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.
And, they can be used in hotspots and routers.
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 gUDP?
gUDP stands for 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 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:
In early 2022, Verizon appeared to do a sweep for gUDPs, and possibly other smartphone/tablet plans. The sent termination letters to customers for using SIMs in devices other than smartphones. We received reports of people with gUDPs getting warning letters notifying them of account terminations.
It is impossible to know which accounts are being flagged and will get letters.
gUDP owners who get a cancellation letter are advised to follow the termination guidance in this guide below if you wish to attempt to keep the plan.
Our MIA's can follow developments in our forum here:
Can You Still Get 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 - and some rent those lines (and other unlimited Verizon options) out against Verizon's terms of service.
We do keep a listing of rental vendors:
Verizon 3rd Party Unlimited Vendors
Member Exclusive Content In This Guide
Has this guide been helpful so far?
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Check out the Topics Covered in the Member Section:
Why are gUDPS So Attractive
What is it about the 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.
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