The launch of shared-data pricing plans in the US could give a boost to the take-up of a range of cellular-enabled devices including health monitors, according to a report on Bloomberg.  Both AT&T and Verizon Wireless, the two largest mobile operators in the US, are planning to such big data packages targeted at groups such as families.

The operators reckon the simplified approach will interest users and make them more likely to add new devices to their subscription.  Health monitors, as well as devices such as internet-enabled TVs, could be among the beneficiaries. Shared-data plans could be announced as soon as next month by AT&T and Verizon Wireless who are both preparing to launch them later this year, says the report.

US mobile operators do currently offer some data-sharing plans but they tend to be for WiFi rather than cellular connections. Cellular-based plans have already proved popular in Canada, says the report.

It’s not only mobile operators in the US who see the benefits of shared data plans for promoting mobile health. It is also part of UAE operator du’s strategy except its approach is less about selling health devices and more about signing up an entire family to a single, health-based subscription.

The number of devices on shared plans is set to grow according to figures from research firm Infonetics Research. The firm says there will be more than 250 million active devices on shared plans globally by 2015, up from a few million in 2011.