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Verizon Removes 10 Phones from $350 ETF List

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Bye Bye Verizon!

Foneteck

Jan 19, 2010, 4:52 PM
So I was going to buy a Droid, my contract with Verizon is over and I thought, OK take advantage of new every two, take out another 2 year contract and get the discount on the Droid, then they decided to put the new $350 fee into effect. That's when I decided what I have been thinking of doing anyway, and that is getting the Iphone and going with AT&T. Their network is not bad in this area and they just came out with a $99 unlimited Data and Talk. So...... I'm doing it!
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Menno

Jan 19, 2010, 5:13 PM
verizon also has unlimited data and talk. and their data network is a heck of a lot more consistent.

And if you had a New every 2, you were getting over 400 off the retail cost of the phone, thus the etf.
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Aethix

Jan 19, 2010, 5:52 PM
I don't understand the issue with the ETF. Don't break your contract and you won't have to pay the price of a phone. Getting a discount on a phone for signing a 2 year contract and then breaking your contract is akin to straight up theft.

In my opinion Google is taking the more logical approach when it comes to ETF. This phone costs 529 dollars. We will sell it to you for 179 if you promise to give us your cellular business for two years. BUT if you decide against keeping your promise we are going to charge you the extra 350 bucks that you owe us for the price of the phone.
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waldorfsalad

Jan 19, 2010, 6:46 PM
That fonetek guy is apparently looking for a company that will allow him to break his contract at a rate he finds "acceptable". Therefore, after he goes to ATT, its only short matter of time before he breaks it to go elsewhere. Hm... Should we be saying "goodbye, fonetek", or "see ya back real soon?" 😕
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nikkifm

Jan 19, 2010, 7:06 PM
Yeah....sigh...AT&T has been having crazy things happen with their internet...not to mention their overload of people using internet cuz they didn't "think" people would take the unlimited part to heart. Find a service you love and stick with it.
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Desolationblade

Jan 19, 2010, 7:09 PM
For the record, Verizon is having the EXACT same issue as at@t, thats why I stick to sprint. Faster internet, nation wide cdma/gsm(certain phones) coverage basically as good as both.
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art23ncsu

Jan 19, 2010, 7:25 PM
Verizon is having NO issues with data problems like ATT has been having with the Iphone. We havent had "data" problems since EVDO came out so I have no idea what your spewing. Cant wait for LTE 50megs per sec comes out and blows everyone away! Go Verizon! (for the record, I do HATE forcing data on all these phones)
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Desolationblade

Jan 19, 2010, 7:54 PM
https://www.phonescoop.com/news/item.php?n=5367 »

Actually at@t fixed alot of theiur 3g network and when they launched their HSPA network it fixed about ALL of their data issues, verizon is still having issues, look it up. LTE isn't that fast first of all. Second of all they must finish their 4g network which isn't even 10% done before they experiment with LTE. Once sprint finishes 4g they will patent it so Verizon can't use it same with LTE network.

Remember the 3g patent with unlimited cdma/gsm roaming they agreed with sprint to use their 3g concept? Lastly, LTE max maybe 50mbps, but remember dial up? 56k? It usually ran at 3-10k but with all lines clear it is possible to hit 56k, same with LTE.
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VZW_insider

Jan 19, 2010, 8:05 PM
Your linked article provides no proof that Verizon Wireless' data network is experiencing the same problems AT&T was. Your "proof" is simply in regards to speculation about future data usage, most likely in regards to LTE (and quite possibly WIMAX). When you have limits on spectrum and capacity, and devices and features that outpace possible network upgrades, it only makes good business sense to throttle usage back in order to provide the best possible experience. Many would argue charging more ruins the customer experience, but in actuality look at the AT&T fiasco, premium phone, premium data charges, promises of unlimited internet. Forums are littered with unsatisfied customers who, yes, LOVE, their Iphone, but can't stand the network issu...
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Aethix

Jan 19, 2010, 8:46 PM
VZW_insider said:whatever AT&T's nickname is.


Ma Bell.
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Desolationblade

Jan 19, 2010, 9:07 PM
I hate people that work for companies feeling the need to fudge information about others. Its nice that where I work, I sell everything but cricket so I have no real bias against any carrier compared to most.

3g technology was developed by sprint and sold it for roaming rights. When they finish 4g, and convert to LTE, what will they sell those patents for? Idk...
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Kilya

Jan 20, 2010, 9:02 PM
What a true statement Desol. I have sold just about every Major carrier in my wireless career and some people with defend their companies to the end! Every carrier has their advantages. Sprint most definately has the most reliable and fastest data network hands down. If you verizon people don't believe me, do a speed test yourself and you will see how bad you get whooped (goto speakeasy.com for speed test). At&t and T-Mobile internet don't even come close to competeing with those two.

T-Mobile has the cheapest rate plans but also the smallest network of the 4. Verizon has a mix of ok coverage with desent internet speeds. AT&T has the best coverage but is lacking on the data side, however they are world phone capible because of SIM ...
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Desolationblade

Jan 20, 2010, 10:17 PM
All of this is true. Verizon is still in trouble for not updating to a progressive coverage map. none, good, better, best kinda thing, its all red. Sprint atleast every call into them I have made has been great.

Since i've been employeed for just over a year in the wireless industry, 99% of my calls have been handled well, answered, and helpful. I personally carrying all 4 carryings(20-30/month employee plans). They all have their pro's and cons.

I rock a black berry on sprint/verizon the new bold 9700, and the my touch. Sprint, in my opinion from a retailer point of view has had the best customer service both personal and business. I know sprints customer support prior to 2007 was awful, but since oct of 2008, they have been ...
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Ghosthendrikson

Jan 20, 2010, 8:47 AM
I got a kick out of your support for your argument that Verizon has the same Network congestion problems as AT&T does. Your only supporting evidence is "Look it up". Were you unable to find anything or just being lazy? Because when I was doing my search for Verizon network congestion problems akin to the massive 3G network slow down AT&T has in states like New York...I can't find anything.

