Re: ATT throttles unlimited account when data usage is only 1.5Gb

DimentoGraven · ‎03-25-2008

JFizDaWiz wrote:
Its still unlimited, just slower.

Fine, then slow down the Tiered data users too.

If the stated intent is to "clear up" traffic by limmiting the usage of "excessive" data users, then it shouldn't matter if a person is on an 'unlimmited' plan or tiered plan. If AT&T's network can't handle allowing 6gb/month usage at 30 bucks a month then AT&T's network can't handle it 65 bucks a month either.

The extra money does not "create" bandwidth.

archermoo · ‎11-29-2006

DimentoGraven wrote:
JFizDaWiz wrote:
Its still unlimited, just slower.
Fine, then slow down the Tiered data users too.

If the stated intent is to "clear up" traffic by limmiting the usage of "excessive" data users, then it shouldn't matter if a person is on an 'unlimmited' plan or tiered plan. If AT&T's network can't handle allowing 6gb/month usage at 30 bucks a month then AT&T's network can't handle it 65 bucks a month either.

The extra money does not "create" bandwidth.

True, extra money doesn't "create" bandwidth. Money doesn't "create" anything. However there is a cost to any ISP, mobile or landline, for the data usage of their clients. As the data usage of their clients goes up, so does that cost to the ISP. It isn't unreasonable for that ISP to do what they can to either recoup that cost (the switch to metered data plans), or to limit the increased usage (throttling users on unlimited plans).

wingrider01 · ‎05-26-2008

DimentoGraven wrote:

JFizDaWiz wrote:
Its still unlimited, just slower.

Fine, then slow down the Tiered data users too.

If the stated intent is to "clear up" traffic by limmiting the usage of "excessive" data users, then it shouldn't matter if a person is on an 'unlimmited' plan or tiered plan. If AT&T's network can't handle allowing 6gb/month usage at 30 bucks a month then AT&T's network can't handle it 65 bucks a month either.

The extra money does not "create" bandwidth.

why should they? They go over their limit they pay for a brand spanking new block of data to consume.

unlimited user over 2gb = throttle for the rest of their bill cycle, but still no extra charges for the overage, just slower access time

2GB tiered user over the 2GB allocation = additonal charge for the next 1GB block of data

The difference is the people that are on tiered plans are more aware of exactly how much data they use, they go over they are charged for another dhinry new block, grandfathered unlimited users in the most case never did care if they used 1 GB, 10GB or a 100GB in a month, after all why should they, fortunately the limiting switch has been on unlimited plans since inception - the fair use policy that is now being enforced - by the way verizon is also throttling their unlimited users

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Verizon-Wireless-Throttling-System-Now-Live-116183

DimentoGraven · ‎03-25-2008

Then why the lie? Why should AT&T tell a bald face lie that they're doing this throttling, of only the unlimmited customers, to clear up bandwidth issues?

The fact is it actually doesn't cost AT&T any money at all if their entire network is saturated, it just causes the network, as a whole, to run more slowly and erratically.

You saturate a gigabit switch, a toll tag doesn't pop up and say, "Insert cash", it just runs like crap.

So what AT&T should be stating with this policy is, 'We really don't care if you mess up our network, we just want to be sure you pay extra for the priveledge."

It's honest, almost understandable, and less sleazy.

archermoo · ‎11-29-2006

DimentoGraven wrote:
Then why the lie? Why should AT&T tell a bald face lie that they're doing this throttling, of only the unlimmited customers, to clear up bandwidth issues?

The fact is it actually doesn't cost AT&T any money at all if their entire network is saturated, it just causes the network, as a whole, to run more slowly and erratically.

You saturate a gigabit switch, a toll tag doesn't pop up and say, "Insert cash", it just runs like crap.

So what AT&T should be stating with this policy is, 'We really don't care if you mess up our network, we just want to be sure you pay extra for the priveledge."

It's honest, almost understandable, and less sleazy.

However buying another switch to run along side the first so that neither switch is saturated does cost money. And the increased amount of traffic going out to the internet also costs money.

Since increased usage of their network causes their overhead to go up it makes sense that they would want increased compensation. I don't understand why this seems to be so confusing for people. Bandwidth isn't free, not even for companies like AT&T. Neither is infrastructure.

wingrider01 · ‎05-26-2008

DimentoGraven wrote:
Then why the lie? Why should AT&T tell a bald face lie that they're doing this throttling, of only the unlimmited customers, to clear up bandwidth issues?

