Sprint to offer unlimited data on new (and old) iPhones

Consumer Reports News: October 06, 2011 12:23 PM

The new Apple iPhone 4S is expected to land on the shelves of three of the four major wireless carriers in the U.S. on Oct. 14. But Sprint is dangling a tempting offer to consumers: Unlimited data.

Sprint announced today that two-year contracts for the iPhone 4S—and the previous iPhone 4, which will also be offered in mid-October—will not have data caps. However, as with its "unlimited" monthly plans for other smart phones, new contracts will be saddled with a monthly $10 "premium data fee." Still, even when tacked on to Sprint's basic "unlimited everything" plan, new iPhone users will most likely pay less per month than with either Verizon's or AT&T's "unlimited" plans. (See table.)

Carrier	Monthly Base plan (unlimited voice and texts)	Monthly Data Fee	Data Overage Fee
AT&T	$89.99 ($69.99 voice + $20 text)	$15 per 200 MB $25 per 2 GB	$15 per 200 MB $10 per GB
Sprint	$99.99	$10 for "premium data"	N/A
Verizon	$89.99 ($69.99 voice + $20 text)	$30 for 2GB	$10 per GB

[UPDATE: The table has been adjusted to the correct, more comparable service plans. —Ed.]

The difference in monthly cost could be significant—especially since Consumer Reports own data shows that iPhone users tend to be wireless data hogs. But it will be interesting to see if Sprint's service—already a low-point, according to our Ratings of wireless service providers—can keep up with its smart phone users and new iPhone customers.

For help in making the right decision for your needs, check out the Consumer Reports Buying Guide to Mobile phones and service.

Sprint Brings Unlimited Data Experience to iPhone on October 14 [Sprint press release via BusinessWire]
Verizon Wireless to Introduce iPhone 4S Oct. 14 on the Nation's Largest and Most Reliable Voice and Data Network [Verizon press release via PR Newswire]
Sprint to offer unlimited data for iPhone 4S and iPhone 4 [Computer World]

—Paul Eng