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Verizon To Drop Unlimited Data Plans In Two Weeks
itwbennett writes "The rumors have converged and now it appears that Verizon will be dropping its unlimited data plans on July 7, says blogger Peter Smith. Droid-Life lists pricing, starting at 2 GB for $30/month and going up to 10 GB for $80/month. 'The one ever-so-slightly bright side,' says Smith, 'is that 4G LTE will cost the same as 3G. Of course, you'll be able to burn through your data even faster.'"
pricing, starting at 2 GB for $30/month and going up to 10 GB for $80/month.
With prices like that I bet they start encouraging tethering (or maybe even give it away for free). The overage penalties are high so the 10GB will actually appeal to some. Will they let victims, er, users change their plans on a monthly basis?
Nice spin, eh? Here's an idea, Verizon. If you want to "tailor" things to our unique needs, how about going all the way. If we're paying $30 for 2 GB, how about you refund us $15 for any month we use less than 1 GB? If bytes are the commodity you're making them out to be, that sounds fair to me. Alternatively, give us 'roll-over' data.
Uhhh, why stop there? Why doesn't everyone just pay for what they use? My electricity company is totally cool with charging me at the end of the month for a very specific usage figure ... and you know what? I've never complained about or felt like I was getting the raw end of a deal. There could be a set of people that would actually pay more in this scenario but at least the charges would feel justified (I don't even know if I would be in that set).
... what of my preconception that I will have unlimited data? I'm sure somewhere in the depths of the weighty tome that I signed for you has some fine print about how not only can you alter our agreement but you can also rape me with a pineapple in front of my wife and children. Could you at least grandfather us in though? I did make an agreement and purchase on that assumption.
And also, now that I've just recently signed myself up for your standard two year have-me-by-the-balls-via-smartphone-subsidy "plan"
My work here is dung.
Cell phones give you cancer!!!
At least they're not getting rid of the unlimited text messaging plan, I just might go over my data quota
sysadmins and parents of newborns get the same amount of sleep.
2GB is plenty for me. The most mobile data I've ever used in a month is a gig, which included heavy 3rd party tethering use. I usually use 500-700MB. Maybe 4G LTE speeds will change my usage, but I doubt it will more than *double* my usage.
I understand that won't be enough for some people, but with apps like Llama https://market.android.com/details?id=com.kebab.Llama it's really easy to set up location profiles that turn wi-fi on and off at places you trust. If that still doesn't sate your usage needs, get your workplace to pay for it or *gasp* put your damn phone away and interact with the real world.
and go to sprint with their spotty coverage?
I dont really mind tiered pricing, but I do mind having my data plan change without options. So guess I'll be moving on to another carrier.
"Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
if they had a sub-1GB plan for less money, i would be pretty excited
as it stands, AT&T's 200MB plan is still the best value for the majority of cellular data users, even compared to unlimited plans
If I'm going to pay for a capped connection that rarely meets advertised speeds why the hell should I pay extra for tethering? I don't understand how explicitly defining a cap for myself justifies the extra cost to use a device either than a phone.
I do have a droid with unlimited but I'm seriously contemplating dropping any kind of smart phone whatsoever; I just don't see the value anymore.
I already have a 3G android smartphone. It works just fine for what I need to do on my phone. I get email, I can surf the web, and I can stream music (but I don't go crazy with it). I very rarely use it for watching video. I just checked my usage this month, and I've just now cracked 2GB, about three weeks into my billing cycle. If I'm using this much data now, what happens when I get one of those 4G smartphones that they advertise showing people watching videos on them? If you're to watch those commercials, you'd think they were designed to be portable TVs more than phones. But even with their very hefty plans, you'll get overage pretty quickly pulling that much data down regularly.
My next phone will likely be Sprint, unless they go to a tiered pricing before my next contract is up. I know their 4G isn't as good as Verizon's.... but honestly, I can already stream Youtube video at 3G speeds if I put up with a little buffering, and Sprint's 4G is plenty fast enough to watch good quality video (the only thing I really see me needing 4G for any time in the foreseeable future). And, hey, you can actually USE it!
