One of the hottest searches on the web today is "unlimited data plans" according to Yahoo. Verizon did not reveal the exact date that unlimited data plans would end until a few weeks ago, leaving high data users scrambling to look for options.
When we talked to Verizon spokeswoman Brand Raney, she assured us that Verizon customers who already have unlimited data plans will continue to receive unlimited data. Yesterday was the last day to get an unlimited data plan from Verizon Wireless.
Sprint remains the only carrier to offer truly unlimited data because T-Mobile throttles data over 2GB, but you will have to pay an additional $10 a month for 4G WiMAX data use. You can't get a discount on the monthly plans, but Amazon Wireless offers deals on the smartphones with unlimited data. Prepaid offerings for unlimited data include MetroPCS and Boost Mobile. LetsTalk
has new lines-of-contract free phones from unlimited data plans from Boost, MetroPCS and Virgin
Mobile.Here are Wireless and Mobile News' Top Best Ways to Cut Down on Smartphone Data Use:
- Many AT&T smartphone users have learned to adapt to paying for
data usage, by connecting to Wi-Fi as much as possible. AT&T also
provides Wi-Fi support in heavily populated areas such as Times Square, New
York. Any app that can be set to download data when connected to Wi-Fi, set
that app to Wi-Fi. - It you don't want to eat up data, don't view streaming videos or listen to streaming music since Video is a huge data hog.
- If you upload a lot of photos to Facebook, Twitter or photo sharing services, that will also eat up data.
- There are settings in smartphones to continually check for
updates to social media and more, which you can shut off. These features
also draw battery juice. - Use data usage apps provided by the carrier to see how much data you are using. Verizon will send text messages that report your use.
- iPhone users can download an app named Onavo that reduces data use by compressing data and storing in the cloud.
- Our favorite way to cut down on data use: Instead of emaling
your friends, checking for Facebook and Twitter updates, call them
from your phone. Write down directions, phone numbers and other information so you don't have to continually search the web for information.