The fact is it actually doesn't cost AT&T any money at all if their entire network is saturated, it just causes the network, as a whole, to run more slowly and erratically.

You saturate a gigabit switch, a toll tag doesn't pop up and say, "Insert cash", it just runs like crap.

So what AT&T should be stating with this policy is, 'We really don't care if you mess up our network, we just want to be sure you pay extra for the priveledge."

It's honest, almost understandable, and less sleazy.

How hard is it to understand that tiered users on the 2GB plan never exceed their 2gb limit, the hhit 2.001GB and they are charged, if the they hit 3.001 then get charged again ad nausum until their billing cycle starts over. grandfathered unlimited plan prior to this, 2.001, just keep going, 3.0001 just keep going until the end of their billing cycle, they could use 10Gb or (as some posters here have claimed) and prior to the enforcement of the existing policy never have anything occur, well the bottemless well is still there - you can continue on using as much data as you truely desire just not as quickly, so instead of those users that claimed 10GB or more, they can only suck up 5gb throttled, still unlimited since they don;t get charged for the 3 GB overages. Bottom line no matter if it is throttled it is STILL unlimited usage for no additonal charges

Believe what you want, but pretty sure that a tiered user that gets hit with a 100.00 data bill at the end of the month for consuming 10GB+ will be a lot more cautious the next month then a grandfathered unlimited user that consumed 10 GB prior to the throttle and paid 30.00 and turns around and does it again ad-nauseum

kdfederer · ‎07-20-2008

The unlimited are acting just like the "Blue Plan Holders". They feel just because they had it they are entitled to it. Times change. Prices change. The amount of data that a phone uses changed. Now millions upon millions of phone users are using data that didn't just a few years ago.
Just a couple of years ago, it would have been unheard of that a phone would use so much data. If AT&T or any provider) knew then what it knows now, they would never have offered an unlimited plan.
Maybe instead of throttling unlimited, they should raise the rate to $50 to $75 a month for unlimited. Then they could afford to expand the network to allow more data.
Data is not cheap. Bandwidth is not cheap. Somebody has to pay for it.

stufried · ‎09-18-2005

First, they started at 5 gigs. Now they are down to two gigs. Their top 5% definition creates a slippery slope. People who had unlimited EDGE data got it for $20 on the iPhone. Remember that. When it went to 3g, they upped the price. Hop over to the international forum to see the arguments they are trying to make about why folks on unlimited international shouldn't get HSPA 3.5 (e.g. the iPhone 4s) because we would get faster data than they agreed to. If speed is the benchmark when it helps ATT's cause, I think they have serious estoppel (bar by their own words) problems when they try to say they never guaranteed they wouldn't slow the data down. Again, let's hear the level they slowed it down to so we can see how defensible their position is.

Justice Cardozo when he was on the New York Court of Appeals (New York's highest appellate court) wrote a classic opinion that said that the law implies good faith in carrying out contracts and that literal compliance that negates the spirit and purpose of the contract is a breach of contract. ATT seems to think they are somehow excluded from this definition. I think their conduct oozes of bad faith.

I don't behave like a blue plan user. I have renewed my contract until 2013. I pay them $65 a month for unlimited international. I rarely break a gig of data usage, but I do believe that they are as obligated to follow their contracts. As customers, we are stuck in the weaker end of the negotiation model. When we occasionally come out on the better side of the deal, they should live by their contract as well.

wingrider01 · ‎05-26-2008

stufried wrote:

First, they started at 5 gigs. Now they are down to two gigs. Their top 5% definition creates a slippery slope. People who had unlimited EDGE data got it for $20 on the iPhone. Remember that. When it went to 3g, they upped the price. Hop over to the international forum to see the arguments they are trying to make about why folks on unlimited international shouldn't get HSPA 3.5 (e.g. the iPhone 4s) because we would get faster data than they agreed to. If speed is the benchmark when it helps ATT's cause, I think they have serious estoppel (bar by their own words) problems when they try to say they never guaranteed they wouldn't slow the data down. Again, let's hear the level they slowed it down to so we can see how defensible their position is.

