Are you purposefully consuming more cellular data with the new unlimited plan?

[Applejuiced]

We see it a little differently then.

I'm paying T-Mobile (damn, almost said Sprint!!!) for unlimited data. I pay Cox for my home internet. To me it would be like paying Cox for home internet and then tethering all my devices and my home network to my phone and using T-Mobile for internet.

As long as I've got a decent cellular connection I use cellular on my devices. My son though only has 2GB a month so I encourage him to use WiFi wherever he can find it. His 2GB/month is a large part of the reason I got two SyncUp Drives for our cars. He can use WiFi in the car and the plan on those devices is 6GB each with Data Stash so he doesn't have to worry about using his cellular data when around or in our cars.

As far as battery life, none of us really have any issues at all.

But we aren't using our devices for the kinds of activities I normally use computers for at home and work. At home my phone may be on cellular but the only data it's grabbing is the periodic updating it normally does (briefly checking for mail, weather updates, etc). I'm normally using my laptop or desktop at home. And at work I have access to computers all around me. So my phone still gets data the same way as at home.

Outside of work or home when I don't have access to my computers is when I use my devices for some of those things (web browsing, email, etc) so I expect to use my data for that.

Hence, I'm never really on WiFi.

Different takes I guess. But basically, I just don't like paying one provider for a specific service and then using a different provider for the service I already paid the first provider for. Just me.

Lol
We're both paying Tmobile and Cox either way the same amount every month no matter how much we use or dont use.
The advantage I see when I get home if I use my wifi I get wifi calling so perfect voice calls even if Im in the basement or laundry room with no cutting out. And LTE/3G signal wont reach as good in the basement or other rooms of my house so speed will be a factor if I use carrier data at home. And also better battery life by using wifi.
Other than that I dont feel the need to use Tmobile LTE all the time because if I dont Im wasting my money or they're becoming rich off of me or ripping me off
Different views I guess.

 

[eyoungren]

Lol
We're both paying Tmobile and Cox either way the same amount every month no matter how much we use or dont use.
The only advantage I see when I get home if I use my wifi I get wifi calling so perfect voice calls even if Im in the basement or laundry room with no cutting out. And also better battery life by using wifi.
Other than that I dont feel the need to use Tmobile LTE all the time because if I dont Im wasting my money or they're becoming rich off of me or ripping me off
Different views I guess.

Yes, we both are paying them the same amounts whether we use it or not. Which is why I leave my cellular devices on cellular.

And I sometimes think about what I've paid Cox while my Macs are idling at 2am and nobody's using the internet!

One of the reasons I have certain ports open on my router so I can do offsite music streaming to my Macs and make Time Machine backups anywhere as well as being able to connect to my Mac at home from anywhere.

But how you do it or how anyone else does it is their perogative. It's neither right nor wrong, I'm just telling how I use it is all.

 

[Applejuiced]

Yes, we both are paying them the same amounts whether we use it or not. Which is why I leave my cellular devices on cellular.

And I sometimes think about what I've paid Cox while my Macs are idling at 2am and nobody's using the internet!

One of the reasons I have certain ports open on my router so I can do offsite music streaming to my Macs and make Time Machine backups anywhere as well as being able to connect to my Mac at home from anywhere.

But how you do it or how anyone else does it is their perogative. It's neither right nor wrong, I'm just telling how I use it is all.

I hear you, I just hope cox doesnt try to jack up my home bill any more.
They always seem to go up every once in a while

 

[eyoungren]

I hear you, I just hope cox doesnt try to jack up my home bill any more.
They always seem to go up every once in a while

Well, I make them work for me.

What I do is depending on the deal they've given me (6 months or a year) I will drop in at a local store before the time is up and I will ask them if there's any deals that they can give me that will lower my bill. I don't know if it's because we've been with them for so long or not, but they usually find a way to give me the promo deals that they give new customers. We have the 50GB tier for internet, the HDTV package with most of the channels (except premium channels) and the Contour service. I'm paying $170 for that each month because I asked.

I'll have to go back in in a couple of months and ask again when the bill is sheduled to go up. I've had it as low as $140 before though.

Might be worth a shot asking them.

 

[Applejuiced]

Well, I make them work for me.

What I do is depending on the deal they've given me (6 months or a year) I will drop in at a local store before the time is up and I will ask them if there's any deals that they can give me that will lower my bill. I don't know if it's because we've been with them for so long or not, but they usually find a way to give me the promo deals that they give new customers. We have the 50GB tier for internet, the HDTV package with most of the channels (except premium channels) and the Contour service. I'm paying $170 for that each month because I asked.

