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Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Verizon review: A stellar option for families and friend groups with four or more lines
In the spectrum of US carrier choices, Verizon sits firmly in the same field as AT&T and T-Mobile as a premium major carrier operating its own network. As such, Verizon offers postpaid plans that come with none of the compromises from even the best cheap cell phone plans and more affordable prepaid plans from mobile-virtual-network-operators (MVNOs), like Mint Mobile, Tello, US Mobile, and even its subsidiary, Visible. To be sure, Verizon also offers prepaid plans, but they're awful value compared to the prepaid MVNO plans, including Visible. Indeed, major carriers are mostly known for their postpaid plans. Still, Verizon may not be for everyone from a value standpoint for those with three or fewer lines. Whether you choose Verizon should also depend on whether its network has coverage for your particular area and needs. After years of personal use, testing, and comparing against major carriers and MVNOs, I can safely say that my experience with Verizon's coverage, plans, and data speeds has been excellent. Specifically, Verizon's Unlimited Plus plan earns the top spot in our best cell phone plan and best unlimited data plans guide. Plan offerings and flexibility Verizon offers three premium-level postpaid plans and three budget-conscious prepaid plans. As things stand, the myPlan postpaid plans all come with a three-year price-lock guarantee (excluding taxes and fees) - not that you need us to tell you, given how much the Pete Davidson ads for it have been running lately. Lines Unlimited Welcome Unlimited Plus Unlimited Ultimate 1 $65 $80 $90 2 $55 per line $70 per line $80 per line 3 $40 per line $55 per line $65 per line 4 $30 per line $45 per line $55 per line Right off the bat, check out Visible instead if you're looking for fewer than four-line plans, or you're considering Verizon's prepaid plans for a lower monthly bill. Visible is a Verizon subsidiary that runs on the major carrier's network and offers significantly more value. Focusing now on Verizon's three postpaid plans, they all offer truly unlimited data and access to all of Verizon's 5G networks, including basic 5G (low and mid-band) and mmWave 5G, which Verizon markets as "5G Ultra Wideband." Unlike T-Mobile, each line can opt for a different plan, so you're not all stuck with the highest cost if only one of you needs the Ultimate version. Just note that Verizon's Unlimited Welcome plan offers 5G Ultra Wideband access at a limited 25 Mbps data speed. This is plenty for regular browsing and can handle streaming nicely, too. But if you're regularly downloading larger files away from WiFi, it'll take much longer than the more expensive plans. Only the mid-range Unlimited Plus and high-end Unlimited Ultimate plans include mobile hotspot and discounts on separate device plans (for smartwatches and tablets). Unlimited Plus comes with 30GB of hotspot data. Unlimited Ultimate has some small print worth noting regarding its inclusion of "unlimited mobile hotspot data," as there's a caveat that speeds are reduced to 6 Mbps once you go past 200GB of hotspot data. That's a large chunk of data, but if you're regularly working away from WiFi and do a lot of video calls, download large files, or want to stream video content, you might hit a cap. 6 Mbps after that is a huge reduction, but still enough for browsing the web, Zoom calls might get a bit choppy though. They all offer discounts for Verizon Home Internet customers (like Fios). With Verizon's current structure, you could pay as little as $35 monthly for Verizon's 300 Mbps Fios service, or $75 monthly for gigabit speeds combined with autopay and paperless billing discounts. They also all include bring-your-own-device (BYOD) discounts with increasing discount amounts for higher-tier plans. Verizon Mobile Plans Verizon's prepaid and postpaid plans include various options for unlimited data with premium features like prioritized high-speed data, extensive mobile hot spot data, and discounts for adjacent services that may justify the cost of a major carrier. Check price at Verizon One of Verizon's major draws is its perks, which include discounts on popular third-party services like the Disney Plus Bundle, a Netflix and Max combo, Apple One, Apple Music Family, and YouTube Premium. These perks will increase your monthly Verizon bill, as you pay for those services through Verizon. However, they reduce the cost of subscribing to those services. You can use these perks to reduce the cost of existing subscriptions, which can be a little confusing to manage via Verizon, as you need to transfer your subscription accounts to your Verizon account, but the option is there. Data speeds Verizon's advertised data speeds range between 11 Mbps, the slowest speed on its LTE network, and 634 Mbps, the highest speed on its 5G Ultra Wideband network. Verizon's basic 5G data speeds are advertised between 35 and 143 Mbps. Suffice to say that data speeds shouldn't be an issue for most people for almost any task, from basic web browsing and basic apps to streaming video and scrolling down media-rich social media apps. Speeds and coverage vary greatly depending on your location, whether at home, work, or in your hometown. We rarely faced any issues with Verizon's data speeds for data-heavy tasks, even with one or two bars of signal. The only time I faced issues was in area pockets known to have poor Verizon coverage, which I get to below. Coverage Verizon is known for its expansive and balanced coverage in urban, suburban, and rural areas. Still, there are areas where