Go back to your school, little one. You clearly haven't done your homework. The ONE carrier you picked (helio) does in fact have a nationwide unlimited voice and unlimited data plan, for less $ than either Sprint or Verizon are asking.
Further, "nationwide" service only matters if you'll actually be using it "nationwide". Most people don't travel enough to care about that. In those cases, MetroPCS, Cricket, and Boost's "region" specific plans aren't a _real_ limitation. You can use all 3 on the road for a fee, or use them "unlimited" while near home. For half as much money per month.
The problem for Sprint and Verizon is: they're charging extra for something most people wont need, and they wont want to pay for it. So they'll go with the carriers that give them what they want (unlimited use) on the basis that they need (near home) for far less money.
It doesn't take a genius to see that anywhere MetroPCS, Cricket, or Boost are available, Sprint and Verizon will have to compete with them on those price points ... and at that point, it doesn't make sense to have drastically different rates (twice as much money) based on your zip code ... so they might as well offer those rates wherever they offer the unlimited plans. If they don't, then they're just baiting MetroPCS to expand into those other cities more quickly (and Metro only charges off-network roaming, not roaming when you're in a different MetroPCS city).
One way or the other, the big carriers have to recognize that $100+ for unlimited service isn't going to be a reasonable price point. It'll limit them to a niche market (high income traveling businessmen) at best. And they'll lose everyone else to MetroPCS, Cricket, and Boost.
“At a glance -- particularly as a non-Storm user -- you might say "wait a second, that's just a Storm." And in reality, you wouldn't be far off with that assessment.”
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Marni:
Go back to your school, little one. You clearly haven't done your homework. The ONE carrier you picked (helio) does in fact have a nationwide unlimited voice and unlimited data plan, for less $ than either Sprint or Verizon are asking.
Further, "nationwide" service only matters if you'll actually be using it "nationwide". Most people don't travel enough to care about that. In those cases, MetroPCS, Cricket, and Boost's "region" specific plans aren't a _real_ limitation. You can use all 3 on the road for a fee, or use them "unlimited" while near home. For half as much money per month.
The problem for Sprint and Verizon is: they're charging extra for something most people wont need, and they wont want to pay for it. So they'll go with the carriers that give them what they want (unlimited use) on the basis that they need (near home) for far less money.
It doesn't take a genius to see that anywhere MetroPCS, Cricket, or Boost are available, Sprint and Verizon will have to compete with them on those price points ... and at that point, it doesn't make sense to have drastically different rates (twice as much money) based on your zip code ... so they might as well offer those rates wherever they offer the unlimited plans. If they don't, then they're just baiting MetroPCS to expand into those other cities more quickly (and Metro only charges off-network roaming, not roaming when you're in a different MetroPCS city).
One way or the other, the big carriers have to recognize that $100+ for unlimited service isn't going to be a reasonable price point. It'll limit them to a niche market (high income traveling businessmen) at best. And they'll lose everyone else to MetroPCS, Cricket, and Boost.