Verizon to offer 4G customers 'buckets' of data

Verizon Wireless, the second largest US mobile network operator, signalled a key shift in its tariff on Wednesday when it said it expected to offer customers who sign up for its new 4G mobile broadband service monthly 'buckets' of data rather than more traditional per-minute voice plans with add-on data packages.

US network operators including Verizon Wireless see tiered monthly data plans as a way to capitalize on the recent rapid growth in smartphone-related data traffic and wean users off 'unlimited' data plans, while also benefiting from the cost savings associated with 4G networks. Verizon Wireless plans to launch commercial services on a new network based on LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology in 30 to 40 US metropolitan markets by the end of this year, and complete the roll-out within three years.