Sprint caps unlimited 4G data plan

Not surprisingly Sprint is scaling back it's unlimited 4G data plans for tablets, netbooks, and laptops. It makes you wonder how long can they last before they do the same to their lineup of smartphones?

Let's be honest. Sprint [and T-Mobile] is a midget among giants in the mobile sphere. The idea they could actually offer a sustained and scalable unlimited data plan is laughable. Like their giant counterparts they are quickly realizing they in no way have the capability to offer a true unlimited data plan. Furthermore, unlike Verizon Wireless, they're not grandfathering any of their current customers with unlimited plans.

Ars Technica states:

That cap is now official: both new and old customers are getting their plans capped. Tablet, netbook, notebook, USB card, connection card users who used to have a limited amount of 3G data and unlimited 4G data have a combined limit for both kinds, in tiers of 3GB, 5GB, and 10GB. For every additional megabyte customers use after that, they will be charged 5¢. Customers who use their phones as mobile hotspots will have that service capped at 5GB, with the same overage charge.

You could argue this move makes it possible for Sprint to offer unlimited data plans for smartphones, more likely however, is this only allows Sprint to offer unlimited 4G data plans for a short time before [like their competitors] they cut back to a tiered data plan. They have to know they can't offer a sustained 4G unlimited data plan as they accrue new customers.

So the question is why are they doing this? My take? A simple marketing gimmick to pull customers away from AT&T and Verizon Wireless. Once they have you locked in with a new two year agreement with a nice, shiny iPhone 4S, you are stuck. Savvy consumers should see the writing on the wall with this one. When they do cut back to a tiered data plan [and they will] will Sprint once again give their customers the shaft? Or will their current unlimited customers be grandfathered in? I think we could all make an educated guess on this one.