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Tiered data plans
- Thread starter mdonova33
- Start date
Tiered data is not a matter of if but when. And nobody knows where the line will be drawn on the amount as well. Verizon has already said it is coming with LTE and we now have a confirmation that it will hit in Nov. The only thing we can hope for is that is will be more reasonable than what AT&T started with like somewhere in the 5GB range.
It is just one of those ironies that we in the states like to talk about how far behind our wireless network is compared to the EU. Yet they have had to deal with limited data for a very long time. The big difference is they have true competion we can just hope LTE will bring that for us.
It is just one of those ironies that we in the states like to talk about how far behind our wireless network is compared to the EU. Yet they have had to deal with limited data for a very long time. The big difference is they have true competion we can just hope LTE will bring that for us.
It depends on where they stick the arbitray limit really. And the 2-3GB user today is tomorrows 4-6GB user. Just remember that.
JrzDroid
Android Expert
Sprint actually has good service where I live. Depending on the tiered plans compared to how much a use on average per month I might switch. I was looking to get the Droidx which is like a brother to the Evo4G so it all works out.
My entire family has been on Verizon since it was Bell Atlantic, but I already almost switched to Sprint earlier this year because of the EVO4g. We'll see what big red decides to do. Also, if the iPhone comes to vzw, it might give me even more reason to jump if we get swarmed with macboys
My entire family has been on Verizon since it was Bell Atlantic, but I already almost switched to Sprint earlier this year because of the EVO4g. We'll see what big red decides to do. Also, if the iPhone comes to vzw, it might give me even more reason to jump if we get swarmed with macboys
ekyle
Android Expert
Sprint doesn't have good coverage in the areas that I frequent. I don't understand why carriers would do this. It is obvious that mobile devices are relying more on data/messaging than voice now. You'd think that keeping an unlimited data plan would be on the top of their list.
Emoney53
Well-Known Member
as html5 comes out the data use will only go up, streaming everything from video to podcasts do you guys really want to think about how much data your using before you watch a youtube video in hd on LTE? would you guys stand for your cable company saying you can only watch TV for this many hours a day?
vandyblackandgold
Well-Known Member
but no one is forcing you to watch you tube in hd while on your cell coverage. i for one am in favor of tiered plans for the same reason as spoken above. i dont stream music when out and about, i dont download a lot of videos or visit full websites until i am home on my wifi network.
they dont force you buy unlimited minutes do they?
they dont force you buy unlimited minutes do they?
Emoney53
Well-Known Member
Not trying to start a war. but you bought your smartphone to use it like a feature phone? And a laptop when your home?
Doesn't make much sense so you save 5 or 10 bucks a month for dumbing down your phone. Like the internet is something that runs out. I guess by your logic I should call my internet provider at my house and ask them make it cheaper because I don't do p2p and hog bandwidth.
vandyblackandgold
Well-Known Member
no war needed, just honest discussion.
as a matter of fact, you can call your internet provider and do just that. i would be willing to bet that you have multiple options, as do i. i can get internet anywhere from 1.5mbps all the up to 50mbps (with 100mbps around the corner). If I know that all I am ever gonna do is check my e-mail and nothing else, why would I want to pay $50 a month for bandwidth that would handle streaming HD movies over netflix. I have the choice to choose my bandwidth accordingly.
I didn't buy my smartphone and then I use it like a feature phone, I was just stating that as I drive around and do my job all day long, I make choices. Now that choice may be driven towards conserving my battery or simply the fact that I cannot pay attention to have the things I could do while I am driving, but I make the choices nonetheless. So that being said, I for one am for tiered data plans because I will have the choice to save the money where I can. If one day I decide that I just need to stream pandora while driving and I go over my plan, then I will gladly pay the money for that month.
