Many customers’ sign up for an unlimited data plan but can still run up big bills for downloading music, films, or playing games on their handsets. The Guardian is reporting that consumers often get caught out by the “fair usage” policy that many so called unlimited data plans have. When customers unknowingly go over this policy they are hit with higher than expected bills.

Operators should be clearer on what they mean by unlimited in their advertising according to communications ombudsman, Lewis Shand Smith. Smith said that the problem is increasing and causes a lot of anxiety for some customers, and added that packages offer unlimited downloads with customers thinking their bill won’t go above a certain amount.

But there is often “small asterisk next to the word ‘unlimited‘ which refers to small print stating that there is in fact a limit which, if exceeded, will incur further charges”. These types of policies vary between carriers with Orange and T-Mobile allowing customers to download 500MB of data per month, while over at Three there is no limit.

The ASA has looked into the situation and thinks it is ok to use the term “unlimited” provided that the consumer is made aware of any limits. Ofcom have found that six percent of UK consumers have received a higher monthly bill because of this problem, with one-fifth getting a bill of at least £100.

Do you fell unlimited should actually mean unlimited?

More About: mobile internet, unlimited data plans

For more Product-Reviews.net coverage:

• Follow Product Reviews on Twitter
• Become a Fan on Facebook
• Subscribe to PR
• Download our free apps for iPhone and iPad

Nilay Patel of Engadget is reporting that Verizon Wireless has just officially announced its monthly data plan for smartphone owners. The new 3G Prepaid package will cost users $30 a month with unlimited data, and Multimedia owners have the option of a new $10 monthly data package which allows 25MB per month. There is no mention of how many texts you get with the plans.

The Smartphone’s which are capable of having the unlimited package include all of Verizon’s Android devices, most recent BlackBerry’s, and the Pre and Pixi Plus. Users can sign up for the service today or online from the 28th of this month. The competition for prepay data is starting to get stronger as more deals enter the market, which is always good for us the customer.

Use the link provided for the full list of handsets eligible for the new data plans.

More About: smartphones, unlimited data plans, verizon wireless

For more Product-Reviews.net coverage:

• Follow Product Reviews on Twitter
• Become a Fan on Facebook
• Subscribe to PR
• Download our free apps for iPhone and iPad

According to this article over at Engadget, one customer named as Giorgio Galante wrote to the CEO, expressing his displeasure at the service he was getting, and especially highlighting AT&T’s new data plans which will go into effect as of June 7th, as the final straw.

Perhaps the part about Galante’s plans to jump ship to Sprint and their HTC EVO 4G handset didn’t go down to well with Randell, prompting AT&T’s Executive Response Team to reply back to the customer, saying that further emails to the CEO will result in legal action.

Pretty drastic, don’t you think? Hopefully we will have more details on this story for you soon – head to Engadget for the full story.

Give us your reaction to the news.

More About: unlimited data plans

For more Product-Reviews.net coverage:

• Follow Product Reviews on Twitter
• Become a Fan on Facebook
• Subscribe to PR
• Download our free apps for iPhone and iPad