Justice Cardozo when he was on the New York Court of Appeals (New York's highest appellate court) wrote a classic opinion that said that the law implies good faith in carrying out contracts and that literal compliance that negates the spirit and purpose of the contract is a breach of contract. ATT seems to think they are somehow excluded from this definition. I think their conduct oozes of bad faith.

I don't behave like a blue plan user. I have renewed my contract until 2013. I pay them $65 a month for unlimited international. I rarely break a gig of data usage, but I do believe that they are as obligated to follow their contracts. As customers, we are stuck in the weaker end of the negotiation model. When we occasionally come out on the better side of the deal, they should live by their contract as well.

where did you see that they first started at 5gb? the statement has always been top 5 percent and it was just started recently.

Att IS carrying out their contract - the terms of use and fair use policy that have been inplace for years are what is just now being enforced - did you read and udnerstand those before you signed either physically or electonicly? Bottom line - they are following the contract terms

johninsj · ‎07-07-2010

stufried wrote:

First, they started at 5 gigs. Now they are down to two gigs.

The last time I did this math we determined that even after being throttled 7 days in for consuming 1.5GB the cycle after getting throttled (which would be the cycle after getting warned) an unlimited user could still suck 30+GB through for the rest of that month.

Which we all agree is more than 2 or 5GB.

stufried · ‎09-18-2005

Google is your friend here. ATT first stopped with a "soft cap" at 5gigs. Google on ATT iPhone soft cap 5 gigs to find the references. Now we are down on at two.

I again maintain that literal compliance with a contract can still be a breach. If Netflix deliberately said that for excessive users of their unlimited DVD rental service, they are now going to take up to ten days to send out the new DVDs, I think you would be less defensive. If you were at an all you can eat and after your second time up, I came out with tea cup size plate and said you are still on all you can eat but you must now use these plates and can only go up once every fifteen minutes, but you can stay here til closing, wouldn't you feel like I was pulling something? Once again, if speed is irrelevant, why are they giving the international unlimited data plan users a hard time going to the HSPA+ iPhone4s. Their defense of this issue is wholly inconsistent with the interpretation of the contract they are asserting here.

Without trying to sound obstinate, please understand that I am not reply to many of the future posts on this issue. I am not sure what else there is to say and I'm not into whipping dead horses. At the same time (for whatever it is worth), please understand that my silence is buying into the arguments to the contrary.

wingrider01 · ‎05-26-2008

stufried wrote:

Google is your friend here. ATT first stopped with a "soft cap" at 5gigs. Google on ATT iPhone soft cap 5 gigs to find the references. Now we are down on at two.

I again maintain that literal compliance with a contract can still be a breach. If Netflix deliberately said that for excessive users of their unlimited DVD rental service, they are now going to take up to ten days to send out the new DVDs, I think you would be less defensive. If you were at an all you can eat and after your second time up, I came out with tea cup size plate and said you are still on all you can eat but you must now use these plates and can only go up once every fifteen minutes, but you can stay here til closing, wouldn't you feel like I was pulling something? Once again, if speed is irrelevant, why are they giving the international unlimited data plan users a hard time going to the HSPA+ iPhone4s. Their defense of this issue is wholly inconsistent with the interpretation of the contract they are asserting here.

Without trying to sound obstinate, please understand that I am not reply to many of the future posts on this issue. I am not sure what else there is to say and I'm not into whipping dead horses. At the same time (for whatever it is worth), please understand that my silence is buying into the arguments to the contrary.

You are right, there isn;t anythng else to say, the carrier has started enforcing a policy that has been in existance for years, either confirm and moderate data usage, switch to the tiered plan and pay for what you use, or go to another carrier - the other carrier option is very limited of the top three - verizon, oops no more unlimited plan, sprint - again ooops they are starting to enforce their fair use policy, cricket - oops they already enforce their fair use policy on "unlimited data" so you see, you have very few choices. Do I do agree with you - it is a dead horse issue, it is being enforced and that is the policy

johninsj · ‎07-07-2010

stufried wrote:

Without trying to sound obstinate, please understand that I am not reply to many of the future posts on this issue. I am not sure what else there is to say and I'm not into whipping dead horses. At the same time (for whatever it is worth), please understand that my silence is buying into the arguments to the contrary.

