Verizon Grandfathered/Legacy Unlimited Data Plans (gUDP) - Care & Feeding (2024)

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Legacy Verizon gUDP Plan Guide

Verizon's grandfathered legacy Nationwide 'original' unlimited data plans were truly unlimited postpaid smartphone plans, before an era of throttling, network management, and restrictions on mobile hotspot use. It's a plan we affectionally call the Verizon gUDP.

And, they have been able to be used in hotspots and routers - albeit with some rounds of terminations over the years.

These plans retired in 2011 and obtaining them as a new customer hasn't been possible in many years.

But if you have one of these sweet plans, they are worth their weight in gold - and are worth protecting.

What is the Verizon gUDP?

gUDP stands for Verizon grandfathered Unlimited Data Plan. It became the shorthand name to refer to this particular plan. This is not to be confused with the pUDP, or Verizon Prepaid Unlimited Jetpack plan that was available from 2018-2019, or other grandfathered plans from Verizon.

This guide is kept for our members who still have this unicorn of a plan for continued care and feeding.

Alert:

There are rolling sweeps of these legacy plans for high data use or use in routers/hotspots.

Our MIA's can follow developments in our forum here:

  • ALERT Advisem*nt: Verizon gUDP Terminations
  • Verizon gUDP Termination Discussion Thread

Can You StillGet a gUDP?

Nope.

In 2011 Verizon retired their Nationwide unlimited data plans and they have continued to (mostly) grandfather these plans in.

Verizon officially changed its policy in 2014 to no longer allow transferring legit plans to new owners. For a long while, however, the assumption of liability process still worked. But we've not heard of success since around 2016/2017. And there have been several rounds of terminations we've tracked over the years of these plans for high usage and violation of terms of service.

Some corporate accounts still have the ability to keep and create new unlimited data lines for their employees.

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Check out the Topics Covered in the Member Section:

Why are Verizon gUDPS So Attractive

What is it about the Verizon gUDP that makes it such a sought after plan?

Maintaining, Using & Protecting Your Plan

Essential care & feeding of your gUPD plan.

Regulatory History

An overview of why Unlimited plans on Verizon seem to be so much more useful than Unlimited plans on any other carrier.

Fighting Back Against gUPD Termination

What to do if Verizon terminates your gUPD plan.

Acquiring a gUDP (Archive)

Acquiring a new gUDP is no longer possible, and has not been for years. All information in this section is for archival purposes ONLY!

Summary: A Plan Worth Protecting

The Legacy Verizon gUDP was a popular plan because it didn't have the limitations that many of the unlimited plans of today have. The plan is no longer available directly from Verizon and can no longer be obtained.

If you are one of the lucky people who currently have this plan, treat it with great care.

Additional Reading

Related Guides

  • Verizon Prepaid Unlimited Data Hotspot Jetpack Plan (pUDP)
  • Considerations for Selecting Cellular Data Plans

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Cherie has been a full-time technomad since 2006. Currently exploring North America by boat and RVs with her partner Chris and the admiral of the fleet, Kiki (meow).

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Verizon Grandfathered/Legacy Unlimited Data Plans (gUDP) - Care & Feeding (2024)

FAQs

What is a Verizon grandfathered unlimited plan? ›

Verizon's grandfathered legacy Nationwide 'original' unlimited data plans were truly unlimited postpaid smartphone plans, before an era of throttling, network management, and restrictions on mobile hotspot use. It's a plan we affectionally call the Verizon gUDP.

Is Verizon throttling my unlimited data? ›

Unlimited Plus plan: Unlimited data is restricted to on-device smartphone usage. After exceeding 30 GB/mo of 5G Ultra Wideband, 5G, or 4G LTE mobile hotspot data, mobile hotspot data reduced to speeds up to 3 Mbps when on 5G Ultra Wideband and 600 Kbps when on 5G / 4G LTE for the rest of your monthly billing cycle.

Did Verizon get rid of unlimited data? ›

The Verizon Plan Unlimited is no longer available to be added, but you can get our current unlimited mobile phone plans. Our current Unlimited plans include more 5G access, more premium data, more Hotspot data along with entertainment and gaming. View current Unlimited plans.

