Shared data plans are becoming common for consumers, but Verizon Wireless is porting the idea to the business world with the Jan. 24 debut of Share Everything Plan for Small Business, and the Nationwide for Business Data Packages and Plans. Business users can use a shared pool of minutes across any number of devices.
“For many businesses, efficient management of wireless data can be the difference between effectively serving a client and missing a sale,” said Paul Macchia, a Verizon spokesman, in a blog.
The Share Everything Plan for Small Business gives companies up to 25 lines of unlimited minutes, texts, picture and video messages with a shareable allowance of 30 GB ($225), 40 GB ($300) and 50 GB ($375), plus the monthly per line access cost based on the type of device activated. Additional options for the business customer include data-only plans and for those who conduct business with our neighboring countries, a calling plan with minutes to Canada and Mexico.
New and existing customers can choose to move to these plans and add any 4G LTE smartphone, tablet, Jetpacks, netbooks, laptops, 4G LTE USBs, basic/feature phones, Home Phone Connect and other 3G or 4G LTE enabled devices to share the data allowance on their account. Mobile hotspots are included on all capable devices at no additional charge.
For companies with more than 25 lines, the carrier is introducing shareable data packages and plans that are compatible with existing Nationwide for Business Talk and Talk & Text share plans. For larger business customers, it offers customizable voice and data allowances with each line contributing minutes and data to a pool shared by all lines and devices, with no limit on the number of devices.
Nationwide for Business offers shareable data starting at $30 for 2 GB per smartphone or tablet and $50 for 5 GB per Jetpack or USB modem. A larger $80 for 10 GB package is also available for heavy data users. Basic phones can share data starting at $20 for 300 MB per device.
While smartphones and tablets are powerful tools for business, reconciling the expenses and payments for numerous lines could be time consuming. Verizon hopes to counter that with the new approach. It also will push out usage alerts which are sent at 50 percent, 75 percent, 90 percent and 100 percent of monthly shared data allowance, to ensure a company does not exceed their selected allotment.
“From the real estate firm that has 20 brokers on the road using mobile devices to send directions and photos to clients, to the car service that monitors its fleet at multiple locations, to the business owner who uses 500 tablets across their retail stores to highlight new products, wireless data management is a bottom line necessity.”
Existing business customers who are comfortable with their current price plans do not need to change to the new shared data options, the carrier confirmed.
