It looks like Verizon Wireless is a step closer to offering shared data plans.
CEO Lowell McAdam said last month that the carrier has been working on the idea for a couple of years, with a goal of "geting to one bill and getting to account-level pricing" sometime in 2012. Now, a tipster has told tech site Engadget that training materials regarding "account level data plans" are showing up in internal company documents. The report contains few details but indicates there might be one charge for a data allowance and an additional $9.99 per line – much like how some shared voice plans work – but any speculation beyond that would be premature. No date for plan implementation was given.
Shared data seems like a win-win for customers and carriers. It's easier billing and data tracking for the wireless company; more choice and flexibility for the consumer. The data tiers currently offered by the major carriers are fairly rigid and aren't customized to those customers who use the most and least data on their networks. But all of that consolidation takes time – it's no wonder it's been in the discussion for quite some time but hasn't been implemented.
AT&T and Sprint are also said to be considering shared data, but no word yet exactly when that might happen either.
