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MoviePass is planning to relaunch an unlimited movie plan
MoviePass is once again making changes to its membership plans. The company that has been locked in a cycle of never-ending, often self-inflicted turmoil is reportedly getting ready to re-introduce a version of its unlimited movie plan, according to Variety. The membership level will do away with any limits on how many movies a person can see in a month, but no price for the unlimited plan has been announced. Khalid Itum, the executive vice president of MoviePass, said the plan would arrive next week, so we won't have to wait long for more details.
Sprint's newest Unlimited plan includes Amazon, Hulu and Tidal
Virtually every major US carrier offers one or more free services (however temporary) with at least one of its plans, so how is Sprint going to compete? By including more services, naturally. The carrier has launched an Unlimited Premium plan that, for $90 per month, adds Amazon Prime and Lookout Premium Plus security on top of the Hulu and Tidal services you get with the Unlimited Plus plan. You're ostensibly saving about $480 per year versus subscribing to all those extras on your own. The wireless access itself has been upgraded, too.
T-Mobile’s latest unlimited plan cuts out the extras
Today, T-Mobile announced a new plan called Essentials, which is advertised at just $30 per line for a family of four. It includes unlimited talk, text and data in the US. It's geared towards customers that just want the "basics" -- T-Mobile's other unlimited plans include mobile hotspots, Netflix and more for $40 or more per line for a family of four.
Comcast to offer unlimited data for an extra $35 a month
As the world's attention shifts from typical cable services towards streaming alternatives, Comcast is trying its very hardest to keep people interested in its products. The company recently announced that it was bringing a ton of new content to the X1 and now, in what seems to be a complement this, it has rolled out an unlimited Internet plan for an extra $35 a month. The add-on gets rid of the pesky 300-gigabyte monthly data cap that has been put in place in Atlanta, Miami and Nashville. If enough people in these cities opt to get rid of the bandwidth cap then the offer could potentially see a bandwidth cap placed on all data plans across the country, encouraging heavy users to opt for an unlimited plan. It's a clever way to recoup lost revenue because if, for example, 100,000 people pay for the service it can generate an additional half-million dollars for Comcast every month. The company conducted a survey and found that users would be more than willing to pay a flat fee to get rid of their data cap and make sure they weren't stung with overuse fees. I mean, I know I would.
Sprint's unlimited data plan increases to $70 a month on October 16th
If you're been eyeing Sprint's Unlimited Plan for an endless supply of data, you'll want to act quickly. The carrier is increasing the cost of its unlimited data option by $10 a month on October 16th, upping it from $60 to $70. The announcement comes in the form of an "act now" promo of sorts from Sprint, offering those who are interested a chance to opt in before the price hike. The company says that in addition to those who switch over by October 15th, customers who are currently on the $60 unlimited tier will be able to keep the current rate after the changes go into effect. What's more, the monthly cost will stay put, even when getting a new phone, as long as plan requirements are met and selected financing options are available with the data option. Sprint is offering the iPhone 6s for $1/month when you trade-in too, pairing it with unlimited data for $61 for a limited time. [Image credit: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images]
Sprint's new individual plan gets you unlimited everything for $60
Sprint didn't waste any time after reshuffling its leadership -- the SoftBank-owned carrier kicked into high gear by announcing a competitive limited-time $100 family plan promotion just a few days after new CEO Marcelo Claure filled the void left by Dan Hesse. Tomorrow, it's taking another step into the aggressive pricing war by introducing a $60 unlimited talk, text and data plan for individuals. Unlike the family plan, this new option will be available to both new and existing (upgrade-eligible) customers alike, but you'll need to sign up on the Easy Pay plan. This means that you'll need to either bring your own Sprint-compatible device with you onto the plan or purchase one at full retail price; if you choose to finance a phone, you'll pay that amount on top of the $60 plan.
