Gbcue Premium Member join:2001-09-30 Santa Rosa, CA |
Gbcue
Premium Member
2010-Mar-24 4:21 pm
As long as they give me a discountAs long as they give me a discount for data I didn't use, it would be awesome! | |
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| tiger72SexaT duorP Premium Member join:2001-03-28 Saint Louis, MO |
tiger72
Premium Member
2010-Mar-25 10:08 am
Re: As long as they give me a discount | |
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openbox9 Premium Member join:2004-01-26 71144 |
openbox9
Premium Member
2010-Mar-24 4:26 pm
No Mandatory Data Plans for All PhonesKarl, call it picking nits, but please stop stating that data plans are mandatory for all phones. Verizon currently has 13 "simple feature" phones that I believe do not require a data plan. | |
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Re: No Mandatory Data Plans for All PhonesAnd that shouldn't matter, if I want to have a phone with simple planning features and DON'T want internet access, I shouldn't have to PAY for internet access. | |
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| | openbox9 Premium Member join:2004-01-26 71144 |
openbox9
Premium Member
2010-Mar-24 4:29 pm
Re: No Mandatory Data Plans for All PhonesBuy a different device. If you don't like the rules, play a different game. | |
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Melvyn Dragg
Anon
2010-Mar-24 5:03 pm
Re: No Mandatory Data Plans for All PhonesThat's silly. Should you pay extra for connecting fax machine to a land line? The article is right on target.
You're paying them to provide a service, if you use data, pay for it. If you don't use data, the service provider should have no say (unless they're giving away the end device) in what I'm using. No different than connecting a HDTV with an antenna for broadcast HDTV to a basic cable tv package. | |
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Re: No Mandatory Data Plans for All PhonesSmartphones tend to be more heavily subsidized than feature phones. Data plans make up for this subsidy. WOuld be nice though if you could get an unsubsidized phone (or, better, a less-subsidized phone) and not have to get a data plan. | |
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| | | | | en102Canadian, eh? join:2001-01-26 Valencia, CA |
en102
Member
2010-Mar-24 6:46 pm
Re: No Mandatory Data Plans for All PhonesI for one agree. If I paid for the phone outright, I shouldn't be forced to purchase a high end data plan. | |
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anon202 to iansltx
Anon
2010-Mar-24 8:35 pm
to iansltx
Smartphones tend to be more heavily subsidized than feature phones. Data plans make up for this subsidy. WOuld be nice though if you could get an unsubsidized phone (or, better, a less-subsidized phone) and not have to get a data plan.
+++
Since I have a 4 year old BB on a mandatory data plan I'd rather have a cheaper data plan and just buy a phone for retail | |
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| | | | | tiger72SexaT duorP Premium Member join:2001-03-28 Saint Louis, MO |
to iansltx
Again, there's one network that does this... | |
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to openbox9
said by openbox9:Buy a different device. If you don't like the rules, play a different game. Or cheat and use ICS on AT&T's 3G network so you can tethering without them knowing. I love screwing greedy people out of their money, it makes me feel like I am doing something good for humanity . | |
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to canesfan2001
The long term idea is that voice and data will all be data. You won't have voice minutes. But the big carriers are going to do whatever they can to keep from becoming dumb pipes.
It would be nice if you could buy a phone and a data plan, then shop around for a VOIP provider. Of course you could also use the cellular provider for your VOIP.
Not all that different from a home phone line and long distance service back in the day. In my area we have Verizon copper / home phones. But we could purchase long distance service from anyone we wanted. But those long distance calls traveled over the local copper first. | |
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| 88615298 (banned) join:2004-07-28 West Tenness |
to openbox9
said by openbox9:Karl, call it picking nits, but please stop stating that data plans are mandatory for all phones. Verizon currently has 13 "simple feature" phones that I believe do not require a data plan. WOW a whole 13 phones. So yes it IS in fact forced when my choices are A) The phone I want but paying $10-$30 per month for data I never intend on using B) gimped crap phone And if you don't think that eventually there will be ZERO simple feature phones you're crazy. Hell just last month they had 16 or 17 "simple feature phones" now there's 13. Hmmmm. | |
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| | openbox9 Premium Member join:2004-01-26 71144 |
openbox9
Premium Member
2010-Mar-24 4:39 pm
Re: No Mandatory Data Plans for All PhonesA) It's a phone. Pick one for good voice quality.
