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Google envisioned a $10 unlimited plan in early T-Mobile talks

Google envisioned a $10 unlimited plan in early T-Mobile talks

Posted: 25 Apr 2012, 15:08, by Michael H.

Categories: T-Mobile T-Mobile Android Android Interesting facts Interesting facts Wireless service Wireless service

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Google envisioned a $10 unlimited plan in early T-Mobile talks

Back when the Nexus One was still just a rumor, there were rumblings that Google wanted to destroy the wireless carrier system by subsidizing plans and devices and undercutting carriers. This was obviously completely wrong. Google had no such plans, because Google knew that it couldn't take on companies like Verizon and AT&T and win. At best, Google hoped to disrupt the carrier subsidy model and push unlimited data plans, and even in those respects, not much headway has been made.

Earlier, we learned about the early designs for Android devices and part of the vision that Google had while negotiating with T-Mobile as its carrier partner. Part of that plan was to push people towards unlimited 3G data plans, because Google knew even back in 2006 that the key to smartphones was in fast and unlimited data. Now, it turns out that Google pushed a plan to T-Mobile which would have seen Google subsidizing customer data plans and offering an unlimited data plan for just $9.99 per month. The subsidy would have been covered mostly by Google not collecting a commission from T-Mobile for referring Android customers.

Of course, Google estimated that users would only use on average about 15MB of data per month for Google services like Gmail and Search (it's unclear if YouTube was part of the equation, but it seems likely not), which is a far cry from the data usage we see now with the rise of mobile video and music streaming. Still, we all know that this plan never came to pass as the G1 was originally released with $25 and $35 data plan options.

source: The Verge

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1. Phoneguy007 posted on 25 Apr 2012, 15:21 4 0

wow!!!!!!!!

2. theBankRobber posted on 25 Apr 2012, 15:32 3 0

Since I have DSL at my house, my data usage from Sprint has dropped significantly. I used to use around 6-9 gig a month but since getting DSL, that is now at maybe 600mb.

3. shadowcell posted on 25 Apr 2012, 15:33 5 0

Good thing Google foresaw this coming. I've been consuming away (at least 4GB per month) on data and if it wasn't for my grandfathered unlimited data plan I would be in deep horse manure.

4. 14545 posted on 25 Apr 2012, 15:43 1 0

You and I both. I use between 4 and 7gb a month, and I couldn't imagine being stuck with these horrible 2 and 4 gig plans. A reasonable cap would be 5gb, but the POS carriers won't even offer that for the already unreasonable 30 bucks a month.

5. good2great posted on 25 Apr 2012, 16:34 0 0

what are you guys doing on your phones where you're using that much data... 7GB??? THATS RIDICULOUS isnt there wifi where you are? or you guess tethering to run internet devices in your home from your phone?

6. smallcolabear posted on 25 Apr 2012, 17:08 0 0

I use dang near 10 or more on my phone, so I would say if people are on their phones a ton then its easy to go over the alloted gigabytes.. Especially if they travel for work on shuttles or subways etc. Kids are a big factor too alot use their parents phone to keep busy.

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7. sgtdisturbed47 posted on 25 Apr 2012, 17:08 0 0

Probably tethering using an app.

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9. ardent1 posted on 25 Apr 2012, 20:52 0 0

Prior to Apple's delta updates, getting the new OS updates burn through 700 - 800 MB each for my iPod Touch and iPad 2. Then you have games like Infinity Blade 2 clocking in the 900 MB range. Then downloading 1 or 2 movies a month will add 1.5 to 3 GB of data usage. Also, if you watch a couple of HD videos on youtube, the data usage grows. I easily burn through 100 MB a day reading new on the web, use my email, etc.

Btw, wifi at McDonalds or Starbucks is a joke. 3G on Virgin Mobile can be slow at times.

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11. jbash posted on 26 Apr 2012, 17:43 0 0

7GB isn't ridiculous at all,I have seen people with usage above 250GB. a power user can use 10GB monthly without using any tethering at all

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8. mrfamous1 posted on 25 Apr 2012, 17:10 0 0

Wow!!!! If this was to happen At&t would have matched it!!! Verizon Would of lost.

10. ardent1 posted on 25 Apr 2012, 21:06 0 0

15 MB per month -- kind of remind me of the original free yahoo mail accounts at 10 MB.

I think the average data usage is around 600 MB per month based on the stats used by Straight Talk.

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Google envisioned a $10 unlimited plan in early T-Mobile talks

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11 Comments Follow Following

1. Phoneguy007 posted on 25 Apr 2012, 15:21 4 0

2. theBankRobber posted on 25 Apr 2012, 15:32 3 0

3. shadowcell posted on 25 Apr 2012, 15:33 5 0

4. 14545 posted on 25 Apr 2012, 15:43 1 0

5. good2great posted on 25 Apr 2012, 16:34 0 0

6. smallcolabear posted on 25 Apr 2012, 17:08 0 0

7. sgtdisturbed47 posted on 25 Apr 2012, 17:08 0 0

9. ardent1 posted on 25 Apr 2012, 20:52 0 0

11. jbash posted on 26 Apr 2012, 17:43 0 0

8. mrfamous1 posted on 25 Apr 2012, 17:10 0 0

10. ardent1 posted on 25 Apr 2012, 21:06 0 0

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