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Why Walmart's Straight Talk unlimited iPhone 5 plan may not be such a good deal
Earlier this month, Walmart announced that the iPhone 5 would be available on its Straight Talk Wireless service. While the promise of US$45 monthly unlimited data, text and voice service sounds wonderful, TechNewsDaily is reporting that the plan has restrictions. Once you've used 2 GB of your "unlimited" data plan, your throughput is throttled so downloads will be quite slow. As we mentioned in our previous post, an unlocked iPhone 5 is available from Walmart in a 16 GB version for $649. So, the phone comes with a higher initial cost than a locked iPhone 5 available from other US carriers and the unlimited plan really isn't unless you're fine with dial-up speeds. If, on the other hand, you rarely use more than 2 GB of data and use your phone primarily for voice and texting, then the Straight Talk plan might be worth your while. The $450 more you'll pay up front for the phone does give you an unlocked phone, and in many cases would be recovered within about eight months on Walmart's plan. Buyers of iPhones and iPads should always do the math when considering the ins and outs of discounted cellular packages. [via BGR]
US Cellular promo brings unlimited LTE to smartphone owners for $40 per month, but tethering is another $20
A US Cellular rep confirmed today that the carrier is now offering a new unlimited 4G LTE data plan. Customers within the company's LTE markets can now add unlimited 4G data for $40 per month -- only through January 31st of next year, though. If surfing the web on a smartphone isn't enough, you can add optional tethering for an additional $20, which requires a separate tiered hotspot data plan. Just in time for the holidays, this ample offering lines up with the carrier's recent LTE expansion and its plan to bring 4G access to 58 percent of its customers by the end of the year. In addition to this promotional data plan, US Cellular is offering a $100 instant rebate on select smartphones, including the Huawei Ascend Y and Samsung Galaxy S III. Not stopping there, anyone who purchases a smartphone or tablet can score a free Samsung SCH-LC11 hotspot. It's uncertain if this is truly unlimited data or the type that comes with a throttled cap. So, we'd caution you not to go on a Netflix and Pandora binge, as such activities could result in a nastygram from US Cellular for use beyond what the fine print allows.
Verizon CFO buries his head in the sand, claims unlimited data is 'going by the wayside'
"La la la la. I can't hear you." Verizon's CFO, Fran Shammo, might've just as well made those comments with his hands firmly cupped over his ears, as the firm's chief number cruncher told attendees at today's Goldman Sachs investor conference, "Unlimited is just a word, it doesn't really mean anything." While Sprint and T-Mobile would certainly take issue with that statement, Shammo then dug the hole deeper by saying, "That whole unlimited thing, I think, is going by the wayside." These comments were made in the context of Shammo playing up the carrier's shared data plans, wherein he explained his belief that consumers "think they consume a lot more data than they really do." Shammo also revealed that Verizon has converted more subscribers and devices over to the new scheme than it'd initially anticipated. Naturally, change within any industry takes time, but now that Sprint is in a position to offer unlimited data at a meaningful speed and T-Mobile has climbed aboard the bandwagon, Verizon may have to change its tune if a significant number of consumers decide that unlimited isn't dead after all. You can view the entire transcript at the source link below, but consider this: would you take unlimited plans into consideration when shopping between carriers, or is Mr. Shammo right that consumers really don't use that much data? Give us your thoughts in the comments below.
PSA: T-Mobile's we-really-mean-it unlimited data plans go live
T-Mobile confirmed rumors of true unlimited data plans almost as soon as they emerged, which left a surprisingly long gap between the announcement and real availability. Consider that gap closed -- as promised, the Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data plans are ready for action. Those who don't need hotspot support on a smartphone can add $20 to a Value voice plan or $30 on a Classic plan to get throttle-free, uncapped data. For real. While we'd ideally see a best-of-both-worlds scenario with hotspots and unfettered speeds together in one plan, it's hard to object to a second major US carrier defending unlimited data in an era where we're regularly getting less for the money. Can we have a few more providers onboard, please?
