Verizon launches Share Everything Plans

By Phil Nickinson  | Jun 12 2012 | 8:29 am  | 302 Comments

Verizon Wireless

You knew it was coming. First, the death of Verizon's unlimited data plans, and Verizon today announced its new "Share Everything Plan," which lets up to 10 devices on a single account share data while keeping unlimited voice minutes and text messaging. Let's get right to it:

Initial smartphone access runs $40 a month. Voice minutes and text messages are unlimited. After that, you can share data with as many as 10 devices (so that'd be nine additional devices) with the following breakdown.

  • 1GB shared data - $50
  • 2GB shared data - $60
  • 4GB shared data - $70
  • 6GB shared data - $80
  • 8GB shared data - $90
  • 10GB shared data - $100

So, for example, say you and your spouse each have Android smartphones (as you well should). That's $80 up front. You could then share 4 gigabytes of data a month for $70, which brings you bill to $150 a month. Have an Android tablet? You can add one to the shared plan for another $10 a month.

Sweetening the deal just a little bit is that Wifi hotspot access is included. You'll be using the data from your bucket, but at least it won't cost you any extra for the privilege. 

The plans go into effect June 28.

So, who's jumping on board this one?

More: Share Everything Plans at Verizon Wireless

Phil Nickinson

Phil Nickinson Editor in Chief

"Phil is a recovering print journalist, editor of Android Central, subtitles and street signs."

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There are 302 comments

biggbrother2 says:

Umm.. then don't switch. You are not forced to take this plan. It's been offered as an option. Your current plan is still available.

z71kris says:

sure if you dont mind keeping your current phone, or not getting a shiny new subsidized phone

biggbrother2 says:

Where in the release does it say the Share Everything Plan will be the only wireless plan Verizon Wireless will offer after June 28?

z71kris says:

"You're not required to move to Share Everything but if you do, unlimited data will not be retained on your line. As a Verizon Wireless customer you have choices when you upgrade at discounted pricing. You can choose from a standalone data package starting at $30 for 2GB or a Share Everything Plan. If keeping unlimited is important to you, you can choose to upgrade and pay full retail price for the phone."

soulsurvives says:

Even without my discount I will save 30 bucks a month......

Captain Crypto says:

SO, let me see if I got this straight. Not including any taxes/fees/insurance, currently I pay:

Family plan = 100.00
1 Smart @ 9.99+29.99 unlimited data = 39.98
2 Smart @ 9.99+30.00 4GB data each = 79.98
2 Dumb @ 9.99 no data = 19.98
Total = 239.94
- We use a total of around 3GB of data due to heavy WiFi usage
- We use Friends & Family to keep our minutes down, but I've still come close to the limit a number of times

New Plan:
3 Smart phones = 120.00
Comparable data plan (12GB if I go from unlimited to 4GB) = 100.00 (10GB)
2 Dumb phones = 60.00
Total = 280.00

So, I would pay 40.00 more per month
- We would get less data
- I was going to purchase a tablet and FoxFi it over my phone. I could still do that with this plan if I don't hit the 10GB limit
- I live in a bowl with an LTE tower less than a mile from my house. No 4G signal to be had here, and I don't use 4G all that much anyway.

In the vernacular of today's youngins - this new plan is buns, yo.

EDIT: Given what Phil said about us not using everything we pay for, if I reconsider that we only use 3GB/mo and with tethering I may hit 6, my new plan would be 260.00, which is still about 20.00 more per month with all of the same usage I have now plus a bit more, plus I don't have to worry about phone overages. I'm a consultant and am constantly on the phone...

Egz says:

Really hope this is going be an optional plan (and glad I renewed last month)

Before: $75 before discounts (450,$5txt,unlimited data (but use less than 2Gb))
After: $100 with 2Gb.

