"unlimited" data

[Prislynn]

I just wanted to share my personal experience with you guys. I've been an AT&T customer for about 6 years now and up until this point have never had a complaint. About 5 months ago I upgraded my plan to the 4s unlimited data package. Today my phone sent me a notification that I was close to 3gb of data and at which point my service would slow. (first time I have heard of this) so, I called AT&T to see what to do. I told them that I have unlimited data so their 3G issue shouldn't apply to me. I was informed that I need to take precautions to saving my data. Here's where I see an issue. I pay a hefty amount for my two lines monthly and when your plan says 'unlimited' I expect to get 'unlimited' regardless of how much data I choose to use each month. It should be no ones concern except mine. So, with all that being said once I told the operator that I would like to cancel my service to AT&T I was then shuffled around to 4 more operators before finally being given and ungodly quoted amount of money that I will have to pay to get out of my contract. I am a very loyal person, but, I will be paying that silly amount of money to cancel my service with AT&T and I will move on to a new carrier. I may just be one person and I'm sure I won't be missed in the big att corporation but I will feel better about moving on. I suggest you (AT&T) change the way you handle business before 1 person gone turns into many. And by the way, the new cell carrier I will be moving to has unlimited, unlimited data, not unlimited for a little bit data.

[wingrider01 ACE - Expert]

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Prislynn wrote:
I just wanted to share my personal experience with you guys. I've been an AT&T customer for about 6 years now and up until this point have never had a complaint. About 5 months ago I upgraded my plan to the 4s unlimited data package. Today my phone sent me a notification that I was close to 3gb of data and at which point my service would slow. (first time I have heard of this) so, I called AT&T to see what to do. I told them that I have unlimited data so their 3G issue shouldn't apply to me. I was informed that I need to take precautions to saving my data. Here's where I see an issue. I pay a hefty amount for my two lines monthly and when your plan says 'unlimited' I expect to get 'unlimited' regardless of how much data I choose to use each month. It should be no ones concern except mine. So, with all that being said once I told the operator that I would like to cancel my service to AT&T I was then shuffled around to 4 more operators before finally being given and ungodly quoted amount of money that I will have to pay to get out of my contract. I am a very loyal person, but, I will be paying that silly amount of money to cancel my service with AT&T and I will move on to a new carrier. I may just be one person and I'm sure I won't be missed in the big att corporation but I will feel better about moving on. I suggest you (AT&T) change the way you handle business before 1 person gone turns into many. And by the way, the new cell carrier I will be moving to has unlimited, unlimited data, not unlimited for a little bit data.

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throttleing ha been in affect for grandfathered unlimited plans since november of last year. It started out as the top 5% of users and was changed not to long ago to 3GB for 3G users and 5GB for LTE users. It has been well published and notified when it went into affect. The CSR was correct, to cancel your service you are required to pay the etf. Sorry you are still recieving unlimited data, just not at unlimited speeds.

 as far as going to another carrier, your choices are limited for unlimited data, verizon grandfathered the plan when they got the iphone, and now it looks like they are removing the ability to keep the grandfatheed plan at all - the caveat is if you pay full retail price for your phone you get to keep it but you can still be throttled.

Sprint is your only choice of the top 3 - and their internet transfer speeds are pretty poor even at it;'s best. Even the lowly cricket has a throttle cap on their unlimited data. Read the terms of service and fair use policies  very carefully for what ever carrier you decide to to, you will find there are very similiar. T-Mobile is similiar, here is the details for theur "classic unlimited - note the "unlimited data is capped, even though the word "unlimited data" is in the text

Unlimited - Ultra with Smartphone Mobile HotSpot Service

Unlimited data on the T-Mobile network for enjoying HD entertainment, games, and music (up to 10 GB of high-speed data included). Limited-time offer! Share your phone’s high-speed Internet connection on the go with up to five Wi-Fi devices, plus get 10 GB of photo and video storage for free (a $19.98 value).

 With the advent of more data hungry smart phones and apps, the days of the truelly unlimited data plans are going the way of the dodo bird.

