[LordBodak]

AT&T already does that; non-smartphone users still have an option for $15/mo unlimited data ($10/mo if on certain family plans)

[bhousel]

But you can't tether with those, right?

[LordBodak]

That depends on your definition of "can't." Technology-wise, yes, if the phone supports it. Terms of service-wise, no, but that's true of the smartphone plans also, they've just never enforced it before.

[bhousel]

Right, that's how I'm pointing out that Sprint's approach is different. They just charge all smartphone users an extra $10/month and don't care whether you tether or not. Andriod phones come with the mobile hotspot app preinstalled.

Sprint segments their users as non-smartphone vs smartphone (+$10/mo)

Other carriers segment their users as non-tethering vs tethering (+$50/mo)

[LordBodak]

AT&T is actually segmenting both, though.

Non-smartphone $15 Smartphone $25 Smartphone + tethering $45