Throttling and messages will "magically" disappear once they do away with the last "unlimited" plan. They will encourage you to use all the data you want, and watch the slow network complaints return, just like the complaints awhile back about lousy slow data coverage until they magically decided to do away with unlimited plans for new subscribers (they then turned on the so-called 4G speedier network just prior to the iphone4s arrival.
ATT is a shark of the worst kind, and Verizon is no better.
Simple idea: Who NEEDS to see the person on the other end - most young folks just text anyhow, and don't care to talk anymore. I predict Facetime will get little real usage anyhow, regardless of the charges levied by the carriers.
Verizon still allows unthrottled LTE for those who have unlimited grandfathered.
The FCC really has to step in here and give the carriers a choice: start following principles of network neutrality, or lose their license to the public airwaves. What's next, you have to pay for a data plan but pay extra to access the Web?
Don't forget, this is yet another area where Google (in conspiracy with Verizon) has plotted to harm consumers.
Verizon still allows unthrottled LTE for those who have unlimited grandfathered.
Yeah - but for how long, once ATT gets their hands on the iphone5, with LTE capability. Once they do away will unlimited, the collusive giants will have their way with all of us. The days of unlimited data are numbered, I'm afraid.
Now the question is what if you already have FaceTime enabled over cellular before installing iOS 6 Beta 3. Will you still get the error? I guess I am going to have to do a FaceTime call over 3G now to see if I get the message since I already have it enabled.
Simple idea: Who NEEDS to see the person on the other end - most young folks just text anyhow, and don't care to talk anymore. I predict Facetime will get little real usage anyhow, regardless of the charges levied by the carriers, and any families who do a lot of video talking will just use wifi or skype anyhow, rather than cellular data.
You can use FaceTime for audio only if you want. It doesn't have to be video.
You can use FaceTime for audio only if you want. It doesn't have to be video.
Why would you use Facetime for audio only - hello, they call it "cellular phone service" - that old favorite we all used to use a lot, unless you are bumping up against the antiquated call minutes limit, and need to use wifi on facetime? This is what makes it so confusing to consumers - trying to get around the antiquated pricing structure that we now have, while trying not to get gauged too badly by the shark carriers.
Verizon still allows unthrottled LTE for those who have unlimited grandfathered.
Verizon will no longer be honoring grandfathered unlimited data plans once the contract is up. You will have to select a new data package. So this will only be true until the turn-around of customers contracts who have unlimited data.
Can't speak for him/her but I plan to switch to Straight Talk. $45 for unlimited voice, text and 2GB of data (throttled down after 2GB). It doesn't support visual voicemail but I can live with that.
Verizon will no longer be honoring grandfathered unlimited data plans once the contract is up. You will have to select a new data package. So this will only be true until the turn-around of customers contracts who have unlimited data.
The carriers are absolutedly salivating at the thought of the data revenue they will make on LTE network usage - most will blow through $50/month plans in 30-45 minutes of LTE video usage. I can hear the parents screaming already at the bill they will get - reminds me of the first call minute overage charges I got on my son's first cellphone - ah yes, those were the days.
Verizon will no longer be honoring grandfathered unlimited data plans once the contract is up. You will have to select a new data package. So this will only be true until the turn-around of customers contracts who have unlimited data.
False. If contract is up you can keep using your phone. No one forces you to upgrade. If you want to change your phone you can just purchase a phone via third party (full price). Who says you need to always be on contract.
Phones are the cheapest part of owning a smartphone.
Why would you use Facetime for audio only - hello, they call it "cellular phone service" - that old favorite we all used to use a lot, unless you are bumping up against the antiquated call minutes limit, and need to use wifi on facetime? This is what makes it so confusing to consumers - trying to get around the antiquated pricing structure that we now have, while trying not to get gauged too badly by the shark carriers.
Voice plans are expensive. If I can do everything with my data only plan, I most certainly will.
Sprint is starting to look better and better. Unlimited data AND cheaper plans. Anyone here have Sprint with their iPhone?
I do. Where I live I get great voice coverage and speeds averaging between 900K and 2M which is very good for CDMA data. Sprint just rolled out LTE service here in Atlanta and every week will be adding more cities so it sucks to be stuck on a 4S that is 3G only even when LTE is available. But we shouldn't have too wait too many more months for an LTE iPhone and Sprint has repeated many times they will keep unlimited data even for LTE. They won't do it forever, but we should be safe for at least another 2 years.
I keep complaining of the high upfront cost of the iPhone in India. But when I see the ridiculously high monthly charges in the US, it feels like I am luckier in India!
I have to pay about $5 for 1GB, and $13 for 5GB (I never reach close to 1GB even!). And absolutely no limits on what I do with the data - tethering, FaceTime, whatever. And I get extremely low rates on voice, less than 1 cent a minute, and pretty much free text - first 100 msgs a day are free.
