Verizon's new 4G double data plan: all the details

No one (aside from the carriers) likes data caps, but Verizon has made them slightly more palatable over the last six months or so by offering customers double the data when they purchase a 4G LTE device — $30 has gotten customers 4GB per month, rather than the usual 2GB. Unfortunately, a leaked document obtained by Droid Life makes it seem the double data bonanza is going to end tomorrow, June 5th. Perhaps not coincidentally, Samsung's highly-anticipated Galaxy S III will be available for pre-orders starting on June 6th — it looks like the many people who are likely to purchase the latest and (arguably) greatest Android handset from Verizon will have to make do with the carrier's standard data plans. Of course, we won't know for sure if these plans are going away until June 6th — but if you're worried, you could always grab a different LTE device (we're still partial to the Galaxy Nexus), get on that double data plan, and then exchange it for the Galaxy S III. Just make sure you exchange your device within the return period.

It looks like it's set to be a big weekend for Verizon: not only is it expected to launch the Droid 4, but it's also gearing up for a few major offers. CNET and BGR are both reporting that the earlier rumors of a Droid 4 launch coming this weekend are true, with both sources pegging the handset to launch on Friday for $199.99 with a two-year contract. The phone's the long-awaited successor to the Droid 3, and while it keeps the signature sliding keyboard, it also finally brings LTE support to the line. Beside this, it's also been granted a slight bump in processing speed, and double the RAM over its predecessor. For all of the differences between the two, check out our comparison tool.

Alongside the Droid 4, the same reports (as well as the LA Times) suggest that Big Red's got a few offers up its sleeve. First, the Droid RAZR range will be offered on a buy-one-get-one-free basis, making it easier for you to treat yourself as you shop for Valentine's gifts. The offer includes all colors of the original Droid RAZR, along with the RAZR Maxx which launched last month. Secondly, the carrier's brought back its double data promotion for LTE users, allowing you to get a 4GB data plan for $30 per month. And finally, if you've been looking into grabbing a tablet from Verizon, the reports also suggest that any LTE-capable tablet will be discounted by $100 when you buy any phone at the same time.

Verizon's promotion of double data caps for its 4G LTE customers took everyone by surprise — we've become accustomed to seeing buckets shrink and move away from unlimited for a couple years now. Of course, there's a perfectly good reason behind the promotion: speaking at a conference yesterday, Verizon CFO Fran Shammo noted that the deal is designed to incentivize subscribers to move into its LTE network to make more room for the iPhone, which is a notoriously data-intensive device that tops out at EV-DO (for now, anyway). Shammo also said that he wants to "make sure" he doesn't have to add any additional EV-DO capacity to accommodate the iPhone — a wasted investment, considering everything is moving to LTE in the long term — so freeing up 3G capacity with a nice plan deal is a creative way to go.

Though Verizon's EV-DO service is generally slower than AT&T's HSPA, there haven't been any widespread complaints of the network grinding to a halt as there have been on Sprint — so for now, Shammo's move would appear to be a proactive one. Better to plan ahead, of course.

If you were excited by Verizon's new 4G double data plan, we've got bad news: if your phone is more than 2 weeks old, you're not eligible. Verizon has clarified some of the details of the deal in an email statement to us, and there's a big caveat. Anyone who purchases a new 4G phone through Verizon is in, but according to Verizon, only "existing customers who have upgraded their service or purchased a 4G smartphone within the last 14 days will be eligible."

The bargain gives you double your normal data allowance for as long as you have a 4G phone, and starts today if you're eligible. It'll only be sold through the holidays and won't work with Mobile Hotspot plans or USBs, so it's great if you want to pick up a Motorola Droid RAZR, less so if you already have an HTC Thunderbolt.