Data Usage, Limit Data Usage | featured news

On Sunday, AT&T is reconfiguring its mobile data plans in way that will anger many customers but may actually please others. It’s raising its smartphone and tablet data plan rates, while simultaneously offering customers a better deal on the data they do consume.

Netflix on Monday officially declared its future is the Internet, saying the DVD market has “peaked.” But experts wonder if the online streaming giant — now with 25 million subscribers in the second quarter — and other Web firms face a looming threat to their businesses. They aren’t talking about competitors such as Hulu, HBO Go and Amazon Prime — the threats outlined by Netflix said in its earnings report. Experts are pointing to broadband data caps.

Verizon Wireless plans to scrap its unlimited data plan for new smartphone subscribers beginning Thursday and replace it with monthly packages that range from $30 to $80.

T-Mobile has clarified its policy on mobile data use after anger from its customers that it had slashed the amount they could use by up to 80%.

A senior AT&T executive dismissed speculation that the company is planning to change the way it prices data plans for its wireless customers, but said it will give customers incentives to limit their use of its wireless network for surfing the Internet or downloading mobile applications.