There is no argument here. The unlimited plan provides upwards of 30GB of use a month, for $30, even if throttled.

Not 5. Or 2.

"Unlimited" clearly is a misnomer in any system that depends on the size of the pipe - after all even unthrottled, you are limited by the maximum throughput of your connection, which varies by location and even time.

So, you are never cut off, or charged more for your usage in a month. Your pipe is made smaller after some usage. But it is not cut off. So, therefore, it is in every sense unlimited.

tonester · ‎07-14-2006

wingrider01 wrote:
DimentoGraven wrote:
JFizDaWiz wrote:
Its still unlimited, just slower.
Fine, then slow down the Tiered data users too.

If the stated intent is to "clear up" traffic by limmiting the usage of "excessive" data users, then it shouldn't matter if a person is on an 'unlimmited' plan or tiered plan. If AT&T's network can't handle allowing 6gb/month usage at 30 bucks a month then AT&T's network can't handle it 65 bucks a month either.

The extra money does not "create" bandwidth.

unlimited user over 2gb = throttle for the rest of their bill cycle, but still no extra charges for the overage, just slower access time
2GB tiered user over the 2GB allocation = additonal charge for the next 1GB block of data

Actually, to be fair to unlimited users it really should be throttle over 2.4 GB, but I'm just nitpicking at this point; why should throttling begin at 2 GB even though unlimited users are paying $5 more for the same amount of data (vs. the $25 tiered plan user)?

nas33 · ‎12-10-2011

I agree At&T should not throttle nobody data Speeds at all for smartphones because smartphones are mad for unlimited data without throttle wish means slow down speeds.Sprint does not throttle or slow downs speeds at all Sprint can slow down speeds but Sprint does not throttle or slow down speed at all.That what is great about Sprint.Unlimited data should be unlimited data with no throttle or slow down speeds..

Wild Banchi · ‎12-11-2009

nas33 wrote:
I agree At&T should not throttle nobody data Speeds at all for smartphones because smartphones are mad for unlimited data without throttle wish means slow down speeds.Sprint does not throttle or slow downs speeds at all Sprint can slow down speeds but Sprint does not throttle or slow down speed at all.That what is great about Sprint.Unlimited data should be unlimited data with no throttle or slow down speeds..

Smartphones are not made for handling unlimited data usage. Their intent, I'm sure, was not to completely replace computers. Smartphones are meant to handle the occasional data search when need be, and should not be used as a full computer/laptop substitute. Remember, it is a phone, although it is also a miniature computer, too.

You're right - unlimited data should truly be unlimited. But some people are abusing the plan and using a shocking amount of data usage that is almost unbelievable. Throttling them tells them that, "Hey, you've got to stop using so much data...learn to use your phone for data purposes at appropriate times only."

Remember that Wild Banchi... 1993-2010

johninsj · ‎07-07-2010

nas33 wrote:

I agree At&T should not throttle nobody data Speeds at all for smartphones because smartphones are mad for unlimited data without throttle wish means slow down speeds.Sprint does not throttle or slow downs speeds at all Sprint can slow down speeds but Sprint does not throttle or slow down speed at all.That what is great about Sprint.Unlimited data should be unlimited data with no throttle or slow down speeds..

Ok, I know its really confusing, but...

AT&T sells an unlimited, no throttled plan

It's not FREE, but it is unlimited. You pay for your usage. Which you are free to use as much as you want to pay for.

The average Sprint "unlimited user" (by Sprint's own data) uses about 350MB/mo. Yes, their service is just that amazingly good.

DimentoGraven · ‎03-25-2008

Wild Banchi wrote:
Smartphones are not made for handling unlimited data usage. Their intent, I'm sure, was not to completely replace computers. Smartphones are meant to handle the occasional data search when need be, and should not be used as a full computer/laptop substitute. Remember, it is a phone, although it is also a miniature computer, too.

You're right - unlimited data should truly be unlimited. But some people are abusing the plan and using a shocking amount of data usage that is almost unbelievable. Throttling them tells them that, "Hey, you've got to stop using so much data...learn to use your phone for data purposes at appropriate times only."

Wow! I mean, seriously wow!