B) It's a phone.
It was 16 the last time I look, a couple of which I believe were refurbs, which don't appear to be available now. Not a significant change IMO. | |
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| | | 88615298 (banned) join:2004-07-28 West Tenness |
88615298 (banned)
Member
2010-Mar-24 4:54 pm
Re: No Mandatory Data Plans for All Phonessaid by openbox9:A) It's a phone. Pick one for good voice quality. I should be able to use ANY phone. FACT. B) It's a phone. Ok so instead of having a all-in-one device I should spend hundreds extra and have to carry around seperate cellphone MP3 player and digital camera? Oh and maybe when I text I'd like to use a keyboard. NONE of which use data that cell companies charge for. So why would I need a data plan? It was 16 the last time I look, a couple of which I believe were refurbs, which don't appear to be available now. Not a significant change IMO. 3 out of 16 is a 19% drop in one month. | |
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Re: No Mandatory Data Plans for All PhonesYou buy their product, you play by their rules. Don't like it? Pick a different carrier. Not a huge fan myself but I'm not going to whine/moan/ask for legislation about it. | |
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Re: No Mandatory Data Plans for All PhonesBF69 will ask for legislation about it due to his only choice is VZW he claims. But should we check to see how many carriers resell VZW and are a LOT cheaper?
Lets see.......PagePlus Cellular (based in Toledo, Ohio) offers unlimited talk and Text (internet and picture mail not included) for $39.99 per month, no taxes on the service. Use most VZW phones as well, nationwide coverage - since they do use the VZW network without any problems or anything.
www.pagelpluscellular.com | |
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| | | | | | 88615298 (banned) join:2004-07-28 West Tenness |
88615298 (banned)
Member
2010-Mar-24 8:05 pm
Re: No Mandatory Data Plans for All Phonessaid by hottboiinnc4:BF69 will ask for legislation about it due to his only choice is VZW he claims. But should we check to see how many carriers resell VZW and are a LOT cheaper? Lets see.......PagePlus Cellular (based in Toledo, Ohio) offers unlimited talk and Text (internet and picture mail not included) for $39.99 per month, no taxes on the service. Use most VZW phones as well, nationwide coverage - since they do use the VZW network without any problems or anything. www.pagelpluscellular.com Gee last time I cheked I lvied in AMERICA and I have a right to post an opinion. So really you don't like it don't read it. Go ahead and post until you're blue in the face I am NOT seeing your side. So please continue to waste you day replying to my posts. It's more than obvious you have nothing better to do. | |
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iansltx
Member
2010-Mar-24 10:40 pm
Re: No Mandatory Data Plans for All PhonesFunny, appears as though what you said could be applied to yourself as well. Despite the fact that I at times disagree with hotboiinnc I will admit that he's trying to inform and you're exercising your Constitutionally granted right to look like a complete moron.
