Rumors of the iPhone 5 debuting in Sprint is getting bigger as October nears and expectations of a new handset continue to grow.

Sources say that Sprint will be keeping their unlimited data plan for the iPhone.  A move that will surely gain them more subscribers as competitors, AT&T and Verizon, already phased out their unlimited data plans and replaced it with tiered data plans.  Sprint is hoping to lure AT&T and Verizon subscribers with their iPhone unlimited data plan.

The problem with Sprint’s plan, is if it does work, is that they could be flooded with new subscribers clamoring for their unlimited data plan.  Can they accommodate the sudden gush of customers on their network?  And how long will they be able to hold out on its now highly competitive, unlimited offering?  It seems like Sprint is just thinking of their short term goals, which could eventually lead to crappy service and unhappy subscribers.

As nothing’s been confirmed for the iPhone 5, including its release date, it’s still important to consider the current iPhone lineup.  These are the things Verizon had to think about when they first took in the iPhone, though their biggest advantage compared to AT&T was their network availability.  It’s a different story for Sprint, and it will need to come up with a different strategy than Verizon.  Sprint’s unlimited plan is a huge perk for the struggling carrier, and combining that with the iPhone will help Sprint in more ways than one.