Tiered Data coming soon...

[nj02vette]

Was looking through the comments in that site and stumbled upon this one:

Sprint CEO hints unlimited data could end if usage gets crazy -- Engadget

Seems they are in the same boat as Verizon when it comes to users going crazy with their devices.

Was just about to post that too.

Give it up people, tiered is coming, and all you b|tching about it won't change that fact.

I also don't see why people can't fathom that adding capacity costs money. Verizon alone has spent something like 10billion this year alone on network upgrades. That's where you money is going.

 

[Kevmueller]

So what would happen if the government came out and said they were going to a flat tax for everyone, everyone has to pay $5,000 a year. People with lower income will be up in arms because people who make more than them will being paying the same (and I agree with them).

While I like having an unlimited data plan, if the 2gb plan is less than what the data plan is today and the 5gb plan is more (which I expect it to be) is that not more fair? People who use less data pay less than people using more data, kind of like taxes?

I am at a touch over 3gb for the month with a week left in my cycle. However I never switch to WiFi, if I start to pay more, when I can I will switch to WiFi. Also some of the files I want to download during the day instead of waiting until I get home and doing it on my PC I will wait. I am not rolling over to Verizon, I understand the reason they are doing this. Verizon is the same company that when my wife starting texting and we did not have unlimited texting and had racked up almost $200 in charges let me change our plan at the end of the month and make it effective at the first of the month to save us $175. They are just looking at ways to keep the strongest network in the US up and running. I am sure the same people upset about this would be upset if the network slowed down because we will all using so much data that it could not handle it.

 

[Joan006]

Well, being a simple DX user (and two of my daughters as well)...I understand both sides of it. It all boils down to, We gotta pay to play.
I don't imagine, IF this comes to be, our charges will be if any, higher.
Will everyone still complain if it works out to be cheaper?
Will you use Wifi more to make it cheaper?
I called Verizon the other day when one of my daughters, who is in the Coast Guard, and who canNOT understand to put her phone in Airplaine mode when traveling out of the country, racked up MEGA international data usage charges. They were more than happy to back out the usage charges and back date her to a international data plan. That costs more, but WAY cheaper that what she was going to have to pay.
Verizon also put a notification on our phones if she racks up more than $50. in data charges, they will email us.
They seem very eager to work with us to help cut down on data charges.
That's just my experience.

 

[Member112085]

LOL yeah, we do. That is the point. Some people, you for example, are willing to pay more for less. Others, me for example, are not. However, because of the other subset of people, everyone will be forced into it, or forced out of it. I will be forced out because I wont pay more for less.

Since they haven't released any details on pricing, how is it that you know you would be expected to pay more for less? Or are you just assuming?

 

[TMack]

Bizarre sense of entitlement in this thread. I love the paranoia as well - "those corporate bastards are out to get us!". If you don't like free markets, the United States is probably not for you.

 

[Member112085]

While I like having an unlimited data plan, if the 2gb plan is less than what the data plan is today and the 5gb plan is more (which I expect it to be) is that not more fair? People who use less data pay less than people using more data, kind of like taxes?

+1

 

[Member112085]

Bizarre sense of entitlement in this thread. I love the paranoia as well - "those corporate bastards are out to get us!". If you don't like free markets, the United States is probably not for you.

Seriously! I was thinking the EXACT same thing! It's like people expect their wireless carrier to be in business to break even. Let's see a show of hands for all of the business owners in this forum that make it their goal just to break even - make just enough revenue to cover their costs, no profit at all. Anybody??

 

[vr4]

might want to fix my wifi issues if you want me to not use data for browsing.


i still cant connect to any secured and a few unsecured wifi networks ive come across.

 

[JustinHEMI]

Since they haven't released any details on pricing, how is it that you know you would be expected to pay more for less? Or are you just assuming?

An assumption. I would be willing to bet that at my data rate, I will pay more.

 

[JustinHEMI]

Seriously! I was thinking the EXACT same thing! It's like people expect their wireless carrier to be in business to break even. Let's see a show of hands for all of the business owners in this forum that make it their goal just to break even - make just enough revenue to cover their costs, no profit at all. Anybody??

Do you people REALLY believe that Verizon is hurting on data right now? LMAO you are funny.

 

[Steven58]

Sadly it has been confirmed...
Luckily, those who currently have the unlimited plan will be grandfathered in...just dont ever change the feature lol
heres the link
Verizon CEO confirms plans for tiered data pricing -- Engadget

Even with Wireless Tether and root, I don't use much data because I'm all about wifi. However, I'm going to upgrade my daughter's BB curve to an android, either the Fascinate or the Incredible in order to grandfather her into this system as well. Who know? Maybe sometime in the future VZW will begin to offer all inclusive data plans like Sprint does?