other carriers, like T-Mobile or AT&T, have better coverage. Our overall experience with Verizon has been very good, and it covers areas we frequent well. However, we can't possibly tell you if Verizon has good coverage for you. Your best bet is to ask neighbors, friends, family, and even social media what network they use and whether they're happy with it. While Verizon's coverage map can give you an idea, it's not always accurate — even if it shows your area has coverage, it doesn't reflect whether it supports sufficient data speeds. For example, I live in a specific pocket of a sprawling Connecticut mid-country suburb, and I face coverage issues with all carriers, including Verizon (I recognize the irony for a reporter like myself writing carrier reviews). While I can get two bars of Verizon LTE coverage at home, video streaming on data is impossible, and phone calls are just about acceptable. I am strongly reliant on WiFi for internet and WiFi calling at home. Screenshot of Verizon's coverage map. Indeed, I can forget about the lightest data usage at home, inside, or outside. Even sending data-based texts like iMessages or WhatsApp (not SMS texts) requires me to stand on a low wall outside the house, reaching for the sky with my phone, when there's an internet outage. Verizon will sometimes offer a promotion for a free network extender (usually $250). I've used a similar variant to the current model in the past, and while it provides a strong LTE signal for phone calls, texts, and data, it's reliant on an internet connection. That's not helpful to anyone if your ISP is facing an internet outage. The range extender I used in the past also required to be installed near a window so it could get a GPS connection, which isn't ideal depending on the location of your router. Overall, I don't recommend the network extender, especially at $250. On the flipside, Verizon has coverage in a remote area of the Adirondacks region in upstate NY I visit annually, which is one of the reasons I picked Verizon over others. Indeed, I can stream videos on Verizon's networks in this remote region. To be sure, this kind of experience can be had with any carrier, so as I mentioned earlier, it's best to find out whether Verizon works well for people in the areas you often visit. Customer support You can reach Verizon customer support via online chat, text message, at a first-party or authorized physical location, and over the phone. Antonio Villas-Boas/Business Insider Verizon's customer support is typical for a large company — remote support options usually start with automated or AI assistance, but you can say or type "representative" to get a real human being. It depends on the day, but it can take anywhere from less than a minute to "a while" to reach a human. Verizon offers a call-back feature that lets you hang up and keep your place in line, and a customer service representative will call you back when it's your turn. I've had all my minor issues in recent memory addressed, and it can take five minutes (after reaching a human) to a couple of hours, depending on the issue, day, or representative. Overall, I have been happy with Verizon's support. Should you sign up for Verizon? Anyone living in and visiting places with good Verizon coverage will be happy with its data speeds and overall experience. However, it might not offer the best value for every type of user or account. Verizon offers the best value for customers with four lines or more, making it a great option for families and friend groups. If you have fewer than four lines, you should check out Verizon's subsidiary, Visible. Our guide provides a detailed Visible vs. Verizon comparison. There's only one good reason to opt for a Verizon prepaid plan: the potential to get better support from a human being, whether on the phone, online, or at a physical location. Otherwise, Visible's prepaid plans offer significantly better value. Verizon offers the best perks in the industry with its discounts for popular third-party services. However, don't base your decision on perks alone. Rather, you should primarily pick a carrier based on coverage. Does Verizon have a senior plan? Yes and no. Verizon offers plans for seniors 55 or older who live in Florida only. These plans include unlimited talk, text, and deprioritized data. They also include a mobile hotspot, but at an unusably slow 600 Kbps (too slow to be of any use). In most cases, we'd rather recommend Verizon's Unlimited Welcome for seniors. For a single line, its $62 monthly cost is marginally less than Verizon's base $65 Unlimited Welcome plan. For two lines at $42 each a month, you could argue it's worth going for compared to the Unlimited Welcome's $55 a month per line for two lines. Either way, we'd rather recommend Verizon over Visible or other MVNOs for seniors due to Verizon's superior support options and availability. If T-Mobile is an option, we'd rather recommend the top pick in our best cell phone plans for seniors guide, T-Mobile's Essentials Choice 55 Plan for $45 a month for a single line or $60 total a month for two lines. Which is better, Verizon or AT&T? This is a question of coverage for your specific area and places you visit — I've personally experienced better coverage and data speeds with Verizon in the Northeast, but it might be different for you. If Verizon and AT&T both offer the coverage you need, however, Verizon has an edge for its perks. T-Mobile review to see if they're a better match for you. Verizon Unlimited Plus Plan Verizon's Unlimited Plus plan offers unlimited 'premium data,' so you don't have to worry about data caps or slower speeds when the network is congested. Other carriers also offer this in some of their plans, but Verizon has the best overall coverage, includes excellent perks, and it's not even the carrier's most expensive option. Check price at Verizon
