Sprint Will Offer Unlimited Data Plans For LTE IPhone
Truly unlimited data plans are becoming something of an endangered species. First AT&T killed its off, then Verizon did away with its unlimited data plan, and now the only place a potential iPhone customer can go to get as much data as he or she wants in the US is Sprint.
However, with the new iPad rockin’ LTE support, many were worried that when the iPhone inevitably gets the upgrade to the faster network, Sprint might follow suit and axe the unlimited data plan from its lineup.
From the carrier’s point of view, it makes sense to only offer tiered data plans. Unlimited data strains the network, plus it’s comparatively cheap and there’s not even the chance of overage charges.
Lucky for us, though, Sprint seems to think there’s still something to the idea of unlimited data. In a statement to CNET, Sprint CEO Dan Hesse said that even if the next iPhone has LTE connectivity, the company’s unlimited plan isn’t going anywhere.
“I’m not anticipating the unlimited plan would change by [the time the iPhone came out]. That’s our distinctive differentiator… We’re clearly attracting customers from our competitors.”
He even went so far as to say an iPhone with LTE support running on an unlimited data plan was a “match made in heaven.” I’m inclined to agree. Mere days after customers got their hands on the new iPad, many were reporting they’d already hit their data caps for the month.
4G streaming and surfing uses a significant amount of data so, at least for me personally, I can’t imagine having a 4G device bound to carrier restrictions and data caps.
I think it’s a pretty safe bet to assume that the next iPhone will have 4G LTE connectivity, and it’s nice to know that there’s at least one place in the US where customers will really get to enjoy it. Will you consider switching from your current carrier to Sprint for an unlimited 4G data plan?