 

[Deleted User]

LOL yeah, we do. That is the point. Some people, you for example, are willing to pay more for less. Others, me for example, are not. However, because of the other subset of people, everyone will be forced into it, or forced out of it. I will be forced out because I wont pay more for less.

No, you don't. Otherwise, you wouldn't use language like "laying down" and "defending the behavior" and "way to go Verizon" as if they are doing something wrong.

They have a commodity for sale - wireless data. The exponential increase in data usage because of smartphones has made the commodity, in economic terms, scarce. Scarce commodities go up in price. That is not someone trying to stick it to you, or the rest of us being pushovers. That is the most fundamental product of supply and demand.

Would I like it to stay unlimited for $30? Of course. I'd also like gas to be $1/gallon, and for my favorite wine to be less than $50/bottle.

The price of a commodity is something I am allowed to look at, judge, and determine whether I find that the cost:benefit ratio to be acceptable to me. Just like I continue to drive, and I have a few bottles of my favorite wine set aside for special occasions, I will pay for a tiered data plan with Verizon.

If a tiered data plan is not acceptable to you because it will cost you more, by all means, switch to Sprint. What I find to be funny is the adamant insistence that this is somehow putting the screws to the consumer or some other form of corporate evil. And in any event, you will only be delaying the inevitable - Sprint won't be able to handle unlimited data at that price forever.

 

[SgtBaxter]

Verizon, AT&T continually bitch, bitch, bitch about data, yet they'll rake you over the coals for voice calls and text messages. Verizon sells you text messaging at ~ 10000% markup.

STOP FLEECING US ON VOICE AND TEXT FEES IF YOU'RE GOING TO BITCH ABOUT DATA USAGE!!

That said, perhaps Verizon will see the light and start a single charge. After all they already require "data charge" for damn near every phone. Just charge us $75 a month and be done with it. Voice and text are data anyway, have a real unlimited plan, then lower tiers, and voice and text data goes towards the caps.

 

[JustinHEMI]

No, you don't. Otherwise, you wouldn't use language like "laying down" and "defending the behavior" and "way to go Verizon" as if they are doing something wrong.

They have a commodity for sale - wireless data. The exponential increase in data usage because of smartphones has made the commodity, in economic terms, scarce. Scarce commodities go up in price. That is not someone trying to stick it to you, or the rest of us being pushovers. That is the most fundamental product of supply and demand.

Would I like it to stay unlimited for $30? Of course. I'd also like gas to be $1/gallon, and for my favorite wine to be less than $50/bottle.

The price of a commodity is something I am allowed to look at, judge, and determine whether I find that the cost:benefit ratio to be acceptable to me. Just like I continue to drive, and I have a few bottles of my favorite wine set aside for special occasions, I will pay for a tiered data plan with Verizon.

If a tiered data plan is not acceptable to you because it will cost you more, by all means, switch to Sprint. What I find to be funny is the adamant insistence that this is somehow putting the screws to the consumer or some other form of corporate evil. And in any event, you will only be delaying the inevitable - Sprint won't be able to handle unlimited data at that price forever.

Cool story bro.

Find one place in this thread I said I was switching to Sprint or that I thought they were evil for doing it.

And they are doing something wrong for going to tiered, but I also understand why they are doing it... people will pay it. I don't consider that evil, it is smart business. That is MY opinion. And I won't be paying them when they do. I do not use data for anything important and it is something I can and will happily give up.

 

[dylo22]

Cool story bro.

Find one place in this thread I said I was switching to Sprint or that I thought they were evil for doing it.

And they are doing something wrong for going to tiered, but I also understand why they are doing it... people will pay it. I don't consider that evil, it is smart business. That is MY opinion. And I won't be paying them when they do. I do not use data for anything important and it is something I can and will happily give up.

I'm confused. Smart business = doing something wrong?

 

[Piiman]

I agree. Verizon can kiss my butt.

well the article said Sprint would follow soon after

 

[Piiman]

You can thank those that are rooted and use tons of data for this. Sorry but that is the way it is. A few ruin things for the rest of us. Happens all the time in all aspects of society.
Just like cable pirates.

Rooting as NOTHING to do with data use.

 

[sex instructor]

I had an idea this would happen sooner or later.

 

[Anemone]

i dont use 1 gb of data a month so i assume tiered data would actually be cheaper for me. Those that use more pay more, its simple as that.

if it saves me money by all means, no problem at all. I think the people who use over 2gb of data will be the ones to complain.

 

[JustinHEMI]

I'm confused. Smart business = doing something wrong?

Yes let me clarify. I think they are wrong for doing it, because I don't want to pay for tiered data, but I also understand WHY they are doing it, because as this thread has proven, people are ok with it, so it is smart business to charge more for less (an assumption of what I think will come out in the wash).

 

[JustinHEMI]

well the article said Sprint would follow soon after

Except I never said I was going with sprint. ?