Phone Arena
4 days ago
- Business
- Phone Arena
T-Mobile is launching a trio of competitive new plans with a (limited) price guarantee
After essentially answering Verizon's bold 3-year price lock move with a host of new postpaid and Metro by T-Mobile plans covered by a 5-year price guarantee a couple of months ago, the nation's industry-leading "Un-carrier" is today expanding that program to its own-brand prepaid options. Starting Tuesday, June 24, T-Mobile Prepaid customers will be able to pay as little as $40 a month for one line of service guaranteed to retain that price for (at least) half a decade. The catch? Taxes and fees are not included in the $40 rate, and Magenta can decide to change (read increase) any and all of them at any time. Furthermore, this entry-level Starter Monthly plan only comes with unlimited talk and text while capping your "high-speed" data allotment at 15 gigs a month. That's far from ideal in this day and age, so I expect most of you will opt for an Unlimited Monthly plan at $45 or Unlimited Plus Monthly at $60. Both of those include unlimited 5G data in addition to unlimited calling and texting, but while the $45 option provides unlimited hotspot data at modest 3G speeds, the most expensive new T-Mobile Prepaid plan comes with a 5GB monthly bucket of "high-speed" hotspot data, after which you'll need to settle for outdated 3G tech too. This is everything you need to know about the three new T-Mobile Prepaid plans. | Image Credit -- T-Mobile Perhaps more importantly (and most impressively), the $60 Unlimited Plus Monthly plan adds unlimited texting to 215+ "countries and destinations", as well as unlimited talk and text while roaming in Canada and Mexico, as key advantages over the non-Plus $45 Unlimited plan. In case you're wondering, yes, these "new" plans are pretty similar to T-Mo's existing prepaid options, with the names being revised, some of the perks and benefits improved, the 5-Year Price Guarantee added across the board, and notably, the Unlimited rate going down from $50 to $45 a month. As you can imagine, T-Mobile is advertising the Starter, Unlimited, and Unlimited Plus Monthly prepaid plans as vastly superior to the competition, and as usual, that's only partially true. Verizon , for instance, offers a pretty good Unlimited Prepaid option of its own with 5 gigs of high-speed mobile hotspot data included, while AT&T's Unlimited Prepaid plan (with 10GB hotspot data) can be had for a measly $25 a month... with a $300 upfront payment covering a full year of service. Secure your connection now at a bargain price! We may earn a commission if you make a purchase Check Out The Offer
Daily Record
04-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Sky Mobile's unlimited data deal cuts £108 off price and is cheaper than O2 and Vodafone
Sky Mobile has cut the price of its unlimited data plan, offering unlimited data for £20 a month, that's cheaper than O2 and Vodafone right now Sky Mobile has launched a surprise sale, slashing the price tags on various device tariffs, with its SIM-only plans among the top bargains. The move sees Sky joining the ranks of O2 and Vodafone, both of whom are currently running sales, heralding an opportune moment for consumers mulling over a new SIM. Data-hungry users may find Sky Mobile's unlimited data offer particularly tempting, as it beats both O2 and Vodafone in the cost-effectiveness stakes amid the ongoing sale. Marked down by £9 monthly, Sky offers unlimited data at £20 per month. A discount from the regular price of £29 a month, it's a £108 saving across the first year of the 24-month contract term. This edges out the competition with O2 priced at £22 and Vodafone at £24 monthly for similar plans. Sky imposes no limit to data usage, customers can surf and stream to their heart's content. Coupled with 5G capabilities – courtesy of O2's network infrastructure – Sky presents a compelling choice for heavy data consumers. Shop the Sky Mobile Unlimited Data deal - here The package is sweetened with European roaming options (though travellers should verify country coverage) and includes limitless calling and messaging services. While Sky Mobile consistently garners praise for excellent value, consumers would do well to weigh up the myriad benefits of alternative providers. Usually vigilant checks on network coverage are advisable, but given Sky Mobile's shared network with O2, connectivity issues with one will invariably affect the other. Vodafone might be your best bet in this case. Their Unlimited Plus package is slightly pricier (it'll set you back an extra £48 in the first year) and boasts a top speed of 100Mbps - shop the deal here. Currently discounted, Vodafone Unlimited Plus is now just £24 per month, down from £33, saving shoppers £108 over the first year, in line with Sky's offer. O2 is also having a sale, with discounts on unlimited data. The O2 Unlimited plan is available for £22 per month in an online-only deal. While this tariff doesn't include all the Extras that come with some of the pricier plans, it does offer unlimited data at a fantastic price. These summer sales won't last forever, with O2's sale wrapping up on 4 June, and Sky Mobile nearing the end of its Week of Treats. It's worth noting that these are SIM-only deals, so shoppers need to purchase the phone separately. This comes with a benefit, as it allows you to change your phone as often as you wish and gives you the freedom to hunt for the best deals, buy refurbished devices or get your hands on the latest phones as soon as they hit the market.