That's OK, I'll just switch to one of those other carriers providing unlimited wireless data.
I went to eat some animal crackers and the box said, "Do not eat if seal is broken." I opened the box and sure enough..
Switch from Verison to Sprint several years ago. I get unthrottled, uncapped, unlimited data access for $15 extra, and I can tether my laptop when I'm traveling.
Metro PCS ...here I come.
Flat rate, unlimited, service quality is good where they have coverage, and coverage is much better than it was a few years ago.
"You want to know how to help your kids? Leave them the fuck alone." -George Carlin
Darn! That lines up with the rumored release date of the Droid 3 ...
I've got a Droid2 myself. Almost all of my data traffic gets routed through someone's WiFi (I've got a long list saved). But when I'm away, it's generally only Google Maps data and e-mail traffic. How about the rest of you out there?
Life is not for the lazy.
This is a battle that I have no idea who will win. The lines are drawn.
On one side, we have companies like Comcast and Verizon that are developing faster and faster technologies, but cap the amount of data that their users can consume. They are also companies that that have dreams of vertical integration of products, where they control the content creation, distribution, and consumption, and the profits that come with each.
On the other side, we have companies that are located in the "info space", who are innovating new ways to deliver stuff (entertainment, business services, communication, whatever) to the people. They are the ones advertising "the cloud". Microsoft, Google, Amazon, Facebook, Netflix, etc. They want access to consumers over an open communications network. However, they can't have users afraid to use their bandwidth allotment in order to use the cloud.
So, here we have competing goals, and only one can dominate. Who will it be? I, personally, hope that the Netflix/Google crowd somehow wins. "Give the people what they want." That is a quote that Comcast and Verizon have never understood. They are anti-competitive by nature. This battle will spill out into mass-media debates and government regulation. It will be ugly.
-d
"Here Lies Philip J. Fry, named for his uncle, to carry on his spirit"
And in Poland, I pay 33pln (less than $10) per month and I use that for calls/sms AND get FREE 6GB of data.
I use between 8-12 GB a month. I know, freakish, so staying grandfathered in with AT&T was smart. The companies, however, are just gouging us like the gas companies. Theres no reason everything shouldn't be unlimited. I mean seriously, think about what they draw in monthly, just on base plans alone!
Just in time for the netflix app. Coincidence? I think not. Honestly, as a member with 5 lines, they'll feel the sting as more people like me switch. I'll go through the hassle of switching before I take it up the ass with a plan change like this.
Belief? Hope? Preference?The Existential Vortex
Not where I live. Sprint never gives me less than three bars even around tall buildings.
I just dropped at&t and went to verizon for this same reason. Seems as soon as this contract expires, I'm going elsewhere.
What do I know, I'm just an idiot, right?
I can see why Verizon is moving down this path. Higher speed, more reliable connections, and more users makes for a very expensive network. If people really don't like it, they will switch to another carrier who offers unlimited data, or resort to only connecting via Wi-Fi or tethering. What I don't understand is this low cap. 2 Gb is not very much data, especially considering all the advertising that shows streaming video and watching TV on your phone or tablet. The 2Gb limit is especially confusing when you look at tablet's. The tablet's will (IMHO) eat up a lot of the market share for laptops and netbooks very soon and people will want to surf seamlessly between connections (LAN, WLAN, 4G, etc.). In the end, I could easily see Verizon making a lot of money in the short term, but as other networks grow and offer better deals we will see the bandwidth caps go higher and possibly more data tiers.
This is utterly ridiculous. The 2GB plan is what their current Unlimited plan is set at price-wise. I do about 2.5GB per month on my phone and I literally use the data solely for email, VERY sparse Facebook/Twitter/Web usage (about 90 minutes of active usage per month tops), and podcast downloads (the bulk of my data usage).
I barely use the data plan and I'm still over that mark. If these numbers are true, and there is no grandfathering, then I will NOT be sticking with Verizon.
