As we discussed earlier in the month, one of the key differentiators between AT&T’s and Verizon’s iPhone offerings is unlimited data. AT&T has moved onto a tiered pricing structure, while Verizon still offers unlimited data…for now. The Wall Street Journal has reported what many of us knew would happen — unlimited data on the Verizon iPhone 4 is a limited time offer. This was confirmed by Verizon COO Lowell McAdam:
Mr. McAdam said the iPhone unlimited plan will be a temporary offer and that the carrier will follow AT&T’s move to tiered pricing in the not too distant future.
It’s a smart business move. A lot of tech savvy customers know that the next iPhone will almost definitely be released in June 2011. These same customers also know that unlimited data plans are going bye bye. This is a way to snag those customers that want Verizon reliability but were on the fence about getting iPhone 4 or waiting for the iPhone 5. For some customers, being grandfathered into an unlimited data plan is worth buying a phone now and paying for another one in June.
For those of you that were considering jumping ship, does McAdam’s confirmation of Verizon moving away from unlimited data change anything for you?
Nope. Getting it 2/10 and if I have to have the new model I'll buy that one.
I wonder if LTE will have an unlimited option or much larger buckets?
Great, one more thing the wife can wave in front of me to convince me to let her get one……