[Prislynn]

I am actually now quite well versed in this 'throttling' since it has now been repeated to me 5 times with you included, and I don't appreciate the way I was handled on the phone. However, it is just my opinion that it is not right. I have spoke to other carriers and I am making my decision based upon what they tell me. I will be thorough in my decision with THEM. The way you speak to people can go a long way. It's hard to upset me but the damage has been done. No reply necessary.

[wingrider01 ACE - Expert]

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Prislynn wrote:
I am actually now quite well versed in this 'throttling' since it has now been repeated to me 5 times with you included, and I don't appreciate the way I was handled on the phone. However, it is just my opinion that it is not right. I have spoke to other carriers and I am making my decision based upon what they tell me. I will be thorough in my decision with THEM. The way you speak to people can go a long way. It's hard to upset me but the damage has been done. No reply necessary.

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your choice, just be sure you pay close attention to the written contract and terms, verbal statements of company policy do not hold water if it contradicts the written agreement. By the way, just as a side note, I do not work for att at all, thought I do have first hand current experience with all three of the top tiered carriers since we issue phones from every one of them to the employees

Good luck with what ever carrier you go to

[dancewithml]

Just so you know you are not "just one person" I too am leaving AT&T for the same reason among others. You will find with very little research that you will get a better deal, service, and RESPECT elsewhere.

Good Luck

[wingrider01 ACE - Expert]

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dancewithml wrote:
Just so you know you are not "just one person" I too am leaving AT&T for the same reason among others. You will find with very little research that you will get a better deal, service, and RESPECT elsewhere.

Good Luck

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but not true unlimited data as a decent speed

[Prislynn]

Wing, I'm sure wherever I go I will be a lot happier than I am at this moment. But thank you for you persistant advice.

[wingrider01 ACE - Expert]

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Prislynn wrote:
Wing, I'm sure wherever I go I will be a lot happier than I am at this moment. But thank you for you persistant advice.

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you are welcome, hope you find what you want, the grass is always greener on the other side, but it still needs to be mowed

[Prislynn]

AT&T could learn a lot from that statement. Keep your customers well. Always.

[dancewithml]

wingrider01
Sorry sir, as I unfortunately had this debate with you once before, I know how much you would love for me and everyone else to believe that what you say about data speed is true but I have tested your theory myself and it simply is false.

Better Luck next time. Good Day Sir 

[wingrider01 ACE - Expert]

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dancewithml wrote:

wingrider01
Sorry sir, as I unfortunately had this debate with you once before, I know how much you would love for me and everyone else to believe that what you say about data speed is true but I have tested your theory myself and it simply is false.

Better Luck next time. Good Day Sir 

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have tested the iphones I have from sprint, verizon and att iphone with speeds tests, I know what is the fastest. sprint comes in dead last.

Sprint iPhone 4S: .90 Mbps download, .78 Mbps upload

Verizon iPhone 4S: 2.05 Mbps download, .49 Mbps upload

AT&T iPhone 4S: 3.02 Mbps download, 1.01 Mbps upload

Hope you are happy with sprint in the long run

[dancewithml]

Like I said. Tested more than just the Iphone, as I would never buy one anyway. AT&T may prevail with an Iphone when you tested it as they have had the iphone for longer. Overall they aren't the best and they certainly aren't worth staying with. LIKE I SAID

Better Luck next time. Good Day Sir

[wingrider01 ACE - Expert]

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dancewithml wrote:
Like I said. Tested more than just the Iphone, as I would never buy one anyway. AT&T may prevail with an Iphone when you tested it as they have had the iphone for longer. Overall they aren't the best and they certainly aren't worth staying with. LIKE I SAID

Better Luck next time. Good Day Sir

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When I get back to the US I can have one of the other people that work for me who prefer the android based phones and carry 1 of each from the 3 vendors and post the results on those also, but tose tests will be skewed because there is not a common baseline to start with, 3 different android phones, three different hardware bases, 3 different gens of the base OS so the test results will be offset and randomized, at least the Iphone 4S is the same throught out the 3 carriers, just different networks.  All 3 carriers got the iphone 4s about the same time, so your comment is not valid.