"People who think they know everything are very annoying to those of us who do."-Mark Twain
I just hope the T-Mobile merger doesn't go through. I may only have 2GB with them, but if I go over there is no overage, just the possibility of being throttled (note: I have yet to be throttled, even at 3.8 GB last month).
"Never let your sense of morals prevent you from doing what is right" - Salvor Hardin
They roam onto the verizon network, so their coverage is only as spotty as verizon for voice.
This is good news. You see I have an unlimited data plan with Verizon and my bill is about $60 a month. With this new 2 GB cap plan, they must surely be offering it at a much lower price than the unlimited plan, and so I should be able to switch and save money.
If you are not allowed to question your government then the government has answered your question.
This is just part of what will be a contentious battle between the bandwidth owners and the content / service providers. Both sides want to extract as much of the consumer dollar as possible for themselves. Bandwidth owners see content / service providers using their lines to make money and as usage increases they see an opportunity to extract some of that money through tiered rate plans. content / service providers, OTOH, want the pipe to be as big and cheap as possible so they can sell more things to the consumer.
As bandwidth gets more expensive, consumers will use less and be willing to pay less for content since it carries an added cost for bandwidth. By introducing tiers early in the bandwidth demand growth phase carriers can start getting their customers used to limiting uptake of new services (and pay more to boot). Why is this important - it gives carriers some leverage to extract money form content/services providers to unthrottle the pipes since the providers want to keep growing and grab as many customers as quickly as possible.
I expect this battle will play out in the commercial and political arena as well - with lamentations about jobs, infrastructure costs, "staying competitive withe (insert country of choice)" being heard as each side tries to gain and maintain the upper hand. In some cases, a company is both - my cable provider is more than happy to sell me a subscription to HBO which I can access on the go via my phone as well (which is provided by another company). My phone company no doubt looks at that and says "Why are we helping our competitor for free?"
Make no mistake, it's an important battle since, if rate caps become the norm, this cool vision of getting everything anywhere over the internet will be a long time coming. I wouldn't be surprised to see some sort of tyins between content /service providers and carriers that allows you to get premium services w/o being charged for data and the company's splitting the revenue. In fact, I think that may be the end game some have in mind.
I'm a consultant - I convert gibberish into cash-flow.
I know it's not the popular comment but it's true. Verizon and Sprint had unlimited data plans as long as they were offering ghetto phones (Android, Samsung, etc). What's the difference if you're downloading unlimited data on an iPhone or a ghetto phone? Give up? Apple gets a cut of the revenue (http://www.zdnet.com/blog/apple/the-real-cost-of-at-ts-basic-data-plan/7362) that's why. And don't feel like you're sneaking by with Sprint. They are next to be assimilated (http://www.eldergadget.com/report-sprint-testing-iphone-4s/). I guess I'll go to T-Mob... Oh wait, that's right. We gave all our money to the monopoly and have no alternatives left. Oh well, guess I'll go back to my Tracfone.
Join the Slashcott! Feb 10 thru Feb 17!
"You're making Skype calls over our network but you're finding the call quality is poor? You need our Skype addon, Sir, it's only £3/month extra. Shall I add it to your account now?"
They already do something like this, in reverse. They have deals with Facebook and Twitter to get uncapped access to their sites. In-flight wireless providers and some ISPs do it too (ISPs often giving uncapped access to Windows Updates - not so lucky if you're a Linux or Mac user).
"When information is power, privacy is freedom" - Jah-Wren Ryel
If you have multiple lines, then there might be something in it for you depending on your usage. There is a rumor of shared family data plans. That is you can pay the $50 once and share 5gb across all of the phones on your plan. Obviously it depends on your usage, but I know that it could save me money. I currently pay $30 each for "unlimited" data on my two lines. I use ~3-4GB/month and my wife uses 200mb/month. The 5GB plan could save me $10/month if it was shared across phone lines. Of course this is merely a rumor at this point.
