Why'd carriers wait so long to kill unlimited data?

[JnEricsonx]

Barring Sprint of course. I'm just curious, I mean, they have to have TONS of current customers, myself included, who're already set at unlimited data, and I keep hearing that as long as I don't do any major downgrades to my Verizon plan, I'll be able to keep my unlimited data even when I upgrade in 2 years? I'm just wondering people's thoughts on this, meanwhile....I WANT 4G IN MY AREA!! And Netflix for my Tbolt.

 

[goya]

I don't think they wanted to kill unlimited data but it was just something that had to happen. AT&T discovered this very early with the iPhone and how much data those devices were eating up and destroying the network for other customers.

 

[JnEricsonx]

True, but I'm sure by last summer, between Iphone 4, and all the Android devices, plus Ipad's, etc, I guess thats when they decided to grit their teeth and endure a bit longer before pulling the unlimited plug?

 

[RiverOfIce]

It does not really have anything to do with the amount of data and networks, that is just smoke and mirrors. They want an excuse to make money.

Well it started out as a tiered plan (early 2000's), but once someone started to offer unlimited data, the rest where forced to. After att, and exclusivity of iphone started going tier, it was easy for verizon to lock a few good phones in and go tier.

It is about money. Att and verizon are now facing each other. The best way to stop people leaving is make sure the door hits them on the way out. Att is not going to go back to tiered so verizon never has to.

If you leave your current provider, you are screwed. They are doing it for three reasons. 1) They can, there are only two national providers now. 2.) It locks current subscribers in and gives them zero reason to leave, no one in their right mind would give up unlimited for anything. 3.) It makes them an insane amount of money.

With the phones locked to the carriers and the carriers only having one person to fight off, it is easiest to hold your unlimited plan hostage.

Sprint is dead in the water for the foreseeable about future.

 

[Medion]

It does not really have anything to do with the amount of data and networks, that is just smoke and mirrors. They want an excuse to make money.

It's somewhere in the middle. Unlimited data on a service that is limited by available spectrum causes quality of service issues in areas of high congestion. No amount of towers or back-haul will fix this. Research Shannon's Theory.