 As far as who is best or worst, it all depends on where you are - not all carriers are superior in all locations. 

[mikewho]

Unlimited data seems to be a thing of the past for most carriers these days so it's not just AT&T. A friend of mine got kicked off straight talk for using too much data so times are in deed changing.

[BadBadLeroyBrown ACE - Guru]

The quality of Sprint's service is VERY location-dependent. My friends who have Sprint here in the DC Metro area generally hate the service. I also have a Clear (Clearwire) 3G/4G USB dongle that uses Clear's WiMAX network & Sprint's 3G network. I tried using it in New Orleans over the Christmas holidays, & Sprint's 3G performance was abysmal.

This PCWorld Speed Test shows that Sprint is consistently the slowest, nationwide.

So better luck next time, and Toodle-oo.

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dancewithml wrote:
Like I said. Tested more than just the Iphone, as I would never buy one anyway. AT&T may prevail with an Iphone when you tested it as they have had the iphone for longer. Overall they aren't the best and they certainly aren't worth staying with. LIKE I SAID

Better Luck next time. Good Day Sir

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[dancewithml]

Wingrider01
BadBadLeroyBrown

Two things.

1. all I said was that you could find a better plan overall with another carrier. I never named a specific one. So the fact that you keep trying to downplay Sprints service is very interesting. Pretty much does the arguing for me. Why not NET10 why not metropcs? Simple, you both know that AT&T and you are desperately trying to deflect that fact.

2. I'm curious. Why is it so important to you to prove to me that I "can't" get a better service speed. I've made it clear that I am switching carriers no matter what and so has the OP, so why are you fighting a battle that should be that of AT&T's???

I can pretty much draw my own conclusion because the answer is clear as day, but just for fun I will see what you come up with!

[youngjm ACE - Master]

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dancewithml wrote:
Wingrider01
BadBadLeroyBrown

Two things.

1. all I said was that you could find a better plan overall with another carrier. I never named a specific one. So the fact that you keep trying to downplay Sprints service is very interesting. Pretty much does the arguing for me. Why not NET10 why not metropcs? Simple, you both know that AT&T and you are desperately trying to deflect that fact.

2. I'm curious. Why is it so important to you to prove to me that I "can't" get a better service speed. I've made it clear that I am switching carriers no matter what and so has the OP, so why are you fighting a battle that should be that of AT&T's???

I can pretty much draw my own conclusion because the answer is clear as day, but just for fun I will see what you come up with!

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As long as you choose the plan and carrier that works for you there realy should be no debate!  Just go with your eyes open and hopefully it works out for the best.  The downside of all/most carriers is that their polcies are very similar so I would not expect drastic improvement but you never know!

Good Luck!

[wingrider01 ACE - Expert]

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dancewithml wrote:
Wingrider01
BadBadLeroyBrown

Two things.

1. all I said was that you could find a better plan overall with another carrier. I never named a specific one. So the fact that you keep trying to downplay Sprints service is very interesting. Pretty much does the arguing for me. Why not NET10 why not metropcs? Simple, you both know that AT&T and you are desperately trying to deflect that fact.

2. I'm curious. Why is it so important to you to prove to me that I "can't" get a better service speed. I've made it clear that I am switching carriers no matter what and so has the OP, so why are you fighting a battle that should be that of AT&T's???

I can pretty much draw my own conclusion because the answer is clear as day, but just for fun I will see what you come up with!

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Choose what ever works for you, but remember to carefully read the physical or electronic copies of what you agree to. Verbal statements by sales reps do not hold water when something turns out to be different then what you where told. Sorry to burst your bubble, but it means absolutely nothing to most people if you "change carriers", if you post on public forums expect responses that are contrary to your ideal feelings.

