Verizon has quietly introduced Express Pass, a new on-demand option that gives eligible smartphone customers temporary priority data access on Verizon's 5G network.
For $5, plus applicable taxes and fees, Express Pass provides up to 6GB of prioritized data for 24 hours, whichever comes first.
The service is intended for crowded locations, such as airports, stadiums, and festivals, where network congestion can significantly slow cellular data connections. By giving Express Pass customers higher network priority, Verizon aims to provide a better data experience in these situations.
Express Pass also temporarily overrides some restrictions in a customer's regular data plan, including mobile hotspot data limits, video streaming resolution limits, and data speed throttles.
Here are the key details:
- Cost: $5 for up to 6GB of priority data or 24 hours, whichever comes first. Taxes and fees may apply.
- Eligible plans: Verizon's current Simplicity and myPlan unlimited smartphone plans, along with several older unlimited plans, including Get More, Do More, Play More, and 5G Start.
- Devices: Compatible 5G smartphones only. Tablets, dedicated mobile hotspots, and cellular routers are not eligible. Verizon recommends having 5G Standalone (SA) enabled on compatible smartphones.
- Coverage: Available on Verizon's 5G network in the United States, excluding Alaska and Hawaii. It does not work on LTE or internationally.
- Activation: The account owner purchases and activates the pass through the My Verizon app. Only one pass can be active per line, but you can purchase another when the current pass expires.
- Other restrictions: Purchases are nonrefundable, and the 24-hour clock continues running even when the phone is connected to Wi-Fi.
Verizon says Express Pass covers data shared through a smartphone's mobile hotspot feature and temporarily overrides the regular plan's hotspot data restrictions. This could help customers who have exhausted their high-speed hotspot allowance and need a temporary speed boost. However, Verizon's FAQ contains contradictory language about hotspot support, and it's not clear whether data counts separately from the plan's regular monthly hotspot allowance.
The actual level of network priority Express Pass provides is also unclear.
Verizon describes it as providing an additional layer of priority even for customers who already have premium 5G service, but has not specified the technical mechanism. It is unclear whether Express Pass upgrades subscribers to a higher network priority level, uses 5G network slicing, or uses another form of traffic management.
The 6GB limit is also fairly restrictive for serious mobile internet use, and the pass doesn't improve coverage or signal strength. It also won't help in locations where only LTE service is available.
Overall, Express Pass is an interesting new option for occasional, short-term use, but its usefulness depends on how much real-world performance it improves over the priority already included with many Verizon smartphone plans.
Key Mobile Internet Related Considerations:
- Verizon's new Express Pass offers up to 6GB of priority 5G data for $5, valid for up to 24 hours.
- The pass temporarily overrides certain plan restrictions, including data speeds, streaming resolution, and mobile hotspot limits.
- Express Pass requires a compatible 5G smartphone and doesn't work on dedicated hotspots or cellular routers, making it best for occasional smartphone-based connectivity during network congestion.
For more information:
- Verizon: Express Pass FAQs
- Verizon: Express Pass Terms & Conditions
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