Verizon to start throttling data on unlimited LTE plans
Out of the many trappings US carriers have in common, throttling speeds for heavy data users is certainly one of them. So, accordingly, it's not surprising for Verizon to confirm reports that it will soon start slowing things down for more customers. According to Droid Life, Verizon has admitted that, beginning in October, people with an unlimited 4G LTE data plan will see reduced speeds should they fall in the network's top five percent of internet users, among other things. More specifically, this is part of a plan Verizon is calling "Network Optimization," which means throttled speeds for anyone who consumes more than 4.7GB of data per month, is enrolled on an unlimited data plan, has fulfilled a two-year contract but is still with the carrier, and attempts to "use data on a cell site that is experiencing high demand." Chances are most of you won't be affected by this, but it's definitely not good news for others who may be.
MetroPCS outs LG Motion 4G in tandem with unlimited all-you-can-eat plan
LTE doesn't have to mean premium pricing -- just ask MetroPCS. The budget carrier, notable for its recent launch of VoLTE, has announced the availability of a limited time promo service bundling unlimited voice, text and data dubbed Wireless for All. And to help give that initiative a proper public splash, the company's tossed in some new kit: LG's Motion 4G. That handset, a humble 3.5-incher, is actually the first Android 4.0 device to bow on the company's lineup and bears a familiar dual-core CPU setup clocked at 1.2GHz, HVGA display, 5GB of internal storage (expandable to 32GB via microSD), a 5-megapixel rear camera capable of 1080p video and 1,700mAh battery. As ICS handsets come, it's certainly no big leaguer, but at $149, plus the addition of that all-you-can eat $55/mo plan, it's hard to find fault with affordable. Skip on past the break to peruse the company's official presser.
Shocker! Three's unlimited data adopters use lots of 3G
Three, a UK mobile network provider specializing in unlimited data packages, has reported that its customers are talking full advantage of their plans. Specifically, the average monthly usage has more than doubled this summer (we use the term loosely) from 450MB to 1.1GB over the same period last year. Smartphone users are understandably the healthiest eaters, sucking down around 1.5GB per month. With the BBC continuing to expand its 3G offerings and an undoubted increase in tablet use, tethering and the like, we imagine these figures are far from their peak. With 4G on the horizon, will Three regret positioning itself as the great provider; or, like Sprint over in the US, will it stand its ground for the sake of an advantage?
AT&T adds a throttling limit of 3GB for iPhone owners on unlimited plan
AT&T announced on Thursday that it now has a policy for throttling users on unlimited data plans. According to an AT&T statement relayed by Ars Technica, the wireless carrier will begin to throttle customers with a 3G/HSPA+ handset at 3 GB and 4G LTE handset owners at 5 GB. This new 3 GB soft cap will affect iPhone owners who have clung to their unlimited plan. This change in policy follows a recent small claims court lawsuit in which iPhone owner Matt Spaccarelli was awarded $850 for being throttled at 2 GB on an unlimited plan.
Dan Hesse: Sprint's not following Virgin's tiered data movement, but 'nothing is guaranteed forever'
Without a doubt, it's the 800 pound gorilla in the carrier realm: will Sprint follow AT&T, T-Mobile USA and Verizon Wireless down the woeful tiered data route, laced with pain, confusion and general awfulness? We asked Sprint CEO Dan Hesse that very question today at Sprint's campus, and the answer wasn't exactly heartening. He stated that people are simply willing to pay a price premium (when it comes to rate plans) for something that's just dead simple -- something that they don't have to think about when they use. He (rightly) admitted that most average consumers have no concept of what a gigabyte is, or how long it takes to use one up, and that's why the outfit's unlimited plans are still striking a chord -- and in fact, more so now than ever with its three main rivals giving it an even stronger differentiator. When asked whether Sprint would eventually have no other option but to switch to tiered data plans if heavy users begin to come over in droves, Hesse replied that having enough bandwidth to efficiently go around "could be an issue," and while it's working diligently with OEMs and app developers in order to implement things like WiFi offload, we were told that "nothing is guaranteed forever." We specifically asked if the recent tiered testing implemented at Virgin Mobile (which runs on Sprint's network) was an early indication that Sprint was also leaning this way, and Dan was steadfast in his denial. According to him, the postpaid and prepaid sectors are markedly different beasts, and it's not reasonable to consider that Sprint will follow Virgin's footsteps. Moral of the story? Sprint's clinging to unlimited for as long as it can, but we get the impression that a transition is imminent -- even if it's still a few years out.
