Tiered data plans are on the way to USCC

[dairyberry]

Just happened across this article. A Google search found several more reports. They all say the same thing. Tiered plans are on the way, no details given.

http://www.mobileburn.com/chtml/mobile_story.jsp?Id=16129

This could be good or bad. It would be nice if they offered a lower price plan and kept the current 5mb in the middle of the pack. A lower/cheaper option would benefit a lot of BB users.

Realistically I think they will keep the 5mb for $30 at the bottom of the tier. I think that is how VZ does it.

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[pistolpetefan23]

It will probably be something like $19.99 for 200mb and the current $30 for 5 GB. Or perhaps $30 for 1 GB and $40 for 5 GB.

[dairyberry]

Originally Posted by pistolpetefan23

It will probably be something like $19.99 for 200mb and the current $30 for 5 GB. Or perhaps $30 for 1 GB and $40 for 5 GB.

I bet it will be more expensive than it is right now. Something like your second senario, or worse.

Right now USCC is loosing customers but seeing increased income due to smartphone plans.

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[pistolpetefan23]

Originally Posted by dairyberry

I bet it will be more expensive than it is right now. Something like your second senario, or worse.

Right now USCC is loosing customers but seeing increased income due to smartphone plans.

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I think there will be an option, perhaps $30 for 1 or 2 GB, that will allow most people to stay the same. I think they, like all the carriers are doing, will be looking to go after the hardcore data users and make them pay a higher share.

[dairyberry]

I hope you're right. BlackBerry's data compression can be money saver on tiered plans if the plans are set up right.

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[john_v]

I just saw this elsewhere and was coming to post it

I'll be keeping a close eye on it...tiered isn't necessarily a bad thing if they price it right. However, if the pricing is close enough to the other carriers, it'd probably make more sense for most people to just move to a real nationwide carrier and have better coverage and selection of new phones. So they need to realize they may shoot themselves in the foot.

[john_v]

Something else to consider is this...I would think they would grandfather all those currently on belief plans...otherwise the pricing change is a change to the contract and customers would have a free pass to get out and walk. The thing will be, when you try to upgrade, will you be forced to go tiered, or will you be allowed to keep your grandfathered plan.

Questions questions questions...and in typical form USCC offers no answers.

[dairyberry]

I doubt they know the answers yet themselves.

They probably see the wrighting on the wall. They have had a big increase in data usage and probably no signs of it slowing down.

They probably need to generate more income to keep the network updated working properly. It's only fair to charge the heaviest users more.

The last thing they need is the same reputation that AT&T got from having an overwhelmed network.

It might be an attempt to be proactive.

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[vanhirelondonuk]

There can be something, if possible. I want to know about the data storage & its usage. If plans are properly set up, prices can be reviwed & there can be savings.