I think it’s a pretty fair assessment that just about everyone who bought an iPhone is very happy with the device – but even those who did not buy one for whatever reason should probably be happy about it as well. You see, without it, we may have never seen many of the great phones by other manufacturers that are coming out now – and we almost certainly wouldn’t have seen a major wireless company unleash a sub-$100 ‘unlimited’ calling plan in 2008 – which is what Verizon is launching this week.

With an ad in tomorrow’s USA Today, Verizon will kick off their new $99.99-a-month unlimited minutes plan. Engadget has a few more details including a $120 unlimited plan that adds unlimited text messages as well, a $140 plan that adds VCAST, email, and VZNav to the mix, as well as a few other upper level plans – all with unlimited calling.

There will be no cap on data and no contract extension will be required for current customers.

When I left Verizon last June to get the iPhone on AT&T, my monthly bill was right around $80 – this included only 900 anytime minutes. Now for only $20 more you can get unlimited anytime minutes?! I’d say that’s a pretty extreme upgrade and though they’d never admit it, you can bet pressure from not only the iPhone (which is exclusive to AT&T in the United States) but Google’s upcoming Android platform have led to these big policy changes.

So even if you hate Apple, puke at the thought of Steve Jobs, and would never think of getting an iPhone – at least part of you should be happy that it exists. It’s a testament to competition being good and thinking differently causing sea changes in formerly stodgy industries.