Basically its forcing me to take mobile hotspot, which then would bump my data requirements beyond 2Gb if I use it.

numb683 says:

These plans are so inflated. I understand that they allow you to share data but $50 for 1GB? U.S. Cellular offers 5GB for $50 and 4GB for $45. Also and yes I know Comcast isn't a mobile service but considering my internet costs me $50 a month and they cap it at 250GB even though most people don't realize there is a cap how can Verizon justify their cost structure? Seems like these ratios are way off. I understand the average user doesn't use over 2GB but come on between streaming music and videos and tethering I hit 5 GB on their GB calculator like it was nothing and I'm not a heavy user.

gsmalleus says:

So as a single guy, I currently pay the following:
$39.99 for 450 voice minutes (which I rarely use)
$29.99 for unlimited data
$10 for 1000 text messages

Totaling $79.98 per month less taxes and fees.

My current data usage is around 3GB a month.

New plan would be:
$40 for voice/text
$70 for 4GB data

Total $110 per month less taxes and fees.

Total bull.

MrJazz says:

Ditto. But I'm taking an even bigger hit.
They're getting you for 37.5%.
I don't have the text plan, so my bill goes up 57%!!!
Thank you, 1%!

blaidth says:

On the calculator page it says *Does not include taxes and surcharge

I currently have 2 smartphones and 2 basic phones on my account.
Both smartphones have unlimited data.
all 4 phones have unlimited texting.
I have after 7pm free minutes
I have 10 Friends and Family.
Of course free weekends (but mine start at 7pm) and free mobile to mobile.

Even if I take the lowest shared data my cost would be over $200 per month. Currently after taxes I only pay around $180. So, show me how this would save me money? Even with my discount, which I am sure they will only apply to the first phone (even if it applied to the data) I would still pay more for less.
Glad I upgraded before all this hoopla
Definitely not the way to endear customers.
The $40 access per smartphone is bad,
the $30 per dumb phone makes it rotten

cdf3 says:

This is what I'm paying now:

$100.00 Nationwide TLK&TXT Share 1400
$9.99 Line Access for Main Line
$29.99 Unlimited Data on Main Line (Avg. about 2GB/mo)
$9.99 Line Access for Second Line
$29.99 Unlimited Data on Second Line (Avg. about 100MB/mo)

$179.96 Total with no tethering (What I'm paying now)
$209.96 Total with tethering on Main Line
$239.96 Total with tethering on Both Lines (Would like tethering, but too costly)

This is what I'd pay with new plan:

$40.00 Smartphone Fee for Main Line
$40.00 Smartphone Fee for Second Line

$130.00 Total with 1 GB Data Plan & Tethering
$140.00 Total with 2 GB Data Plan & Tethering
$150.00 Total with 4 GB Data Plan & Tethering
$160.00 Total with 6 GB Data Plan & Tethering
$170.00 Total with 8 GB Data Plan & Tethering
$180.00 Total with 10 GB Data Plan & Tethering (I can pay what I'm paying now with tethering)

I can get tethering on both lines far cheaper than I can on my current plan.
I'd have to pay $239.96 to get data and tethering on both lines.
I'd only have to pay $180 to get data and tethering on both lines.
Both lines avg. 2-4 GB/mo, so I should be OK.
10 GB should be plenty for both lines on my account.

shepherd_wood says:

We probably will. We currently have a MASSIVE minutes plan as I use my phone for work. Right now, for 1400 minutes, we spend over $150 for the two of us (after a 15% discount) This will end up saving us almost $30, and seeing as most of my internet use is on WiFi, the limit won't be a problem.

silvertaloncs says:

I'm just curious:

What will this do to early termination of a single line, since everything is shared and you aren't terminating the entire plan.

And with that, what will it do to phone subsidization?

syntaxprime says:

I wonder how long before Verizon realizes they are going to lose customers based on this. Of course there is a good change the other carriers will switch to this but if I was them I'd wait a few years. That way I could get a lot of Verizon's pissed off customers jumping ship in the next two to three years. If Sprint still has unlimited data in two years with better 4g coverage in my area I'm jumping ship.

blaidth says:

On the Verizon web page here is what it says about changing plans and current unlimited plans:

While you're not required to change to a Share Everything Plan you may want to check out the benefits of new plans. If you decide to change to a Share Everything Plan, you can do so without a fee or having to extend your contract term. To find out which plan may work for you visit www.verizonwireless.com/shareeverythingcalculator

You're not required to move to Share Everything but if you do, unlimited data will not be retained on your line. As a Verizon Wireless customer you have choices when you upgrade at discounted pricing. You can choose from a standalone data package starting at $30 for 2GB or a Share Everything Plan. [/i][/b]If keeping unlimited is important to you, you can choose to upgrade and pay full retail price for the phone.[/b][/i]

-italics and bold mine (if they worked ^_^ )

blaidth says:

Guess bold didn't work [b]:P[/b]

fwdixon says:

The last paragraph seems to have disappeared from that page.