I'll have to go back in in a couple of months and ask again when the bill is sheduled to go up. I've had it as low as $140 before though.

Might be worth a shot asking them.

Yep, I hear you.
It works if you threaten to leave them too

 

[0000757]

I switched to T-Mobile's Unlimited a loooong time ago, but I noticed my usage averages about 10GB. When I'm at school that usually doubles due to poor wifi connection across campus. Previously had 8GB shared.

 

[BigMcGuire]

I switched to T-Mobile's Unlimited a loooong time ago, but I noticed my usage averages about 10GB. When I'm at school that usually doubles due to poor wifi connection across campus. Previously had 8GB shared.

Heh, yeah, college started for me this week. Wifi is absolutely terrible. I think this is where most of my usage will be.

 

[NovemberWhiskey]

I'm fine with people testing out the new policies. In fact, I'd love to have people test out the 22GB limit to see what happens afterwards.

But people who think "I am paying for it, therefore, I am going to use as much as I can and turn off my wifi every when I don't need to" just need to stop. Same for people that abuse return policies, etc.

It is not about hurting the company. I don't care about that. It is about hurting the rest of the consumers. Case in point: Costco changing their old legendary return policy because of all the people buying and returning huge TVs for the Super Bowl, etc.

It's nice having this plan here as an option, but if enough people abuse it, Verizon will kill it. They tried every slimy method to kill the old GUDP, and only intro'd this one to compete with T-mobile (who currently has a CEO who loves giving away things for free to boost membership and short term numbers).

If you aren't testing something, please do not abuse the system just to "get your moneys worth." Anyone that has lived on the East Coast in the winter in a building with pooled electricity knows what a pain it is to see your bill skyrocket.

I'm not saying change your usage habits. Use away. You paid for it. But don't purposely use something when you don't need to.

 

[nburwell]

I'm not purposely using more data, but I'm also not constantly checking my T-Mobile app like I was used to when on AT&T to see how much data I'm using.

 

[lordofthereef]

My son uses the most steaming videos constantly. I use much less now that the gym has wifi. Previously I'd stream about an hour of video a day depending on what I was doing for cardio. Son is probably around 20 gigs. I'm between 6-10 now. Wife is the same as me. Mom is around 12 with her Facebook photo and video sharing along with skype to Hungary.

I don't feel like that is crazy numbers but st the same time couldn't really go back to s tiers plan. None of us tethers ever either, but knowing it's an option is nice. Each line can do 10gb a month.

 

[Rayy42]

I was on VZW 24gb data package w 2gb of bonus data just for myself and my connected cellular iPad Air 2.

Between the two devices I consistently used between 15gb 18gb and since switching to the new unlimited plan my usage has remained the same.

Granted this new plan just became available the 13th of Feb. So I think to have more accurate monthly data usage in regards to the question asked I would recommend coming back to this post in a month.

 

[Steve686]

Not trying to use more, but now I stream my NBA and NHL games without worrying about data usage.

 

[Traverse]

I mean, I guess it's intentional.


I was paying $170 for 3GB of data from a very old plan. I found out that Verizon's unlimited plan would cost me $180 and that's nothing compared to what I get.


I will use substantially more. Now I work 40-60 hours a week and work doesn't offer wifi like the university did so I'll be on data he bulk if the month. Also, I like stream a little Netflix during lunch and one TV show used about 1/8 of my data so that wasn't feasible. My usage will probably grow to 10-15GB, but out of natural need, not intentional usage.

 

[kazmac]

Not unlimited, but using more data at work and more on my commute...only problem is Verizon's LTE signal sucks in my building so I have to switch back to work wifi.

I went over 1GB of data for the first time this month. It is cheaper for me to have the 5GB than the old 3GB plan so...

(Yes you can all yell at me for posting here)...

 

[CEmajr]

I've had unlimited on T-Mobile since 2013. Usually use around 15GB per month

 

[eyoungren]

I'm fine with people testing out the new policies. In fact, I'd love to have people test out the 22GB limit to see what happens afterwards.

But people who think "I am paying for it, therefore, I am going to use as much as I can and turn off my wifi every when I don't need to" just need to stop. Same for people that abuse return policies, etc.

It is not about hurting the company. I don't care about that. It is about hurting the rest of the consumers. Case in point: Costco changing their old legendary return policy because of all the people buying and returning huge TVs for the Super Bowl, etc.

