The Past

Over a decade ago internet providers made the bold move of taking internet access “off the clock” by eliminating time restrictions on their service. This along with the ever-evolving connections made the internet the ideal canvas for creative development. Suddenly the average person was able to generate content that would reach a vast amount of people. This development paved the way for many entrepreneurs. Life on the internet was good, content was free-flowing, accessible, and very cheap to generate.

Today

As of June 7, 2010 AT&T introduced two new data plans (and so did many other providers) they said would encourage many users to get a smartphone because they were “inexpensive”. While doing this however they discontinued their unlimited data plan forcing new users to pick between a 200 MB plan or a 2 GB plan. Those who wished to keep their unlimited plan could do so as long as they kept their plan (or AT&T allows them to). Though a large percent of data users do not normally go over the 2 GB allowance, the limitation will start to make them think twice before watching a video on youtube, downloading a new app, or watching a streaming movie. And in today’s ever-evolving world of mobile devices data transfer will play a larger, more important role as new applications and features are developed.

Tomorrow

In the long run the limitations set on users via data caps will hinder the development of the internet and of mobile devices. Users, as I said before will have to think twice about doing anything on their phone that will require a hefty amount of data usage. As time passes, the restriction will offset more and more users to using a wifi connection instead, if enough of this happens there is a possibility ISPs will raise their prices or cap users. And hey, they have already started! Just check out Gizmodo’s article. Agh!

So where do you stand? Do you think these new and “affordable” plans are good? How much data do you normally use? I seem to be using about 3-4 GB on monthly on my iPhone.