The only interesting topic post so far. Thanks jfmezei.
So, all the predictions that Verizon would save the day for unlimited 3G data plans and vanquish the evil AT&T are blowing away in a puff of smoke.
In
a post after the Verizon iPhone announcement I said:
quote:
We'll see where Verizon goes once they get millions of new iPhone users, whom AT&T found consumed data a lot more than the average "other" smartphone user. Also I'll point out that a majority of the AT&T iPhone users are still on the $30 unlimited plan.
Yes, if you're an outlier smartphone user who sucks down 12GB/month, you absolutely should try to find a provider who lets you do that on their standard plan. My guess is that in 2011 those will get increasingly hard to find. We'll see!
Looks like my guess was right.
Verizon has made an interesting move, though. They went to school on AT&T and are offering an initial unlimited plan, but unlike AT&T, are already saying it's for a limited time only. AT&T did not have to do that since they were the only game in town.
It looks like Verizon is trying to make it easy for current AT&T iPhone users to switch, especially those with a current grandfathered unlimited plan (which is the majority of iPhone subs at AT&T). Those people would see themselves downgrading for the sake of switching. This move eliminates that objection.
So, bottom line, Verizon is making a tactical move to get the biggest bang out of the early movers, but their strategic plan is exactly metered data plans, just like AT&T.