Verizon to Ditch Unlimited Data Plans With 4G LTE

[Ehsan w]

i bet wifi is still faster...
lamers....

 

[JohnnyLucky]

Quite frankly I am surprised at all the time people spend using portable devices with tiny screens.

 

[spinaltap11]

I think we'll have to wait and see if this is a bad thing for the average consumer. Past precedence indicates that it probably will be (and we know that ATT/Verizon are looking to make a net profit), but until we see what kind of tiers or meters are used, it's pretty hard to dispute fairness.

I'd be interested to see a histogram of real data consumption for all iPhone/Android/Blackberry users. That might give us a good guess as to where the tiers will fall.

Another thing to consider as well, is that carriers can implement compression and caching tech to reduce load on their networks. Except for blackberries, I haven't read anything that says such techniques are being employed.

 

[kevinherring]

Unmetered data plans basically work for phone companies because those who don't use it much subsidise those who use it a lot, right?

Doesn't that sound a bit, dare I say it, socialist? (Now there's a word Americans are afraid of).

Isn't a tiered system based on usage a much fairer way to charge for data, and ultimately more consistent with the ethos of the US?

OK, so my analogy with socialism doesn't quite work, but given the demographic of this site who are much more likely to be high data-usage people anyway, you're unlikely to find many people saying that they only use 100MB a month and therefore aren't bothered by the loss of unmetered usage.

It's like asking a bunch of NRA members whether they think hand guns should be made illegal. Well duuhhhh.....

 

[p3t3or]

I was considering switching to Verizon, but if these are the plans they will offer, there is no way I'd ever do that. I'm surprised there are people who think this is a positive, and I suppose if you only check your email it would be fine, but once you're hooked to web applications via cellphone, there is no turning back. I will never be without a smartphone. They are so handy. The only way I would not own one is if they do a bogus plan like this.

 

[goodguy713]

[citation][nom]freakangel911[/nom]such liars .... verizon hasnt had a a actual unlimted data plan in over 3 yrs ... they say unlimted but fine print says 5 gb. thats why i dropped ur sorry A$$e$$[/citation]

lol i prolly go through that just watching net flix and playing video games ... like wow and mag

 

[goodguy713]

a lot of these company's do not want to spend the money on upgrading there net works its a big issue here because other countries the internet is wayyyy faster than anything we have here.. they still want to use the tax and bash model... government taxes you then the the companies want to bash you with the 0.01 cents here 0.10 cents there .. it would be nice if the money being taxed went directly to upgrading networks. and still put a nice penny of money back in the coffers

 

[CTPAHHIK]

Seems like a brilliant idea to me!!!
I'm yet to see anyone offering unlimited data. If you read fine print it says "subject to fair usage bla,bla,bla", which caps data at what? 5GB/month? And everyone is willing to pay $30/month for this?
If I want to use smart phone I MUST get data plan @ $30/month? What kind of BS is this? What makes everyone think that if someone has smart phone it will be used for internet access? There are lots of other applications smart phone can be used for, besides internet access.
Take a look at how Europe is setup? 1GB = $7, 3GB = $15, 5GB = $25. Wow, seems like better options than what's available here and it's cheaper too.

 

[jabliese]

Back when 56k modems first came out, some ISP's tried to charge more for the customers that connected to their new, shiny euqipment, on the basis they were using more data. Until they realized 56k customers got what they wanted faster, then logged off the system. So, the 56k modems could handle more of their customers in day, way more, so the ISP's stopped penalizing people for using them.

3G to 4G is a similar jump in access speed. This shows a fundamental lack of understanding of the ISP market by Verizon. They should be encouraging everyone to switch to 4G by offering unlimited data plans that are cheaper than 3G.

Guessing some marketing hack looked at the 5GB limit on "unlimited" data plans, and realized how little time it would take to hit 5BG with 4G, lol. Hint to the marketing hack, the solution is to raise the unlimited limit for 4G.

 

[mlopinto2k1]

[citation][nom]frozenlead[/nom]Perhaps there isn't broadband where I live, and I need an unlimited data plan? Or perhaps there is broadband, but there's only one company and their monopolistic prices are too large for me? I can overuse and abuse electricity just as much as I can overuse the Internet. Electricity isn't a necessity - you sure as hell can function and have a modern job without it, just as you can the Internet (though it's a little more inconvenient, in both cases). They provide a service, and they should be able to support it. How can they explain gaining a profit while imposing limits because their hardware can't handle the pressure? It's unacceptable. Maybe you like to nod your head and do what the big bad corporation tells you, but I sure won't take it.[/citation]The Internet isn't YOURS and if you want what they have, you'll pay. The don't call it the "MONETARY SYSTEM" for nothing.

 

[mlopinto2k1]

[citation][nom]jabliese[/nom]Back when 56k modems first came out, some ISP's tried to charge more for the customers that connected to their new, shiny euqipment, on the basis they were using more data. Until they realized 56k customers got what they wanted faster, then logged off the system. So, the 56k modems could handle more of their customers in day, way more, so the ISP's stopped penalizing people for using them.3G to 4G is a similar jump in access speed. This shows a fundamental lack of understanding of the ISP market by Verizon. They should be encouraging everyone to switch to 4G by offering unlimited data plans that are cheaper than 3G.Guessing some marketing hack looked at the 5GB limit on "unlimited" data plans, and realized how little time it would take to hit 5BG with 4G, lol. Hint to the marketing hack, the solution is to raise the unlimited limit for 4G.[/citation]Everyone's got allll the answers. I can't believe they don't have you working for them! They are doomed without your knowledge and wisdom. That goes for everyone who thinks their ideas are somehow the solution to your personal problems.

 

[Guest]

Bandwidth limitations are based on the laws of physics, not economics; all pricing can do is charge a fair amount for fair use.

At issue is the limits of bandwidth. Presently, VZW's $10 plan allows 'light" consumers 25 MB/ month, and $0.20/MB over that 25 MB allowance, the "unlimited" 5GB plans cost $30-$60/month.

This scheme "rewards" heavy users at the expense of the casual user; a more fair scheme would be to charge a reasonable fee, like $0.05/ MB for the first 1GB. Whether "power" users should pay more is debatable, but if the use is related to the business of making money, a $250 monthly price for 5GB of productivity-enhancing use seems cheap.

 

[bodychex]

The real problem is their ability to modify terms without giving the customer the opportunity to terminate the contract (without penalty). They purposely don't tie data plans to the contract, but DO mandate the data plan with a smartphone. The result - they can change pricing/usage terms on the data plans and you can't do anything about it – after all, it’s an “optional feature”. You have four options – cancel the plan and pay the fees, buy the new unlimited plan (if there is one) for who knows how much, downgrade to a lesser plan and don’t use the phone you might have spent $200+ on, or have your bandwidth throttled and still not use the phone to its fullest. IMHO anyone with an existing plan should have the legal right to retain their current plan (with its original terms), and be given the option to opt into any new plan/terms. I hope this eventually gets to the courts.