Yoseph+M+blog+post+analysis

Yoseph M Proximity mobile team FROM: Mahlet Yoseph SUBJECT: beta news article on Verizon changes DATE: Feb, 6 2010 We were asked to analyze a blog post or news item to help us prepare Proximity's fall survey. Below is my summary of a //beta// //news// article on Verizon's changes to the packaging and pricing of its wireless service plans. I suggest we include questions on the fall survey designed to determine whether TU students are using such services.


 * What are the new ​prices and packages**-

Verizon's line-up of cell phones is becoming more and more complex. Most of its phones not only allow customers to make phone calls, but they also let customers surf the web and transfer large amounts of data. Since data service is increasing while voice service is decreasing,verizon wireless wants ​to make data plans the norm with cellular service. Inorder to achive the new package,Verizon has cut voice plans in half and is requiring customers with smartphones to purchase a data plan. As of this ​new price and package, owners of 26 out of the 49 phones in Verizon's line up will be required to purchase a data plan.

The data plan comes in two price points:
 * $9.99 per 2MB for a group of smartphones labeled "3G multimedia Devices;"
 * a flat $29.99 per month for unlimited data usage on full featured smartphones.

Verizon Wireless provides cell phone service to a large portion of the population. These changes may benefit customers such as teens and young adults with smartphones who use the data features. However, for the customers who use their cell phones strictly for voice calls, the new pricing and packaging does not work in their favor.If this trend continues and other carriers follow Verizon's lead, we will see an age and class gap in the customers who are reachable via mobile web.
 * Why the plan changes are important** -

​ Since a majority of TU students have cell phones we need to determine the impact the new pricing and packaging will have on them. Information on their cell phone use habits can help us conclude whether the move made by Verizon Wireless makes sense for its customers and whether other phone carriers are likely to follow
 * Questions to ask TU mobile users**
 * Do you use your cell phone for anything other than making voice calls and text messaging?
 * Will a change in your cell phone plan change the way you use it?

Proximity clients need to know the current cell phone usage habits of customers and how the proposed changes to the pricing and packaging of wireless plans will influence their usage.

__Reference__

Conneally, Tim. "Verizon wireless demands data plans for non smart phones." //Wireless news// [Betanews] 15 Jan. 2010. from http://www.betanews.com/article/Verizon-Wireless-demands-data-plans-for-nonsmartphones/1263579899