Mandatory Smartphone Data Plans Seem Hypocritical > Am I the only one OK with this?

reply to Thaler

Re: Am I the only one OK with this?

Can, and do are two different things. People will get data-hungry smartphones, say they won't ever use the data, and then forget to lock-out the feature on the phone - or just use it because (insert wireless provider here) allowed the user to shoot themselves in the foot.

I mean, what about those data transit overages when data card users take their devices overseas, download "just a few emails", and then are surprized by a few thousand dollar bill because they left the card in the computer, passively downloading service patches (or torrents to be downloaded in queue, or whatever). From what I've seen of the average American wireless user, I highly doubt that most wireless customers can self-regulate their devices enough to not use something as prevalent as a data feature on a smartphone. (No bash intended to anyone in particular, I've just seen way too many people with insane overages because they paid the minimal service fee, yet talk/download on their devices like beasts)

In short, yes, it makes money for the wireless provider, but it also prevents the media hysteria involved when some idiot doesn't know their plan coverage and gets socked for a super-high bill.