WarnerYoung says:

Considering that if I doubled my current bill, it still wouldn't be $150, it doesn't make any sense for me to use this plan to share with my family. AND I'd lose the unlimited data (although admittedly I don't really use that much data). So no thanks!

blaidth says:

Here's a question-
If you are upgrading a dumb phone on your account will they try and change your plan then? We keep talking about our smartphones, but what happens when the dumb phone comes up for an upgrade? Will that susidized phone kill your unlimited?
o_0

winterwar says:

I still have two 3G smartphones on my unlimited plan that aren't due for upgrades until August. Do I need to pick up a couple of used 4G phones and upgrade them before this new plan goes into effect to keep my unlimited data?

blaidth says:

Well after august the plans are in effect and you would have to pay full price to keep unlimited anyway. Not sure if going from 3g to 4g they will make you switch plans or not, but if you have to pay full price anyway, might as well be safe than sorry. But you may try for an early upgrade, they may charge you a little extra, but it may work out. If not, have to pay one way or the other.

winterwar says:

Just going from 3G to 4G is what I'm worried about. I don't have a problem buying used or paying full price to keep unlimited, but I don't want to get stung by just "upgrading" from 3G to 4G LTE on two phones after the 28th. Being a former Alltel area, we don't even have 4G here and will probably be one of the last places to get it, just like it was when we finally got 3G.

threepio says:

As much as I dont like the idea of tiered data plans, I think this might actually lower my family cell phone bill.

I have 3 smart phones on my account. So that's $120 up front.

Then even if I get the 10GB share plan, thats only another $100. I never use more than 2-3GB of data a month, and my mom and sister dont even use 1GB. So I could probably even go to a lesser plan.

At max, I'm looking at $220 a month. If go down to 8GB $210, 6GB $200. So I save 10 or 20 bucks. Whoopie.

Past several months my bill has been between $230-$250.

I guess after fee's and taxes, it might be a wash. but oh well.

blaidth says:

Acording to verizon site, 10gb isn't actually the limit. If you need more gb you can buy it it 2gb lumps for $10 a pop. Not sure if they let you have the low plan then add another 2Gb if you need it before you go over and have to pay $15 per gb.

Would be nice if the option was there on all tiers.

co1458 says:

Im on a 700 minute talk plan, do i get to share my data with my fiancee? she rarely goes over 1 GB, and I can definitely use more than the 4gb Im allowed.

3rdpig says:

My GF and I are on the 1400 minute, unlimited data plan. I'm fully self employed and she's kind of a subcontractor for a large corporation. We get a 17% corporate discount and pay $155 a month for both phones.

We both use our cell phones for business. She's home more often than not and I'm outside the house almost all day. Most months we use anywhere from 600 - 800 minutes, but on a busy month we can go well over that and have even exceeded the 1400 a couple of times in the last 12-18 months. I typically use 2-3 gb of data and she's usually under 1 since she's on wifi all day. Both phones are LTE.

The 6gb plan would enough data, would save us a few bucks and give us unlimited talk time. Even if we both got tablets, which we probably will, I don't see our data usage going up that much.

biggbrother2 says:

I think it's obvious there are certain facts about the Share Everything Plan, some of which people are overlooking:

- Share Everything will continue to be offered alongside Individual and current Family plans;

- Switching to Share Everything is an option and NOT mandatory for new or current customers;

- Current customers who switch will not extend their contract terms;

- Customers with at least 2 smartphones will save money and gain features;

- Customers with at least 2 smartphones and 1 basic phone won't save money but will gain features (unlimited talk & hotspot) at same price;

- Customers with at least two smartphones and more than 1 basic phones will not benefit from this plan and will pay more than the other plans;

