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Verizon gets in on the double data action with own promotion
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The big carrier plays catchup with offers by Sprint and AT&T to increase the amount of data available on an existing family plan.
Verizon Wireless isn't going to be left out of the double data game.
Verizon is getting in on the extra data game too. CNET
After AT&T on Saturday said it would double the amount of data available on higher-end shared family plans and Sprint earlier Wednesday said it would double that amount, Verizon said it too is getting into the mix, adding, and in some cases doubling, the data on its own plans. The limited promotion lasts between tomorrow and Oct. 31 -- the same day that the AT&T and Sprint offers expire.
The move amplifies the recent trend by the carriers of offering greater data capacity rather than lower price, arguing that the increased capacity offers more bang for the buck. As with the AT&T and Sprint plans, Verizon's promotion only applies to its shared family plan, in which multiple users draw upon a common bucket of data. The offers are designed to get multiple users to sign up, with extra incentive to opt for the more expensive plan. With usage ever increasing as people spend more time on their smartphones and tablets, the amount of data available has become a critical consideration.
The promotions also come just as customers are looking to either reup or move to a new carrier, with new smartphones such as the Apple iPhone 6 and Samsung Galaxy Note 4 acting as a catalyst for potential change.
Verizon boosted the amount of data from 12 gigabytes to 15GB under its $110 plan, the cheapest plan affected by the promotion. Its $130 plan jumps from 16GB to 30GB, while the amount of data doubles from the next tier on, with the $150 plan bumping up from 20GB to 40GB, all the way up to the $375 plan, which swells from 50GB to 100GB.
The plans are available to new and existing customers, as well as business customers on shared plans.
As with AT&T, Verizon customers on the shared plans pay both a fee for the data as well as a separate access fee for each device on the plan, which can cost up to $40 per device.
In comparison, Sprint is offering 60GB for $130, then 80GB for $150, and 120GB for $225. Sprint is also waiving its device access fees through 2015.
Unlike Sprint, Verizon sits in an enviable position as the nation's largest carrier by wireless subscribers. It also boasts a reputation for network quality, which is how it justifies its premium pricing over the competition.
Still, the doubled data promotion suggests that Verizon isn't as immune as it first appears.
Roger Cheng Roger Cheng is the executive editor in charge of breaking news for CNET News. Prior to this, he was on the telecommunications beat and wrote for Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal for nearly a decade. He's a devoted Trojan alum and Los Angeles Lakers fan. See full bio Sprint doubles AT&T's double-the-data wireless promotion
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Under new CEO Marcelo Claure, Sprint is keeping the pressure on its larger competitors and going directly after AT&T.
Take that, AT&T.
Sprint is getting aggressive yet again. Lynn La/CNET
Sprint on Wednesday said it would one-up AT&T's promotion, which doubled the amount of data on certain high-end family plans, by doubling the new amount for its own Family Share Pack plans. The promotion is available to new and existing customers who sign up by Oct. 31, which is the same day the AT&T offer ends.
The "double the data" pledge is just the latest step by Sprint, which has seen a jolt of energy under new CEO Marcelo Claure. Since taking over in August, the embattled wireless carrier has aggressively laid out a slate of new wireless plans and promotions, all in an effort to slow the erosion of its customer base. But the company faces a long road ahead as it works through its network upgrade issues and the perception that its service lags far behind its rivals.
As with other recent promotions, Sprint hasn't necessarily cut prices on its plans, instead offering more data. The carrier is able to do that because its newly built LTE network has enough capacity to handle its customer base, which is shrinking relative to the competition. In areas where Sprint has built out its network, the company is desperate to get consumers to give it another shot.
The carrier needs to get aggressive. In the last quarter, it posted a net loss of 220,000 subscribers, continuing a string of customer losses over the last year.
AT&T unveiled its promotion on Saturday, offering 30 gigabytes of data for a month charge of $130 (customers would still have to pay for their device and a separate access fee that ranges between $15 and $40), compared to the previous offer of 15GB. The charge is $150 for 40GB and $225 for 60GB.
Under the new Sprint offer, the same $130 data charge gets 60GB, while $150 gets 80GB and $225 gets 120GB. Sprint is also waiving its monthly access charge through 2015.
New and existing customers have to go to a Sprint store, visit Sprint.com, or call Sprint directly for the promotion. The company said additional retail outlets will be able to offer the deal soon.
AT&T wasn't immediately available to comment on Sprint's promotion.
Sprint, meanwhile, also said it would double the data on its business plans starting Friday through Oct. 31. Under the business share plan, customers could get 80GB for $135, 120GB for $200, 160GB for $270, and 200GB for $330. As with the family plans, Sprint is waiving the access fees through 2015.
Roger Cheng Roger Cheng is the executive editor in charge of breaking news for CNET News. Prior to this, he was on the telecommunications beat and wrote for Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal for nearly a decade. He's a devoted Trojan alum and Los Angeles Lakers fan. See full bio