I pay $800 upfront for the basic 4S, but get back about $400 when I decide to sell it to upgrade. So works out about $16 a month in phone costs over 2 years. And if I use the phone for 3 years, just $11 per month.
The carriers are absolutedly salivating at the thought of the data revenue they will make on LTE network usage
Quite a vivid imagination, the salivating, that is. Who exactly is salivating? The CEO, the CFO, the shareholders? AT&T et al are a corporation. Likely some of the top executives probably have some performance bonuses but they are just trying to keep their jobs and return a value to the shareholder, no different than Apple.
Why would you use Facetime for audio only - hello, they call it "cellular phone service" - that old favorite we all used to use a lot, unless you are bumping up against the antiquated call minutes limit, and need to use wifi on facetime? This is what makes it so confusing to consumers - trying to get around the antiquated pricing structure that we now have, while trying not to get gauged too badly by the shark carriers.
FaceTime operates over a data network, and is not part of their voice minutes. FaceTime can be done over WiFi or hopefully soon, the 4G network. Just with iMessage, it would not be that much of a stretch for Apple to forward voice calls as data, further denying the telecoms future revenue. All this coming down is the primary reason imho that the telecoms are doing away with "unlimited" data plans. It would not surprise me if in 5 years, most (if not all) communications on cell phones will be primarily VoIP-based.
Charging-extra for FaceTime capability over 4G is a hugely moronic move if there is truth to that rumor. If I pay $x/mo for a 2GB data plan, who the hell cares how I use that allotment? That would be a seriously slippery slope the telecoms would be on if they pulled that stunt.
Presumably they mean charge extra over and above your data plan? Sadly I'm sure if they can they will, it's just a case of how much.
More likely, this might be the carrot to get you off your grandfathered unlimited data plan. Facetime didn't work when you signed your contract and it will continue to not work. Therefore, you are getting the service you signed up for. If you want Facetime, upgrade your plan (ie, drop your unlimited plan). Charging extra for a particular data service would likely land them in a lot of hot water with the regulators. But not giving you a service you never had would be very defendable by the carriers.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mdriftmeyer
It has to do with the fact all major US Carriers price structure equivalently, with a gimmick to wink and nudge one to go their way.
Really? Looked at the plans recently? The minutes were similar between ATT and Verizon, but texting, for example, had different options (Verizon had more). And Sprints plans are even more different. Through into consideration Verizons new Share Everything and it's quite different than either Sprint or ATT.
Not saying any of them are great, but they are different.
Comments
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bagman
Throttling and messages will "magically" disappear once they do away with the last "unlimited" plan. They will encourage you to use all the data you want, and watch the slow network complaints return, just like the complaints awhile back about lousy slow data coverage until they magically decided to do away with unlimited plans for new subscribers (they then turned on the so-called 4G speedier network just prior to the iphone4s arrival.
ATT is a shark of the worst kind, and Verizon is no better.
Simple idea: Who NEEDS to see the person on the other end - most young folks just text anyhow, and don't care to talk anymore. I predict Facetime will get little real usage anyhow, regardless of the charges levied by the carriers.
Verizon still allows unthrottled LTE for those who have unlimited grandfathered.
Quote:
Originally Posted by anonymouse
The FCC really has to step in here and give the carriers a choice: start following principles of network neutrality, or lose their license to the public airwaves. What's next, you have to pay for a data plan but pay extra to access the Web?
Don't forget, this is yet another area where Google (in conspiracy with Verizon) has plotted to harm consumers.
What makes this another plot of Google?
Quote:
Originally Posted by walshbj
You're more optimistic than I am. If they get away with this an extra iMessage monthly fee will be next. No difference.
How is there no difference? I mean, there are some similarities. But no difference?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Just_Me
Verizon still allows unthrottled LTE for those who have unlimited grandfathered.
Yeah - but for how long, once ATT gets their hands on the iphone5, with LTE capability. Once they do away will unlimited, the collusive giants will have their way with all of us. The days of unlimited data are numbered, I'm afraid.
Anyone already test this?
You can use FaceTime for audio only if you want. It doesn't have to be video.
Quote:
Originally Posted by johndoe98
You can use FaceTime for audio only if you want. It doesn't have to be video.
Why would you use Facetime for audio only - hello, they call it "cellular phone service" - that old favorite we all used to use a lot, unless you are bumping up against the antiquated call minutes limit, and need to use wifi on facetime? This is what makes it so confusing to consumers - trying to get around the antiquated pricing structure that we now have, while trying not to get gauged too badly by the shark carriers.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Just_Me
Verizon still allows unthrottled LTE for those who have unlimited grandfathered.
Verizon will no longer be honoring grandfathered unlimited data plans once the contract is up. You will have to select a new data package. So this will only be true until the turn-around of customers contracts who have unlimited data.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Just_Me
to which service?
