Verizon Wireless subscribers trying to find the plan that best meets their calling patterns got some welcome news from the company this week. Starting October 7, subscribers will have the option to change their service plans in mid-contract without extending for an additional 1-2 year commitment. What makes this innovative is that it applies even if customers decide to eliminate unneeded calling features or switch to a cheaper monthly plan with fewer minutes. Alltel Wireless is the only other major national carrier to offer a similar perk to its users.
A useful tool for consumers to keep an eye on their actual usage is the company's ?Minute Check? service, which notifies subscribers when they exceed their monthly minute allowance and suggests other calling plan options that could save users money. While ?Minute Check? doesn't help users who habitually use fewer minutes than are in their plan, it may help users who frequently get hit with overages. In summary, the new policy regarding plan changes without service contract extension is another reason for consumers to keep a close eye on their wireless bills.
Remember, even though a plan has hundreds of ?included? minutes, these minute are not free. Unused minutes are minutes that subscribers pay for whether they are used or not. Therefore, it is in consumers? best interest to choose a plan that meets their calling patterns without going over. A good rule of thumb is that if you find you are leaving more than 100 minutes unused every month, it may be a good idea to search around for a cheaper plan with fewer minutes.
Source: Telecommunications Research and Action Center. http://www.trac.org