 

[ctxx24]

I used over 3g last month

 

[chammer]

Bizarre sense of entitlement in this thread. I love the paranoia as well - "those corporate bastards are out to get us!". If you don't like free markets, the United States is probably not for you.

Seriously! I was thinking the EXACT same thing! It's like people expect their wireless carrier to be in business to break even. Let's see a show of hands for all of the business owners in this forum that make it their goal just to break even - make just enough revenue to cover their costs, no profit at all. Anybody??

I wanted to stay out of this, but I have to question you two (and possibly others) that feel this way:

How is it a sense of entitlement to expect to get not only what you're paying for, but what the contract itself says you are *gasp* entitled to receive (ie: unlimited data)?

I seriously wonder about some people these days.

Dawnierae: I seriously doubt Verizon are just breaking even. However, you are correct in that people SHOULD expect a certain level of service even if it does mean Verizon are just breaking even. If Verizon hadn't agreed to offer it in the first place, then we wouldn't be in this situation. Verizon offered a certain level of service. While it is us, the customers, which are using said service, it's NOT our fault that they can't keep up with demand. By artificially limiting the supply instead of supplying more as needed, its just another attempt at sucking MORE money from people all the while pretending its going to save money for most people. Riiiiiiight..... To think that is naive at best. Just wait and see.

If Verizon really wants to do this, then metering (as has been proposed in the past) is the only logical way of doing it. Just like your power, water, natural gas, gas for your vehicle, etc all do for similar type services (ie: paying for what you use). Tiered is not the way of handling this. Verizon needs to figure out a metric be it a byte, kilobyte, or whatever (though the smaller the metric the better the accuracy) and present that as their ONLY data plan. Something that ends up working out to around $30/month for 2gb of data or whatever. This way those that use fractions of what others are using, will pay hardly anything. Those that sit and stream YouTube all day and all night with torrents running in the background would probably slit their wrists after their first bill, but thats the bed they will be making and laying in.

Verizon could get even smarter and tier THIS aspect of the service. Meaning, if you're using 0-200mb/month you pay $0.02 per MB, 200mb-1gb you pay $0.05 per MB, 1gb-5gb you pay $0.10 per MB, etc etc. This rewards those who use less bandwidth, and punishes those who hog the resources.

We can all agree, I'm sure, that one size fits all rarely works in applications like this. However, while tiered works on some level (like ordering fast food), it does not fit with services which attempt to measure by usage.

 

[JazzMat]

If Verizon really wants to do this, then metering (as has been proposed in the past) is the only logical way of doing it. Just like your power, water, natural gas, gas for your vehicle, etc all do for similar type services (ie: paying for what you use). Tiered is not the way of handling this. Verizon needs to figure out a metric be it a byte, kilobyte, or whatever (though the smaller the metric the better the accuracy) and present that as their ONLY data plan. Something that ends up working out to around $30/month for 2gb of data or whatever. This way those that use fractions of what others are using, will pay hardly anything. Those that sit and stream YouTube all day and all night with torrents running in the background would probably slit their wrists after their first bill, but thats the bed they will be making and laying in.

Verizon could get even smarter and tier THIS aspect of the service. Meaning, if you're using 0-200mb/month you pay $0.02 per MB, 200mb-1gb you pay $0.05 per MB, 1gb-5gb you pay $0.10 per MB, etc etc. This rewards those who use less bandwidth, and punishes those who hog the resources.

We can all agree, I'm sure, that one size fits all rarely works in applications like this. However, while tiered works on some level (like ordering fast food), it does not fit with services which attempt to measure by usage.

Now, you're making sense. I think perhaps the thing that makes tiered plans such an onerous concept for so many is the fear that they will be structured like non-unlimited texting has been. If you go over a certain number, you incur what are truly frightful per-text charges. In other words, you're being penalized for using more resources than you had contracted for.

I don't have a problem with the concept of paying per MB of data usage, as long as the price is reasonable and I end up paying approximately the same amount for the usage I currently enjoy. Where people get pissed off is with the concept of their current usage suddenly costing two or three times the amount they've grown accustomed to paying. And frankly, that is a bit of a "bait and switch" strategy, whch runs counter to our collective sense of fairness.

What would work best, and would be the smallest PR nightmare for Verizon, would be for it to do a full analysis of current usage patterns and come up with a per-MB-usage charge that will keep as many people as possible at the current rates they pay. Those who are "underutilizing" their data packages would see their rates go down. Those who are at or slightly above the usage that is covered by the per-MB fee would see their bills remain the same or increase slightly. Then, as demand goes up, those whose data usage increases will pay only for the increased usage; not a penalty for breaking through an arbitrary threshold.

Of course, this will still piss off the people who live on their phones 24/7. They will see their rates increase significantly. Can't please all of the people all of the time.

 

[ctxx24]

I pay for unlimited and get what I pay for