Does unlimited data mean unlimited hotspot Verizon? ›

Unlimited mobile plans: In addition to data-only plans, Verizon also offers unlimited mobile plans that include hotspot data as well. These plans will provide you with unlimited hotspot data and access to Verizon's 5G mobile network.

What age is Verizon senior plan? ›

With the 55+ Unlimited Plan, eligible Florida residents can get all the benefits of unlimited at a discounted rate, including unlimited talk, text and data. To be eligible, you must meet these requirements: Be a new Verizon wireless customer. Be 55 years old or older.

Does Verizon have truly unlimited data? ›

Verizon's unlimited plans are all somewhat different, and while they all have some limits, the actual amount of data you're allowed to use is unlimited. Whether you're on the old Verizon Plan with unlimited data or one of the current unlimited plans, you get unlimited data.

How many GB is unlimited data? ›

How Many GB is Unlimited Data? The typical unlimited data package includes unlimited minutes, unlimited messages, and unlimited high-speed data (up to a specified data ceiling). This high-speed data allowance is usually 22–23 gigabytes (GB).

Why is my data slow if I have unlimited Verizon? ›

Reasons Behind Slow Verizon Internet & Ways To Fix It

There's network congestion in place. Your service provider has put a bandwidth restriction. The high-network usage apps are running in the background. Too many devices are connected to your network.

What happens when you go over your data limit Verizon? ›

How will I be charged if I go over my data allowance on The Verizon Plan? No matter what size data plan you have, all overages are billed at $15 for each 1 GB, rounded up. For example, if you use 250 MB over your allowance, you'll be charged $15.

What is Verizon's $35 a month plan for seniors? ›

With Verizon Start Unlimited, you can get unlimited text, talk, and data for $35 per month per line. Other perks include free six-month subscriptions to Apple Music and Disney+, so you can listen to your favorite jams and catch up on streaming Disney classics with your grandkids.

Has Verizon been losing customers? ›

In Q1,Verizon lost 158,000 postpaid consumer subscribers, less than a year earlier, and added 90,000 business postpaid subscribers. Verizon added 354,000 fixed wireless broadband subscribers in Q1, slightly below estimates of 364,000. It had 3.4 million wireless broadband customers at the end of the quarter.

Does the Verizon 55+ plan include 5G? ›

Verizon's 55+ Unlimited plan offers unlimited talk, text, and data on its 5G and 4G LTE networks. It starts at $62 monthly for one line or $84 monthly for two.

Do I need a hotspot if I have unlimited data? ›

These aren't necessarily the same thing. Many plans offer unlimited data, but this is typically throttled to a slower speed after a certain threshold. If you want to use your hotspot connection to stream video or perform other demanding activities, you'll need a generous amount of high-speed data.

What happens when I run out of hotspot data on Verizon? ›

*Upon full usage of Mobile Hotspot allowance, Mobile Hotspot speeds will be reduced to up to 3 Mbps when on 5G Ultra Wideband and 600 Kbps when on 5G / 4G LTE for the remainder of your monthly billing cycle.

Which carrier has the best hotspot plan? ›

The five best mobile hotspot data plans
  • Best overall: T-Mobile 10GB.
  • Best for 5G: Verizon Pro.
  • Best for cell phone hotspots: T-Mobile Go5G Plus.
  • Best Best for AT&T: AT&T PREPAID 50GB.
  • Best prepaid option: Visible+ phone plan.
  • Best for international travel: Verizon TravelPass.

What is grandfathered plan phone? ›

It's commonly used in the wireless world to describe phased out plans or features that have been extended to customers who used them before they went away. Carriers often prefer to keep you on grandfathered plans than let you stray to another carrier. This can be both a positive and negative thing for the consumer.

Can I change My Verizon unlimited plan anytime? ›

You can change to a current option in My Verizon anytime.

What is beyond unlimited with Verizon? ›

You see, Verizon's mid-tier “unlimited” plan used to be its “Beyond Unlimited” plan, which started at $85 for a single line and offered 22GB of LTE data before slowdowns, 720p HD video streaming, free Apple Music, and 15GB of LTE hot spots.

How often are you eligible for an upgrade with Verizon? ›

You can upgrade a device if your account is not past due and you bought the device you want to replace: At retail price - you can upgrade to a new device any time. With a device payment agreement - you can upgrade when any of these applies: You paid off your device payment agreement.

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