflation is a concern for everyone.
Verizon’s Value Proposition Falls Short
Verizon is attempting to frame this price increase as a benefit, emphasizing that customers only pay for the features they use. But here’s the kicker: many people were already using all the included perks before, and now they’ll have to pay an additional $30-$40 per month to maintain the same level of service. For those trying to cut costs, this is far from ideal.
The value you’re getting from Verizon is questionable when you consider other options in the market. For instance, Visible Mobile—which operates on Verizon’s network—offers similar services at a significantly lower price point, starting at just $45 per month. So why pay more for the same network when you can get it for less?
The My Plan “Welcome” Plan: Is It Worth It?
Let’s touch on Verizon’s more basic option, the My Plan Welcome plan. This plan doesn’t offer any hotspot allowance, premium data, or millimeter wave support. Your speeds could slow down when the network is congested, which doesn’t compare favorably to options like Visible Mobile that provide better value for $20 less per month.
Is There Any Reason to Stick with Verizon?
There are a couple of scenarios where Verizon’s plans might be worth considering:
https://blogabout.us/2024/10/19/verizon-family-plan-multiple-lines-pricing-features/: Verizon’s New Cell Phone Plans: Are They Really Worth It?- Family Plans: If you’re on a family plan with four or more lines, you could find better value with the shared savings.
- Digital Nomads: If you need more hotspot data while on the move, upgrading to the unlimited welcome plan with a 100GB hotspot add-on might make sense, especially when compared to alternatives like Starlink, which is pricier.
Verizon’s new “My Plans” are a letdown for most customers. The price increases and removal of valuable perks make it hard to justify sticking with them when more affordable and flexible options exist, like Visible Mobile. Unless you’re on a family plan or need extensive hotspot data as a digital nomad, it’s hard to see the appeal.
What’s your take on Verizon’s new plans? Am I overreacting, or are these plans as underwhelming as they seem? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
Sherry Riggs
Telecom Expert, WhistleOut
