http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/ Engadget Comments for http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/Jan 11th 2010 5:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
This guy sounds like he's making excuses for continuing to charge ridiculously high rates to customers. I switched from Verizon for two reasons: Plan prices and the Palm Pre (four P's, lol).]]>Jan 11th 2010 5:46PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/"Dick Lynch" ...
Regrettably it just rolls off the tongue.]]>Jan 11th 2010 6:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
T-Mobile may be slightly less frustrating than the others in some respects, but charging based on usage would be a big step backwards for Verizon (which does not limit bandwidth for its smartphones).

We're now down to effectively two dominant carriers (with two more struggling to keep up). Ironically, if Verizon looks to beat 4G into usage-based pricing submission, it may benefit Sprint with their (heretofore unlimited) Clear WiMAX 4G service. Unless they follow suit, in which case I suspect the Google, the FCC, and others may well pursue other spectrum and alternatives.

And when did Engadget become wireless carrier apologists?]]>Jan 11th 2010 6:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
Yes! I find it absolutely hilarious that AT&T and Verizon are engaged in this huge pissing contest while completely ignoring T-Mo. Really... T-Mo is getting all the best phones, and they don't do the nasty rubbish with their network that AT&T and Verizon do.

I was stunned by my experience when switching: I just walked into the store and told them I recently bought an unlocked phone and want to switch to them, and they didn't even try to sell me one of their phones. Within ten minutes, I was signed up for an Even More Plus plan, and I was out the door. I've never had such good customer service from any carrier in the past.

Seriously... it went like this: "This is what I have, and this is what I want." "Sure!" "Here's my credit card." "Here's your SIM card."]]>Jan 11th 2010 6:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
I'm all for charging heavy use customers more. Of course, I will only support that when they starting charging low use customers less. I know, I know, it will never happen. ]]>Jan 11th 2010 7:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
Yeah keep telling yourself that.]]>Jan 11th 2010 7:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/Jan 11th 2010 8:57PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
this guy is bringing up a very valid point...

the bandwidth new phones are using is going to skyrocket as we move to new platforms... do you really want verizon to turn into at&t because its tubes are clogged?

i know its not as simple, and yes i would say give us a flat fee unlimited plan... but at this point no one knows what phones are going to be like in 2 years... TV and all other media is moving to internet based platforms... so really verizon just wants to wait it out and see what happens.]]>Jan 11th 2010 9:26PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/Jan 12th 2010 8:06AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
Sure, great phones, great plans, but lousy service across much of the country. That low rate for data does me little good when it's not 3g at all.]]>Jan 12th 2010 8:33AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/Jan 12th 2010 9:16AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
T-Mobile would not be where it is today without BlackBerry. They also launched their first Android device almost a year and a half ago now. Sprint has had the Palm Pre since this past summer, their best selling phone (smart or otherwise) to date.

For Verizon, my instinct is this has much more to do with revenue than capacity, since they're saying they won't have any problems handling the iPhone or future devices. For AT&T, it has more to do with profit than capacity: AT&T has had several years now to build out their network to handle smartphone demand, and instead have banked the profits and neglected their infrastructure.]]>Jan 13th 2010 8:01AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
I'm always amazed people absolutely *love* Verizon, or any teleco for that matter. Why so much loyalty from an industry actively looking for new and exciting ways to screw you out of what you're already supposedly paying for?]]>Jan 11th 2010 5:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
Though their prices are definitely high, I love the fact that I'm getting reliable cell and 3g coverage almost everywhere. It'd be nice if it were cheaper but I'm definitely getting my moneys worth.]]>Jan 11th 2010 5:48PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
I don't love Verizon, I love that I have a signal pretty much everywhere. Everything else is same old same old for corporate america. ]]>Jan 11th 2010 5:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
The moral of the story here is in most other areas of life you pay for what you use and why should I be paying the same "flat rate" as some fuxnut tether'er/torrent'er bandwidth glutton! Just sayin...]]>Jan 12th 2010 11:31AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
I take it you've never heard of Brazilian-style steakhouses? They have wonderful food and a flat rate. While it's certainly one hefty flat rate (usually around $50), it's worth it.]]>Jan 12th 2010 1:27PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/You know what I would like them to explain?
Why do they charge 20 cents to text LOL to someone?
Really the data burden for a text is worthy of charging 20 cents a piece?!?!]]>Jan 12th 2010 2:52PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/

That and this awesome Palm Pre.]]>Jan 11th 2010 5:29PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/couldn't care less*]]>Jan 11th 2010 5:37PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
Could care less is perfectly fine. You're a square]]>Jan 11th 2010 6:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/Jan 11th 2010 6:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
Technically you are correct, if he was implying that Verizon could care even less than they do about him leaving. But, I think he really did just make a grammar mistake. Simple enough though, because a lot of people do that.

