Verizon disconnecting 8,500 people in 13 states because they’re unprofitable
Verizon often touts its mobile network as the most reliable and largest network in the United States, but 8,500 customers across 13 states have been given the boot by Big Red. Verizon says that these rural customers roaming charges cost the carrier tons and make continuing to support some 19,000 lines is unprofitable for the carrier.
States Affected by Verizon’s Roaming Cut-Off
- Alaska
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Montana
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Utah
- Wisconsin
Verizon said it sent notices of disconnection to the affected customers this month and those customers will have until October 17th to find new mobile service. Verizon says that’s plenty of time for people to find new networks as the customers generate more in roaming charges than they generate income for Verizon.
“These customers live outside of areas where Verizon operates our own network. Many of the affected consumer lines use a substantial amount of data while roaming on other providers’ networks and the roaming costs generated by these lines exceed what these consumers pay us each month.”
The interesting part of this story is that Verizon’s letter to customers doesn’t provide any way for them to stick with Verizon by reducing their data use. The letter simply states the October 17 cut-off period. One affected customer contacted Ars Technica and said her family only used 50GB across 4 lines, which is well below the 22GB cut-off.
Verizon maintains that these customers are getting the boot because of their roaming charges, but also fails to mention that it advertised its own unlimited plans directly to these rural customers in order to entice them to get plans. Now that the cost has become more than Verizon can bare, they’re giving those customers the boot.
What do you think, is this false advertising?