Smart phones were designed to be used as computers? Did anyone foresee a time when they'd be as ubiquitous as laptops? Perhaps, perhaps not. Considering that an actual functional (and by functional I mean a tablet PC that could function at a level where it is usable by the average person) tablet quickly followed the advent of the smart phone, I would say, yes, actually smart phones are designed to be used as computers. The original intent probably was not they'd be our only computer, or the computer we'd use the most, but on that front, as mentioned before we now have tablets using cellular connectivity and as far as I can recall, using the same tiered plans as the cell providers would love for us to use.

The part that makes me say "wow" is that by your response you seem to be willing to have the cellular providers dictate how you use your data, when you use your data, and what the "appropriate use" of that data is. Really? You're declaring what some would indicate as normal and expected as "abuse"...

Considering the plethora of streaming video, audio, blog, etc. apps out there for smart phones, it's not unreasonable to expect that people WOULD actually use those apps, and therefore use their full allotment of data.

Now it's been kicked around that the total GB available for "unlimmited" users is 30gb. I've either misunderstood those statements, or was never aware of that number, either way, if that was the number we signed up for originally, throttling at 1.5gb to the point that it's impossible to get to 30gb even under the best circumstances smacks of bait and switch.

It's been stated that the switchover used to be 5gb, again, not something I was aware of if I understood correctly, but again if historically it was 5gb, why the sudden massive reduction to 1.5gb as being the throttling point?

Keep in mind, most of us never actually signed a contract stating any of these limitations. AT&T only claims these limitations were there, we have no actual proof.

The contract I remember agreeing to simply stated, "Unlimmited data", with no asterisks or any other hedges, and no attempts to 'redifine' the word "unlimmited" was made at the time. So now with all the revisionist/retroactive contract malfing seeming to go on I have to wonder what the heck AT&T thinks it's doing.

Certainly not a lot is being done to improve the service provided or the quality of customer service.

wingrider01 · ‎05-26-2008

the contract references a fair use policy - there is your limit

Wild Banchi · ‎12-11-2009

DimentoGraven wrote:
Wild Banchi wrote:
Smartphones are not made for handling unlimited data usage. Their intent, I'm sure, was not to completely replace computers. Smartphones are meant to handle the occasional data search when need be, and should not be used as a full computer/laptop substitute. Remember, it is a phone, although it is also a miniature computer, too.

You're right - unlimited data should truly be unlimited. But some people are abusing the plan and using a shocking amount of data usage that is almost unbelievable. Throttling them tells them that, "Hey, you've got to stop using so much data...learn to use your phone for data purposes at appropriate times only."
Wow! I mean, seriously wow!

Smart phones were designed to be used as computers? Did anyone foresee a time when they'd be as ubiquitous as laptops? Perhaps, perhaps not. Considering that an actual functional (and by functional I mean a tablet PC that could function at a level where it is usable by the average person) tablet quickly followed the advent of the smart phone, I would say, yes, actually smart phones are designed to be used as computers. The original intent probably was not they'd be our only computer, or the computer we'd use the most, but on that front, as mentioned before we now have tablets using cellular connectivity and as far as I can recall, using the same tiered plans as the cell providers would love for us to use.

The part that makes me say "wow" is that by your response you seem to be willing to have the cellular providers dictate how you use your data, when you use your data, and what the "appropriate use" of that data is. Really? You're declaring what some would indicate as normal and expected as "abuse"...

Considering the plethora of streaming video, audio, blog, etc. apps out there for smart phones, it's not unreasonable to expect that people WOULD actually use those apps, and therefore use their full allotment of data.

Now it's been kicked around that the total GB available for "unlimmited" users is 30gb. I've either misunderstood those statements, or was never aware of that number, either way, if that was the number we signed up for originally, throttling at 1.5gb to the point that it's impossible to get to 30gb even under the best circumstances smacks of bait and switch.

It's been stated that the switchover used to be 5gb, again, not something I was aware of if I understood correctly, but again if historically it was 5gb, why the sudden massive reduction to 1.5gb as being the throttling point?

Keep in mind, most of us never actually signed a contract stating any of these limitations. AT&T only claims these limitations were there, we have no actual proof.

The contract I remember agreeing to simply stated, "Unlimmited data", with no asterisks or any other hedges, and no attempts to 'redifine' the word "unlimmited" was made at the time. So now with all the revisionist/retroactive contract malfing seeming to go on I have to wonder what the heck AT&T thinks it's doing.

