From today's LA Times:

"In a move intended to curb heavy users of its cell network, AT&T Inc. is phasing out its unlimited data plans for mobile phone subscribers — a move likely to be adopted by other major mobile carriers.

"The fee structure that goes into effect for new subscribers on Monday — the same day Apple Inc. is expected to unveil its new iPhone — will cap use of e-mail, Web browsing, social-network posting and streaming video under two pay plans."

The effect of this crackdown is of course to limit freedom of choice. To choose, you have to try out, and the more you have to pay to try out alternatives, the more incentive you have to stay with one provider, one distro, etc.

For example, let's say you are interested in trying out Linux. Many people recommend that you try out various versions of Linux and see which version you prefer. But if your ISP might penalize you from downloading several distros, you will have a tendency to try fewer and stay with mainstream choices.

By the way, I don't think it is a coincidence that this is happening at the same time Apple is releasing a new iPhone.

Note that when the iPad was released, newspapers immediately increased their subscription fees.

It appears that Apple is encouraging its allies to increase prices and force users to choose between which companies they want to belong to. The higher prices are, after all, the fewer choices customers can afford to make. This has the effect of driving customers away from less known alternatives and into the waiting tentacles of companies such as -- Apple and ATT.

The overall effect is to chill out and control the Internet, to drive customers in herds to more mainstream companies.