It's nice having this plan here as an option, but if enough people abuse it, Verizon will kill it. They tried every slimy method to kill the old GUDP, and only intro'd this one to compete with T-mobile (who currently has a CEO who loves giving away things for free to boost membership and short term numbers).

If you aren't testing something, please do not abuse the system just to "get your moneys worth." Anyone that has lived on the East Coast in the winter in a building with pooled electricity knows what a pain it is to see your bill skyrocket.

I'm not saying change your usage habits. Use away. You paid for it. But don't purposely use something when you don't need to.

On the face of it, your argument is reasonable.

However, I have to disagree with most of it.

You seem to be arguing that people who are paying for something should use something else despite having paid for it. Let's turn this argument around for a moment.

If I were to tell you not to use the home internet you pay your ISP for and stick to cellular as much as possible so that the rest of the ISP's consumers in your neighborhood are not inconvenienced how much sense would that make? On public Wifi?

People who complain about UD users using UD don't seem to have a problem with how much data they use at home or at Starbucks or anywhere else there is free WiFi.

Now, you're right it should not be abused and I am not advocating that. But it makes very little sense to me to pay for something and then agonize about how little of it you should use.

I am not a data abuser. Collectively between my wife, myself, my son and all of our devices we generally cap out at less than 15GB each month. That is because we do not use our devices for something that is better suited to another device.

I am not streaming video to my iPhone at home because I have a TV. I have several Macs that let me watch video. Those are much better devices than this little screen I hold in my hand to watch video. I'm not downloading movies or music or computer apps on my devices because that's better suited to the Macs at home.

I AM, however, allowing my devices to go out and fetch email, update weather, recieve messages and pretty much everything else that is better suited to those devices using the cellular connection I pay for. I don't consider that an abuse when WiFi is available because collectively those things amount to very little data on their own.

I'm right there with you when it concerns people abusing their data for doing things better suited to other devices. Downloading a Linux install DVD or a Mac update is in my opinion better left to a computer connected to a wired connection or WiFi. I consider people who turn their devices into their home internet to be abusing their data. That's not what the device is intended for. The excuse there is that the ISP sucks. I get that, but it's still an abuse of data.

So I guess my argument would be not to abuse UD by using your device on cellular to do things that are better suited to other devices on WiFi/wired networks.

 

[Brandonjr36]

I now have unlimited through Verizon and I like the fact I don't have to worry about going over. But I only use to use 2-3gbs per month. It won't change much but I will watch a YouTube video or something on cellular data or a Facebook video every once in awhile. But when I'm around good wifi signal I use it. No since in using cellular data. Imo you should have respect for others on the tower, if your around wifi us it. Keeps the towers from getting congested. That's why carriers started to drop unlimited because people were abusing it.

 

[Apple_Robert]

On the face of it, your argument is reasonable.

However, I have to disagree with most of it.

You seem to be arguing that people who are paying for something should use something else despite having paid for it. Let's turn this argument around for a moment.

If I were to tell you not to use the home internet you pay your ISP for and stick to cellular as much as possible so that the rest of the ISP's consumers in your neighborhood are not inconvenienced how much sense would that make? On public Wifi?

People who complain about UD users using UD don't seem to have a problem with how much data they use at home or at Starbucks or anywhere else there is free WiFi.

Now, you're right it should not be abused and I am not advocating that. But it makes very little sense to me to pay for something and then agonize about how little of it you should use.

I am not a data abuser. Collectively between my wife, myself, my son and all of our devices we generally cap out at less than 15GB each month. That is because we do not use our devices for something that is better suited to another device.

I am not streaming video to my iPhone at home because I have a TV. I have several Macs that let me watch video. Those are much better devices than this little screen I hold in my hand to watch video. I'm not downloading movies or music or computer apps on my devices because that's better suited to the Macs at home.

I AM, however, allowing my devices to go out and fetch email, update weather, recieve messages and pretty much everything else that is better suited to those devices using the cellular connection I pay for. I don't consider that an abuse when WiFi is available because collectively those things amount to very little data on their own.

I'm right there with you when it concerns people abusing their data for doing things better suited to other devices. Downloading a Linux install DVD or a Mac update is in my opinion better left to a computer connected to a wired connection or WiFi. I consider people who turn their devices into their home internet to be abusing their data. That's not what the device is intended for. The excuse there is that the ISP sucks. I get that, but it's still an abuse of data.

So I guess my argument would be not to abuse UD by using your device on cellular to do things that are better suited to other devices on WiFi/wired networks.