Daily Mirror
02-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Sky Mobile's unlimited data SIM beats O2 and Vodafone
The Week of Treats from Sky Mobile is coming to its end, so grab this SIM will it's still on offer Sky Mobile is running a surprise sale, cutting prices on a number of device tariffs, with some of the best deals on its SIM-only plans. It joins O2 and Vodafone, who also have sales right now, making it a great time to consider a new SIM. If you're a high data user then Sky Mobile's unlimited data plan might appeal, especially as it beats O2 and Vodafone on price in the latest sale. Discounted by £9 a month, you can get unlimited data for £20 a month from Sky Mobile. It normally costs £29 a month, so you'll save £108 in the first year of the 24-month contract. That's cheaper than O2's equivalent which is £22 a month and Vodafone which is £24 a month. Sky doesn't have a cap on the amount of data you can use, so there's no "fair use" policy here, so you can use as much as you want. With great 5G coverage – powered in this case by O2's network – it's a great choice for those who want to use a lot of data. It also includes roaming across Europe (but check the supported countries before you travel) while you also get unlimited calls and texts. While Sky Mobile is known for offering great value for money, there are some advantages to choosing another network. Normally, I'd recommend checking your connectivity before choosing, but if Sky Mobile doesn't work, then O2 won't work either, because they run on the same network. In that case, Vodafone might be a better option. The Unlimited Plus offering is a little more expensive (it'll cost you £48 more in the first year) and it comes with a 100Mbps top speed. Vodafone Unlimited Plus is also discounted, now £24 a month instead of £33. That's still a saving of £108 across the first year. There's also a sale at O2 and there's a discount on unlimited data here too. The O2 Unlimited plan is £22 a month in an online only deal. This tariff doesn't come with all the Extras that some of the more costly tariffs do, but you're still getting that unlimited data at a great price. These summer sales aren't running for much longer, with O2's sale finishing on 4 June, and Sky Mobile coming to the end of its Week of Treats. It's worth remembering that these are SIM-only deals and you'll have to buy the phone separately. That comes with an advantage, because you can change your phone as often as you like and it gives you the freedom to shop around for the best deals, to buy refurbished devices or to get the latest phones as soon as they launch.
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Major mobile network ads BANNED for all Brits after ‘misleading' savings claim – exact SIM plans slammed by watchdog
Following an investigation, the watchdog concluded that the savings of £240 and £312 in both package promotions "were not genuine" BAD SIGNAL Major mobile network ads BANNED for all Brits after 'misleading' savings claim – exact SIM plans slammed by watchdog Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) VODAFONE has had two website adverts removed by the UK's advertising watchdog for making "misleading" claims about savings. Customers were led to believe two SIM card packages advertised during November and December last year could save them as much as £312 annually. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The watchdog told Vodafone that the ads in their current form must not appear again Credit: PA However, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) found they did not return on the savings promised. An advert for Vodafone's Unlimited Plus SIM plan, referred to as example A, stated: "Save £240. Monthly £23. Offer ends 19 December." While a previous version of the ad, example C, said: "Unlimited Plus. Black Friday. Save £312. Monthly £20. Offer ends 02 December." Similarly, an advert for Vodafone's Unlimited Max SIM package, example B, read: "Black Friday: Save £312. Monthly £23. Offer ends 2 December'." However, another version of the advertisement, example D, said: 'Unlimited Max. 6 months half price. Monthly £18. £36pm after 6 months. Offer ends 28 November'. The savings claimed in the example A were based on a prior price of £33 per month, but the immediately preceding price had been their Black Friday deal of £20 from example C. The listings were investigated by the regulator after it received a complaint from rival mobile network provider EE. Following an investigation, the watchdog concluded that the savings of £240 and £312 in both package promotions "were not genuine". Savings claims in the two packages "had not been made against the immediately preceding prices at which the products were sold at when the ads appeared," the watchdog wrote in its ruling. Inside Vodafone's 'fastest-ever' broadband speed boost ASA also found that the products in both ads "did not return to the prices against which the savings were being claimed once the promotions ended" - which meant they were misleading. The watchdog told Vodafone that the ads in their current form must not appear again. The network provider was also told to "ensure that future savings claims did not mislead and to ensure products returned to the price against which the saving was being claimed, once a promotion ended". Vodafone responded to the ASA's investigation, noting that during the promotional period, the Unlimited Plus was on offer for 33 per cent of the time and the Unlimited Max was on offer for 49 per cent of the time, according to Marketing Beat.