- Customers grandfathered-in with Unlimited Data will not benefit from this plan if they view their potential unlimited data as invaluable even if they don't use the data.

jdport says:

That isn't true based on what I read.... at least not entirely. New customers will be forced to use the share everything.... because all the other plans are going away. There will be a single line plan for dumb-phones.... but if you have a smart phone you're paying $90 with 1GB of data. Existing customers can stay on their current plan, but when you upgrade your phone you will have to pay the full retail value for the new phone unsubsidized unless you switch to the share everything plan. I can't really see how ANYBODY benefits from this plan, because even though you share data now you have to pay $40 per month to add a second smartphone to your plan which is $10 more than you would have had to pay to add a data plan....

biggbrother2 says:

I believe you are incorrect. I have read dozens of articles and the Verizon PR documents and not a single one indicates what you are assuming. These plans are being offered as a standalone product offering. Verizon is not changing its entire price structure.

The single phone plan is meant for a user who uses a tablet in addition.

jdport says:

I don't see how this benefits anybody, except the very rare person that actually goes over their talk minutes on a regular basis. They are playing the cup shuffle game. We were complaining about having our phones sharing talk minutes but having to add $30/month for each phone on our plan for data... so now they are saying ok you only have to pay for one data pool that you can share but now you have to pay $40 per phone for line access ($30 if it's not a smart phone). So you pay $10 MORE that you were to share data, and you lose your unlimited data. This is completely outrageous.

So from this day forward Wi-fi is disabled on my phone. I will not upgrade my thunderbolt when my contract is up in February. I will continue on with my unlimited plan for as long as I can, and for that entire time I am streaming netflix over 4G while downloading files and streaming music 24/7. I will squeeze every byte of 4G data I can from now until the day my phone dies. I hope everybody does the same. SCREW YOU VERIZON.

In the meantime I'll be checking out prices elsewhere... i won't bother with AT&T since they are likely to announce a very similar plan soon.

z71kris says:

Thats funny, after fuming for a bit I decided to turn my wi-fi off as well, and use as much data as I can now. I pay for it, I will use as much as I can now.

anicholas7 says:

If you have unlimited data right now it would be cheaper to buy a new smartphone on EBAY about six months after initial release for about $300.00 and retain your unlimited data plan. I will not give verizon anymore money than I already do. Why would the majority of subscribers pay more for less. Even my wife and kids basic phones will be bought cheap on EBAY and they will just be happy to get a new phone. They do not need data on their phones. Their IPOD's and IPAD's and Nintendo 3DS's are fine using WIFI not to mention their own computers and laptops. There has to be a limit as to how much is enough and I have finally found it. Its called Verizon's share data plan. "TOTAL FAIL". They are even increasing their fees for Fios TV boxes come June 15th. I am not a cheap person by any means but this is nothing short of kicking your customers in the face at a time when many are hurting and can barely make ends meet. Although I still have a job and live a comfortable life many do not and in these times a cell phone is no longer a novelty but a necessity. So why hit a person when they are already down and hurting. The last time I saw the financial results from Verizon they were doing just fine and the shareholders were not complaining.
Thanks for letting me vent. I just hope many of you will not fall for this B.S and circumvent this new atrocity of a plan and find a way to show Verizon that they can't treat loyal customers this way.

amcfarla#ac says:

and this comes a day after Apple announces facetime over cellular for iOS 6, (yes realize this is a android website) it is like these companies do not want you to use your data(or want to get paid for you using it). I love Comcast gives you 250GB a month(or they did, since they are now increasing that) yet Verizon is gives you 4GB for around the same price. I understand bandwidth over the air is pricier than over a wire, but Verizon is not even giving you 2% of what Comcast allows.

jerrod6 says:

So lets see. I have a Gnex in very good working order on 4.04. Single device, 1 line unlimited data, don't text so no text plan, and I use under 2 megs of network data per month. I keep my phones for over two years so I suppose Verizon might allow it to be upgraded to Jellybean but probably will not allow updates after that. So I could learn to root and unlock the phone and install Roms or updates from Google.

