Verizon increases SMS rates -- customers now free of their contracts

It looks like Verizon Wireless is following in Sprint's SMS footsteps, announcing a planned hike in text messaging rates for those not currently subscribed to a messaging package. The hike, which will take effect March 1st, will bump the cost of sending a text message to the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada and Mexico from $0.10 to $0.15 per message, with the price for international text messages remaining at $0.25 per message. The cost of receiving a message from customers of foreign wireless carriers, however, will increase to $0.15 whether you subscribe to a messaging package or not. If this all sounds a little familiar, it's because when Sprint did the same thing late last year, it didn't take long for people to figure out that the rate hikes amounted to a so-called "material change" to their contracts, meaning they could bail on it without paying an Early Termination Fee (EFT). So if you've been sticking to Verizon but secretly fancying another carrier, this looks like it may be your only chance to take the plunge without also taking a hit. In related news, Sprint looks to be planning a price hike of another sort, with a pair of tipsters relaying the news to us that the cost for Sprint's directory assistance service will be going up from $1.49 to $1.79 on February 1st, although whether that's enough to constitute a material change to the contract or not remains to be seen.

[Thanks, Max, Tina, and Jonathan]

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 19th 2007 4:27PM]

My reason is the price for the internet. For my Moto Q I pay $45 to VZW. I would have to pay $15 to Sprint. I have a family plan, and I’m planning to get another smartphone or Palm. 90 vs 30. Thanks

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 19th 2007 5:21PM]

@ alkric: fair enough on the data pricing. How convenient you use this sms rate increase to switch to another carrier who already did the same thing ;-)

@ Steven: You seem like yet another person who actually doesn't care about the sms rate increase but have an ulterior motive to leave VZW... why?

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 19th 2007 9:01PM]

elgee02- I text alot and think that verizon should at least have an unlimited texting plan to everyone, not just verizon. That's the main reason why I want to switch, otherwise They're service is excellent

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 21st 2007 11:18AM]

Speaking of getting out of agreements, has anyone encountered Sprint or VZW telling you that you must remain a customer beyond your contract date until the end of your billing cycle (even if the contract date ends first) or else you will be charged for the prorated month?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 2nd 2007 3:50PM]

Ah, the games people play. If you want out, pay the ETF, and you're done. Or, stick around fot the 2 years you signed up for in the first place. Why do people act like contracts never apply to them? So, there are times when the rate change has an effect, and times when it doesn't. If you never text or have a package, how does this have an effect? If you're offered credits for the 5 cents, then how are you affected? I assume you've been able to make voice calsl over the past 2 years. If not, you can get out for coverage issues.
Funny thing is, VZW and Cingular have the same rates and similar coverage. The others have smaller coverage, and the rates aren't much different. It's actually pretty rare that one has a perticular need to switch providers, but hey.. whatever...

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 6th 2007 1:36PM]

This is ridiculus why do you all want out of your contracts so bad, my guess is that alot of people want a new phone so they will just go ahead and either A.) renew their contracts with VZW or B.)sign up with another carrier for a slick new phone i.e Iphone(damn apple fanboys) why cant you people just wait out the contract that YOU SIGNED and AGREED to I'm betting that if carriers wanted to they could sue you for breach of contract and trust me they have WAAAAAAYYYY better lawyers than you. So just deal with the fact that you agreed to be their customer for 2 years and live with you curent phone.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 9th 2007 10:37AM]

Personally I don't like rates increases specially when I just signed in with Verizon.
I was with Tmobile for 5 years and if they would have better service in North Carolina and some specific other areas I will still be with them, great prices and flexibility, not the complete coverage Verizon and Sprint offers.
By the way I just called them and I have 60 days to cancel my contract, no month to month though.

Has anyone tested broadband networks from sprint and cingular? Verizons broadband is pretty good.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 13th 2007 7:21AM]

I never realized that small changes like that can make it easy to get out of a phone contract.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 23rd 2007 4:33PM]

anyone know if you can get out of you contract if you Regulatory charge changes???


i NEED to get out of my contract


and alllllllllllllll of the things i have seen have already passed

anyone know of ANY ways to get out

i have a family plan and the main phone has NO txt plan but the secondary one dose

dose that mean i cant get out if they change the txt rate


dose anyone kno of any upcoming changes in auguest or later?????/


PLEASE respond back or send me an email at [e-mail]