In my opinion, as long as the subscriber is honoring the terms of the contract agreed to, (with the Cellular Provider) it really doesn't matter whether or not said subscriber uses the (relative) proper device at the time for cellular usage.

I use my phone a lot more than I used to when I had Sprint, because I have much better coverage and signal. In addition to that, I am also paying less amount for unlimited phone data (and tethering) with Verizon, than I was with Sprint. As such, I feel good using more data than I used to, instead of feeling frustrated for paying more and getting much less (in many ways). I am enjoying using my phone as lot more than I used to.

I think it was wise of Verizon to throttle the tethering data after 10GB. That helps to discourage people from wanting to use their cellular service as if cellular service included home internet cable tv streaming and downloading (server and torrenting type activity which a lot of people were doing).

I think it is important to remember that even if others may not use their phone data in the same type manner as I would, (or others think they should each month) said usage should not automatically be classified as abusive by members here, nor should those using more data be made to feel like they are doing something wrong or not being wise for not using X device instead.
[doublepost=1488079849][/doublepost]I wonder how many people signed up for the new unlimited plans, so that they could get grandfathered in. I admit that it played a big role in me changing plans.

 

[NovemberWhiskey]

On the face of it, your argument is reasonable.

However, I have to disagree with most of it.

You seem to be arguing that people who are paying for something should use something else despite having paid for it. Let's turn this argument around for a moment.

If I were to tell you not to use the home internet you pay your ISP for and stick to cellular as much as possible so that the rest of the ISP's consumers in your neighborhood are not inconvenienced how much sense would that make? On public Wifi?

People who complain about UD users using UD don't seem to have a problem with how much data they use at home or at Starbucks or anywhere else there is free WiFi.

Now, you're right it should not be abused and I am not advocating that. But it makes very little sense to me to pay for something and then agonize about how little of it you should use.

I am not a data abuser. Collectively between my wife, myself, my son and all of our devices we generally cap out at less than 15GB each month. That is because we do not use our devices for something that is better suited to another device.

I am not streaming video to my iPhone at home because I have a TV. I have several Macs that let me watch video. Those are much better devices than this little screen I hold in my hand to watch video. I'm not downloading movies or music or computer apps on my devices because that's better suited to the Macs at home.

I AM, however, allowing my devices to go out and fetch email, update weather, recieve messages and pretty much everything else that is better suited to those devices using the cellular connection I pay for. I don't consider that an abuse when WiFi is available because collectively those things amount to very little data on their own.

I'm right there with you when it concerns people abusing their data for doing things better suited to other devices. Downloading a Linux install DVD or a Mac update is in my opinion better left to a computer connected to a wired connection or WiFi. I consider people who turn their devices into their home internet to be abusing their data. That's not what the device is intended for. The excuse there is that the ISP sucks. I get that, but it's still an abuse of data.

So I guess my argument would be not to abuse UD by using your device on cellular to do things that are better suited to other devices on WiFi/wired networks.

What a long way to agree with me.

 

[gmanist1000]

I'm curious to hear from people who've hit the 22GB soft cap. I live practically in the middle of nowhere but I still get LTE. I'm wondering if they would even throttle me since there is barely anyone on my tower.

 

[fischersd]

I'm curious to hear from people who've hit the 22GB soft cap. I live practically in the middle of nowhere but I still get LTE. I'm wondering if they would even throttle me since there is barely anyone on my tower.

Actually, if they're using QoS (Quality of Service), you're not actually getting throttled, you're getting dropped in priority after you hit your soft cap....so if the bandwidth isn't being maxed out, you'll never see a slowdown.

 

[snicklesnackle]

I think most people are conscious to not consume video on-the-go when they have a limit. Now that's gone they'll probably act like they're on wifi and not give it a second thought.

 

[gmanist1000]

Actually, if they're using QoS (Quality of Service), you're not actually getting throttled, you're getting dropped in priority after you hit your soft cap....so if the bandwidth isn't being maxed out, you'll never see a slowdown.

Do we assume they're using that because of the phrasing being used in the small print?

 

[cnotes2019]

I for one could care less how anyone uses their UD. Abusive? Seems like you want them in jail lol. I myself use between 50 and 60 gb a month and never use wifi unless an app or game requires it. We have unlimited data on all of the big four and we use each accordingly. You can guess that we use sprint less lol than others but even they are a lot better than the rest at our homes in different states.

 

[oldhifi]

Well yes, I can watch ball games on my Iphone and don' have to check my usage anymore, thanks to TMobile