Or if I don't get what I want from Verizon I have person in the house with At&T so we could set up a family plan and I will buy a phone and or tablet directly from Google.

Would this work?

Dyster says:

You said 'don't text so no text plan, and I use under 2 megs of network data per month.'

Really? You're welcome to have a smartphone, but I'm not seeing the point.

G3TReal says:

Roble Roble Roble!!! . Everyone seems so up in arms about this new plan saying their bill goes up and others fueling the flames, when you catch your breath go into or call Verizon and find out that you don't have to switch to this new unlimited minute plan it is just an option. You can keep your current 700 or 1400 minute plan, just not unlimited data.

Just because you rely on a single blog post or press release for info doesn't mean it has all of the facts. People here are freaking out saying they are being forced to unlimited minutes when the'yre not. Keep your voice plan if its cheaper. I will.

roltzje says:

Right, but you don't seem to think about something called the future.

This means youre LOCKED IN to verizon. You cannot try another carrier, ever, because if you left, you'd be done.

roltzje says:

In other words, Verizon launches possibly the worst plans in history. These plans would have been nice 5-10 years ago, but now they know they are just screwing everyone over.

Kronko says:

I believe what they want to do is stop those people that use huge amounts of data, like the ones I read around forums saying like 20 or more GB a month.

lithium98 says:

I've been in the cell phone business for a few years now. This really is the worst set of price plans I've seen on any carrier. The price for data is completely inflated. As mobile services move towards the cloud and streaming data is becoming a standard, you're basically paying Verizon to NOT use what you're paying for. We shouldn't have to run to the closest wifi connection to do anything on our smartphones. Verizon's network is the beefiest around, they can handle the huge load of traffic easily if everyone stayed off wifi. It's a nice convenience for when you're in an area where you aren't picking up any signal, but it shouldn't be a requirement.

I have 2 smartphones with unlimited data and 1 dumbphone on the 700 talk and text. That's $140 a month before tax. Verizon basically is saying I have to restrict my usage down to a few GBs a phone and pay more than what I'm paying now. USE LESS AND PAY MORE! That's basically what they're telling their customers. On these new plans I realistically would not be able to use any of my streaming services on the go. No more Pandora, HBO, Netflix, Google Music, Youtube, and Dropbox and Google Photos for backing things up. Definitely just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to services and media apps. I'm gonna have to get rid of any apps that run in the background or use push notifications like Lookout, Pulse, Flipboard, Twitter, and Gtalk. Lastly, I won't be able to upload ANYTHING at all. No more Facebook, Instagram, and Tumblr. Verizon is telling me I can't use my smartphone as I please unless I'm using someone else's data connection.

No thanks Verizon. I'm good with the agreement we had when I first signed up with you. You said for $30 a month, I can use as much data as I want on the unlimited plan. It's unfortunate the general public will just accept this and let them get away with it. I'll be fighting back with my dollars by buying my phones outright from other vendors and sticking to my current plan.

Xterror says:

I can't believe how many of you can't read the details correctly. This plan is not a must switch to plan, it's an option to share your data. This will not make sense to most heavy user customers, so keep your existing plans. They are not taking away the 30$ 2gb data plan per line if you like that plan. I'm not saying it's much cheaper, but this plan only makes sense for people who have 2 smartphones who do not use more then 2gb a month combined. Then they will be paying $140before tax/fees rather then $160.00(100$ 700min + unlimted txt + 60$ for 2 data plans) before tax/fees or $150.00 for 4gb. This is a 10-20$ savings plus you gain unlimited calling, which means you might be able to cancel your home phone and save an addition of $10-40. If you have a wifi only ipad or tablet you can use the hotspot for no extra charge, another gain!! If this plan doesn't save you money, then you have the option of the other stand alone plans, those aren't going away!! Even the unlimited is not going away, they only downfall is you now have to pay full retail for phone upgrades. Yes Verizon is expensive, but they are just giving you another option on top of what they have, which I see it as a move in the right direction.

moonoverparma00 says:

I just don't understand how a company that has so much money can do this to their customers.

cmv131 says:

Why would I pay $10 to add a tablet when I can tether it for free?

mupi says:

Because for your $10 you will get a subsidy on purchasing the tablet, AND the option to use it without killing your phone's battery.