Don't bother with MVNO local carriers like Net10 pr metorpcs, they don;t have the national / international coverage that is required in my business, great for residential use but totally useless for me in business, add to the simple fact MVNO carrirers purchase tower space from the rest of the carriers. my company prefers to stay with carriers that fit their business model and environment and neither metropcs, net10 or any other MVNO carrier has that infrastructure and support to do so 

Not sure why you are assuming that someone is "fighting a battle", all that was done is the personal expierences of people that actually utilize the carriers in day to day environments are showing you that the grass in not always greener on the other side and it still needs to be mowed. A common misconception is that another carrier still offers "unlimited data with no restraints" but when you read the terms of service and fair use policy you will find that there are restraints and conditions, or they don;t even offer the feature anymore.

Do not see why you are assuming that a respondent is "fighting ATT';s battle" when they point out the short comings of other carriers that just happen to be contrary to your beliefs - bottom line, business or personal, informed decisions work the best and informed decisions are not achieved without looking at both sides of the fence with a open mind and a willingness to accept the simple fact that things may not be as rosey as you want them to.

Bottom line - if your mind is made up, go ahead and switch, don;t stand on the fence

[Bwolffdrums]

I'm personally a little sick of hearing how much faster AT&T is.  I don't doubt that all other things being equal that they are a little faster. Unfortunately their network is terrible, at least anywhere I go.  For all practical purposes, unless Verizon's 3G is slower than AT&T's edge, Verizon wins.  I don't even bother trying to connect to 3G anymore because it's so ridiculously terrible in Chicago. 

[wingrider01 ACE - Expert]

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Bwolffdrums wrote:

I'm personally a little sick of hearing how much faster AT&T is.  I don't doubt that all other things being equal that they are a little faster. Unfortunately their network is terrible, at least anywhere I go.  For all practical purposes, unless Verizon's 3G is slower than AT&T's edge, Verizon wins.  I don't even bother trying to connect to 3G anymore because it's so ridiculously terrible in Chicago. 

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which is why I carry a phone from each of the top 3 carriers - there are locations I wil not even try att, same with verizon and sprint. Cell phone service is quite variable depending on a large amount of items that can affect it - terrain, tower location, tower handoff area of affect, manmade structures, solar flares and weather. want more consistant service - always utilizie a POTS line to make you important calls. We do business with some vendors that prefer you NOT call in on a cell phone at all and that is not an unusual request. Transmit and recieve wattages on current cell phone technology is poor, the lower the wattage the better the chance of failure.

There are downtown areas in major metropolitian cities I will not move if I am in a conversation with someone, I know the chances of that call dropping are high becasue of loss of signal - no matter what carrier's phone I am using

[dancewithml]

Wow. How could I ever thing anyone was battling for AT&T. It's not like everytime someone post one line of a negative opinion that someone else post three peragraphs against it. No No NO. That never happens, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[BadBadLeroyBrown ACE - Guru]

We "both know that AT&T" what? Are you still on your misguided rant that anyone who disagrees with you is a paid AT&T plant? I have plenty of issues with AT&T's coverage in the DC Area. I'm also still under contract until next year, so I'm not going anywhere. I've also looked at the other GSM carriers, and I'm not going to find a true unlimited data plan without soft caps on any of the carriers I've seen (post & pre-paid). Not interested in CDMA because of the lack of simultaneous voice & data.

If you think you can get better service/a better plan/a pony, go for it. I was simply correcting your assertion that AT&T's speed lags behinds its competitors.

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dancewithml wrote:
Wingrider01
BadBadLeroyBrown

Two things.

1. all I said was that you could find a better plan overall with another carrier. I never named a specific one. So the fact that you keep trying to downplay Sprints service is very interesting. Pretty much does the arguing for me. Why not NET10 why not metropcs? Simple, you both know that AT&T and you are desperately trying to deflect that fact.

2. I'm curious. Why is it so important to you to prove to me that I "can't" get a better service speed. I've made it clear that I am switching carriers no matter what and so has the OP, so why are you fighting a battle that should be that of AT&T's???

I can pretty much draw my own conclusion because the answer is clear as day, but just for fun I will see what you come up with!

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