Implications of Data Usage Tightening on Potential iCloud Benefits

[Matt Waters]

I thought this would already have been covered (apologies if it has, if so please send me the link to the relative thread) but I have searched and not found anything.

To me it seems that there are some huge potential benefits to be realised from the introduction of iCloud. However, I'm really concerned that these benefits will never be properly realised for IOS devices as mobile data providers continue to tighten the data plans. I struggle to find any providers that still offer unlimited usage and 2gb a month seems incredibly low when you consider how access to the internet etc will become increasingly relied upon when things move to the Cloud.

What will be the point of the cloud if we are so heaviliy restricted by data providers that we can't use all of the functionality?

I would like to hear other people thoughts (or reasurances).

Many thanks

Matt

 

[paulsalter]

not just mobile providers

many people have capped BB lines at home

 

[iStudentUK]

The caps are low at the moment, but I think that is because 5 years ago nobody was expecting the explosion of smart phones we have seen. 3G networks across many countries are struggling as it is!

However, there is hope! Take here in the UK, one provider (3) does offer unlimited data at a reasonable price (my gf is with them and it is twice the speed of my phone on O2). They are a new provider that only built a 3G towers, not older ones. With 4G on the horizon networks should learn their lesson and anticipate demand. Moreover, Ofcomm (communications regulator) is selling 4G signal rights at a fraction of the cost it sold 3G rights for to allow providers to spend more on developing a better network.

Hopefully this kind of thinking is happening elsewhere too. Having access to a fast mobile network with higher caps (maybe 10-20 times what we get now) wil benefit everyone, and the economy.

 

[Matt Waters]

Might seem like a negative view but, I'm not sure how much trust I could put with the operators. Ultimatly, they are there to make money. While there is demand, they can charge.

Surely iCloud and other cloud based services will just act as a catylist to further increase the demand.

 

[wolfpackfan]

This is why I'm staying with AT&T for the time being. I have the grandfathered unlimited plan on both my iPhones. I had thought about switching to Verizon this Fall or whenever the next iPhone is released but I imagine by then Verizon will have done away with their unlimited plan. Plus that is why I haven't gone with the tethering plan.

 

[mscriv]

I'm still struggling to understand how all of this is going to work together as well, but I think we have to keep in mind that iCloud is not a streaming model for bandwidth heavy traffic like audio/video. It will take very little data from your plan to keep up with things like contacts, email, calendars, etc..

Additionally, most people, unless on an unlimited plan, are pretty good about making sure they are on wifi for major data transfers. I still see us having to manage media like we do now through iTunes (rotate content), but we will be able to do it directly with the cloud and most users will be sure to be on a wifi connection when they do this. Since it's not a streaming model the bottleneck at this point in the actual storage capacity of the device, so content management/rotation is going to be common practice.

Looking at things this way, metadata and playlist management is going to become more important. For example, you've been listenting to one of your favorite playlists on your iPhone for a while now, but you feel like a change of pace. Well, while your eating lunch or grabbing a coffee you take advantage of the wifi access provided to swap out with another playlist you've stored in the cloud. The old media is removed from your device and the new media is downloaded from the cloud. When lunch is over the new music is synched and you can begin enjoying your new playlist.

I think this is an intermediary step that will carry those of us with limited data plans over until the time that plans naturally increase and infrastructure improves to allow more traffic.