May 20 pm Update: Verizon has updated their prepaid landing page with the new plan options. The unlimited Jetpack plan is gone and replaced with a limited time double data 30GB plan. RIP pUDP.
May 17 Update: We have confirmed direct with Verizon that the Prepaid Unlimited Data Plan for Jetpacks (pUDP) IS retiring on May 21st - and that existing customers will be grandfathered in.
“Yes, I can confirm that on May 21 that plan is being retired. Those who have signed up for the plan will be able to keep it. “
- Andrew Testa, Verizon Public Relations ManagerOur announcement of the confirmation:
FAQs:
How do you get this plan? Is it really unlimited? How much is it? What is prepaid?
Yes, it's unlimited - no hard throttling. Always subject to network management, video reduced to 720p (that's HD, yes you can stream video on it!). It's $70/month, or $65 with autopay.
For more details, and how to get it - our full guide: Verizon Prepaid Unlimited Data Hotspot Jetpack Plan (pUDP)
What hotspot to get? Can you switch later?
At this point, get whatever Jetpack you can get your hands on before Tuesday. You can activate easily on any Verizon branded Jetpack or data device with a clear IMEI - even one you already own. You should be able to put your SIM into other devices in the future - as Verizon has continued to allow this. So you can upgrade later to a more capable device... just perhaps not direct with Verizon on this plan once retired (unknown at this point.)
The devices you're likely to encounter:
- The 8800L is Verizon's flagship hotspot device, but still has possible lingering issues - you can usually get a Verizon rep to sell you one with prepaid (but not online).
- The 7730L is a solid and still relevant device - usually only available third party these days, and used.
- The MHS900L that Verizon pushes with prepaid is a very basic entry level device - it'll get the job done.
For more on selecting the Best Jetpack: LTE Modem Specifications And Selecting Cellular Data Devices (MiFi, Jetpacks, Routers, Phones)
Can I Suspend the Plan and Keep It?
Updated on May 20: We asked our Verizon PR contact about allowing your pUDP to lapse once the plan is retired. Previously, you could let your plan lapse up to 60 days before Verizon would close your account, but you could renew at any time during that 60-days.
It seems that going forward you MUST ALWAYS keep your plan active to remain grandfathered in.
We are officially advising that you setup autopay on your MyVerizon prepaid account and always ensure your plan is renewed each and every month. Until we verify otherwise, consider that ANY lapse in the plan could result in losing your grandfathered status and not being able to get the plan back.
There is no way we could have covered this story with our MIAs. This website is not sponsored, we do not have 3rd party advertising and we have no relationship with Verizon to benefit from having told you about this plan. Our funding is from member support.
Please send a HUGE thank you to our members for making this content & alert possible - without them, there's no way we could make this our full time focus.
Better yet.. consider becoming a member yourself:
Original story:
We are following discussions over on Reddit (thread 1 | thread 2) where at least one claimed Verizon representative has confirmed that the carrier is planning to retire the plan within the next couple of weeks.
At this point, there is no direct or official confirmation from Verizon (THIS NOW CONFIRMED), and several other Verizon reps are stating that they have not seen an official internal posting.
However, if Verizon does indeed retire this plan - it would not come as a surprise.
In late April, we noticed that the Verizon pUDP disappeared off of Verizon's Prepaid Plan landing page. We found the plan still available at checkout and that representatives were still able to activate the plan.
We posted an alert to our members immediately, and followed up soon after with a public advisement: Verizon Prepaid Unlimited Jetpack Plan Gone Missing? - which instructions on how to find the plan on Verizon's website (select a prepaid device and proceed to check out - or contact a rep/store directly.)
With the prepaid +7GB on 8GB of data promo projected to end on May 20, Verizon may very well use this opportunity to also remove the unlimited Jetpack plan from their system.
Reports on Reddit indicate that there will potentially be a new 15GB plan for $70/month that replaces the unlimited plan, and that current customers of the pUDP will be grandfathered in for as long as they keep their account active.
Our video version of this story:
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We hosted a MIA Exclusive Q&A on Monday, May 13
We hosted a special sessions Q&A on this plan for our members, taking questions on this plan.
Our in-depth guide on this plan and how to get it:
The Verizon Prepaid Unlimited Data Plan Guide
Updates to this story:
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