1. Notebook users. Mobile data has never been just about smartphone use. True, the iPhone has pushed wireless data usage up from 2007, but I was already using smartphones in 2004, and tethering them to my notebooks. The capped plans carriers have implemented of recent for smartphones defeat the purpose of tethering, and render all-day notebook use next to impossible. Carriers need to realize that there is a sizeable market out there for uncapped wireless broadband – sales of the Virgin Mobile MiFi 2200 prove that.

2. “…devices such as the iPad…”. The iPad doesn’t fall under the category of smartphone, and in effect, has made devices such as the MiFi and Overdrive sell so well. Slates are no different than notebooks or netbooks when it comes to wireless broadband – if it isn’t built-in already, users will just buy a mobile hotspot to get connectivity. But a 5GB 3G data plan priced at $70 doesn’t sell any more in today’s market, and nether does a cheaper 2GB plan. The way people USE slates and notebooks, it really doesn’t take much to hit that 5GB cap, and carriers have failed to address that fact.

The bottom line is people don’t want to count geebees and are sick of paying overage charges – they want to USE their devices the way they were designed to work, and that includes the freedom to get as much broadband as they want. The first carrier to get that message and give consumers what they want is the carrier that will ultimately win!