Verizon defends new shared data plans

The head of marketing at Verizon Wireless has defended the new shared data plans that take effect June 28 against criticism from some analysts and many outraged customers.

Steve Mesnick said the Share Everything plans aren't being forced on existing customers and will mainly benefit workgroups and families with multiple smartphones who want to share data across as many as 10 devices. "We're allowing the existing customer base to have a choice ... we're not forcing anyone to more to new plans... I take exception to [comments] of people leaving Verizon," he said. One analyst said that Verizon mishandled the introduction of the new plans, which could hurt the company. But Mesnick said the announcement was made well in advance of the June 28 launch to give the public time to absorb a large amount of information that fundamentally changes how voice, text and data services are charged.