Fact is most people don't even need more than 300mb a month. Why is this happening? Yes, partly because of carrier greed. The other reason is a few cheap asses decided to take advantage (as is their right true ) of the unlimited wireless plan (ignoring the spirit of what was fair) a to use levels wireless was never designed to support for lots of people. So while most of us could easily deal with 1gb or 2gb a month, likely why it's priced this level, the jerks out there who used 10s of gb a month are the reason the carriers are getting an excuse to cap us all. If you want to download movies, linux ISOs, do it via your cable/DSL home ISP you cheap assholes. Wireless was never really made/designed/intended for this type of use.
Actually my greatest concern is that over here in the UK, our data plans are relatively "ok priced" from some providers, but no way as good as they used to be a couple of years back. 3 still provide unlimited plans, T-Mobile provides a 10gb plan, which you can use for anything, including voip, tethering, etc, for abotu £28 ($35).
However, whenever USA increases something, we find the UK providers following suite to "harmonise" the market.. grrrr.
Have a nice day!
Yep. Me too. Sprint actually has a plan that's 300 minutes more and $10 cheaper than my Verizon plan. I've been holding off on switching because of Verizon's network, but this is ridiculous. Can anyone verify that Sprint's unlimited data is actually unlimited, 3G and 4G, with no hidden caps? It's what the salesman claimed, but who trusts them?
"I disagree with you" does not equal "flamebait."
They won't send everyone notices. It'll only come up when it starts to affect people at contract renewal time. As for contacting Verizon, you aren't REALLY contacting them. Their customer service is outsourced to a company called Ryla in central California that is run by retards and no information is ever passed to the actual people on the phone who spend all day being bitched at by other retards across the country.
Same here. I have been looking to get out of my contract and flash my Droid 1 over to a pre-pay service. Hopefully these changes will allow us to do that.
I'm going to bite the bullet and pay the $175 early termination fee. They end-of-lifed my Droid Eris less than 7 months after selling it to me, which means I'm stranded at 2.1 which steadily is becoming more irritating and limiting. This is in addition to your complaints which I mostly agree with (cust. service has been so-so for me).
Reply to That ||
They roam onto the verizon network, so their coverage is only as spotty as verizon for voice.
That would have been just dandy ten years ago.
Now, between GPS, GoogleTalk, and the other various social services out there, I pay more attention to data coverage than I do voice. Yes, having voice is important too in case you need medical attention, etc... but as far as usage goes, I'm 99% data. Dropping down to roaming data speeds does not a fun experience make.
Technically the Sprint plan is indeed unlimited, but they do charge you extra if you want to tether (or use the "mobile hot spot").
There has been some complaint of sprint getting angry at customers who were using upwards of 20gigs a month on their phone, but I think that's because they were almost certainly tethering to a pc and downloading things without paying the tethering fee. The complaints come out because they are butthurt they got caught.
They roam onto the verizon network, so their coverage is only as spotty as verizon for voice.
That would have been just dandy ten years ago.
Now, between GPS, GoogleTalk, and the other various social services out there, I pay more attention to data coverage than I do voice. Yes, having voice is important too in case you need medical attention, etc... but as far as usage goes, I'm 99% data. Dropping down to roaming data speeds does not a fun experience make.
It's plenty fast for GPS, obviously, but VOIP might be dicey if you're out in the boonies.
"I zero-index my hamsters" - Willtor (147206)
When I find that my finances come up short some months - I wonder what the hell I'm doing wrong, I barely go out anymore, I don't buy anymore fancy computers, and I don't even have nice clothes anymore. So I do the balance sheet and I realize that (this is a family of 4) between Comcast and Verizon Wireless, I'm spending about $400 / month on "Living expenses" that just didn't exist when my parents were young, raising children and paying a mortgage. It occurs to me that Verizon is really evil... Now that we're all hooked, they're going to keep finding new ways to get another $10 / line out of everyone and they're not gonna go back on it. You want to have an iPhone like everyone else? Yeah? That's an extra $30 a month. (My wife complained until I got her one). But this stuff is starting to interfere with my ability to pay my mortgage and save for my kids' future education. I would love to let my contracts expire and tell them to cancel everything... But then we'd be like the only people without the ability to text (an extra $5 per line per month!!). The whole thing is getting silly and while I usually try to avoid things that are silly - I can't see a way out of this one.
