Verizon is giving the subscribers of the other major carriers the ability to transfer to its wireless network without worrying about early termination fees or other costs, by offering to pay back the customer the value of the fees. In a similar move to those performed by its rivals over the last year as competition in the market increases, Verizon is offering up to $650 per line to customers switching to its network.
Under the scheme, customers are required to port in their number from AT&T, Sprint, or T-Mobile, purchase and activate a new LTE-capable device, and trade in their “good working condition” handset from their previous carrier to qualify. In return customers taking up the offer will get up to $650 on a prepaid card for the installment plan balance of their current carrier less the device value, or up to $350 for early termination fees minus the trade-in value.
According to Verizon’s calculations, the scheme could provide a family of four with up to $2,600. The same scheme is also compatible with another promotion, where customers signing up for either the XL or XXL plans will get an extra 2GB of data on their data allowance, for as long as the line remains active on an XL plan or larger.
Verizon has resisted offering a bounty for customers to switch carriers, instead attempting to convince customers to join based on other aspects, such as the strength of its network. The appearance of such an offer may be a sign it is switching tactics to match its competitors directly.
