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> 3G mobile broadband rolled out around 2007/2008, and it was unlimited on iPhone.

Slight correction, I had to go look: AT&T started rolling out UMTS (3G) in 2002. I already had a 3G smartphone in 2004 in Europe that could do video calls.

Fun fact: UMTS was announced in 1999 with a mind-bending 384kbps downlink speed.

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Interesting, maybe it wasn’t ready for unlimited usage? I distinctly recall, pre iPhone, using data racked up huge charges.

Carriers always want to charge as much as possible. In most of the world you can still pay data in gold coins. Just this summer I was screwed by Vodafone charging me €6/day on the first network connection without a plan. This in the same country where I can get 200GB for €10/month

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