Sprint is expected to offer an unlimited data service plan once Apple’s new iPhone 5 is released in mid-October.
Sprint is currently the third-largest U.S. wireless carrier, and plans to distinguish itself from rivals such as AT&T and Verizon Wireless with its bold plan. If Sprint pulls through, it will become the country’s only operator to offer the iPhone 5 with unlimited data service for a flat fee.
Both AT&T and Verizon currently carry Apple’s iPhone 4, while Sprint and T-Mobile do not.
Earlier in July, Piper Jaffray analyst Chris Larsen said that the time has finally come for Apple to offer up its smartphone to Sprint and even T-Mobile.
“While we remain uncertain regarding the next-generation iPhone’s specs and features, we believe the most noteworthy change could be the device’s ability to run on more networks, specifically Sprint and T-Mobile in the U.S,” Larsen stated in a research note.
AT&T currently offers a $15 plan for 200MB per month, as well as a $25-per-month plan for 2GB of data, while Verizon has a 2GB option for $30 per month and a whopping $80-per-month plan for users who want 100GB of data.
“The advantage of unlimited is, it’s cheaper for the big users,” Peter Rhamey, an analyst at Bank of Montreal, said in an interview. The plans may draw other customers because “people don’t like bill shock,” he said. “Consumers will pay a premium for unlimited.”
Michelle Leff Mermelstein, a spokeswoman for Sprint, said that the company does not comment on products or services that have not yet been announced.
Natalie Harrison, a spokeswoman for Apple, declined to comment on any rumors or speculations.
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