@prokanda

Care to provide some links, pictures and technical information to back up your statement?]]>Jan 11th 2010 6:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
http://www.palm.com/us/products/phones/preplus/index.html]]>Jan 11th 2010 6:40PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
Lol, dude. Prokanda is just reiterating what Engadget stated with their hands on with the palm pre plus. All the things he mentioned, the Engadget staff confirmed.]]>Jan 11th 2010 6:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/have you been loving in a bubble?? Did you miss that little "CES" tradeshow held in that tiny desert town of Las Vegas? Engadget covered it extensively and yes, verizon did announce a Pre w/ 16GB memory, no nub, and a retooled slider and keyboard, n00b. Don't ask for links- go up to the search box yourself, or better yet, go to Engadget on our PC and just go back a day or 2 in the posts.]]>Jan 11th 2010 9:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/Jan 11th 2010 5:30PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/Jan 11th 2010 5:49PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
8=======D]]>Jan 11th 2010 6:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/This + that 350$ ETF for an "Advanced device" makes them top dawg among the ubergreedy.
]]>Jan 11th 2010 5:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
Yeah, companies should give devices to people for cheap when they scam the system. Oh wait, no. The high ETF may not be the best solution, but they can't keep bleeding money to the people that try to rip them off. That's not a very sustainable business model. If you just want loads of stuff for free, you'll have to vote socialist and hope you are dead by the time the nation spends itself into collapse.]]>Jan 11th 2010 5:43PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/Yeah since everyone is "Scamming the system" -- damn scammers!!!]]>Jan 11th 2010 5:47PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
No, most people are definitely not scamming the system. This is a case of the same old story that repeats itself over and over again: a few people cheat the system, and everyone else has to pay for it. ]]>Jan 11th 2010 5:51PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/So if only a "Few" people are doing it, then it really shouldn't have that much impact then! Wake up, these companies are greedy as fuck, they will use every and any excuse in the book to punish us all.]]>Jan 11th 2010 5:53PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/Jan 11th 2010 5:56PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
Hmm, yes, it doesn't have that much of an effect until the few spreads into the many, "Hey guys, I can get a new Droid for $275!!" And then everyone else is doing it, and then it IS a problem. Wake up, if companies didn't look out for their own interests, they would get crushed, and then there goes consumer choice because no one is interested in starting a business that will just fail. ]]>Jan 11th 2010 5:58PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
Also, I should mention, I don't use Verizon because it's too expensive for me. And yet, I realize that Verizon doesn't owe me cheap phone service.]]>Jan 11th 2010 6:00PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
After your last two posts, I can't help but think of the great Mark Twain.

“It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt.”]]>Jan 11th 2010 6:09PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
Me thinks some economics and hard work would cure your outlook on life, jon. Someday, you will realize that the world owes you nothing. ]]>Jan 11th 2010 6:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
Wrong. If companies don't look out for their own interests, Uncle Sam steps up and gives them billions in free cash/interest free loans. Get with the times, duh.]]>Jan 11th 2010 6:14PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
Good thing the bill of goods on the droid is only $170 or they'd be losing money.... but wait - isn't that what the ETF is supposed to cover? Sounds like the appropriate ETF is -$150]]>Jan 11th 2010 6:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
I had to laugh. You got me there. Sadly, Ayn Rand will probably be proven right. ]]>Jan 11th 2010 6:17PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
If a profit could really be made by selling Droids for $170, or even $300, someone would already be doing it, because they would sure get all the business, and companies like getting all the business. The fact that no one is doing it should tell you something about your ideas for a cheap Droid: it isn't worth it for anyone to do it, or else they would be doing it. ]]>Jan 11th 2010 6:22PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
And I'd guess entering the real world where companies are so good at protecting themselves from their customers that the government has to step in, could do you a world of good.

But that would require leaving daddy's teat. ]]>Jan 11th 2010 8:38PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
I don't really mind that you are calling me names, but I would like to clarify that I'm making the exact point that you are making. Companies exist for profit. If someone is not offering the deal you think they should on phones or phone service, that's because it is not sufficiently profitable for them. There is really nothing evil about this. If you want to create a non-profit telecom company, by all means, do it. I would like to use your cheap service until your business goes bankrupt.]]>Jan 11th 2010 9:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
I find this slightly ironic. I'm saying that Verizon or any other company should have the right to charge whatever they want, that's the world of business- if you don't like it, grow some balls, do some hard work, create your own company and do it differently. And you are saying that the government should step in and hold our hands to protect us from all the evil businesses (because, surely, all companies are pure evil). And yet somehow, I'M the one on the teat? I've had some logic courses, but they must have been insufficient, because I can't understand the logic in your assertions. Please, enlighten me. ]]>Jan 11th 2010 9:55PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
I apologize, I see that you weren't talking to me. Still, you could afford to be more pleasant to others. No reason for name-calling here. ]]>Jan 11th 2010 10:16PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
Your argument is irrefutable. :)]]>Jan 11th 2010 10:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/11/verizon-cto-flat-rate-data-isnt-long-term-sustainable/
However, I think everyone's beef with Verizon is that other carriers (specifically T-mobile, based on several responses) *don't* charge the outrageous ETF fee and *aren't* planning on getting rid of flat-rate data charges. It makes Verizon look "greedy", and unless they can directly convince their customers that the money they're gaining from these increased fees is being put to good use, they're gonna pay for it dearly.]]>Jan 12th 2010 12:21AM