Sprint's Virgin Mobile brand to test throttling while Sprint pokes fun at throttlers (video)
Alanis Morrisette couldn't have possibly thought up something this ironic to put in her hit song. On the same day Sprint launches an ad campaign trashing T-Mobile's "unlimited" plan for throttling its data speeds, the Now Network announced that it intends to begin throttling Virgin Mobile's broadband sometime in October. Those who use larger amounts of data on the prepaid brand will experience the briskness of 256kbps as soon as they hit a monthly threshold of 2.5GB. This won't affect postpaid customers on Sprint for the time being, but it's hitting a little too close to home. After all, the company -- always playing the role of consumer advocate -- is now at least experimenting with the idea of employing the same practices it's currently trashing its competitors for. Those who're taking full advantage of Dan Hesse's spoils are safe for now, but the question remains: who'll throttle the throttlers? Check out the vid and press release in all their irony-dripping glory after the break. [Thanks, John]
Virgin Mobile preparing to alter pricing, send love to BlackBerry users?
With price hikes trending as the mobile industry's latest fashion faux pas, it appears that Virgin Mobile is readying its latest summer styles -- and yes, it may cost you. Sir Branson's minute misers will pay an extra $10 each month ($35 total) for the same 300 minutes, and casual chatters will pay an additional $5 each month ($45 total) for their familiar 1,200 minutes. Fortunately, those with an unlimited voice plan will actually pay $5 less, thanks to the new $55 plan, and the company seems prepared to eliminate its $10 monthly tax on Blackberry users -- not a bad move, since they've got it hard enough already. Hey, at least a few will be thankful for the Rebel Billionaire's latest move.
AT&T to enable BlackBerry Bridge support before sundown
Most tablets function just fine on their own, but RIM's BlackBerry Playbook introduced a unique, yet restrictive interface that limits Bluetooth tethering to a similarly-branded handset. This feature, called BlackBerry Bridge, lets your tablet piggyback on a handset's 3G data connection, also enabling access to productivity apps like email and calendar, which are still otherwise unavailable on the PlayBook. Unfortunately, this option hasn't been made available for AT&T users, but that's about to change, as the feature will be added to App World today. While the Bridge suite is totally gratis, enabling the AT&T 3G data connection requires a monthly tethering plan of $45, which means anyone grandfathered into the unlimited data feature will need to decide if it's worth the jump. Bridge not sounding like your cup of tea? Don't worry -- at least you can take comfort in knowing that the days of pining for native email are numbered.
Sprint adds two new 3G mobile broadband plans, unlimited WiMAX for all
Want an unlimited WiMAX hotspot for $45 per month? Sprint's got a new plan that gives you just that, plus 3GB of 3G data. There's also a brand-new 10GB plan for $90 if you need to cruise a bit further down the slow road. Sprint's 4G-only devices still carry a $50 monthly fee, and like the carrier's existing 5GB plan (still $60), the new ones also have unlimited WiMAX, making the $45 plan a bargain if you happen to own a compatible device. If you already pay for unlimited service on a Sprint cell phone, you can also avoiding paying the included $10 "premium data" surcharge -- this means Unlimited Everything and Everything Data subscribers can now add an unlimited 4G hotspot (with 3GB of 3G usage) for just $35.