They won't send everyone notices.
Except for the fact that they would be legally obligated to do so? They can't just change the terms of your contract without letting you know.
I use data a lot, but generally only when I am in civilization. Otherwise sprints data roaming is fast enough to use google maps to get me back to civilization.
There is no such thing as "unlimited". It doesn't exist. There are always limits. Sometimes the limits are more deliberately imposed than other times, but they are always there. This is an inescapable part of reality. "Anyone who says differently is selling something."
Thus "unlimited" should be a danger word, like "free" or "forever". Any time you see them, you should immediately realize the sales guy is lying to you, and thus employ extra caution.
I can also say that there were, indeed, deliberate limits on the so-called "unlimited data plans" before. They just were not widely acknowledged or published, and were often inconsistently applied. They usually didn't have a direct billing consequence. Maybe you'd be contacted by someone from the carrier. Maybe they'd just discontinue service without warning. But eventually, someone would notice, and something would happen.
Verizon is actually becoming more honest with this move, admitting up-front that there are limits, and publishing a pricing structure.
Of course, Verizon won't be lowering their prices as a consequence, or improving their corporate policies, or otherwise not sucking. They're a telco. All telcos suck. That principle is only slightly less reliable than "there are always limits".
dragonhawk@iname.microsoft.com
I do not like Microsoft. Remove them from my email address.
How to jack up your cost is easy.... just have it require more data to send the same information... you know, like additional DRM/Security,apps size, etc...) Like how to cook a frog in water... turn the heat up slowly. I remember when all you needed is 64k...
Well I'm still in a contract for another 1.5 years with Verizon so I guess I'll have unlimited data until then.
As much as I'd love to get a smartphone for me and my wife, we're waiting. I just can't justify spending $30 per month for each of us. That's $720 per year that could be applied elsewhere. (And if we really start using it, that $720 a year could go to $1,920 a year.) Money's tight and I'd rather save the cash or spend it on other things.
Now, if they had a family plan. Say, pay $40 per month and get 3GB to share between all phones, I might just go for it. That would mean I'd only be paying $480 per year instead of $720 and the usefulness of smartphones might just overcome that price.
Of course, our choice might be made for us when we renew. Verizon is now requiring data plans for all but the most basic of phones. Even if we want a phone that'll just call and text, we might be forced to buy a data plan anyway.
My sci-fi novel, Ghost Thief, is now available from Amazon.com.
Pandora eats through my data like it's nothing and my PC at work doesn't have an audio hardware (old). If they do not grandfather me in when I renew my contract, then I will just switch back to my old-trusty motorola phone and use an MP3 player to listen to music.
Previewing comments are for sissies!
I roam at 3G to VZW using my Sprint EVO Shift, some people have reported that you used to only be able to roam at 1xRTT speeds but I've normally seen EVDO.
There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.
VoIP has *always* been dicey over cellular networks due to high latency and jitter.
There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.
That's bullshit and easily checked with a search. US consumed 138.5 billion gallons of gas in 2010. While Exxon Mobile made profits of $30.46 billion on $383 billion in revenue. Why are so many people compelled to be apologists for big business. I bet you believe that rapist really loved you too. I suppose it's possible that they made on $0.02 per gallon and made up the rest on t-shirt sales to corporate fan boys.
A family data plan would be great for me - we're lucky if we use 100k a month between us except when we're out of town (that's when I've racked up 1GB+ before). I've watched Dish and Netflix on my phone, but it seems when I do I am almost always near WiFi, so that doesn't chew up bandwidth. Only 24k so far this month with 10 days to go. I guess I'm in the same boat as the article writer - I rarely use my bandwidth as it is, but have some spike bandwidth on vacation.
