Verizon Wireless, often referred to as VZW or Big Red, has become the largest cell phone provider in the United States with well over 92 million customers. Spending a number of years in second place, the company had been steadily closing the gap with perennial powerhouse AT&T. The acquisition of Alltel Wireless was enough to propel it into the lead.
The key factors that have brought about Verizon Wireless’ success are customer service and network reach and reliability. VZW is our TopTenREVIEWS Gold Award and has consistently ranked higher among consumers than its major competitors, AT&T and Sprint, in customer service surveys, and adding Alltel, which had been the industry leader in the category, made those ratings even higher.
Unlimited Plans
The introduction of unlimited pricing plans has fundamentally changed the way cell phone providers package their product lines. Verizon Wireless’ unlimited voice plan for individual users costs $69.99 per month. With it, you can talk as much as you like to anyone on any network in the U.S. It’s just that simple and straightforward.
For individuals who use their cell phones for lots of voice calls and text messaging, there’s a plan that allows for unlimited talk and messaging. The plan’s cost is $89.99 monthly. Its messaging feature allows unlimited picture, video and instant messaging in addition to SMS text messages.
Similar unlimited plans are available for families. Two lines of unlimited talk are available for $119.99 a month. Up to three more lines, for a total of five, can be added for $49.99 per month. Unlimited Talk & Text plans for families start at $149.99 for two lines. Additional lines, up to five total, can be added for $49.99.
Traditional Plans
Verizon Wireless offers a number of more traditional individual and family plans that may better meet the needs of those customers who don’t need unlimited wireless access. The basic individual plan runs $39.99 per month and includes 450 anytime minutes. For an additional $20.00, unlimited messaging can be added. Talk time that exceeds the 450 minutes are billed at $.45 a minute. A more generous talk plan includes 900 anytime minutes for $59.99. That plan includes the popular Friends & Family feature which allows users to designate any five domestic phone numbers, landline or mobile, that can be called without limit. For $20.00 more monthly, this cell phone provider offers a plan that also can add unlimited messaging. Charges for calls which exceed the 900 minute allowance are billed at $.40 per minute.
Three limited-use family plans are available. The entry level plan allows 700 shared anytime minutes for two lines for $69.99 a month. As many as three more lines can be added for $9.99 per month each to share the same 700 minutes. Talk time that exceeds 700 minutes is billed at $.45 per minute. For $30.00 more per month, unlimited messaging can be added.
The other two family talk plans are $89.99 and $99.99 per month for the first two lines and include 1400 and 2000 shared minutes, respectively, with minutes that exceed the plan limits costing $.40 or $.35, also respectively. These plans allow for family members to choose ten numbers for the Friends & Family feature. All members of the family must share the same ten Friends & Family numbers. As with the entry level family plan, up to three more lines can be added for $9.99 each. Unlimited messaging can also be added to the plans for $30.00 a month.
Verizon Wireless offers an extensive selection of phones from leading edge smartphones to the simplest, most budget-conscious devices.
Beyond smartphones, Verizon Wireless has a complete array of multimedia and feature phones to meet anyone’s needs. Like other major cell phone providers, the price of phones is subsidized in return for a contract commitment so even top phones can be found free of charge or at nominal cost.
Verizon Wireless offers Skype mobile on many of its internet enabled phones. Use, of course, requires a data plan, but the cell phone provider is unique in allowing the internet telephoning (VoIP) method. Indeed, other carriers prohibit VoIP telephony. Using the application allows for free Skype-to-Skype calls and instant messages throughout the world. It also gives the user access to calling rates to both landlines and cell phones internationally that are often lower than other cell phone providers.
Today’s cell phones certainly offer a lot more than just talk. Verizon Wireless makes multiple entertainment options available from music downloads to V CAST Videos and Mobile TV. There are seemingly limitless ways to customize the phones with extensive collections of ringtones, ringback tones and wallpapers. GPS service is available with this cell phone provider as VZ Navigator and the Family Locator service allows you to find your loved ones from your phone or a computer in real time. Even roadside assistance is available.
A number of phones which offer Push-to-Talk functionality are available. That’s the walkie-talkie feature that allows for connecting instantly to individuals or groups of people. The service is particularly favored by industrial and public safety users but many individuals also find the function appealing. The service is an additional $5.00 per month. An unlimited Push-to-Talk only plan is available for $29.99 a month.
An unlimited messaging plan for 3G multimedia phones and feature phones is available for $34.99 a month. The plan could be good for those who text message a lot and use the web but don’t want voice connectivity. An additional messaging plan specifically for use with smartphones is available for customers with hearing deficits. It costs $54.99 monthly.
As a result of subsidized phone prices, there’s a substantial fee for terminating service before a contract’s end date. For most devices it’s $150. The fee is reduced by $5 for each month of service that is completed under the contract. Beyond that, however, Verizon Wireless has opened itself up for criticism for charging a whopping $350 early termination fee for what it refers to as Advanced Devices. The term generally refers to smartphones. That fee is reduced by $10 for each month of the contract period that is successfully completed.
The activation fee is $35.00 but it is frequently waived, particularly in the case of phones that are purchased online. There are no domestic roaming charges and there are also plans that include usage in Canada and Mexico at additional cost.
Verizon Wireless has a well established reputation for high quality customer service. That position was actually enhanced by the addition of the Alltel network. Customers can get help by toll-free telephone and email. Numerous automated services and live help can be accessed without charge from the cell phone as well. The company’s web site offers an excellent live chat feature. Fortunately, the web site is well organized because it contains so much information that it would be difficult to navigate otherwise.
Competition among major cell phone providers is intense with each one constantly trying to outperform the others for extremely profitable market share. Verizon Wireless has become the largest cell phone provider in America by excelling in network quality and reliability, customer service and an extensive selection of the most desired phones. No single cell phone provider is best for everyone so we encourage careful review of the plans that are offered by each to determine which is best for your unique requirements.
