Overview:
Verizon Wireless, based in Basking Ridge, NJ, hails itself as the most reliable wireless company in the USA. Consumers know them as the “can you hear me now?” people. It is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodaphone.
Pros: If you’re looking for features, you’ve got them with Verizon’s BlackBerry plans. Their plans come with 3-way calling, basic voice mail, call forwarding, wall waiting, caller ID and caller ID blocking, message waiting indicators, and text messaging options. You also get unlimited domestic long distance and no domestic roaming charges. If you purchase a plan over $34.99 and maintain two years of service, you can get a new phone. You have an option of how many minutes a month you want to buy.
Cons: Plan prices are quite expensive, but it evens out when you consider what features you get for free on the plans. Text messaging, if you don’t buy the more expensive plan with this feature included, is $0.15 cents for each message that you send and receive.
Detailed Provider Information:
Voice Plan Options: Verizon provides its BlackBerry customers with six different voice plans. The 450-minute plan is $79.99/month; the 900-minute plan is $99.99/month; the 1350-minute plan (which is their best offer) is $109.99/month; the 2000 minute plan is $129.99/month, the 4000-minute plan is $169.99/month, and the 6000-minute plan is $219.99 a month. If you go over your minutes, the charges range from $0.20 to $0.45, depending on your plan.
Data Options: For all plans, wireless data is received in 2 KB increments. If you want to receive more, simply request to download another 2 KB.
Messaging Options: You get unlimited text, picture, instant and video messaging with Verizon’s BlackBerry Email and Messaging plans. The plans are slightly more expensive - $99.99 to $239.99, depending on how many minutes you purchase.
Customer Service: When you enter your state’s zip code, the site directs you to the customer service representative and telephone number in your area. As well, there are email addresses and telephone numbers on the website. If you have a support question, there are also FAQs posted on just about any topic.
Contract: If you want to terminate your contract early, you’ll have to pay $175 per line. Contracts vary, depending on the plan that you get, but most contracts with Verizon are two years. After two years, Verizon offers you a new phone.
Messaging: Text messaging is $0.15 for each sent and received message if you don’t have a messaging plan. You can send messages of up to 160 characters. This is not available in some areas.
International Calling and Messaging: International roaming charges can be as low as $0.69 and vary from country to country. Verizon does offer long distance calling, but it’s only unlimited for domestic calls. International calls will be subjected to long distance charges.
verizonwireless.com/international has more information for customers looking to call overseas. Overseas text messages are $0.25 for every sent message and $0.15 for every received message.
Roaming Charges: There are no roaming charges, but your BlackBerry may not work in some areas where there is no coverage.
Activation Fee: There is a $35 set-up fee for each new line.
Additional Features: You can get 411 access for $1.49 a month, enhanced voice mail services, and more.
Insurance: There is a one-year warranty on the phones.
Phones: Verizon offers the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition Smartphone and additional models listed below. All of these phones have online prices of $199.99 to $299.99 and include Bluetooth, Broadband Access, a speakerphone and text messaging.
Some Additional BlackBerry Models Available:
BlackBerry Pearl 8130
BlackBerry 8703e
BlackBerry 7750
Coverage Map: The Verizon coverage map can be found here.
As much as I would love to hate on Verizon - I simply can't. Their coverage is unreal. No matter where I am in the country I can pretty much count on being able to talk on my BlackBerry and have it be crystal clear. I almost don't even need a phone in my house or office because their service is so good.
So with heavy heart (due to some past experiences and their corporate policies) I give them the highest rating.
I have never been happy with Verizon's inability to give you the full features of a phone without disabling to charge you for something. However, the strongest strength they have is their network, which is second to none.
I would have to disagree, Verizon is a horrible company with outragous customer service. I had no reception in my house, even though it was in bright red on their coverage map. I had to walk about 15 yards away from my door to make a phone call. There network is incredible outside, best there is. Once you are inside any building it disapears. I couldnt use internet in 8 out of 10 buildings i would walk in too. It was horrible i was paying over $100 a month and couldnt use my phone unless i was outside. 3 of their representetives told me that verizon phones are not made to work inside. And i hated how verizon bloks most of the useful features on their phones ( even smartphones). I got so frustrated after changing 10 phones in 3 years they send a technitian to my house to see what was the problem, and he determined there was no tower around that area. I live in the heart of Baltimore city, lol no tower? they kept exchanging my phone as faulty equipment. Anyway they let me out of the contract after some serious negotiations simply i because they were faulse advertising the coverage map. Knowing that there is no tower signal and they didnt know when the tower will come up. I switched to T-Mobile got a curve for $50 with $50 rebate (free phone) and my plan is $65 before taxes. Service is incredible, unlimited internet - e-mail $19.99, 1000 minutes $39.99 and 400 text $4.99 unbelivable. And i swear i dont work for t-mobile. Verizon is just as bad as at&t i had them too. Get tmobile you will not regret it.
Coverage is good. They will disable functions of a phone so you will have to pay them more to use their services, such VZW Navigator. They disable the GPS on Blackberries so you have to pay Verizon, when you would be able to use the one on the phone for what you paid for it.
Hello,
I'm a Network Engineer for VZW, and after reading B. Brooks review, I wanted to say this. VZW does have hands down the most reliable network. If you do the non bais research you'll see how clear that is i.e. (JD Power and Assoc.)
As for your service not working in your house or in certain buildings, it is noted in the contract that we(VZW) cannot garuntee service inside certain structures. There are MANY reasons why, cabling, Electronis, Electrical wire, Building material. On a cell phone you need a direct signal, if there is an obstruction, with no matter what company, you will not have that signal, HWOEVER rest assure that VZW does have the best coverage as far as quality, reliabilty, and coverage. Customer service is great too.