Last week Verizon informed customers that if they wanted to buy certain types of phones customers had to buy a data plan. Previously, both AT&T and Verizon had only made data mandatory for smartphones. Apparently, neither carrier wants you buying an Internet-enabled phone, then only using free Wi-Fi instead of their pricey 3G networks. From the sound of things, now carriers don’t want you using free IM services instead of SMS, either.

The Boy Genius Report indicates that messaging plans are mandatory for feature phones:

Phones that require a messaging plan at time of purchase include: Pantech Reveal, Pantech Impact, Motorola Karma, Samsung Flight, Samsung Impression, Samsung Magnet, Samsung Solstice, Samsung Mythic, Samsung Propel, LG Xenon, LG Neon, and the LG Vu. It looks like the minimum monthly cost when buying a “Quick Messaging” phone is around $20. That’s a $5 200 SMS/MMS plan and a $15/month unlimited data plan. It doesn’t look like you can walk out of the door without paying less than $20/mo in features in addition to your voice plan.

To add insult to injury, the leaked AT&T leaflet assumes you’re an idiot, informing customers that the decision is being made to bring users the “best possible experience” with their phone. There appears to be two lessons to be learned here. One, don’t try to save money if you’re a Verizon or AT&T customer, because they’ll just outsmart you. Two, don’t try to save money if you’re a Verizon or AT&T customer, because they’ll just outsmart you.

In the wireless industry, it sometimes feels like for every step forward toward openness, there’s a corresponding two steps back in terms of pricing.

Update: AT&T offered this comment to their plan changes:

The requirement is only for our Quick Messaging Devices, not feature phones. Nearly all of these devices now have full Web browsing capabilities, and as such, customers are more likely than ever to surf the Web on them. In light of this increased usage, a data and/or text plan will enable customers to enjoy a plan that does not involve paying as you go charges. We still offer a large number of feature phones – those do not have a data plan requirement.

Broadbandreports.com has asked AT&T for a definition of what exactly distinguishes a “quick messaging device” from a “feature phone.” and inquiring (again) why it’s necessary to force any users into an SMS or 3G plan if they simply want to use Wi-Fi and free IM services. If it’s to simply make additional revenue, it shouldn’t be dressed up as an “experience enhancement.”

Link to the original article…