Also the rumor is existing customers can keep their unlimited plan (also mentioned in TFA). The article makes it sound like potentially forever, but the rumors I've heard from other sources were more grim (like a possible phase-out by the end of the year).
You'd be hard-pressed to not find an open network in a city...
Open up routers, and it creates a whole list of problems for many regulating bodies.
Option B: Boost Mobile. Their phones aren't iClones, but $50 unlimited everything more than makes up for that.
Something witty.
Did you even read the article? Last paragraph even says they don't have a confirmation on if it will affect current contracts or only new contracts. More than likely it'll only affect new contracts rather than people who already have the plan just to avoid the giant hassles of changing contracts and pissing off people.
I'm sorry that you think I'm a jerk for buying an iPhone with an unlimited data plan so I can listen to Pandora at work, watch Netflix on the commute and use Skype to video call my friends.
Both Skype and Netflix have received updates to allow them to run off 3G networks. Why would they get these updates if according to you 3G technology isn't meant for these uses.
10GB isn't a lot. 128 kilobit/s audio for 8 hours a day at work for 21 work days in a month is 9.7GB alone.
Again, I sorry I actually use the features of my phone.
Yes, and everyone here has exactly the same opinions about absolutely everything.
Bow-ties are cool.
It needs to be stopped by a real FCC that doesn't have a crotch that looks like a Ken doll.
3G is unlimited on phones, capped to 5Gb on aircards (with fucking ungodly overages. I went over by 2.2 GB and my bill was 500 Dollars. I cancelled my aircard that day. They refunded the fee, I cancelled anyway).
4G is currently unlimited for both phones and aircards. However, when I signed up for my aircard 3-4 years ago, 3G was unlimited as well.
Still, I find them the current holder of the "Least Shitty Mobile Carrier" belt, so I'll be switching from AT&T to Sprint here in a month or two.
Most people don't run enough data over 3G or 4G on their smartphones to hit even the 2GB limit. I never have, and I run a lot of data over my smartphone.
The reason is simple: Your smartphone is connected up to WiFi most of the time, particularly when you are sitting still watching video (at home, at the coffee shop, etc), and not eating from the 3G/4G plate.
Of all the services you might use on the road, internet radio is probably going to be the biggest, but I really doubt it will be a problem for most people (not everyone, but most everyone). The price point for internet bandwidth has quickly moved more towards video distribution and further away from low-bandwidth and medium-bandwidth services. That trend will continue.
This is a non-issue. I think people have gotten a little too comfortable with this expectation of unlimited data. Nobody has unlimited data, not really.
-Matt
these caps are ridiculous. if i was sold a phone capable of, say, watching netflix streams, i would expect to stream the same quality video 24/7. if you can't support users doing that for a nice monthly fee, you need more towers. if you can't get more towers, start turning customers away, until you can meet the load. there should be some regulation for this shit, like must have x throughput for every y customers, and if you're advertising 4g speeds, then 4g throughput it is. (that is if 4g every gets official itu relegation).
...
As an example, I barely use the data features on my phone except for light web browsing if I'm waiting for something and maps when I need them while driving and I almost use 2GB. Forget about watching youtube videos or picture mail with a 2GB cap.
Job? I don't have time to get a job! Who will sit around and bitch about being broke and unemployed then?
They have improved a lot. I have several friends who have made the jump, with no complaints. I do notice that there are places we go where they have no service, but my Verizon phone still has a solid signal.
YMMV
"You want to know how to help your kids? Leave them the fuck alone." -George Carlin
The all you can eat model is a great one -- you know precisely what you're going to pay, and don't feel like bandwidth is wasted. But the whole cellular industry builds their huge profits based on mistaken expected use. So it's no great shock to see the data model move that way.
An equally fair rate would be pay-per-MB or whatever -- precisely metered, just as you might pay for electricity or gasoline. As long as the per-MB fee is fair, I have no problem with it. But the telcos do -- they want me to pay for the occasional high-use month, every month. So they put up big penalties (I mean, hell, that first MB over the limit doesn't cost them one iota more than that least MB under the limit) to fear the user into paying too much on a regular basis.