Have a nice day! | |
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| | | | openbox9 Premium Member join:2004-01-26 71144 |
to 88615298
said by 88615298:I should be able to use ANY phone. FACT. Fact? said by 88615298:Ok so instead of having a all-in-one device I should spend hundreds extra and have to carry around seperate cellphone MP3 player and digital camera? Oh and maybe when I text I'd like to use a keyboard. NONE of which use data that cell companies charge for. So why would I need a data plan? You don't. Did you look at the "simple feature phones" currently available? said by 88615298:3 out of 16 is a 19% drop in one month. Not if they were refurbished phones that are no longer available. | |
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| | | | | 88615298 (banned) join:2004-07-28 West Tenness |
88615298 (banned)
Member
2010-Mar-24 8:01 pm
Re: No Mandatory Data Plans for All Phonessaid by openbox9:You don't. Did you look at the "simple feature phones" currently available? Yeah crappy VGA cameras. No storage capabilites. Why would I want to DOWNGRADE form my current phone? Not if they were refurbished phones that are no longer available. It's still a 19% drop. They could have replaced them with other phones. Keep drinking the corporate kool-aid. | |
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| | | | | | openbox9 Premium Member join:2004-01-26 71144 |
openbox9
Premium Member
2010-Mar-24 8:24 pm
Re: No Mandatory Data Plans for All PhonesSo, you incrementally reveal the ground rules so that no matter what you won't be satisfied? Something tells me that even if you could get an Evo-equivalent device with nationwide unlimited voice, text, and data, for $40/mth, you'd still find something to complain about. If you have a current phone that you're happy about and don't want to downgrade, then it seems to me that there's no problem. Not really. I don't consider refurbished anything as true options. If memory serves me correctly, two of those 16 were refurb devices which in the worse case means a 5.2% decline in available devices. | |
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| | | | | | fiberguy2My views are my own. Premium Member join:2005-05-20 |
to 88615298
Keep drinking the "corporate kool-aid" huh? So its the corporations that tell us our opinions? Really? You don't think that people have the intelligence enough to think for themselves? I'm guessing that you'd want thought legislated too, right?
No, seriously... while the ONLY thing I agree with is that they should be perfectly fine mandating that their subsidized phones have certain services mandatory with them - while under contract. However, after that, I don't think they SHOULD be forcing certain plans on phones..
But .. really.. knock it off with the "kool-aid" stuff.. maybe you can ask for legislation that bans the use of terms like Astroturfer, shill, ass-hat, and all the other famous "I have no other real argument so I'll insert X dig against the other BBR user...
IOW: some of us have opinions that agree with the corporates... | |
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| nonymous (banned) join:2003-09-08 Glendale, AZ |
to openbox9
said by openbox9:Karl, call it picking nits, but please stop stating that data plans are mandatory for all phones. Verizon currently has 13 "simple feature" phones that I believe do not require a data plan. Verizon currently has 13 junk phones that have no data plan. I like texting and I think I only saw one off brand phone with a keyboard left. I use unlimited in texting. I do not need or want data as email but I use text. I have a netbook and wifi for the internet for free for the foreseeable future. So just because you think I only do texting I do not deserve a decent phone go somewhere else. I do not need or want a blackberry but a name brand phone with a keyboard as I am old and text enough I do not want to try and do it on a keypad. I actually think if forced to data and email even if I dumped text package and used email only the minimum data plan would be the same as texting. However with my usage of text changing to email would most likely go over that base package. Thus either a data overage or forced to a much more expensive plan. Those base data packages are garbage designed solely to accrue overages. Pure profit for say VERIZON. They are not repeat not being nice. They now have a near duopoly and the bib CEOs are sitting back waiting for each other to raise the prices. When they do they all will. No competition just to big to care or to big for any start up to have a chance. Its to late for any competitor to start fresh and buy nonexistent spectrum. The Verizon ATT now have the stranglehold are can use it. No more competition just kiss each others asses while they raise rates and suck the customers dry. Do you want to know how I really feel. | |
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| | openbox9 Premium Member join:2004-01-26 71144 |
openbox9
Premium Member
2010-Mar-24 4:49 pm
Re: No Mandatory Data Plans for All Phonessaid by nonymous:I like texting and I think I only saw one off brand phone with a keyboard left. Currently 10 in stock multimedia phones of which 2 appear to have QWERTY keyboards (a third one is out of stock) from my cursory look. said by nonymous:They are not repeat not being nice. When did "nice" enter the equation? | |
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Re: No Mandatory Data Plans for All Phonessaid by openbox9:said by nonymous:I like texting and I think I only saw one off brand phone with a keyboard left. Currently 10 in stock multimedia phones of which 2 appear to have QWERTY keyboards (a third one is out of stock) from my cursory look. said by nonymous:They are not repeat not being nice. When did "nice" enter the equation? Why do you incessantly defend them? Do you like paying more money for less service? | |
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Re: No Mandatory Data Plans for All PhonesI think you should never get a pay raise because you're greedy and that's not nice, and your pay raise directly impacts the price of whatever your company sells!
