Verizon Wireless Review: Everything You need To Know

In the wireless telecommunications business in the United States, there is only one name that has managed to be unrivalled over the years, thanks to its outstanding services, products, and offers that have made it the largest wireless telecommunications provider in the country. Verizon Wireless, as of Q3 2018, has over 154 million subscribers on its 4G LTE network that reaches about 98 percent of the entire United States population. Many of the company’s customers have found the network reliable, hence its high ranking on several categories in network performance collated by the RootMetrics RootScore Reports.

Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless was founded in 2000 as the wireless unit of the joint venture between American phone company Bell Atlantic and British phone company Vodafone AirTouch PLC. The two outfits incorporated their individual wireless networks which Bell Atlantic claimed 55% ownership to while Vodafone held 45% of the company.

A few months after Verizon Wireless’ creation, Bell Atlantic merged with GTE Corporation to become what is known today as Verizon Communications. GTE Corporation’s wireless division further merged with Verizon Wireless to create what was at the time the largest wireless company in the U.S. The company enjoyed huge growth throughout the 2000s as it acquired several other wireless phone companies across the United States, although it had lost its number one position as the largest wireless operator to AT&T.

By 2008, however, Verizon Wireless was able to get back its position after it bought Alltel and sold its own rural wireless properties in some states to AT&T, Alltel’s parent company. That same year, Verizon continued to make strides in the wireless communications market by investing in 4G LTE technology in order to move from older-generation CDMA2000 network it was operating to the emerging global standard.

In 2010, the company launched the new 4G LTE network and by the following year, it was being used by over 200 million Americans. Also in 2010, Verizon Wireless launched its LTE in Rural America Program where smaller rural carriers leased spectrum from the company and connected to its network, giving them an opportunity to further build their own 4G LTE network with the help of Verizon while also operating on the company’s network.

In 2014, Verizon Communications acquired sole control of Verizon Wireless as it bought up Vodafone’s 45-percent stake in the company for an estimated $131 billion, a price that was spread across cash, stock, and other transactions. As has always been the case, Verizon has been able to stand out from its competitors because it offers mobile phones, home telephone, and internet services through a variety of devices over a very good and functional network.

Plans

Verizon Wireless offers different types of plans that all come with unlimited talk & text and are tailored to suit all of its customer’s individual data needs. They also offer great value for money when a customer has multiple people, usually family members, on the same account. There are also different unlimited options that vary according to different perks, speeds, and 4G LTE data thresholds.

Plan: Small
Inclusions: This plan was made for users who do not do a lot of music or movie streaming as it only provides 2GB data along with unlimited talk & text.
Price: $35 per month

Plan: Medium
Inclusions: This is for users who do the occasional streaming of music and videos which the 2GB Data will not be able to handle. Users have 4GB data to their disposal and are further able to carry over unused data into the next month in cases of need to stockpile.
Price: $50 per month

Plan: Medium 5
Inclusions: This is for users who need a step up from the 4GB data plan available in the medium package. It is most suitable for two users who are willing to split the data.
Price: $55 per month + $20 activation

Plan: Large
Inclusions: 8GB data, unlimited domestic talk & text.
Price: $70 per month

Plan: Go Unlimited
Inclusions: This is designed for heavy data users who do not want to worry about limits. It offers unlimited domestic and international talk & text (Canada and Mexico), unlimited mobile hotspot at 600Kbps although speed may reduce if the network is congested
Price: $ 75 per month

Plan: Beyond Unlimited
Inclusions: This is also for heavy data users, however, unlike the Go Unlimited, users do not experience low speeds until 22GB of data is consumed. It further offers 15GB of hotspot at 4G LTE speeds along with unlimited domestic and international talk & text (Canada and Mexico).
Price: $85 per month

Plan: Above Unlimited
Inclusions: 75GB of data at 4G LTE speeds is consumed before reduced speeds, 20GB of hotspot at 4G LTE speeds, 500GB of cloud storage, unlimited domestic and international talk & text (Canada and Mexico).
Price: $95 per month

Data Usage

It is important to keep track of your data usage when using Verizon Wireless due to its overage charges that might catch you off guard when you are not on an unlimited plan. To better know which of the above plans better suit you, click here to use the data calculator.

Here are other tips you can use to maintain your data usage.

1. Adjust Wi-Fi settings to allows connection to an available wi-fi to minimize mobile data usage.
2. Always use your wi-fi when downloading large files and watching 4G video streams
3. Manage your apps and notifications so they do not consume unnecessary data
4. Close apps when not in use.
5. Set up usage alerts to get notifications from the network on excesses.

Locations

Image Source

Verizon Wireless’ stores are located all across the United States thanks to its ownership of more than 2,330 retail outlets. To find the closest one near to you, visit the Verizon Wireless website store locator portal here.

Read Also: Metro PCS: Customer Service, Phone Plans, Locations, Coverage, Account Login

Router Login

To log into your Verizon Wireless router, first make sure you are connected to the internet, the Verizon FiOS network by either wired (LAN) or Wi-Fi. Next step would be to open a browser and go to 192.168.1.1, the gateway for your router. Once here, a login page will appear for you to enter your username and password.

For first time users, the username is usually “admin” while the password is located on the sticker of the router.

APN Settings

APN Name: Verizon
APN: vzwinternet
MMSC: http://mms.vtext.com/servlets/mms
MMS Port: 80
MCC: 310
MNC: 12
APN Type: internet+mms

Alternate Settings

APN Name: Verizon
APN: internet
MMSC: http://mms.vtext.com/servlets/mms
MMS Port: 80
MCC: 310
MNC: 12
APN Type: internet+mms

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