Verizon

AT&T says it’s no longer tracking subscribers using perma-cookies

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 18, 2018

AT&T told the Associated Press on Friday that it is no longer using permanent cookies to track its subscribers. In late October, security researchers discovered that the carrier, along with its competitor Verizon, were using unique identifying numbers or "perma-cookies" to track their customers online habits.

A spokesperson for AT&T said that the tracking practice was part of a pilot program to improve targeted marketing called "Relevant Advertising." But it says that the experiment is over, and it has pulled the identifying numbers from their customers' accounts, although it may still sell the data it's collected.

Verizon tweaks ETF policy to make it more expensive to cancel

Cody Lee ∙ November 14, 2014

Heads up to anyone thinking about signing a new plan or equipment contract with Verizon in the near future, it just tweaked its early termination fee (ETF) policy. Spotted by DroidLife, the policy makes it more expensive to cancel your contract with the carrier during the first 8 months.

Previously, Verizon's ETF with a 2-year contract would decline $10 for each month of the term you completed, so after 8 months your ETF would be 80$ cheaper. But under the new policy, until you complete the 8th month of service, you'd be stuck paying the full $350 ETF for canceling.

AT&T and Verizon announce VoLTE interoperability for 2015

Cody Lee ∙ November 3, 2014

In a joint press release today, AT&T and Verizon announced their voice over LTE (or VoLTE) interoperability plans for 2015. The companies say they are working to allow customers from the two carriers to make VoLTE calls between each of their networks.

Engineers from Verizon and AT&T have begun extensive testing in lab environments and then plan on moving to field trials. "This approach ensures customers will have a seamless experience making VoLTE HD Voice calls between networks," the release said.

Verizon increasing monthly data allotments on some More Everything plans starting tomorrow

Christian Zibreg ∙ October 31, 2014

Just hours after rival AT&T promised to give Mobile Share Value subscribers more data for their money, Verizon Wireless, the nation's leading mobile operator, replicated AT&T's move Friday by increasing monthly data allotments on its $80 and $100 More Everything service plans.

Beginning Saturday, November 1, and running for a limited time, the promotion gives both existing and new More Everything subscribers ten and fifteen gigabytes of high-speed 4G LTE data for $80 and $100 per month, respectively.

Verizon says it won’t throttle LTE for unlimited data customers after all

Cody Lee ∙ October 1, 2014

It looks like Verizon Wireless won't be throttling the LTE speeds of remaining unlimited data customers after all. In a statement to The Verge this afternoon, the carrier says it has "decided not to move forward with the planned implementation of network optimization for 4G LTE customers on unlimited plans."

Verizon announced its plan to throttle LTE for select unlimited data customers in July, as part of its 'network optimization' strategy. The decision was met with a large amount of criticism from consumers, as well as FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler, who demanded further explanation for the move from the carrier.

Carrier wars: AT&T/Verizon/Sprint doubling LTE data on shared plans until October 31

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated July 19, 2017

Leading United States carriers — Verizon Wireless, AT&T and Sprint — have responded to the release of Apple's iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus in literally the same manner, by doubling the amount of LTE data included in shared plans albeit on a temporary basis.

AT&T is doubling cellular data on 15GB and higher Mobile Share Value plans through October 31.

Sprint has responded by changing its 32/40/60GB Family Share Pack buckets to 60/80/120GB ones at no additional charge, also valid through October 31.

And arriving late to the party, Verizon is now getting in on the double-data action by increasing the amount of data available to customers who subscribe to its higher-end family plans. The Big Red carrier's time-limited promotion lasts between tomorrow and — you guessed right — October 31.

Jump past the fold for additional information and the fine print.

Are you eligible for an iPhone 6 upgrade? Here is how to find out

Sébastien Page ∙ September 10, 2014

Every year it is the same scenario: Apple unveils a new iPhone, and we all start wondering what we're financially able to afford. The question on everybody's lips then becomes "am I eligible for an upgrade?" If you bought your device 2 years ago, then chances are you are already eligible for an upgrade. If you're not sure what your current status is, we have a way for you to check if you're going to be able to pick up the iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus at the subsidized price, or if you'll have to break that piggy bank you've been preciously keeping on your dresser for the past 15 years.

Opinion: why I’d rather throw my money into a fire pit than give it to Verizon

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated February 11, 2016

Verizon Wireless may be the nation's #1 carrier, but that doesn't mean it's America's most beloved wireless provider. Notorious for the love-hate relationship with its customers, Verizon frequently draws ire of the press and consumers alike who crucify the company and criticize its questionable business practices.

In the wake of a series of customer-friendly moves by T-Mobile, collectively branded under the 'Uncarrier' tagline, one after another horror story concerning Verizon is getting unfold and making headlines.

The press likes to dis Verizon as a greedy corporation that shamelessly takes its customers for a ride under the presumption that everyone else is doing it, too. Verizon's past and present business practices have been ticking me off for quite some time so here's why I’d literally rather throw my money into a fire pit than give it to them...

FCC questions Verizon’s plan to throttle select data customers

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 17, 2018

Last week Verizon announced a new 'network optimization' initiative to start throttling data users. Beginning in October, the carrier is going to start slowing the speeds of the top 5% of its unlimited LTE customers when they're connected to a busy cell site.

Obviously, VZW subscribers weren't very happy with the news, and apparently neither was the FCC. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler sent a letter to Verizon today saying that he was "deeply troubled" by its new throttling plans...

Verizon to soon begin throttling select unlimited LTE customers

Cody Lee ∙ July 25, 2014

Back in 2011, Verizon began throttling data output for the top 5% of its 3G customers on unlimited data plans. The carrier had just picked up the iPhone, and was in the process of rolling out its LTE network, so it needed a low-cost way to save bandwidth.

Fast forward to today, and Verizon issued a press release announcing a similar policy for LTE customers. Starting in October, the company plans to start "optimizing its network," which is a nice way of saying it's going to start throttling high-volume users...

Verizon announces VoLTE rollout for later this year, iOS 8 expected to support it

Jake Smith ∙ May 20, 2014

Verizon Wireless has announced the roll out of its Voice over LTE technology - better known as VoLTE - will begin across the US later this year.

The new technology will move Verizon's LTE service past data and will offer an HD Voice experience, using the AMR-wideband standard. "This solution provides the best voice quality available now and allows for future interoperability with others using the standard," Verizon claims.

Verizon launches XLTE service for double the bandwidth in high-traffic locations

Christian Zibreg ∙ May 19, 2014

The nation's top carrier Verizon Wireless on Monday announced it has started utilizing AWS spectrum to bring double-fast fourth-generation Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network in select U.S. markets.

Marketed under the XLTE moniker and launching today, the faster network can be used on XLTE-ready smartphone such as the iPhone 5s, Samsung's Galaxy S5, the HTC One M8, BlackBerry Q10 and many others...