Verizon's Shared Data Plans Could Be Drawing Close Discussion

[Ed Hardy]

According to information leaking out of Verizon, this carrier has started training its employees on how to handle shared data plans. This is a much-requested option that would allow subscribers with two devices -- like a smartphone and tablet -- to use a single data plan.

Read the full content of this Article: Verizon's Shared Data Plans Could Be Drawing Close

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[r0k]

This is what I was waiting for before switching to At&t. Anything that might possibly lower out of pocket costs is always slower than molasses in January. I'm sure by the time my contract with At&t is up, both Verizon and At&t will offer shared data. Did I mention I'm at the beginning of a 2 year stint with At&t (for 3 of our 4 lines)?

What I really want is one "connectivity charge" that handles my voice, text (SMS), internet (home and smartphone) all on one bill. At one time I was paying Comcast over $50 a month, At&t over $100 a month for a landline and Verizon over $200 a month for 1 Blackberry and 3 feature phones. That's $350 a month for home and very limited mobile internet access on only one device. Now I'm paying $50 to comcast, $200 to At&t for 4 iPhones and no land line bill ($3 a month for Ooma). So I'm saving over $100 a month but really why should I be making the equivalent of a car payment just for connectivity?

[Adama D. Brown]

If it's something reasonable, I might actually take advantage of this. Although mind you, "reasonable" means NO more than $10 a month.

[RickAgresta]

Noting in the article the part about connecting a tablet & smartphone via wifi makes me ask, are there any tablets that can function as USB host devices, as a laptop can? somewhat off the main topic of the thread, but then, sharing data is sharing data Wireless is nice, but in my situation, a physical tether would work, too.

[Varjak]

Although I'd like it; I wouldn't be so sure that ATT will follow Verizon. Theyv'e just complained that they don't earn enough money now to support their data network or their expansion. Plus they say they don't have enough capacity or spectrum. Philosophically, they seem to be going a different route with their recent price increases.

[jigwashere]

Noting in the article the part about connecting a tablet & smartphone via wifi makes me ask, are there any tablets that can function as USB host devices, as a laptop can? somewhat off the main topic of the thread, but then, sharing data is sharing data Wireless is nice, but in my situation, a physical tether would work, too.

Yes, there are some that can do this out of the box (Transformer and Iconia) and others are able with some hacks. EDIT: I'm reading that there are limitations to the USB host capabilities. Doubtful at this point if you could USB tether this way.