I commented on a previous thread about unlimited data, and I'm still going to say however nice it might be for those that crave the data, chances are there will be throttled periods of data once you reach some kind of fair use cap, such as Wind had, and I believe Freedom continues.
i went through my fair use data very quick when I was without home internet for a period. I couldn't believe the speed difference when I was throttled; I felt like I was BBSing on my 1200 baud dial up modem from the early 90s. Never do I wish to experience that again.
Between my two pay ahead communication services, I spend $95 a month, missing only TV and home phone. I have more than enough data on my cell, and unlimited data on a cable internet reseller.
Here's more evidence that unlimited data or at minimum much cheaper pricing needs to happen and happen really quick. Otherwise, my suggestion to all is buy shares in Canadian telecoms that have a large wireless presence. I can't imagine paying $40x8 in 2022 for my wireless plan. Well, I guess I would get $5 off for 5 years of loyalty.
Prepaid service all over the world offer Unlimited Data. PM should offer it. In the US Metro PCS offers Unlimited Data starting at $30 month for 2GB of 4G LTE data then speeds reduced. It's still unlimited even when reduced speeds.
I suggested throttled data in the Public Lab way back in 2015 and the idea was rejected. I still think it's feasible (both technically and from a business perspective) if they really wanted to, the fact that the US carriers do it is proof of that. Canada is usually a few years behind the US in almost everything, so when the US starts doing something there's a good chance we'll see the same changes in Canada if we only wait.
I think truly unlimited data (unthrottled) is not feasible, as mentioned before if people had no incentive to watch their usage they would just stream anything and everything and congestion would get too high.
As an interim solution, how about just lowering the cost of data addons? I think $30 for 1 gig is ridiculously high, even though it is currently the going rata for data in Canada from all the carriers.
I think the climate of wireless in Canada is starting to turn more in favour of the consumer, and with that ALL carriers will need to take a good hard look at adding an "unlimited" option sooner rather than later.
I agree - an unlimited but throttled option is now proven in the US market and the first to offer such a plan in this country would garner not only a lot of fan-fare but customers as well. With all phones able to be unlocked in Canada within the year, people will be looking for the best deal all the time and not just when they're contracts are up..... I know I will. I like PM but it'll be hard to pass up a reasonable cost for an unlimited plan with another provider. Be the first PM.
