How often do you use your cell phone to make phone calls these days? You might be surprised to read that monthly call time by cell phone users has fallen by roughly 20% in the last five years. Providers are beginning to adjust their business models to this new normal, and this movement could prove costly to consumers.
As of June 28, Verizon
However, users with only one device will likely have to pay much more than they have previously for the same service. If you are interested in getting into the smartphone universe with Verizon, now is the time as those who purchase their devices before the end of the month will have their unlimited data plans grandfathered in.
Other mobile providers are counteracting this strategy by providing, for the first time, the uber-popular iPhone without a standard contract. Virgin Mobile
How will the markets, and consumers react to this move? While some analysts are already hailing the strategy as "brilliant" and "[redefining] the economics of mobility," the possibility looms that customers will turn to other carriers like AT&T who are yet to introduce such cost-prohibitive pricing plans.
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Interactive Chart: Press Play to compare changes in analyst ratings over the last two years for the stocks mentioned above. Analyst ratings sourced from Zacks Investment Research.
Disclosure: Kapitall's Dan Connelly does not own any of the shares mentioned above.