See my logic? | |
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| | | | openbox9 Premium Member join:2004-01-26 71144 |
to sonicmerlin
Once again, I'm not paying more for less. I've been a VZ Wireless customer for 5 years and my cost hasn't gone up yet. I could just as well ask you why you incessantly think that you should get more and more for less and less? | |
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88615298 (banned) join:2004-07-28 West Tenness |
88615298 (banned)
Member
2010-Mar-24 4:27 pm
Time to dump the cell phoneAs long as they insist on 5 GB caps and $50 per GB overage rates screw this. Won't be hard to go over 5 GB when your text messages and phone calls count as data. | |
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Re: Time to dump the cell phoneyou mean just minutes, text msg won't make a difference in your monthly data. | |
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to 88615298
said by 88615298:As long as they insist on 5 GB caps and $50 per GB overage rates screw this. Won't be hard to go over 5 GB when your text messages and phone calls count as data. Small point, but on Verizon's smartphone data plan, the 5GB cap only applies when tethering. | |
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| FFH5 Premium Member join:2002-03-03 Tavistock NJ
1 recommendation |
to 88615298
said by 88615298:As long as they insist on 5 GB caps and $50 per GB overage rates screw this. Won't be hard to go over 5 GB when your text messages and phone calls count as data. You say it. But you never will. | |
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33358088 (banned)
Member
2010-Mar-24 4:42 pm
i warned you allbut do you listen NOPE and its why i do not have a cell phone
now you realize that there idea of GB used will be like a bell Canada throttle and cap
AND YOU SUCKERS i have ONE WORD SENTENCE FOR YOU
SUCKS TO BE IN A CONTRACT DON'T IT. | |
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neftv join:2000-10-01 Broomall, PA |
neftv
Member
2010-Mar-24 5:04 pm
well as long as the unlimited pricing they have nowdon't change.....they can do the per-byte pricing. For example AT&T has the $15 unlimited regular data and $30 Blackberry Data plan now. IF those prices are good for unlimited now it should be good when they want to do the per-byte pricing. Otherwise, I will do just as well without my cell phone. Stop paying for extraordinary advertising too maybe you won't have to raise rates in fact lower them. Ever hear the good ole word of month, it usually works if your service is great and people love the service. Wouldn't be nice if there was such a thing as a non-profit cell phone companies, the ones that own their own infrastructure too. Ha,,,, dreams... | |
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Re: well as long as the unlimited pricing they have nowThere are a few cell phone companies that are arms of cooperatives. I know of two off the top of my head: XIT Cellular (NW Texas) and West Central Wireless (central TX). Both use GSM. Both have decent rates, but nothing special. However neither require you to get a data plan with their phones, though your subsidy isn't as heavy as if you got one.
Then again, as far as I can tell their data networks aren't great, so a forced data plan would be a bad idea. | |
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heat84DSLR Influencer join:2004-03-11 Delray Beach, FL |
heat84
Member
2010-Mar-24 5:43 pm
You're all a bunch of sheepI'll just sit back and watch you fight over shepherds. I get along just fine without a cell phone. There may come a time when resistance will be futile and I'll have to assimilate, but that hasn't happened yet. People got along without cell phones up until 15 years ago or so. I see no reason why its essential to have one (other than the rare life threatening situation). Besides that they give you brain cancer and can be used for mind control like in that episode of the new Doctor Who where The Master used cellphones to take over the world. I'm not letting that happen to me. Maybe I'll be the one doing the controlling. | |
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| jmn1207 Premium Member join:2000-07-19 Sterling, VA |
jmn1207
Premium Member
2010-Mar-24 6:37 pm
Re: You're all a bunch of sheepSorry, but you are currently being controlled by Me through your computer or microwave oven. Just more conveniences, like rolls of toilet paper, that people could live without not too long ago. Don't bother responding to this, I already know what I'm going to make you say. | |
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| SpaethCoDigital Plumber MVM join:2001-04-21 Minneapolis, MN |
to heat84
said by heat84:People got along without cell phones up until 15 years ago or so. It's good to see that Luddites make exceptions to use the Internet to warn us of the evils of technology. | |
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I say again! I hope a slick lawyer will sue any wireless carrier, under the Americans With Disabilities Act, that require a data plan on any handset with a large easy to read screen. As I age I want a handset with an easier to read screen. I use my web browser infrequently and do not need a data plan. The only reason for requiring a data plan on handsets with large screens is greed! | |
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DiceyIf implemented I give it only about 5-6 years of per-Gigabyte billing and these carrier CEO's will be begging to go back to high subscription cost/unlimited use plans.
