VERIZON CHANGING DATA PLANS AGAIN

MrWizard wrote:
cell phones used to be Hundreds of $$ per month for like 60 minutes of talk time
even with rates increasing, they are a bargain compared to when first introduced

talk is cheap..
its internet connection and data that really cost a user

Henry Ford's first cars where cheap compared to every other MFG
costs came down across the board for consumer grade
then rose as wages costs increased
Henrys first car would not sell in todays market, to crude by todays standards
although much cheaper to build than current models

cellphones became a consumer item, the market is saturated
but the demand is for service, faster and faster data speeds,
the consumer is hooked on the "always being connected drug" instant access to friends and info

they have the consumer by the short hairs, supplying the data to supplement the craving

better, faster service, longer battery life, more convenience, its still a bargain compared to then

i don;t like price increases, but i could not be on here, and could not stream video, or email freinds, if i drop my data,

Early "cell phones" AKA "bag phones" actually did not cost hundreds a month, ever.

You had a BASE SERVICE "rate" of something like $20 or $40 per month, then you paid $2.50 PER MINUTE on top of that base Service rate..

It took quite a few years before cell phone companies came up with a monthly price "package" that included a set amount of minutes per month..

My first Cell phone was on Bell Atlantic in the late 1990s for a dual mode analog/digital phone (I skipped the old analog bag phones)..

That phone cost $9.95 and my service package cost $24.99 and I got 250 prime minutes and unlimited night and weekend minutes.. The only problem I ran into was something folks take for granted.. called ROAMING CHARGES.. Not a problem in my home area but if I left my home area I would get slammed with $2 per day roaming charge PLUS $2.50 PER MINUTE rate!

My phone is nothing more than a simple communication tool for emergency usage since I spend a considerable amount of time during my daily commute.. I see no real use with smart phones, the tiny little screen plus the hassle of using thumbs to surf or type to me is not worth the hassle..

Folks need to vote loudly at the expense and unplug.. But since folks have become smart phone zombies I doubt many would ever consider turning it off completely for even on hr..

It is sad, I see people driving with cell phones in hand, I see them walking with cell phone in hand, heck sightseeing with cellphone??

Put the phone down and look around and see what you are missing..