Unlimited data is a thing of the past. AT&T started it, capping their services at 2GB in 2010. Verizon and T-Mobile followed about a year later, though both added higher-tier options for heavy data consumers. But the point remains: gone are the days where you could browse, download, and stream with abandon. That is, unless you’re on Sprint. Throughout this ordeal they’ve not only retained their unlimited data plans, but they’ve continually reassured customers that they will, indeed, stay unlimited. The latest comes from CTO Stephen Bye (via CNET). He stated the challenges of maintaining unlimited plans, but also said that Sprint is willing to face that challenge. This is plenty good news for not only Sprint customers, but customers wishing to jump ship. Customers grandfathered into unlimited plans with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon won’t keep that plan forever. There will come a time when they will move everyone to a tiered plan. True, by then Sprint could follow suit. But it does seem that they’re committed to keeping this thing unlimited — even as they’re reportedly adding the iPhone, a device that could post them network capacity issues. Unlimited data isn’t the only edge Sprint holds over the competition. When looking at plans with 450 anytime minutes, plus unlimited messaging and data, Sprint and T-Mobile both come across at $70. T-Mobile, however, limits that data at 2GB, so Sprint regains the edge there, too. A comparable plan on AT&T costs $85 per month, while it’s $90 on Verizon. Customers might wish to remain with the two larger companies while their unlimited plans hold, but even then Sprint might have the better deal. To make things even brighter, Sprint also plans to launch its LTE network early next year. That will bring it all the advantages that Verizon currently realizes, while presumably retaining the unlimited data structure. All of those could go a long way in Sprint rising from the ashes and competing more seriously with AT&T and Verizon. They still have a long way to go, but if you look at where they were in 2007 and 2008, it’s a miracle indeed that they’ve gotten this far. They might not be the biggest carrier, and they might not have the best coverage. But Sprint maintains an edge over the competition when it comes to plans and pricing. They’re the only truly unlimited national carrier left. Perhaps that little edge could pay off for them in the future.
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