Prepaid doesn’t have to just be for voice-heavy users IMO. I used to have a Sidekick for years not because I particularly liked the sidekick but because it was the ONLY phone among all the carriers that had a prepaid data plan. Unlimited data for $30 a month – prepaid, no contract. (didn’t switch to a contract until the sprint sero thing because then it became “Pay $30 to tmobile for just data — and tmobile’s limited coverage area, or pay $30 to sprint for data and 500 minutes, even though I only use maybe 30 minutes a month at that it’s still nice to have the minutes if at some point I do need them)

I think there IS a market for prepaid data services though, and the first carrier that embraces it with a wide range of supported devices rather than just one specific one (sidekick) has a nice market to tap into that’s currently not being supported.

Personally right now I use an HTC Mogul, and I’d say I probably use it more than iphone people use their phone. About 500MB of traffic a month.

I’m trying to decide between going with a Sprint Pre or an iPhone next. It really depends on if my SERO plan works with the Pre – if it doesn’t, and I’m going to have to spend over $60 anyway then I’ll probably seriously consider an iphone. If I can get the Pre while remaining on my $30 SERO plan then it’s a no brainer to stay with Sprint. EITHER way though, I really doubt my data usage is going to skyrocket with a new phone the way the article mentions.