Tech::Verizon Killing Unlimited Data Plans Soon

No more unlimited data for new Verizon customers: The wireless carrier will begin to roll out tiered data plans for new customers beginning July 7.

According to DroidLife, the new plans will begin at $30 a month for 2GB of data. Other packages will include $50 for 5GB, or $80 for 10 GB.

Tethering will be another $20 for 2GB more. For those who hit the cap, Verizon will charge $10 for each GB over the limit. The plans are priced the same for both 3G and 4G plans. Unlimited plans had been offered at $30 per month. Verizon confirmed the change to All Things Digital.

Customers already on unlimited data plans will not be affected by the change. Verizon has long planned to turn to tiered plans, and has already started to throttle speeds for heavy data users.

DroidLife also says it could be possible current customers will be able to upgrade to new devices even after July 7 and hold onto unlimited data plans, though it's not yet been confirmed. For tablet users, data plans will increase to $30 per 2GB each month, up from the $20 for 1GB now offered.

Verizon joins AT&T, which already implements tiered plans. AT&T, however, offers plans at lower levels of data, including $15 for 200MB. For 2GB, the plan charges $25 a month and $45 for 4GB -- less than Verizon.

Verizon's minimum data plans for each month reflect an understanding that consumers are using more data than ever before. Average data consumption on smartphones has risen 89 percent in the past year.

"Our legacy data pricing structure was designed to address a somewhat different customer need profile than what we are seeing and can expect in the future," Verizon wrote in a letter to employees. "As a result, we are evolving our approach around how we package our data solutions and pricing to our customers."

Mununuzi Timothy

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