I'm on Verizon today, and fairly happy with it, largely because it can actually reach my house. T-Mo and Sprint, not so much.. and that's going to the case for Sprint and T-Mo in any rural area -- they just don't have the low frequency 850MHz band to penetrate foliage well. Also why Verizon works better than AT&T -- they both have 850MHz and 1900MHz slots, but AT&T's 3G takes both, while Verizon's runs only at 850MHz though the forest.
On the other hand, given that the price going from $30/month for unlimited to $30/month for 2GB, that sure smells like they're just plain doubling the price in practical term (I have often gone over 2GB, rarely get over 4GB). For less than that doubling, I can put up a roof antenna and repeater/booster, which ought to solve the T-Mo or AT&T problem just dandy. If only they didn't suck in other ways... What we need is a new company doing a reasonably priced data-only service. Sadly, it takes a very, very long time for new companies to build out a generally useful network -- both MetroPCS and Cricket are limited to a small number of generally urban-only areas so far.
-Dave Haynie
We were spending about $100 per month with Dish. Bought a Roku box for living room, put the Wii in the bedroom and got a $9 Netflix streaming plan
Wow! What an excellent idea! I don't know why I didn't think of it. I'm going to stream my TV from Netflix from now on. What a savings! Hey, it's not going to be a problem that my wi-fi connection has a Verizon Wireless Mobile USB radio (that's the only high-speed internet of ANY KIND here), right?
What wonderful shows! I could easily find 60 hours of video for the month to be streamed on my 5GB data plan (the biggest they allow). What do you mean I owe Verizon $18,543?!
Wonder if they'll capitalize on Verizon's stupidity, or if they'll follow them and start limiting phones as well. Either way, if it's unlimited now that's good enough for me. Now I just have to decide between the Evo and the Samsung. Leaning toward Evo because of bad experiences I've had previously with Samsung mobile products.
"I disagree with you" does not equal "flamebait."
Okay, I'm curious: Who is your cable Internet provider?
dragonhawk@iname.microsoft.com
I do not like Microsoft. Remove them from my email address.
The new tiered plan sucks, but I think it's been coming for a while. The telcos *are* selling a product which has an incredibly high demand and limited resources with which to fulfill it. I don't believe for one second that everyone will be grandfathered in for their entire life. At some point they will stick you with new higher cost plans. Personally I still see smartphones as toys, they provide a lot of 'nice to have' features, nothing I can't live without.
Great in theory, but there are huge barriers to entry into this business - you'd have to put about about a billion cell towers. I doubt you'll see any new startup carriers. The only real solution to this is better gov't regulation.
Sprint, in my mind, has always been the kindest to their customers - I had them for years. Whereas Verizon nickel and dimed customers to death, Spring was always pretty good about having reasonable service packages. Unfortunately, their reception sucked so badly I ultimately had to drop them.
I am actually an Android developer that uses a Verizon MiFi as my primary Internet. With my frequent repo syncs and source code downloads, I could easily blast past a data cap. If they take away my $70/month unlimited account, I'll probably just cancel and look for alternatives.
The Bolachek Journals
Get people to buy in to it, then yank the carpet out. About time for me to drop all services as anymore you can find WIFI about anywhere you want. who needs 3g data ( or voice... with voip )
---- Booth was a patriot ----
Umm with what infrastructure? if you want any coverage at all you end up on one of the big 3 networks evenutally.
---- Booth was a patriot ----
and just where are you going to go exactly?
Galt Gulch?
Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
Just bought a new iPhone plan last week.
0.2 gigs: $15. Overage is $15 per each additional 200 meg unit.
2 gigs: $25. Overage is $10 per each additional gigabyte.
4 gigs: $45; includes tethering, allotment shared with smartphone usage. Overage is $10 per each additional gigabyte.
Sprint was offering twice the minutes and unlimited data for the same overall monthly cost as my AT&T bill.