T-Mobile unlimited 4G data plan might be a boon to unofficial iPhone users
TmoNews broke the news that T-Mobile is rolling out a truly unlimited nationwide 4G data plan, but All Things D's Ina Fried offered an enticing snippet for iPhone users on T-Mobile's network. T-Mobile has more than a million iPhones running on its network at 2G speeds, and along with a rebranding campaign, T-Mobile plans to allow iPhones to run at full speed, Fried said. This is good news for those who consume a lot of data and have unlocked iPhones -- especially if the next iPhone takes advantage of a 4G network. T-Mobile said in its press release that its 4G network will have no data caps or throttling of download speeds once a limit has been reached, a move it's been criticized for. The data plans will cost $20 or $30 a month depending on the plan picked, with value plans starting at $69.99 for talk, text and unlimited data. The new T-Mobile unlimited data plans start on September 5.
T-Mobile launching 'truly unlimited' 4G data service add-on September 5th (Update)
If the "unlimited" data currently offered by T-Mobile that gets its speeds throttled down all too soon has failed to satisfy, there may be relief on the way. TMoNews has obtained pictures of a flyer indicating the carrier will introduce a new Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data add-on ($30 for Classic talk and text customers, $20 for Value) that allows for actually unlimited usage of 4G data. There is of course always a fly in the ointment, and in this case it's that it doesn't alow for Smartphone Mobile Hotspot usage, so if you're hoping for official tethering support you'll need one of the other packages. The materials suggest it plans to upsell current 2GB package subscribers by pointing out the can get an unlimited and uncapped experience for just $10 more per month. We'll have to wait and see if this comes true (along with all the other highly anticipated September 5th reveals) but if it does, would it be enough for you to switch to the remaining major carrier that doesn't directly offer LTE (yet) or the iPhone? Update: In a quick turnaround, this has just gone from rumor to officially confirmed. Check the press release after the break for the details, but it's all just as we'd heard.
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?
Virgin Media revamps mobile tariffs with Premiere plan, tells Three UK and T-Mobile to keep up
Virgin Media is announcing a new set of tariffs in order to compete with its UK network rivals. The Premiere plan is an attempt at winning the hearts and minds of customers used to Three UK's One Plan and T-Mobile's Full Monty. For £21 per month, users will get all-you-can-eat data, unlimited texts, unlimited calls to UK landlines and 2,500 minutes to other cellphones. Meanwhile, a lower-spec Starter tariff will offer a teasing deal for new customers for £18 per month, but that figure drops to £13 if you also sign up for the company's other Cable TV and Broadband services. Subscribers will also have free and unfettered access to all of that Underground WiFi when the service starts charging users of other mobile networks in the autumn.
Voyager Mobile shakes off network issues, launches a few days behind schedule
It's tough being the new kid in town -- ask Voyager Mobile, an up and coming MVNO that had its launch delayed by a "malicious network attack" last week. The tenacious firm may have missed its planned May 15th launch, but managed to pull things together in time for the weekend, piggybacking unlimited talk, text and data off of Sprint's CDMA and WiMAX network for $40 a month. A basic unlimited voice plan is also available to the tune of $20, without data allowances, of course. Phones are available too, albeit without subsidies -- Samsung's Epic 4G Touch or Galaxy S II will each set you back $550, though an assortment of more affordable devices can be had from $120 and up. Tempted to jump ship? Check out the source link below and let all your MVNO dreams come true.
