Verizon Wireless is introducing a radical new cellular pricing plan Thursday that favors families with multiple wireless gadgets, but is less friendly to users with only one device.
Verizon's new Share Everything plan gives every smartphone unlimited voice minutes and text messaging, and for the first time allows Internet data plans to be shared among as many as 10 phones or other devices, such as a wireless tablet computer.
No contract extensions or fees will be charged to existing customers who want the new plans, the company said.
"We're changing the way you buy wireless," said Steve Mesnick, Verizon Wireless director of marketing, in an interview. "Since data is what really matters to customers, why charge for voice minutes and text message plans?" However, voice-only plans will still be available for non-smartphone users.
"These plans are really good for connected people and for families," said Roger Entner, an analyst with Recon Analytics in Boston. "But people who have only a single device may see a price increase."
That's because Verizon is tacking on a new monthly Internet connection fee just to hook a mobile device up to its network. That's in addition to what consumers would pay for a data package. For example, an iPad owner who already has a $30-a-month data plan would pay $40 a month under the Share Everything plan because of the $10 connection fee, Mesnick said.
Critics say the new pricing plan is difficult to understand, and some consumer advocates say many customers will end up paying more.
"Instead of moving in the direction you'd expect in a competitive market -- making things cheaper and easier for consumers -- Verizon's pricing is getting more expensive and harder for consumers," said Harold Feld, senior vice president of Public Knowledge, a Washington, D.C., consumer rights advocacy group.