Certainly not a lot is being done to improve the service provided or the quality of customer service.

I don't see anything particularly surprising in that post. It appears that your view is very, very different than mine.

You are obviously an Unlimited Data plan user whose speeds are being throttled. Smartphones are not made to replace full-featured keyboard desktop computers and laptops. It just would not make any sense. Would you rather prefer surfing the Internet on a 3.5"-5" screen or a 15"+ computer screen? I would certainly take the computer, although they are not quite as handy as mobile devices are. It's a cell phone for crying out loud, with the main purpose of it to send and receive calls and text messages. Having data connectivity to the Internet should not make smartphones full-time computers. Streaming large amounts of music and video totaling over 5GB+ per month is very excessive, in my opinion.

Nobody "dictates" the way I use my data; as a matter of fact, I don't even use cellular data at all! Wi-Fi is my data connection.

Remember that Wild Banchi... 1993-2010

johninsj · ‎07-07-2010

DimentoGraven wrote:

The contract I remember agreeing to simply stated, "Unlimmited data", with no asterisks or any other hedges, and no attempts to 'redifine' the word "unlimmited" was made at the time.

And you STILL have unlimited data. The contract didn't say anything about speed, did it?

Myrtlemaye · ‎12-24-2008

Speed is a limit, a restriction when it's arbitrarily controlled in a different way for some users. When speed is slowed, the user cannot stream video and load web pages and therefore cannot use the device in the way it is designed and promoted. AT&T boasts it is the nations fastest 3G network. They hitched their wagon to a particular feature: speed. They're not selling based on great call quality, low prices or better coverage. AT&T has two things going for it: simultaneous voice and data and very fast download speeds. I think it's a bad public relations move to try to squeeze a few dollars out of a few customers by giving them the speeds of their closest competitor.

AT&T made it totally clear from the first day of the iPhone (when they had an exclusive) that they don't want the iPhone to be used like a laptop. That's why they wouldn't enable tethering for the iPhone. When they finally allowed it, saying they had to upgrade the network first, they only allowed it with a big plan price of $45 for 4GB. (Well, look here! We just found more GB's for you -- at the speeds the nation's fastest network can provide.)

As I've said, I've never gone near the 2GB line. I've paid so far $75 extra for the ability to exceed that amount if circumstances require. I'd be very, very irritated and unhappy if I got into a situation where I needed to use 3 or 4GB and my service became unusable. As it is, I can't download large files on the network.

wingrider01 · ‎05-26-2008

Myrtlemaye wrote:

Speed is a limit, a restriction when it's arbitrarily controlled in a different way for some users. When speed is slowed, the user cannot stream video and load web pages and therefore cannot use the device in the way it is designed and promoted. AT&T boasts it is the nations fastest 3G network. They hitched their wagon to a particular feature: speed. They're not selling based on great call quality, low prices or better coverage. AT&T has two things going for it: simultaneous voice and data and very fast download speeds. I think it's a bad public relations move to try to squeeze a few dollars out of a few customers by giving them the speeds of their closest competitor.

AT&T made it totally clear from the first day of the iPhone (when they had an exclusive) that they don't want the iPhone to be used like a laptop. That's why they wouldn't enable tethering for the iPhone. When they finally allowed it, saying they had to upgrade the network first, they only allowed it with a big plan price of $45 for 4GB. (Well, look here! We just found more GB's for you -- at the speeds the nation's fastest network can provide.)

As I've said, I've never gone near the 2GB line. I've paid so far $75 extra for the ability to exceed that amount if circumstances require. I'd be very, very irritated and unhappy if I got into a situation where I needed to use 3 or 4GB and my service became unusable. As it is, I can't download large files on the network.

you are right, speed is a limit, but they did not promise unlimtied speed, just unlimited data. You still have that.

Monkeytos · ‎12-13-2011

( Post edited) Att doesnt explain what is 5%. They can do whatever they want to slow you down, I mean to the point you cant even browse. The speed is 0.01 mb download and 0.21 upload. Does anyone know how to file a complaint to FCC? This doesnt sound legal. I think we all should change carrier, perhaps go with sprint?

[Per Guidelines: Keep it Relevant and Appropriate].

