( Mashable ) -- Verizon customers interested in signing a one-year contract ( as opposed to the standard two ) should lock in their selections now ; the company has confirmed that it is eliminating the one-year contract option as of April 17 . Verizon claims the policy change is taking place because the `` greater majority of customers sign up for a two-year contract . '' The nation 's largest wireless provider ( at least until that AT & T/T-Mobile deal is approved ) previously offered users the ability to sign one-year contracts or contract extensions in lieu of the standard two-year agreement . Customers who opted for the one-year contract were still able to purchase new equipment at a discount , albeit a lesser discount than the subsidized two-year agreements . In an email to BGR , Verizon reiterated that its contract-free month-to-month plans would still be available to consumers . Meanwhile , according to draft circulars obtained by DroidLife , Verizon may be introducing a new month-to-month prepaid plan that offers users unlimited voice and text for $ 50 a month . Data will cost extra ( reportedly $ 30 a month for unlimited data ) . AT & T recently increased the early-upgrade price on some of its smartphones and feature phones . What do you think about Verizon eliminating one-year contracts ? Let us know . © 2013 MASHABLE.com . All rights reserved .
Verizon eliminating the one-year contract option as of April 17 . Company says greater majority of customers sign up for two-year contract . Contract-free month-to-month plans will still be available to consumers .