VZW's CEO remarks about future Data Plan pricing.

I think these kind of caps are only going to hurt the wireless industry.

This reminds me of the early days of dial up . The industry needs to figure out another way to beef of the networks without nickle and diming customers. when these new plans go into place I am going to reconsider my need for a "smart-phone"

 

I certainly agree that it would seem there are other sources for contributing to needed network improvements than just nickle and diming customers (reduced advertising expenditures, for example) - but it seems to me that the tiered data pricing structure makes a lot of sense. However, that doesn't mean there can't be a "high end" unlimited plan for those who truly need it and will fund that level of usage.

What doesn't make sense imo, is a continued distinction between smartphone and feature phones re: their data plan requirements, usage allotments, and pricing (outside of an unlimited plan). Obviously it's a way for the carriers to take advantage of the profit potential from the surge in smartphone popularity after the release of the iPhone; but carriers provide a service; their profit should be tied to the use of their services and not driven by the customer's choice in a device.

 

hme83

unless I misread your point regarding smart vs feature phone I think we are in agreement about that. You are correct it is wrong Imo as well that you can't get either type of phone without a data plan on VZW anyway my current phone would now require a data plan. I personally have little use for the internet on my phone I am a big talker and texter myself so I have no need for a data plan.

As far as tired data plans go as long as there are tools to warn users before going over a limit I might be okay with that.

 

I didn't consider this yesterday before my post, but something else that really needs to be nailed down by a carrier prior to implementing a tiered structure is the ability to provide users with a specific detail of their data use (as being reported/charged by the carrier). I don't necessarily believe that anything is actually "wrong" on a grand scale, but the inability to do so is causing tremendous issues on at&t with their move to the capped data plans for smartphones.

Sorry for the derail - it's a Verizon thread and I'm talking at&t. But they all seem to follow each other around.

 

I agree with you wholeheartedly data is way to easy to blow through without having some time of safeguards in place that consumers can use to monitor usage this could get very costly very quickly.
no worries about mentioning AT&T this is an industry wide issue that needs to be addressed