But then again we don't have the iPhone, but when AT&T loses it's exclusivity contract and all the Apple fan-boys jump ship for Verizon we can come back to the debate and see how Verizon handles it.
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nikkifm

Jan 20, 2010, 12:21 PM
Verizon's not gonna and hasn't had problems like AT&T had and Sprint's doing all this 4G stuff but really is their push to talk gonna work on that? They said they were gonna merge Nextel and Sprint towers ....that still didn't happen if they can't do that how are they going to jump to 4G and have the coverage to keep people connected to it? When Verizon finishes their 4G if it's similar technology there'd have to be some decent compromises on Sprint's part to satisfy
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Desolationblade

Jan 20, 2010, 4:01 PM
Sprint developes the technology and then people realize o wow, this stuff is good, and trys to use it and gets sued. There is nothing sprint needs now from verizon since the unlimited roaming agreement. Since they started that back in 05/06 they grew from around 19-21 mil sprint customers to around 50 million in 4 years?

Now they are improving their own coverage, their speed is amazing fast, outranks all carriers in speed and reliability(atleast the smart phones do) due to automatic roaming once it hits 1 bar to prevent dropped calls/loss of data.

The question about 4g isnt even worth it. Sprint has launched 4g and will be done in a couple of months across the US, 4g is running at 10.2 MBPS, compared to verizons 3, and the HSPA 7....
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Kilya

Jan 20, 2010, 9:22 PM
Nikkifm, keep in mind that merging IDEN network with CDMA is kind of like merging CDMA with GSM, not gonna happen. Sprint planned on using the technology of the Push to Talk on CDMA like how it is on IDEN and that is where their issue occured. The lag on CDMA for push to talk is like 1.5 seconds, where Nextel is like .2 seconds something like that.
AT&T's main issue with data IS because of the iPhone. I garentee that if the Droid is half as popular then the iPhone then Verizon will have the same congestion issues. But we won't see that until Verizon has a popular phone. We would really see it if they could land an exclusive deal. Since the Droid is on multiple networks now you won't see anyone specificly leaving their carrier just to ...
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Azeron

Jan 19, 2010, 10:41 PM
Google charges a $350 ERF (Equipment Recovery Fee) basically the customer pays $350 if they cancel service wthin 120 days. T-Mobile also charges a $200 ETF. When Verizon begans carrying the Nexus One, will we still see the $350 ERF as well as VZW's $350 ETF?
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AndroidRules

Jan 20, 2010, 12:43 AM
Azeron said:
Google charges a $350 ERF (Equipment Recovery Fee) basically the customer pays $350 if they cancel service wthin 120 days. T-Mobile also charges a $200 ETF. When Verizon begans carrying the Nexus One, will we still see the $350 ERF as well as VZW's $350 ETF?


That would be insane! $700!!! But like someone here said, I don't get what the big deal is about the ETF. Don't end your contract earlier and pay your damn bills on time.

If you're that weary about the future buy your phone unsubsidized and ask Verizon for a no contract option. They do offer such a service
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Menno

Jan 20, 2010, 1:36 AM
I actually doubt this. I think the ETF would only be 175 (if that) since the phone is being provided by google. not to say they won't charge the 350.. but yeah, I don't see it happening.

The thing that will be the most entertaining are the customers who say "I'll wait till verizon puts it on bogo." or ones who come into stores wanting one for free.. THAT will be entertaining.
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evrodude

Jan 20, 2010, 10:03 AM
Seriuosly! People are unbelievable these days! Don't jump ships and you won't even have to deal with an ETF. If you want a new phone, buy it on ebay outright and problem solved.
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evrodude

Jan 20, 2010, 10:07 AM
I am speaking from experience. Verizon has a very very strong network in major metropolitan areas and in the rural and coastal areas. I did some traveling in recent years and never had any problems. And I've seen people struggling with their precious iphones because they could not get a suitable signal.
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lilyofthenorth

Jan 19, 2010, 5:55 PM
That plan doesn't apply to the Iphone. Your data is extra so, have fun!!!!! Bye Bye!!
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Aethix

Jan 19, 2010, 6:18 PM
Uhh, yes it does. Unlimited minutes is 69.99 and unlimited data for the iPhone is 30. So yes, 99.99 Unlimited talk and data does include the iPhone.
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VZWTestman

Jan 19, 2010, 9:52 PM
Your comparing different plans. You can get any VZW Smartphone for 99.99 as well. The VZW unlimited talk and text is 89.99, the same as AT&T so it is 119.99 for either carrier to to have unlimited everything with one of their smart phones.
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nikkifm

Jan 20, 2010, 2:30 PM
Honestly...prices are getting to the point they're all about the same....it's gonna come down to coverage, brand, phones and label whores 'I'm an Apple or Droid'
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VZWTestman

Jan 20, 2010, 9:42 PM
I agree, between VZW and AT&T their prices are nearly exactly the same. There may be a slight difference here or there. Really its just your preference in the two companies. Both are a little expensive, but make up for it with their devices and network.
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SugaR-E

Jan 20, 2010, 3:57 PM
Why would you even care about the ETF if you were planning on staying with Verizon for another two years? The ETF is basically just to stop people who take advantage of there discounted prices for those good phones and then cancelling there account with only getting away with payin $175. I understand why they do it, but then again that is kind of pricey. But it should not concern us people who are happy with the Verizon service and don't mind signing up for a new two year agreement. 😁
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