It's always better (as a company) to charge more for something that most people don't use than it is to charge accurately for something that people do use.
But I do see that they are trying to hit a middle ground that truly achieves the desired result of "loot your customers for all they are worth and when customers get pissed off they have nowhere to go because we carriers all colluded to do the same thing."
Oh FCC, I wish you had teeth. | |
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Shamayim
Premium Member
2010-Mar-24 5:58 pm
Dental questionIf you exceed the cap do you have an overbyte? | |
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AT&T manLots of people here never read his Bio before. Once you do you'll understand him a lot better. | |
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hayabusa3303Over 200 mph Premium Member join:2005-06-29 Florence, SC |
HA HAone more reason why NOT to have a cell phone. | |
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| SpaethCoDigital Plumber MVM join:2001-04-21 Minneapolis, MN |
Re: HA HAsaid by hayabusa3303:one more reason why NOT to have a cell phone. Because the cane still looks better in your hand when you're shaking it at cars and yelling at them to slow down. | |
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Nice timing Sprint!Wow me with the official unveiling of the Supersonic (EVO 4G) and while my head is still spinning over that, announce your intention to place more emphasis on billing for data. Nicely done.
I'm going to stick with Sprint until I no longer feel they are the best value in the wireless arena. If and when that day comes, I'll end my many years of being their patron and move to whoever else is.
- Tate | |
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They have a lot of nerveThese Telco CEO's have a lot of nerve! Something is going to give in the near future. If National Wireless Broadband is deployed, do I really need my cell phone? I'll probably cancel it! | |
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SprintI've been using sprint for about 12-13 years, always had some sort of unlimited data plan. I have used my phones for tethering since I first got a smartphone in 1999, without a tethering plan. There's been some months when I used 14-15GB, I have clients that transfer 30GB+ using a data card for their office's conenction, and Sprint never complained. They have kick ass coverage in my state, and have NEVER EVER had a problem with my data usage with the unlimited plan on my smartphone.
just my $.02 | |
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| linicxCaveat Emptor Premium Member join:2002-12-03 United State |
linicx
Premium Member
2010-Apr-28 3:42 am
Re: SprintAmen! I don't have spectacular coverage. I have Sprint. I need a cell for medical emergencies. I don't enjoy paying $1200/yr. for $10 phones. I have no real choice. but I do have really good service.
The day Sprint forces me into an expensive smart phone data plan that is the day that I'll be buying a pay=go phone. . | |
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OCP Premium Member join:2004-10-11 USA |
OCP
Premium Member
2010-Mar-24 9:05 pm
4G is only dataAm I the only one that sees what they're doing as making sense? 4G is supposed to be data only. Voice is really just data on 4G. I don't think I'm reading it wrong, but someone will correct me. "the infrastructure for 4G will be only packet-based (all-IP)." » en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4GI didn't read it all myself. | |
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Re: 4G is only dataYou are right. It looks like Sprint is just going to sell a data connection and you can use it how you want. I think people are still in the mindset of paying for minutes then being forced to buy data and/or text plans. Forget about the minutes and think you are just going to be buying blocks of data. If all you do is make phone calls you get 5 gigs a month for $30. It will be lower as the voice component and all the infrastructure to the tower to support it is gone. 4G changes the way everything is delivered. | |
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to OCP
said by OCP:Am I the only one that sees what they're doing as making sense? 4G is supposed to be data only. Voice is really just data on 4G. I don't think I'm reading it wrong, but someone will correct me. "the infrastructure for 4G will be only packet-based (all-IP)." » en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4GI didn't read it all myself. Absolutely it makes sense. IF the pricing plans they come up with offer value to consumers. | |
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Reading too much into itI think that maybe Karl has read a little too much into this. I can see that, given how badly most of the players in the marketplace behave.