Can't speak for him/her but I plan to switch to Straight Talk. $45 for unlimited voice, text and 2GB of data (throttled down after 2GB). It doesn't support visual voicemail but I can live with that.
-kpluck
Sprint is starting to look better and better. Unlimited data AND cheaper plans. Anyone here have Sprint with their iPhone?
Quote:
Originally Posted by macxpress
Verizon will no longer be honoring grandfathered unlimited data plans once the contract is up. You will have to select a new data package. So this will only be true until the turn-around of customers contracts who have unlimited data.
The carriers are absolutedly salivating at the thought of the data revenue they will make on LTE network usage - most will blow through $50/month plans in 30-45 minutes of LTE video usage. I can hear the parents screaming already at the bill they will get - reminds me of the first call minute overage charges I got on my son's first cellphone - ah yes, those were the days.
Quote:
Originally Posted by macxpress
Verizon will no longer be honoring grandfathered unlimited data plans once the contract is up. You will have to select a new data package. So this will only be true until the turn-around of customers contracts who have unlimited data.
False. If contract is up you can keep using your phone. No one forces you to upgrade. If you want to change your phone you can just purchase a phone via third party (full price). Who says you need to always be on contract.
Phones are the cheapest part of owning a smartphone.
Clearly all data is not equal.
Quote:
Originally Posted by paxman
Clearly all data is not equal.
Well they lost their cash cow with imessage, and they already removed unlimited data so now they need another revenue source.
Voice plans are expensive. If I can do everything with my data only plan, I most certainly will.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rtm135
Sprint is starting to look better and better. Unlimited data AND cheaper plans. Anyone here have Sprint with their iPhone?
I do. Where I live I get great voice coverage and speeds averaging between 900K and 2M which is very good for CDMA data. Sprint just rolled out LTE service here in Atlanta and every week will be adding more cities so it sucks to be stuck on a 4S that is 3G only even when LTE is available. But we shouldn't have too wait too many more months for an LTE iPhone and Sprint has repeated many times they will keep unlimited data even for LTE. They won't do it forever, but we should be safe for at least another 2 years.
I have to pay about $5 for 1GB, and $13 for 5GB (I never reach close to 1GB even!). And absolutely no limits on what I do with the data - tethering, FaceTime, whatever. And I get extremely low rates on voice, less than 1 cent a minute, and pretty much free text - first 100 msgs a day are free.
I pay $800 upfront for the basic 4S, but get back about $400 when I decide to sell it to upgrade. So works out about $16 a month in phone costs over 2 years. And if I use the phone for 3 years, just $11 per month.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bagman
The carriers are absolutedly salivating at the thought of the data revenue they will make on LTE network usage
Quite a vivid imagination, the salivating, that is. Who exactly is salivating? The CEO, the CFO, the shareholders? AT&T et al are a corporation. Likely some of the top executives probably have some performance bonuses but they are just trying to keep their jobs and return a value to the shareholder, no different than Apple.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bagman
Why would you use Facetime for audio only - hello, they call it "cellular phone service" - that old favorite we all used to use a lot, unless you are bumping up against the antiquated call minutes limit, and need to use wifi on facetime? This is what makes it so confusing to consumers - trying to get around the antiquated pricing structure that we now have, while trying not to get gauged too badly by the shark carriers.
FaceTime operates over a data network, and is not part of their voice minutes. FaceTime can be done over WiFi or hopefully soon, the 4G network. Just with iMessage, it would not be that much of a stretch for Apple to forward voice calls as data, further denying the telecoms future revenue. All this coming down is the primary reason imho that the telecoms are doing away with "unlimited" data plans. It would not surprise me if in 5 years, most (if not all) communications on cell phones will be primarily VoIP-based.
Charging-extra for FaceTime capability over 4G is a hugely moronic move if there is truth to that rumor. If I pay $x/mo for a 2GB data plan, who the hell cares how I use that allotment? That would be a seriously slippery slope the telecoms would be on if they pulled that stunt.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shaun, UK
Presumably they mean charge extra over and above your data plan? Sadly I'm sure if they can they will, it's just a case of how much.
More likely, this might be the carrot to get you off your grandfathered unlimited data plan. Facetime didn't work when you signed your contract and it will continue to not work. Therefore, you are getting the service you signed up for. If you want Facetime, upgrade your plan (ie, drop your unlimited plan). Charging extra for a particular data service would likely land them in a lot of hot water with the regulators. But not giving you a service you never had would be very defendable by the carriers.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mdriftmeyer
It has to do with the fact all major US Carriers price structure equivalently, with a gimmick to wink and nudge one to go their way.
Really? Looked at the plans recently? The minutes were similar between ATT and Verizon, but texting, for example, had different options (Verizon had more). And Sprints plans are even more different. Through into consideration Verizons new Share Everything and it's quite different than either Sprint or ATT.
Not saying any of them are great, but they are different.