Verizon Customers: What's next?

[Tim Stone]

I have a stable of Win Phones: a 928, and 2 Icons. One Icon is active with a Verizon number, and I use that to test Windows 10.

My primary phone is an iPhone 6 because it is solid with the apps I need for my work. I kept the other line active for testing thinking we would see great strides with Win 10 mobile, maybe even new phones we can use that will have productive apps. I've stayed loyal to the insider program and had great hopes ....

I must use Verizon. No other carrier has the reliable signal that I need full time. My business takes place on my phone, so "marginal" just doesn't cut it. I have the one carrier, and there is no viable option.

So the handwriting is on the wall. Windows 10 Mobile is an idea that may bear fruit some day, but for practical purposes, it is now relegated to hobbyist status. Its time to cut the line, reduce the phone bill, and stop wasting time testing an OS that is essentially "in experimentation", at least in our country. I'm not a big fan of the iPhone 6+, but I'm even less interested in an Android device. This one gets the job done without a lot of hassle.

In conclusion, if your current Windows Phone on Verizon meets your needs, why do anything ? An Icon has a solid camera, will handle your calls and messages, and allow you to do email. You haven't had continuum, so you don't need it now. There is nothing else in that phone, and perhaps less than what actually functions with 8.1 ( like full Band capabilities ). You will be just as well off with it on 8.1.

 

[enthuz]

I'm weighing my options with AT&T, T-Mobile and some MVNO. It will depends on who can give me the best coverage, top non-throttled speed and price.

 

[nicholasanford]

Do you guys think Verizon/MSFT will ever be buddy buddy again? Or is WP for Verizon dead for the foreseeable future?

 

[Keith Wallace]

My sister claimed she'd go to AT&T if Verizon failed AGAIN with the platform. We'll see if that comes to fruition in a month or so, or if she sticks with her ICON.

 

[Beast of Haeven]

I'm sticking with my icon because it works. I'm curious if Verizon will be able to fallow through with the price hike. Everyone raised hell when they tried to throttle us, so lets see what happens.

I've moved to Sacramento (from LA) and the data speeds are noticeably slower. Having said that, switching carriers may be a possibility but I'm not going to get excited and make a decision yet.

 

[MikeSo]

Wont ATT pay your ETF with a credit for switching?

Possibly, however I assume for that I'd have to get a phone from AT&T? I will not get a carrier-branded phone again.

 

[anon(5061193)]

One of the best things about Apple is that if you have a problem, you walk into one of their stores and get it fixed or replaced. I am on my 3rd IPhone 6+ (one I dropped and smashed and the other was their fault, the camera screwed up). If I buy from the Microsoft store, will they provide similar service?

My entire family is on Verizon and has Iphones and getting them serviced easily is important to me. Any thoughts or experiences with Microsoft stores customer service?

 

[DavidinCT]

I'm sticking with my icon because it works. I'm curious if Verizon will be able to fallow through with the price hike. Everyone raised hell when they tried to throttle us, so lets see what happens.

I'm moved to Sacramento (from LA) and the data speeds are noticeably slower. Having said that, switching carriers maybe a possibility but I'm not going to get excited and make a decision yet.

I hear ya. I am on the fence myself. Although I want a 950XL, the ICON does work well for what I need. The big deal is this $20 for unlimited data users, this might be the nail in the coffin for me with Verizon.

I just cant change carriers for a phone when I have unlimited Verizon 4G LTE data everywhere. I never have to worry or watch data usage, and that is almost priceless in some aspects.

I guess if it's forced, I will have to rethink things, I am already paying over $100 a month for a Verizon phone, if I lose the cost factor on them (would be the most expensive out of any carrier) and the 950XL option, I might just have to move on.

I guess as long as I can get a 10-15gb plan for under $30 a month (4G speeds), I will be ok....(never really go over 7-8gb)

and No I have not been in a contract in over 7-8 years now....No question grandfathered in...

 

[wpfan2be]

Will be leaving Verizon (3 lines) to either AT&T or TMo as soon as the 950XL is available. No MS support from VZW I will not give them my $$...

 

[Lucas P]

I wish I could switch for the phone, but unfortunately I live in a pretty rural area and the only ones with service at my house is Verizon, so I'm stuck because of a geographic monopoly. Just like my Comcast service...