Verizon Unleashed open for business, $50 unlimited prepaid plans are go
The final frontier of wireless competition turns out to be...prepaid? It appears that way, now that Verizon has officially launched its Unleashed prepaid service plans to give smaller rivals Boost and MetroPCS a run for their money. Our screenshots of the pricing plans were spot-on; a new Unleashed site confirms rumors that the nation's largest carrier is offering all-you-can-eat talk, text and data for exactly $50 per month as well as the same daily options from the earlier leaks. The unlimited plan happily sweetens the deal even more by including international texts to Canada and Mexico. There's only one thing preventing this plan from attaining pure bliss: the unlimited data is geared toward WAP-based feature phones, so it won't provide the full browsing experience normally found on a smartphone. If this alone isn't enough to entice you, the handsets are affordably priced, ranging from $40 for the LG Accolade up to $100 for the LG Cosmos.
More Verizon Unleashed phones popping up, pricing confirmed
This morning's 'Unleashed' tipster has let loose a few more branded phone snapshots from his local Best Buy, further confirming Verizon's new contract free $50 unlimited talk, text, and mobile web plan. These new shots show off the same price structure we saw leaked earlier this month, as well as two more handsets: an LG Accolade, and a Pantech Caper -- both priced at $79.99. This seems a bit steep for the Accolade, a run of the mill flip phone, as this morning's tip priced the more capable LG Cosmos featurephone at a mere $39.99. Take your grain of salt, and check out the gallery below. [Thanks, Anonymous] %Gallery-122115%
First Verizon Unleashed phone gets pictured, priced at Best Buy
When a screenshot of Verizon's new 'Unleashed' pricing plan surfaced, we held our breath to see if this contract-free $50 unlimited talk and text plan was in fact too good to be true. As it turns out, more evidence has been unearthed that lends credence to the rumor. A tipster snapped the above photo of the LG Cosmos donning Unleashed attire at a local Best Buy, and went out of their way to note that the phone was priced at $39.99. We like what we're seeing here; for a full messaging phone without commitment, this is definitely an aggressive price. No additional pricing details were leaked, but we're sure savvy international texters will notice that the packaging specifically promises the option of unlimited messaging to Mexico and Canada. If the 'Unleashed' phones are already making their way into Best Buy, this could very well mean an impending launch is coming sooner than we expected. We'll continue keeping you up-to-date as we hear more. [Thanks, Anonymous]
T-Mobile's new plans get official: starting at $60 for unlimited everything, throttling included
T-Mobile's just gone official with the new unlimited plans we caught wind of a few days ago, and while they are truly unlimited by numbers, they're not completely unlimited in functionality. The plans cost $79.99 for Even More customers (buy a subsidized device on contract) and $59.99 for Even More Plus subscribers (bring your own phone commitment-free). Either way this gets you unlimited data, domestic calling, and domestic messaging, with a $5 surcharge for BlackBerry users. Unlike Sprint's similar offering, once you pass the 2GB bandwidth mark, "data speeds will be reduced for the remainder of that bill cycle," essentially informing users that throttling will most certainly take place. In all, we're pleased to see the compromise T-Mo's put in place for data (whereas most other carriers are simply axing the unlimited option altogether), and we hope some of the competition takes heed. It does sound like a pretty sweet deal for those of you not grandfathered in on unlimited data plans. Still, for those of you interested, we suggest getting a jump on, as the (potentially leaked) press release reveals that these plans might only be available for a limited time.
T-Mobile unlimited plans coming April 13th with a catch
If you've been waiting for T-Mobile to introduce unlimited plans that include everything, it's time to do the happy dance! It looks like everyone's favorite magenta carrier will be adding "Truly Unlimited Data + Talk + Text" plans to its lineup on April 13th. According to the leaked screenshots, Even More customers (who purchase a subsidized phone and agree to a two-year contract) will be able to choose a $79 plan, while Event More Plus customers (who bring a compatible device and are commitment free) will benefit from a $59 plan. There's a catch, however: T-Mobile will throttle data speeds until the next billing cycle if data usage exceeds 2GB. Also, this offer only appears to apply to individual customer plans, not to family plans. So go ahead, celebrate -- just keep an eye on that data cap, OK?
