Wireless carriers openly considering charging per service

[bboykin87]

Like an earlier poster said if all the companies did this as much as it would pain me, I would have to go back to a regular phone, my bill is already like $170 for two smartphones, my EVO and my gf's intercept, as much as she uses facebook and as much as I stream audio, our bill would be outrageous, and I'd go back to a regular phone and use my EVO like a mini tab... only where there's wi-fi...

Now they say they will charge for streaming audio, how will they be able to tell if you are streaming or downloading it? or would it matter? It's still the same amount of data.

 

[Chris Kerrigan]

Unfortunately they don't care if it's the same amount of data, they're just interested in how they can increase their bottom line.

 

[trekkie1701c]

I'm hopeful that Sprint doesn't really do anything with it. I can see charging for excessive data use, since despite it being unlimited, if you're pulling down more than 1 or 2 gb a month on your phone you need to get a real net connection (the only time I've exceeded 5gb is with tethering being my only net connection, and even then I didn't hit it consistently every month).

That said I'd have an issue supporting a carrier that blocked or limited sites or outside services. If it's your own service, fine. If it's really causing a network issue, it should be reflected in the user's data usage every month (using youtube and getting 200mb extra downloaded per month should cost them less than looking up 2gb of porn).

So far haven't heard any rumors that Sprint's planning anything like that, so hopefully they don't and they market themselves as the "open" carrier. However considering how they seem to bend over backwards to save the customer money (like "I can't pay my bill this month" "Oh, you might be eligible for some discounts that can help out then"), I could see them trying to be more consumer friendly (since it is helping them build their customer base and thus is helping them increase profits). But also wouldn't be surprised to see everyone do it at once.

Then get all pissy when the modders and ROM cookers figure out a way to bypass the whole thing. I'm sure there's a way to hide the traffic, despite what that company says

 

[green]

If ATT and Verizon do this, I think Tmobile and Sprint might not follow suit and use this as a way to bring more customers to their network. But I dont see this happening anytime soon.

 

[Ms Charli]

There is only one way stop this and that is to straight boycott this BS if it happens. We have become so spoiled and dependent on the internet to keep up with family and friends. STOP!!! If folks Stop for one day using smart phone, purchasing etc it would put a dent in these mongrels pockets. "We the people" really control this with out us there is no Them!!! We control there money!!!!

And i say this for everything!! (GAS)

 

[ChrisGonzales90]

I blame the British and the EU. They are ALWAYS sticking their noses in where it doesn't belong.