RIP, Verizon grandfathered unlimited data plans [updated]

Verizon’s 2G and 3G CDMA networks will go dark by 2021

Anything that’s too good to last rarely does. Such is the case with some lucky Verizon Wireless customers who were able to preorder the Samsung Galaxy S III smartphone last month while still holding onto their grandfathered unlimited data plans. That’s because we’ve received a tip from a reader who says that Verizon is no longer offering this sweet deal for Galaxy S III users, even if they filed their preorders before the June 28th introduction of Verizon’s new shared data plans.

UPDATE: We’re now hearing that this might be an error on Verizon’s part, and customers should indeed be able to keep their unlimited plans when they purchase the Galaxy S III, as we heard previously. Jared DiPane over at Android Central has more.

The reader said that he had preordered his Galaxy S III on June 6th and was expecting it to be delivered sometime next week. He says that Verizon sent him the following message last week, telling him that he will no longer be allowed to bring his old unlimited data plan over to the Galaxy S III, which runs on Verizon’s LTE network:

Your request to keep the unlimited data plan for the new equipment cannot be granted. Verizon no longer offers this feature. To complete your request we have the following features available (i.e. $30 for 2GB, $50 for 5Gb or $80 for 10GB) please advise which one you would like

Please reply to this email with the above information so that we may continue your request as soon as possible.

So, Verizon subscribers, it looks like the opportunity to get the Galaxy S III — or any other 4G LTE phone, most likely — while keeping your old unlimited data plan has apparently come and gone.

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