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Verizon Revamps Wireless Plans: Perks Now Optional Add-ons
In a shift from its previous approach, Verizon has adjusted its wireless plans, moving away from automatically bundling services like the Disney Bundle (ad-free Disney Plus, ESPN Plus, and Hulu with ads) and options like Google Play Pass or Apple Arcade directly into plan costs. While these changes mean services are no longer automatically included, Verizon remains a strong contender for best mobile perks, albeit through a revised system that requires a closer look.
New Perk Structure: Choose Your Add-ons
Instead of pre-selecting services, Verizon now provides a selection of perks available for an additional $10 per month, per perk. This updated structure grants users the flexibility to customize their plans by selecting only the extras they desire. Notably, the entry-level Unlimited Welcome plan is now also eligible for these perk add-ons.
Plan Details: Unlimited Welcome and Unlimited Plus
The Unlimited Welcome plan is priced at $65 monthly for a single line and $120 for four lines. This plan features unlimited talk, text, and data, but it does not include access to Verizon’s fastest 5G network, known as “5G Ultra Wideband,” or mobile hotspot data. To access these features, subscribers must upgrade to the more premium Unlimited Plus plan, which costs $80 for a single line and $180 for four lines.
Available Perks and Potential Savings
Both the Unlimited Welcome and Unlimited Plus plans offer the option to incorporate perks at the $10 monthly rate. These entertainment perks encompass popular services like:
- Disney Bundle: Includes Disney Plus (ad-free), ESPN Plus, and Hulu (with ads), typically valued at $19 monthly.
- Apple One Individual: Normally priced around $20 per month.
- Apple Music Family: Shareable with up to five individuals, usually costing $17 monthly.
- Walmart Plus: Typically $13 monthly and includes Paramount Plus Essential.
Further perks are also on offer, adding further value, such as:
- Additional 100GB of Hotspot Data: Ordinarily $45 per month.
- 2TB of Verizon Cloud Storage: Typically $15 monthly.
- Three Days of International Data (TravelPass): Usually $10 per day.
Flexibility and Customization
Subscribers have complete control over their chosen perks; they can be activated or deactivated as needed, or bypassed entirely. Customers can even opt for multiple perks on a single line, depending on their requirements.
Analyzing Potential Value
Determining if these new perk options are beneficial for individual users may require some evaluation to assess which services are desired and the overall cost. While savings can accrue for those already paying for these services separately, it’s also possible that the new structure could be more costly than previous plans, depending on usage.
Mix and Match Plan Options
Verizon also provides the ability to “mix and match” lines within an account. This allows households to optimize their spending by placing users who do not require faster 5G connectivity on the Unlimited Welcome plan, while those who need it can utilize the Unlimited Plus plan.
Competitive Landscape
While AT&T offers similar plan flexibility, it currently does not include streaming perks with its unlimited plans. T-Mobile, conversely, necessitates all lines to be on the same plan to access its perks.
Example of Potential Savings
For consumers seeking a more economical method to access one or two services like the Disney Bundle, a four-line Unlimited Welcome plan combined with the Disney perk would total $130 per month ($120 for the plan + $10 for the perk).
Additional Discounts
Verizon plans can be further discounted for eligible customers, such as teachers, nurses, military personnel, and first responders, offering additional savings opportunities.