Thaindian News

NEW YORK CITY (BNO NEWS) – Verizon Wireless expects to introduce a form of tiered data pricing over the next four to six months, likely putting a cap on the amount of data that can be used a month by each subscribers, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The wireless industry has struggled, in recent times, has struggled to balance the demand for data capacity with unlimited plans that cap how much revenue carriers can generate from their subscribers. In addition, the caps serve to ensure that traffic flows smoothly. AT&T was among the first mobile carriers who introduced a tiered system.

Verizon Communications Inc. Chief Executive Ivan Seidenberg on Thursday said that the company didn’t need to be the first on tiered pricing, and wouldn’t simply copy AT&T. “We’re not sure we agree yet with how they valued the data,” he said. He said that the introduction of new products and services, which would likely launch in conjunction with fourth-generation wireless services, would allow Verizon Wireless to introduce a tiered pricing structure.

Verizon is also making the move to 4G, and hopes that it will spur popular product makers like Apple Inc. to build products for the carrier, Seidenberg said. “At some point, Apple will get with the program,” he said during an investor conference on Thursday. Verizon Wireless has long dealt with the lack of the industry game-changer, the Apple iPhone, which so far has faithfully sided with AT&T. The lack of the iPhone has recently forced Verizon Wireless to develop its own strong lineup.

“We don’t feel like we have an iPhone deficit,” Seidenberg said. “We would love to carry it, but we have to earn it.” He declined to comment on speculation that Verizon Wireless would receive an iPhone model sometime next year, saying that he couldn’t speak for Apple.