Daily Update for May 17, 2012
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
Verizon Wireless to transition grandfathered customers from unlimited data plans
Speaking at a J.P. Morgan Conference, Verizon Wireless CFO Fran Shammo revealed that the carrier plans to transition its grandfathered customers off their unlimited data plans, says a report in Fierce Wireless. Shammo confirmed that, starting this summer, customers moving from a 3G phone with an unlimited plan to a 4G handset will be required to drop the unlimited plan and sign up for a shared family data plan. According to the report, Verizon will only offer a shared family data plan for its 4G customers. These plans include one bucket of data which is shared among multiple devices. This change will affect customers upgrading phones, but the report did not say what would happen to current 4G customers on an unlimited plan or unlimited 3G customers who don't want to upgrade. [Via GigaOM]
Voyager Mobile endures 'malicious network attack,' delays launch to the 'very near future'
Launch aborted. Wireless newbie Voyager Mobile has opted to delay its unveiling today to a "time and date in the very near future." A mysterious "malicious network attack" is to blame for the interruption, though that appears to be the extent of the explanation. The company also reinforced its commitment to bettering our planet, one $19 monthly unlimited plan at a time. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
New carrier Voyager Mobile starts May 15th, promises rewards for chatting it up
Competition among US cellular carriers is about to get a bit fiercer with a fresh national network that will actively encourage using your phone rather than setting hard limits. Newcomer (and MVNO on Sprint's network) Voyager Mobile is teasing a "frequent talker program" that will give all kinds of perks for the more talkative among us: call your Aunt Ruth a lot and you'll get phone upgrades, free months of service and smaller nice-to-haves like air mileage and gift cards. That's helped by Voyager starting off at $19 a month for unlimited voice, although picking a smartphone in the early catalog will hike that to a still rather thrifty $39 for all-unlimited voice, text and WiMAX data. If you're tempted by the price and don't mind an early phone roster that focuses on mostly Android-based carryovers like the LG Optimus S, Motorola XPRT or Samsung's Conquer 4G and Epic 4G Touch, Voyager will swing the virtual doors open for some states (with more to follow) when its countdown expires on May 15th.
Virgin Mobile USA and Boost take WiMAX live, ship HTC EVO V 4G and EVO Design 4G on May 31
In sync with Sprint's plans to get its sub-brands on 4G using its legacy WiMAX network, both Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile have trotted out their initial 4G lineups. The early Virgin mix includes retreads of two Sprint data-only devices -- a Broadband2Go-badged version of the Sierra Wireless Overdrive Pro 3G/4G hotspot and a matching version of the Franklin U600 previously seen at Clear. Virgin's real star, however, is the HTC EVO V 4G: though it's ultimately the EVO 3D with a slightly more 2D name, it's shipping with Android 4.0 from the start and has HTC's Frankenstein-like Sense 3.6 rather than the 4.0 of the One series. The network upgrade and all three new devices swing into action on May 31, and while your $35 minimum monthly plan will stay in effect even with unlimited on-device 4G, you'll need to spend $300 (contract-free) to take home an EVO V 4G, $150 on the Overdrive Pro or $100 on the U600 stick. Boost Mobile is also going the Sprint rebadge route through the HTC EVO Design 4G. As with its bigger brother over at Virgin, the single-core EVO Design 4G is identical in hardware to its Sprint equivalent but slaps Android 4.0 and Sense 3.6 on top to keep the software fresh. The update does mark the first time a Boost phone gets Visual Voicemail, so you can feel slightly less guilty when you miss a call. HTC's phone will oddly cost the same $300 off-contract as the more advanced EVO V 4G, although Boost is likely counting on customers sticking around long enough for an all-inclusive unlimited plan to drop to $40 per month and make it worthwhile. %Gallery-154875%
Sprint confirms unlimited data for next-generation iPhone
In a chat with CNET, Sprint CEO Dan Hesse said that the company would stick with unlimited data for the iPhone, even if the next iPhone comes with LTE. Sprint said in March that they would be able to offer an LTE iPhone when one becomes available. This comes out the same day that Sprint released its quarterly earnings, showing the iPhone as one of the sole bright spots to its disappointing quarter. The company sold 1.5 million iPhones, with 44 percent of the buyers new customers. However, Sprint posted a net loss of $863 million, further depleting its cash reserves.
