I'll give you an example of Nintendo's excellent customer service.  A year or two back my Wii Sports disc wasn't loading but all my other Wii games worked.  I determined that the shitty sleeve case they provided probably resulted in the disc having more scratches than with a regular case.  I became furious about Wii Sports not working one day so I took it out and broke it in half.  I then called there customer service and told them exactly what happened.  The lady said she couldn't do anything and that I would have to buy Wii Sports off their site for 20 or 25 dollars.  I then sent an email to Nintendo stating my case again and saying my customer service rep kind of blew me off.  I then got a call about 10-15 mins after sending the message with a rep saying they were sending me Wii Sports for free which I now keep in a generic plastic case. 

I am getting way off topic here but I just wanted to respond to that statement.  My customer service experience with Sony during the PS1 era is what turned me off from Sony.  I used to buy many of their products (mainly audio) before but now I don't want any of their products.  Customer service matters and if companies foul up then it might lead to loss of customer for the rest of their life.  That is why it is important for companies to treat their customers right. 

I say give the consumer a bare bones connection similar to the Nintendo DS or something. That way, they can play online with strangers.

Standard online gives you online play.
-They can't message them.
-Can't add them to a friends list.
-Can't rate them or avoid them.
-Can't choose their region
-Can't invite them to a game.
-Can't voice chat with them.
-Can't video chat with them.
-Can't compare their trophies with yours.

Online play and that's it. That's all you get for free. Of course, you still get access to the marketplace, Netflix, etc. but for online play, you get the bare minimum. $40-$50 a year gets you the real deal (Platinum).

Diamond Online ($60) gets you all of the features of Playstation Plus.

What would they name their basic service? Bronze? Brass? Tin, marble or maybe cork? Hmm...

It'a gotta be something that's degrading without being blatant--pearl or something.  That way, people would be embarrassed to even say they have that service.  You gotta make upgrading a status symbol and not upgrading be an insult!

Status? Hmm... They could build a VIP section inside Home (only for super-premium members) so that other members watch you go inside just as you arrive, while they've waited in line for hours! Imagine the possibilities. Expensive whiskey, blackjack... and hookers.

You had me at hookers!!  Honestly, I haven't been to PS Home in ages.  Do you still have to line up to play games?  If you let PS+ members cut right to the front of the line or had a special VIP section (complete with a bouncer and a velvet rope), it could be another perk.