Also, pretty sure the $10 includes, eg, MiFi devices. You WILL get a better connection for multiple computers from a MiFi than tethered to your phone, and again, there's the battery life consideration.

jnnyr says:

Just got off the phone with the verizon rep and she said that if you pre-order BEFORE June 28th you will keep the grandfathering option for the unlimited data plan.

No_Smoking says:

This might be a good plan for some, I mean for us, we just got hit with some overages (minutes). we barely use the data we have. I have 4 gigs that I never even get close to. shes got 2g.
True that's 6 total. so we'd be getting less over all. but it would be little cheaper for us also. not to mention unlimited minutes/text!

I do however wish smartphones were $25-30 each..

bolski says:

$50 for 1gb and I'm paying $30 unlimited?

Really, Verizon?

Get bent.

godsidekurt says:

Anyone know if a single user can get one of these plans? Would be alittle cheaper for me if my math is right and include unlimited talk, text and allow me to tether.

osubeavs728 says:

This is something that would save me money simply because I would be paying $10 for my xoom instead of $30. I do love my unlimited data, but I don't even use 2gb a month...

I'm also interested to see how many people in the good 'ol US of A are actually outraged over this. The survey on the front page only had about 10,000 responses. of which only 3600 said they were going to leave Verizon over the plans. Verizon had about 109 million subscribers at the end of last year. So 3600 out of 109 million (.0033%) extrapolated out to maybe a million people, that would still be less than 1% of their total subscribers. Which definitely makes the angry the minority unfortunately.

tejasoffroad says:

Is it bad im very glad i dont have verizon now. AT&T is looking good now.

mupi says:

I like my unlimited, however, I could save with this plan.

I have always considered myself a fairly heavy user, I almost never use wifi, I have google instant upload enabled on my camera, and I am always using data. I pretty much have to charge my phone constantly because I am more or less constantly using 3g. Using wifi consumes less battery, of course, but at work, they can track wifi usage.

So, currently, I'm paying ~220/month for 1400 shared minutes across 2 smartphones and 1 "feature" phone with no data plan enabled. My data usage rarely exceeds 500Mb, even when I was streaming netflix to my phone, I was hard pressed to exceed the 2Gb. I really had to TRY. (as in, "oh, I'm texting my wife, I should download a song while I'm at it", literally, I had to consciously choose to use data to get that high.

Of that $220, about $20 of it is taxes and fees (I never buy the insurance. The amount I've saved by not purchasing the insurance would buy me a new phone if I need it). And I know the haters are talking about how "Verizon" is sticking us with all those fees, the reality is, if you break it down, most of those are federal or state taxes. Here, the cities even charge you tax, based on where you are during the call. So lets call it $200. Also, since those fees are mostly per-line and per-use, the amount of those isn't going to change.

New plan: $40 smart + $40 smart + $30 dumb = $110. That leaves $90. Even if I upgrade the dumb phone to a smart phone, that's $120. $80 buys me 6gb, which is approximately 12x my normal data usage. I could easily go to 4Gb, and save $20, even with adding a third smart phone.

But wait, there's free tethering, without having to root? score that one a huge win; without breaking any rules or Terms of Service, or risking paying back lots of money to the big V if caught. Before, It was $20, and that only bought you 2 Gb, and only applied to the one phone you enabled it on. Now, either I or my wife's phones could be used for tethering. And for crying out loud, checking your data usage is a piece of cake, there's a wiget on my home screen that tells me at a glance how much data I've used. On plans with limited data, it even changes color as you get close to the limit, so you can call and increase the limit if needed.

And now I can add a tablet for $10? another win. I have wanted to do it, but $30 for 2Gb was just not worth it. $10 and it uses my shared pool? OK so I will have to go up to 6GB probably. But I'm still at $40+40+40+80+10=210, so it's just $10 more than I am paying now, for THREE smartphones (not 2) AND a tablet. Really, that's a win-win.

ONe last random thought: I wonder how many people claiming 25Gb of monthly usage realize that your bill displays your usage in KILObytes? 11000KB is 11MB, or .011 GB.