I see nothing in the WSJ article to suggest that Hesse means that everyone will be using metered billing. All of Sprint's and Clearwire's actions seem to indicate the contrary. Sprint pushes unlimited use plans very heavily and Clearwire is actively encouraging you to use as much as the network can handle. I haven't seen any reports of either of these companies telling users that they need to ease up on the usage. For goodness sake, they're selling a phone as a hotspot. Why do that if they want to discourage use?
No, the proper reading of Heese's comments are that the wireless industry is going to be pushing a big stream of bits instead of a bunch of separate services. Given Sprint's efforts to outsource all network operations, both 3G and 4G, in pursuit of a dumb pipe future, I can't be lead to any other conclusion.
While it's a lot of fun to get users raging about caps, let's try and keep a wider perspective here. Sprint is one of the few companies that gets it: unlimited usage of whatever you want for one monthly rate. Sounds pretty good to me. | |
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| fiberguy2My views are my own. Premium Member join:2005-05-20
1 recommendation |
Re: Reading too much into itHere's MY question.. we read all the time about the stuff that Karl points out.. but you know what? ... we never see what HE'D like to see...
So once day, how about we see Karl post his idea of a perfect world in the cellular, cable, satellite, pots, voip, etc. world.
It's always easy to sit back and try to find what's wrong with everything, but let's see what he can say what WOULD work..
.. and IF he does, how about we pick it apart?
It just seems to me that everyone wants to spend a few bucks here and there for services they use.. the fact is that with that kind of revenue generated, I'm just wondering how we'd enjoy tin cans and strings. Further, I know he'd just love to see a world of a uni-fiber network that everyone just throws data on for land based communication.. I just wonder how he'd categorize and post all the lost jobs from such a Utopian dream as well.. he doesn't have a problem talking about AT&T having to cut jobs due to lack of subscribers..
Personally, I think that Sprint, as a major carrier, is trying to offer customers a value for their money and not burden the customer with figuring out "what do I have left this month before I go over".... I think that most customers are spending on average of $60 to $70 a month for their cell services anyway.. Sprint, while I did dump them, does seem to have it right. | |
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WTF PeopleIt's looked at this way, why get a pda phone that all the extra features use internet and not get it, some one would try and use it then call and complain and that more lost revenue, so it's simpler to make them have it cause , well most people ar idiots i work at a sprint call center and i get 30 calls a day where " I DIDNT USE DATA" and there no data plan because they did not understand looking at the weather or instant messages was internet. The rules are in place for the masses and the ones that understand just get to suffer. | |
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jc1350
Member
2010-Mar-25 9:21 am
Re: WTF PeopleOR, the cell carriers could truly block cellular data if the customer does not buy a data plan. Then the customer can't check the weather and thus wouldn't be charged for it. But the current way of allowing data to be used when there's no subscription is just part of the money grab.
There are many smartphones that work just fine with data coming from wi-fi. There's no technological requirement for my iPhone cell subscription to have a cellular data plan. | |
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TMMerlinThe Devil made me do it join:2003-06-19 Oxford, MI |
Don;t bother with FCC ComplaintThe FCC is WORTHLESS ..! Obvously [as we all know] the FCC'ers want their lobster tail lunches bought each day with the carriers expense account !
I complained about mandatory data package and got a call from each carrier and basically they said "it's for your own good"... LMAO LMAO
I will continue to use my RAZR V3M for a voice call. I will not sign up for a new contract. I will dump the cellphone if they screw with my grandfathered pricing ! | |
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SteelerRaw
Anon
2010-Mar-25 10:52 am
Most may be misinterpreting HesseHere is a post (not mine) that rather succinctly sums up what I *think* Dan H. meant: » www.howardforums.com/sho ··· count=14 | |
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Re: Most may be misinterpreting HesseNo, I think people get it. The issue is what kind of pricing model carriers are going to adopt. | |
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So in a couple of yours...So in a couple of years, my Sprint retention plan won't be worth anything. | |
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