Verizon 4G may cost for bandwidth, not devices

Verizon's wireless division chief Lowell McAdam pointed to a major overhaul of the carrier's data plan strategy by the time its LTE-based 4G network goes live. Instead of charging by the device, the carrier is more likely to charge for a block of data and share it across as many devices as the user owns. McAdam hoped the demand for unlimited access would "go away" as new apps and devices arrive.

A multi-device strategy could be essential as the bandwidth makes data significantly more important and useful to different kinds of devices. Real-world 4G speeds on Verizon should reach 12Mbps and will have little lag, making it feasible to stream HD video, play online multiplayer games or have always-on portable devices.

Verizon's service should launch by the end of this year and should have at least five 4G phones by May 2011. Actual voice over IP on LTE may not occur until 2012.

AT&T is due to launch its own LTE network in 2011 and has told Electronista in the past that it would probably change its data plans to reflect the change in cellular technology.

By Electronista Staff