Yahoo is launching 4G mobile service using Verizon’s network, offering unlimited data, texts and calls for $40 a month
Yahoo has announced its plans to become a mobile phone network provider with a new venture called Yahoo Mobile.
The network will offer unlimited 4G data, texts, and calls for $39.99 a month using mobile infrastructure from Verizon, which acquired Yahoo in 2017 for $4.48 billion.
To get the service users will have to sign up for a Yahoo account, but they’ll also get a Yahoo Mail Pro subscription at no extra charge.
A Yahoo Mail Pro subscription currently costs $3.50 a month, and gives users access to 1,000GB of inbox storage, no ads, and a full archive of old emails, which Yahoo might otherwise purge due to storage limits or account inactivity.
Yahoo says download speeds on the 4G connection will range between 5 and 12Mbps, while upload speeds will be between 2 and 5 Mbps.
The unlimited data provision comes with a few caveats, namely internet speeds aren’t guaranteed and will fluctuate at different times of day depending on network congestion.
For users who want to tether other devices to their phones, they’ll be limited to just 5Mbits for download speed.
The service is targeted at budget conscious consumers and will be offered on a month-to-month basis with no annual contracts.
New customers will be able to use their current phones with the plan, so long as they’re compatible with Verizon’s networks.
Customers will also be able to buy a range of new and pre-owned phones to use with their new contract, including a ZTE Blade A7 Prime for $49, a pre-owned iPhone 7 for $159, and a Samsung Galaxy A50 for $336.
Newer phones will also be available at standard MSRP, including the iPhone 11 Pro Max, Google Pixel 4XL, and Samsung Galaxy S10e.