Monkeytos · ‎12-13-2011

I think att wants you to switch to different plan that is not unlimited so they can charge you additional fee. Those plans will not be slowing down because att will make money from those people. They just greedy and everyone shoukd start switching to other carriers.[Per Guidelines: Keep it Relevant and Appropriate].

wingrider01 · ‎05-26-2008

Monkeytos wrote:
I think is about time to do *********************. Att doesnt explain what is 5%. They can do whatever they want to slow you down, I mean to the point you cant even browse. The speed is 0.01 mb download and 0.21 upload. Does anyone know how to file a complaint to FCC? This doesnt sound legal. I think we all should change carrier, perhaps go with sprint?

exactly for what? They are following prceedures and policies that have been in effect for years - ones that you probably did not read.

As far as changing carriers - which one of the other are you going to go to?

1. Verizion - no unlimited data plan anymore, back in september they published they will start enforcing throttling on the top 5 percent (notice exact same limits as att) of their grandfathered unlimited plan users

2. Sprint - if they have coverage in your area and you are willing to put up with the slowest data transfer performance - that is not throtttled, they are reported to be considering dropping unlimited down the line and they enforce the same fair use policy.

If you feel that strongly about it, then yes etf out and go to sprint - just would caution you to do your due dilligence before you leave, when and if you leave att and find you need to come back your unlimited plan is gone if you canceled and ported your number out. Again, don;t believe the "coverage maps" when you research your new carrier - read they forums to see exactly what you are getting into.

Pretty easy to figure from the posts, 2GB looks like the trigger point - if you utilze 2GB in the first week of your billng cycle then you are on the way to utilzing around 8GB by the end of your billing cycle which will pretty much promise a spot in the top 5 percent, if you are 3 weeks into your billing cycle and you just hit 2GB you are not in the top 5 percent

wingrider01 · ‎05-26-2008

Monkeytos wrote:
I think att wants you to switch to different plan that is not unlimited so they can charge you additional fee. Those plans will not be slowing down because att will make money from those people. They just greedy and everyone shoukd start switching to other carriers. I hope there will be ************** against this practise.

Realize that you will only get charged additional when and if you go over the tiered plan limit, don;t blame any carrier for that - you are the cause, moderation and personal restraint will preclude overage charges.

The is no basis fo what you would like to see, the carriers are not violating anything in the agreements that you signed when you initiated service

johninsj · ‎07-07-2010

Myrtlemaye wrote:

Speed is a limit, a restriction when it's arbitrarily controlled in a different way for some users.

There is no contractual agreement for AT&T to provide any speed to any user. Otherwise, anytime you had no signal, or Edge vs 3G,[Per Guidelines: Keep it Relevant and Appropriate]..

stufried · ‎09-18-2005

There are two camps on these issues. I think both camps have stated their position well. What do people think about having the mods closing this thread?

tonester · ‎07-14-2006

wingrider01 wrote:
Myrtlemaye wrote:
Speed is a limit, a restriction when it's arbitrarily controlled in a different way for some users. When speed is slowed, the user cannot stream video and load web pages and therefore cannot use the device in the way it is designed and promoted. AT&T boasts it is the nations fastest 3G network. They hitched their wagon to a particular feature: speed. They're not selling based on great call quality, low prices or better coverage. AT&T has two things going for it: simultaneous voice and data and very fast download speeds. I think it's a bad public relations move to try to squeeze a few dollars out of a few customers by giving them the speeds of their closest competitor.

AT&T made it totally clear from the first day of the iPhone (when they had an exclusive) that they don't want the iPhone to be used like a laptop. That's why they wouldn't enable tethering for the iPhone. When they finally allowed it, saying they had to upgrade the network first, they only allowed it with a big plan price of $45 for 4GB. (Well, look here! We just found more GB's for you -- at the speeds the nation's fastest network can provide.)

As I've said, I've never gone near the 2GB line. I've paid so far $75 extra for the ability to exceed that amount if circumstances require. I'd be very, very irritated and unhappy if I got into a situation where I needed to use 3 or 4GB and my service became unusable. As it is, I can't download large files on the network.
you are right, speed is a limit, but they did not promise unlimtied speed, just unlimited data. You still have that.

LOL so how would you explain all those anecdotal stories (before the implementation of the tiered data plans) about how some users were getting messages from AT&T about how they were using "too much" data? And no, not all of those anecdotal stories were regarding users who were tethering...