Would You, Could You Drop Your Data Plan?

I wouldn’t. To me my data plan for my iPhone has taken on a more significant role for me, especially as I just returned from ten days on the road. The killer app for the iPhone is the mapping/GPS function, which doesn’t replace my in-car Garmin Nuvi for long trips but is incredibly helpful for quick around town trips.

But a recent study by Strategy Analytics shows that 48 percent of Americans would drop their plans if faced with economic hardships. That compares to just ten percent dropping their broadband Internet, 12 percent getting rid of their digital television, and 19 and 21 percent dropping their mobile and fixed voice lines, respectively.

What about you? What would you drop if faced with the need to reduce your expenditures?

TAGS: iPhone Mobile Data

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Comments (6)

by ignar / July 9, 2009

I wouldn’t drop the data plan, but I can happily drop the voice plan from my iPhone if allowed. With data, I have more than enough communication options: SMS, IM, Email, Twitter, and VoIP. In rare case, I really need voice communication, prepaid phone will fill the need.
by Adam Pieniazek / July 9, 2009

Agree with ignar. The data plan is a lifeline, the phone is a side-benefit. I’m already on the lowest voice plan and have a stack of rollover minutes. Was just on the phone with AT&T inquiring about the chances of getting a reduced voice plan, alas, no dice.
by Five Finger Discount / July 9, 2009

I would rather eat grass or go dumpster diving before dropping my data plan
by Bruce Eric Anderson / July 9, 2009

What I find interesting is the 2 percent of people who would “migrate to a higher tier” if faced with economic hardship. Heh? That response must be the equivalent of “not applicable” or “D: none of the above.”
by Hilary / July 10, 2009

- I got rid of my land line phone (I’m guessing “fixed voice” in the chart) in… I think 2001.
- I got rid of my cable television about two years ago and watch most of my tv and movies through hulu.com or netflix (though I actually put my netflix subsciption on hold a lot because there’s usually plenty to watch on hulu or other channel sites.)
- I recently got an iphone and I don’t think I would get rid of the data plan on it unless I lived someplace where the city had more free reliable wifi locations and even then I’m not sure I would be willing to get rid of it completely.
- I would not get rid of my digital cable internet … my business relies on it.

If my goal was to have no home and only travel I think I would get an ipod touch and then a cheapy pay as you go cell phone unless the countries I planned on traveling in had good data plans for the iphone (but getting a pay as you go data plan … from what I’ve seen so far seems impossible.)
by info / July 26, 2009

Like ignar, I’d like to have data with no voice, everywhere, on my iTouch (would require a new model).