Sprint confirms that LTE phones can enjoy unlimited data on Everything plans
The formal unveiling of LG's Viper this morning may not have piqued your interest, but Sprint loyalists hellbent on maintaining access to an unlimited plan may want to take a second look. Initially pointed out by TechHog, and confirmed to us today by a Sprint spokesperson, the carrier's impending LTE data network will indeed be included on its existing Everything plans. In other words, the Viper -- as well as any other LTE smartphone, Galaxy Nexus included -- will be able to surf the LTE superhighway without limits. To date, the "unlimited" nature of Sprint's data remains a huge differentiator in a world full of hamstrung options, tiers and throttles, and it'll certainly be used to get the attention of heavy users in the months ago. We also reconfirmed that Atlanta, Baltimore, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City and San Antonio are on track to receive LTE in "midyear 2012," with "other markets following in the third and fourth quarters." Huzzah!
MetroPCS raises unlimited LTE data plan to $70, starts throttling others
Enjoying those quick, all-you-can-browse speeds on your LG Connect 4G? Well, it looks like soon you'll have to shell out a bit more cash to hold onto that beloved unlimited service. Earlier today, MetroPCS laid out the scheme to hike the pricing on its no-limits LTE offering, adding an extra $10 to the monthly fee. As for the others, the new $60 plan will now see a "soft" cap at 5GB of LTE data, while the lesser $50 and $40 deals are set at 2.5GB and 250MB, respectively. MetroPCS says you shouldn't worry, though, and that things "like Facebook, web surfing, etc., should continue to be solid." Good thing "solid" is unambiguous, right?
AT&T announces throttling changes, now kicks in at 3GB or 5GB for LTE
Anyone hoping for a truly unlimited "unlimited" data plan is still out of luck, but AT&T has announced some changes (or a clarification, as it puts it) to its throttling procedures today that will at least give you a bit more room to work with. For customers on an unlimited plan with a 3G or "4G" phone (i.e. HSPA+), you'll now be able to enjoy full data speeds up to 3GB, after which you'll then see your speeds decrease until the start of the next billing cycle. If you have a 4G LTE phone, however, you'll have a full 5GB to play with before the throttling kicks in. That's as opposed to the roughly 2GB of full data speeds that was available in both cases before -- and, as with the throttling that was imposed originally, these changes only apply to those still on an unlimited data plan, not those on AT&T's tiered data plans.
Small claims action to combat AT&T data throttling
Are you an iPhone owner with an unlimited plan? Are you being throttled by AT&T for using the data on your plan? If so, you may want to follow in the footsteps of Matt Spaccarelli who sued AT&T in small claims court. After a quick trial, the judge awarded him $850 in damages. AT&T's contact terms prevent you from joining Spaccarelli and turning this into a class action lawsuit. Your best option is to hire a lawyer, go to small claims court and hope for the best. Mactech has an excellent primer to guide you through the process. It's not meant to be legal advice, just a friendly guide with tips like getting a copy of your contract, finding the right lawyer and so on.In the end, you'd be doing this for the principle, not the money. The $850 that Mr Spaccarelli received would barely cover his legal fees, and if he wanted to cancel his contract with AT&T, well, that would be another $350. Even if you don't come away with some cash, you'll at least feel good about sticking it to the man.
T-Mobile confirms Full Monty subscribers are capped at 1Mb/s, risqué plan becomes tame (updated: no speed caps)
Uh-oh. Looks like T-Mobile's Full Monty subscribers in the UK will be getting much less than they'd originally bargained for. T-Mo's British support unit recently confirmed that the carrier has capped speeds on its "all-in" unlimited plan at a rather dismal 1Mb/s -- in other words, this Full Monty act doesn't really go all the way. Perhaps T-Mobile representatives were too caught up in the moment at the launch event and merely forgot to reveal this little tidbit? Our Magic 8-Ball says, "Don't count on it." You'll find the confirmation tweet immortalized after the break.Update: While it's immortalized below, the tweet's now been nixed and T-Mobile has added a fresh one, stating that it won't be capping mobile traffic speeds on the Full Monty Plan. Data addicts, breathe a sigh of relief.