 

[Tim Stone]

For Verizon service, it is important to work with the phone support department. The stores are only interested in commission sales, not service. I have had my best results when I call in.

I have a fairly local Microsoft Store. It is about 50 yards from an Apple Store. The two actually work well together. Want a MacBook with Office ? Get the MacBook at the Apple Store and the Microsoft staff will be happy to help you with the Office setup. As for support on products ? If you buy it at the Microsoft Store they will do whatever it takes to get it working right. If you buy it somewhere else, they will help as much as they can, and that can be significant. Yes, they do swap out defective devices if you buy them there. Yes, they do help you with complex problems. Yes, they are always friendly and I've found them to be well qualified, unlike the staff at some other big box stores. So if you do get a phone from them, you should have the same super assistance as what you get at the Apple store.

Since I have products in both families, I've spent quality time in both stores, and it has always been productive.

 

[ejlee072006]

I'm staying with att
$375 a month 30gb with roll over data 7 lines go figure,
3 iPhones 6plus,2 wp,android! iPad mini.. I'm skipping 950xl I'm sure they have something after 15201530 hmmmm


VAPE ON

 

[PepperdotNet]

Um, look at 950XL specs, it is the 1520 successor.

 

[nicholasanford]

Even though I'm up for an upgrade, I think I'm gonna hold on to my Icon for the moment. I don't really have any problems with it, and I think I'd really miss WP if I left.

Also, if the recent Surface book and Surface Pro 4 are any indication, a Surface Phone would be sexy as hell. I guess I can try to hold out for that and see what happens.

 

[cmucodemonkey]

As much as I like Windows Phones I don't think I would switch carriers. Verizon seems to be the best network in my area. I am planning on using my Lumia 735 for a while. Hopefully Verizon comes out with more Lumia phones in the future, but if they don't I'd probably switch to the iPhone. I have had Androids in the past and they were okay, but to me the Android OS is too fragmented and it is hard to use the same phone for more than a year or two.

 

[Byron Watson]

I have ordered a Nexus 5x. So long WP for now.I simply cannot switch my entire family's phone service to AT&T so I can get a 950.

WP is the best environment, but I will enjoy having better apps with Android. iPhone is out of the question = cult.

If MS turns the ship around and has VZ phones in a year or two, I may be back, but MS has lost one heretofore loyal fan for now.

 

[loki993]

I guess as long as I can get a 10-15gb plan for under $30 a month (4G speeds), I will be ok....(never really go over 7-8gb)

and No I have not been in a contract in over 7-8 years now....No question grandfathered in...

You cant get 10-15gb a month anywhere for that price...

Me I cant leave V$ Im on a grandfathered plan and its pretty cheap. Moving anywhere else would not only limit my data, actually not a big deal I don't use much, but it would significantly raise my cost.

My next phone if I cant get a 950 that would work on the network will probably be a nexus 5x. Looking at android phones though it seems nothing changed....phones full of compromise and probably poor batter life.

 

[Arsynic]

My wife and I are going to AT&T. We live in an area with great coverage for both carriers and on top of that my wife wants the new iPhone and she's in the middle of a contract. AT&T will give me $300 to switch my lines over.

 

[Premium1]

My Icon is working just fine on Denim. When and if it dies, I still have a 928 to fall back on. Now, the price hike on the unlimited grandfathered plans may force us to rethink our options.

I'm looking into cricket due to the up in unlimited data pricing. Att and verizon have about the same coverage, and its funny, the cricket sim i have in my back up phone gets better upload speeds even being "capped" than verizon does.

 

[Generalheed]

Well I might just buy an Icon and upgrade to that for now. I can't leave Verizon though, it's simply not practical. I might however, switch to either an iPhone 6s or Galaxy S6 if I decide the Icon isn't good enough considering it is a couple years old now. Upgrading my 928 to the Icon at this point effectively keeps me 2 years behind the curve. But I suppose the Icon isn't a bad phone and I can live with it for another 2 years if I have to. But if I do that and after 2 years there's still no new flagship windows phones on Verzion, then mark my words, the sun will not rise the day my contract is up.

However, us Verizon customers don't have to give up just yet. I don't know if it'll make a difference, but perhaps a petition is in order? Maybe if we can get Microsoft to hear us, they'll reconsider. Try this?