Fed up with wireless phone companies

I feel that wireless carriers are out of touch with the needs of their customers and they are taking advantage of consumers by not offering reasonably priced services. I currently have a family share plan through Verizon Wireless which includes three phone lines for my husband and our two teenagers. Last year we upgraded my husband’s phone to a Droid which required an additional data plan and a few other add ons. However, it was last spring that I really became disillusioned and frustrated with Verizon when my son wanted to upgrade his phone
     The first thing I did was to check with Verizon to see if they offered a shared data plan and I was shocked to find out they did not. All phones that require a data plan have to carry an individual data plan. I refused to even consider that for my son so I told him I would take him to the Verizon phone to pick out a new phone but it has to be a phone that does not require a data plan. This sounds simple, right? Wrong! Verizon only offers a couple of phones in their entire collection that do not require a data plan! He could choose between a touch screen phone and flip phone with keyboard. I really was shocked and he was not overly thrilled with the choice of available phones.
      As a parent I am outraged that we are being “squeezed” this way by the cell phone companies. They are basically forcing us to take on the additional cost of data plans for all the cell phones under our plan. I really don’t understand how most families will be able to afford the added cost associated with a data plan for each one of their kids. Let’s face it there is no reason why they can’t offer a family shared data plan. They already offer shared minutes and unlimited texting. I think as consumers we should all push back until they take a hint and start offering reasonably priced services.  
     I don’t think I am alone with my frustration. Here is a link to several blogs on the topic of forced data plans: http://forums.cnet.com/7723-7817_102-319706.html
 
Submitted by Judith McCormack