Verizon

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Overview

Ever since it acquired Alltel in 2009, Verizon Wireless has boasted the most subscribers of any US wireless carrier. In late 2010 it became the first of its major competitors to launch a commercial 4G LTE network, and to date has the largest 4G LTE network of any US carrier.

Pros: Verizon covers more 4G LTE markets than any other carrier in the country. Their new Share Everything plans can save large families considerably in monthly fees, and allows customers to attach an assortment of cellular devices, including tablets and hotspots, to plans.

Cons: The Share Everything plans work out poorly for single-line accounts, and aren’t much of an improvement for two-line accounts. There is also no way to get an early upgrade, though Verizon does offer upgrades to existing customers every 20 months.

• Shop for deals on Verizon phones and plans
• Visit the official Verizon website
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Detailed Provider Information

Unlimited Talk Plans: All of Verizon’s Share Everything plans, the only postpaid plans it offers to new customers, come with unlimited minutes and unlimited messages. Fees are assessed depending on what devices customers connect to the account. Each smartphone costs 40 dollars, each basic phone costs 30 dollars, each USB modem costs 20 dollars, and each tablet PC costs 10 dollars. Customers can add up to 10 devices to their accounts.

Limited Talk Plans: Verizon offers no plans with buckets of minutes at this time.

Family Plans: All family plans through Verizon fall under the Share Everything banner.

You can visit our sister site, Prepaid Reviews, to learn more about Verizon Wireless prepaid plans.

Text and Multimedia Messaging: Unlimited text and multimedia messaging is included with all of Verizon’s Share Everything plans.

Data Plans: Verizon offers six different buckets of data with its Share Everything plans. This data is available to all devices connected to the account. The 1GB bucket costs 50 dollars; the 2GB bucket costs 60 dollars; the 4GB bucket costs 70 dollars; the 6GB bucket costs 80 dollars; the 8GB bucket costs 90 dollars; and the 10GB bucket costs 100 dollars. Customers who need more than 10GB can add 2GB for 10 dollars per month. Overages cost 15 dollars per 1GB of data used.

Insurance: Insurance is available for between 7 and 10 dollars per month.

Customer Service: Customer service is available through many outlets, including an 800 number, email support, live website chat, or in store, either at an official Verizon Wireless retailer or an authorized third party.

Credit Check: A credit check is required for all contract plans.

Contract: Verizon Wireless contracts run for two years. Customers who cancel early are subject to an Early Termination Fee. For smartphone owners, the fee is 350 dollars, minus 10 dollars for each completed, full month. A smartphone canceled after 10 months, then, will incur a 250 dollar Early Termination Fee. For basic phones the fee is 175 dollars, minus 5 dollars for each full month of service.

Payment Options: Customers can pay their monthly bills through the mail by check, on the website by credit card, or by any form in a Verizon Wireless retail outlet.

Downloadables: You can choose to download ringtones, games, graphics, multimedia services, and more. Charges will apply on top of monthly charges.

International Calling: Verizon Wireless offers two tiers of international calling. The standard plan incurs no additional monthly fee. It offers varying rates, as low as 20 cents per minute, to over 190 destinations worldwide. They also offer a value plan that costs $3.99 per month and offers rates as low as 6 cents per minute to over 100 destinations worldwide.

Roaming Charges: There are no domestic roaming charges with any plan. There are international roaming charges depending on the country you’re in, even if you have a corresponding international calling plan.

Calling Features: Caller ID, 3-way calling, call waiting, call forwarding, and voicemail are available on every Verizon Wireless plan. Additional features are available for a premium.

Activation Fee: There is an activation fee of 35 dollars for each line. Additionally, Verizon charges 30 dollars every time a customer upgrades to a new device.

411 Calls: Directory assistance is available for $1.99 per call.

911 Calls: 911 calls are free.

Phones: Verizon offers a wide range of smartphone devices, including many 4G LTE devices. This includes Android, Windows Phone 8, and the iPhone.

• Shop for deals on Verizon phones and plans
• Visit the official Verizon website
• Write a review of Verizon Wireless