Shared Data Plans Likely Coming to Verizon in 2012

[zorinlynx]

I wish you could buy a set amount of data that didn't expire in 30 days. If it took you 2 months to use it, so be it. You pay for it and it is yours to use no matter how long it takes.

THIS. If this were possible I'd probably buy a 3G iPad and a few gigs of data. Even if they were expensive, it'd be nice to buy data without having to worry about using it all before some expiration date.

At my typical data usage rates, 2GB of iPad data would probably last me 6-7 months. Almost all my regular iPad use is where I have Wifi.

Of course they won't do this, though, as nearly everyone will pay a lot less, so they'll lose money.

EDIT: I'll note that prepaid wireless carriers "sort of" do this with minutes. You buy a set number of minutes, and typically have a year to use them. There's still a limit (probably to keep accounts from lingering forever if abandoned) but a year is a lot more reasonable than a month. I wish providers would think of data as a consumable, rather than a service.

 

[k1121j]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A405 Safari/7534.48.3)

Good idea. I'd seriously consider switching to Verizon if this became reality.

EDIT: But then, they'll probably charge more right? Will have to crunch some numbers at that time I guess.

I agree bet u get less data for your money

 

[AWallen90]

If this were to happen at AT&T at $25 per 2GB I would be extremely grateful. My dad uses an iPhone because he can no longer use a normal phone, he does not have very good control of his hands. But he never uses data so it seems ridiculous that we have to pay for his data.

 

[Big D 51]

It would be a dream come true if I get to keep my unlimited plan while adding an iPad to it. Doubt it happens though.

 

[Jmclark]

This would be great. My mom has an upgrade (still has her last New Every Two credit, actually), and would love to have an iPhone, but can't justify paying $30 a month for 2GB of data she'd never use.

 

[iEvolution]

Don't worry I'm sure there will just add a minor fee of $60 to your already $100+ bill for 2GB monthly.

 

[AppleScruff1]

THIS. If this were possible I'd probably buy a 3G iPad and a few gigs of data. Even if they were expensive, it'd be nice to buy data without having to worry about using it all before some expiration date.

At my typical data usage rates, 2GB of iPad data would probably last me 6-7 months. Almost all my regular iPad use is where I have Wifi.

Of course they won't do this, though, as nearly everyone will pay a lot less, so they'll lose money.

EDIT: I'll note that prepaid wireless carriers "sort of" do this with minutes. You buy a set number of minutes, and typically have a year to use them. There's still a limit (probably to keep accounts from lingering forever if abandoned) but a year is a lot more reasonable than a month. I wish providers would think of data as a consumable, rather than a service.

This would be good for a lot of people. Good point about the iPad. It would be nice to have the security of having 3G available when you needed it without having to pay $25 per month when you don't use it that often. Of course the carriers won't do this but it would make a lot of people happy.