I am not some sort of data czar. I pull up plenty of websites during the day, etc. I just dont watch movies and stream stuff over 3g is all.
most people choose their minutes plan based certain criteria. my family and the church staff i serve all use verizon so we all have low monthly minutes because we dont need an excess of minutes and we are able to save money that way.
even if it is $10 a month. I know that doesnt sound like a lot, but we coupled with my wife's data plan, that adds up to $240 a year, with a total of $480 after 2 years. my savings just payed for our new phones every 2 years without any additional cost to me.
vandyblackandgold
Well-Known Member
and if that does end up being the case, verizon can gladly have their 2 year contract back (although i am sure there is going to be some that this does not nullify the contract)
Uh, no way the minimum will be $30. I understand that Verizon's purpose in doing this isn't to be gracious, but they still have to be competitive in the market. Otherwise, the switch will be pointless.
vandyblackandgold
Well-Known Member
if they mandate a change to what you pay, then you have the right to terminate your contract early. mandating is the key here. they will likely 'grandfather' you in under your current contract and allow you keep unlimited data packages. by doing this and not mandating your billing changes, they keep the door closed on you canceling your contract. and then when you buy a new phone and sign a new contract, you will then have to change to a tiered plan.
so yes, they can change it on a contracted phone, but they likely will not.
Idk if you would be happy with a tiered data plan. AT&T's tiered data plan is $15 for 200mb, and 20$ for 2gb. There is no plan for more than 2gb. They probably charge ridiculous amounts for each mb after that.
Even still, I for one still support a tiered data plan. I only use 200-300mb of data a month. Verizons cheapest plan with data and texting is ridiculous. It totals $90. $30 for data, $20 for messaging, and $40 for the 450 minutes.
I wish I had at&t's data plan. They can get 1500 texts for $15, 200mb data for $15, and 450 minutes for $40, totaling $70/month. i don't even try using wiri and i max out at 300mb so if i tried to use wifi, then i'm sure i could stay below 200mb. Even still if u get unlimited data, that only adds $5.
vandyblackandgold
Well-Known Member
actually for the 200mb plan, if you go over, they just give you another 200mb's for $15 more, and for 2gb, they give you another 1gb for $10. plus, att has put into place a lot of resources for you to track. they have apps, you can get text messages or e-mails at certain usage percentages.
absolutely. Verizon may provide a better signal, but if they're gonna charge out the @$$ for it, then they're gonna lose a lot of customers.
I'll bet Dan Hesse is sitting in his office smiling right now.
The same thing was said when Verizon forced data onto 3G "multimedia" phones. They still experienced positive growth whereas Sprint still lost subs.
Also, tiered data isn't necessarily synonymous with expensive or overpriced. For example, if Verizon prices data packages on par with AT&T, the overwhelming majority of subs would see a reduction in their montly bill.
IOWA
Mr. Logic Pants
No, this is untrue. As technology moves forward, we are using more and more data, sometimes unknowingly.
Advertisements in apps? - Data.
Gtalk? -Data
Market? -Data
YouTube? -A Handful of these a week can set you over your limit by itself.
Pandora? - See the youtube reference.
Background Sync? - Data
Browsing the web? -Data
Email Sync? - Data
New/Faster/Better capabilities are coming, with faster than ever speeds that make loads of stuff we never thought of doing possible with our mobile devices. Imagine if Comcast/ATT/Roadrunner etc put small arbitrary bandwidth caps on home service. Imagine what wouldn't exist, like online gaming, video streaming from youtube/hulu etc, pandora, all these services wouldn't exist, or would be very poor at best, because no one would be able to afford it. The list goes on and on. ATT and VZW are taking a step backwards here, and I'm glad to see Sprint and T-Mobile publicly come against bandwidth caps.
-Another thing, bandwidth caps don't even make sense.
If you bought a smartphone to use it as a smartphone, then bandwidth caps are not for you. People need to look towards tomorrow, and the next day, instead of yesterday. That is what got ATT in trouble with their crappy ass network, and why they are facing so much flak from the media and people about their 2-bit crap network. It's a crying shame they were #1 subscribed to for YEARS, and yet are 3rd out of 4 carriers when it comes to their 3G network. That's what happens when you don't look to the future.
The last thing I want, is "Oh crap, I can't watch this youtube video my co-worker sent me until I get home, because I'm close to my ridiculously small bandwidth limit. " Especially with the premium VZW charges, you guys should be outraged.
If you really think this is going to somehow save you money, your wrong. One overage, *just one*, can equal the cost savings for your entire two year contract or more. I don't want to have to worry about data caps when I'm using an already pricey internet plan when compared to what people pay for landline service.
Emoney53
Well-Known Member
Thank you Iowa I couldn't agree with you more! smart man well Said.
Theodosius
Newbie
That sums up my opinion on this exactly. I am seriously thinking about switching from Verizon. My family and I have been on it for as long as I can remember. Very good points.
