Verizon extends free Apple Music subscription for some Unlimited plans indefinitely
Verizon and Apple Music are committing to a long-term relationship.
Starting January 17, the largest wireless provider in the U.S. will be offering a free Apple Music subscription for customers on two of its unlimited plans. Verizon Beyond Unlimited and Above Unlimited subscribers will be able to take advantage of this offering at no additional charge.
Verizon announced an exclusive partnership with Apple last summer. At the time, the company also introduced the first benefit for Verizon unlimited customers: six months of free Apple Music. Verizon has now extended its Apple Music subscription indefinitely for its two higher tiered Unlimited plans. Customers on the lower tiered Go Unlimited plan are still eligible for the six month Apple Music trial.
A subscription to Apple Music normally costs $9.99. Verizon’s Go Unlimited plan starts at $40 per line for four lines. Pricing for its Beyond and Above Unlimited plans start at $50 and $60 per line, respectively.
While a free offer for subscribers is certainly a winning business proposition for Verizon, Apple stands to gain from this partnership too. The iPhone maker is investing heavily in its Apple Music service. However, Apple’s music streaming service is facing heavy competition from the current market leader, Spotify.
According to Apple, the service has around 56 million paying and trial-based subscribers. Apple Music currently lags behind Spotify, which boasts 87 million subscribers as of September 2018.
By offering free subscriptions to certain Verizon customers, Apple Music will retain users who may have dropped off after the six month trial as well as gain new users who sign up for Verizon’s Unlimited plans.
