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UnlimitedData posts

Verizon confirms DROID tethering cost, will ask subscribers to double-down on their data plan

by Tim Stevens posted Nov 6th 2009 @ 7:18AM

Just a few days ago Verizon made the less-than-shocking confirmation that DROID tethering was coming, but wouldn't say how much it would cost. Now that the hardest of hardcore fans are already waiting in line, disconnected from the world at large, the company is unleashing the bad news: it'll be $30. That doubles the cost of the required data plan that sits atop a subscriber's voice plan, meaning a total of $60 per month for "unlimited" data access on handset or laptop. Mind you, "unlimited" really means 5GB of data per, a total of 10 split between the two $30 plans. Glass ceilings: we hate them.

Zer01 is the new, contract-less MVNO that will bring VOIP to the mobile masses

by Tim Stevens posted Mar 13th 2009 @ 7:59AM

2008 marked the end for many a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), most going under in a flood of bankruptcies or getting consumed but their parent networks. It sure seems like no company in its right mind would want to wade back into that graveyard, but Zer01 is thinking differently, pledging to launch a new network within a network next month at CTIA 2009. Its services will be provided by AT&T, but it'll undercut the competition with a combination of a $69.95 monthly unlimited voice and data plan and a complete lack of contracts, as well as unlimited international calling (to 40 countries) for just an extra $10. What's the catch? The company will rely on a VOIP application for routing of all calls, and right now that app only works on Windows Mobile. That'll be a roadblock for many, and given AT&T's somewhat limited (and generally flaky) 3G data coverage we're a little concerned about call quality, but just the same can't wait to see how this one turns out.

[Via Unwired View and PC Magazine]

Cricket Wireless offers unlimited data for $35 a month, look ma, no cap

by Sean Cooper posted Mar 23rd 2008 @ 9:07PM

Here's a deal that's pretty tough to beat, Cricket is offering unlimited EVDO Rev. 0 data for only $35 -- after discount -- a month. What do you need to get yourself signed up you ask? The Kyocera KPC650 data card which will set you back $59 after various deals and rebates, willingness to shell out $35 beans for all you can chew data, and a willingness to not sign a contract. Fair, no? Of course, the service's footprint is really limited right now, so if you don't live in Nashville, Spokane, the Central Valley of California, Santa Fe / Albuquerque, or Portland, you can ignore this article. If anybody out there is already hooked up with this seemingly reasonable offer, drop us a line and let us know if you've found any snags. Here's hoping the market expands, really soon now.

[Via Gearlog]

"Unlimited" iPhone data plans on T-Mobile, O2 and Orange not so unlimited

by Paul Miller posted Oct 29th 2007 @ 10:26AM

Europeans are pretty used to paying through the nose for usage charges, whether it be by-the-minute charges for local calls in the landline days of yore, or per-KB charges for wireless data. The up side is that there are usually some pretty sweet prices on phones, since wireless companies know they can make it up on the back end, but for heavy users things can get expensive fast. And unfortunately, the glorious promises of "unlimited" data usage tacked onto iPhone plans offered by T-Mobile, O2 and Orange in their respective iPhone-exclusive markets aren't quite the revolution we might've hoped for. T-Mobile just posted its rate plans for the November 9th iPhone launch, though it quickly pulled them from the site. Eagle-eyed observers grabbed a screenshot of the rates (pictured), but what's notable is the fine print: depending on which plan you select -- M, L or XL -- you're limited to 200MB, 1GB or 5GB of data, after which your data speeds are limited to 64Kbps, instead of EDGE's traditional 220Kbps max. O2, whose rates have been up since day one, has a slightly vaguer "fair usage policy" that gives O2 the right to slap you with extra charges or change your rate plan if you exceed 200MB of use, though they claim this rarely happens. Details on Orange's rate plans for the iPhone haven't emerged yet, but Orange France has historically some of the priciest unlimited data rates, and has a standing policy to just go ahead and slap per-KB charges once the limit is crossed. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.

[Thanks, Patrick]

O2 launches "unlimited" data plans for the rest of us

by Darren Murph posted Oct 7th 2007 @ 6:32AM

It was practically a foregone conclusion, but O2 has finally revealed pricing on "unlimited" data Bolt Ons for mobiles not dubbed iPhone. Unfortunately, the word unlimited has a very interesting meaning in this scenario, as Pay & Go users who purchase the plan for £7.50 ($15) / month are told to keep their usage under 200MB per period, or else O2 could cancel their service or charge more to compensate. Moreover, the £30 ($61) Web Max package is available for monthly subscribers and to those who'd like to tether their mobile to a PC, but alas, you better not exceed 3GB of usage per month unless you'd like to be monitored and / or slapped on the wrist. Lastly, the Unlimited BlackBerry plan will run you £10 ($20) per month, but is still guarded by a 200MB quasi-limit.

[Via mocoNews]