AT&T Revamps Throttling Policy, Only Slows Unlimited Users above 3GB/Month

[deftdrummer]

To me it seems as though some of you are destined for lawsuits. You are stuck on the unlimited verbiage, sure it was used when you bought your data plan and should stick.

Looked at another way, most of us have heard that the biggest data hogs fall into the smallest percentile eg: 5%. This to me is a blatant example of data hogs abusing the infrastructure at its finest.

It has long been unthinkable that a person would expect extra minutes for free if they went over their voice plan so why should data be any different?

In today's world you get what you pay for, and I don't think a company with major assets and infrastructures to worry about is asking much by throttling.

Yet those who are hung up on the literal interpretation of "unlimited" are destined for their day in court.

Greed is a deadly sin remember.

 

[JonneyGee]

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Fine. But this still gives me no reason to switch to a tiered plan since it costs the same.

That is what I was thinking. They need to provide some incentive to move the unlimited's to a tiered plan. A family data plan with tethering included might do it.

Same thoughts here. I'm keeping unlimited until I can share 5 GB/month with my wife with tethering/hotspot available to each of us. If you want me off unlimited, quit being a jerk about it and instead offer something more enticing.

 

[fanboy05]

I hope they still get sued for changing the terms of the contract. When the majority of these people signed up for the data plan, it did not mean in anyway they would be throttled. for many of them ( who have been with att since the iPhone was first out) this is just another way for att to say, ....HEY, you have stuck with us for YEARS, but we are NOT going to hold up to our promises to you... your loyalty is going to be rewarded with us CUTTING back on our end of the deal and you can take it or you can find another carrier.

 

[claygreenberg]

Not to defend AT&T on this one, but I think they've always advertised the unlimited plan as "unlimited data". Technically, even if you're throttled, you have access to unlimited data, just not unlimited speeds.

Unless there is something else in the fine print of the contract (which I admittedly have not read), a plain statement interpretation of what you have said here could naturally be construed as:

unlimited data = data that is not limited in any way = data without restrictions placed upon it.

Using the phrase "unlimited data" is no way a craftily worded statement that allows AT&T to slime their way into justifying limiting speed without breaking the spirit of their offer in effect when the contract was signed.

We should also all remember the legal concept accepted in nearly all US jurisdictions that says ambiguities in contracts must be construed in favor of the party who did not draft the contract, particularly when one party is in a greater bargaining position (as AT&T is in this situation).

 

[Hg-203]

The LTE part is interesting. When the iPad and iPhone go LTE am I to understand the ceiling will be 5GB before throttling? I think I'd be pretty happy about that but one question: is there anything inherent about LTE that causes data to be used faster? Logically it seems, for example, the data rate of any given steaming video would be constant whether it's being kicked via 3G or 4G.

Yeah, data traffic is inherently bursty, which is why when ever you stream something it needs to buffer. Lets say wireless data technology X (i.e.3G) packet takes 2 seconds to transmit, where a newer wireless data technology Y (i.e.LTE) packet takes 1 second to transmit. Also lets say file you download is broken down into 4 packets. Tech X will take 8 seconds to transfer, where tech Y will take 4 seconds to transfer.
The most important part of this is that no mater the wireless technology you are using wireless networks everyone shares the same spectrum, so when you send/transmit no one else can(CDMA kind of hacks around this, but it's has a limit to the number of users at once). So on with tech X no one else can use the network for 8 seconds and with Y no one else can use it for 4 seconds.

Obviously the numbers are no where close to how LTE or 3G work, but it's a good example

 

[Lennholm]

The excuse used by the carriers and the people defending them, that they're simply forced to throttle because of natural limitations in the technology is empty words as long as they keep marketing, selling and making money on the service as if that limitation doesn't exist.
If they manage to sell their service with the promise of unlimited data to so many people that they can't live up to this promise the customers should be compensated some way. It doesn't matter what excuse they have, they failed to live up to their promise.

 

[JohnDoe98]

Not to defend AT&T on this one, but I think they've always advertised the unlimited plan as "unlimited data". Technically, even if you're throttled, you have access to unlimited data, just not unlimited speeds.

That makes no sense. If the speed is limited there is a theoretical limit to how much data you can take in for the month.

Retort: But the speed is always limited! 3G has a max speed.

Answer: Yes but that limit is not an artificially imposed one. When you sign the unlimited data plan agreement you agree to that contract on the basis of what the network can currently do. It is being sold as 3G data, not 3G minus whatever we want to remove at any time we so desire to. If AT&T crippled the network's speed, they are changing the terms of the agreement. Why do you think that guy won 850$ from them? More lawsuits will be on the horizon.

 

[mellofello]

I am dropping ATT the second that the iphone 5 comes out. Not because Verizon is any better, but I feel betrayed by this. Can I arbitrarily change terms of our contract? No! Then why do they feel that they can change unlimited data to 3 gb, even though I have a signed contract.

It's like they want people to jump ship.

 

[JonneyGee]

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They should just end the unlimited plan.

What's interesting is that they try to spin keeping the unlimited plan as a major customer service perk. I bought my 4S at an AT&T store on release day and asked (just to see what they would say even though I already knew) about keeping the unlimited plan. They made a huge deal out of it - "Oh yes, we will *always* let our unlimited customers keep their plans. Be glad you got it when you did!" SMH...

 

[icemantx]

Ready to drop AT&T

I have had AT&T since Dec 2008 and I cannot wait for the iPhone 5 to get me off of AT&T and over to Verizon. I think I may be looking forward to leaving AT&T than the iPhone 5 itself!

Just last month after getting the emails and text messages about throttling I relented and switched to the 3GB tiered plan - but not until I chewed them out and at least got 2 months of free data out of them. What is the point of Unlimited if it is relegated to dial up modem speeds circa 1985 when you go over 3GB? Way to screw your long term customers AT&T.

AT&T sucks... Crappy customer service. Crappy cell coverage - even in a large city in Texas - Houston.

 

[DerekRod]

Funny how its 5GB for 4G/LTE but the 4S data plan say 4G(HSPA+)but our throttle is at 3GB still im very pleased with this

 

[claygreenberg]

The excuse used by the carriers and the people defending them, that they're simply forced to throttle because of natural limitations in the technology is empty words as long as they keep marketing, selling and making money on the service as if that limitation doesn't exist.
If they manage to sell their service with the promise of unlimited data to so many people that they can't live up to this promise the customers should be compensated some way. It doesn't matter what excuse they have, they failed to live up to their promise.

Well, I don't think AT&T markets any unlimited data plans for smartphones or tablets anymore, right? BUT I believe a case could be made in court that they should obligated to fulfill the terms of their current contracts with customers who signed those contracts contemplating unlimited data BEFORE they should be allowed to accept any new customers onto their network.

 

[Hg-203]

I understand throttling 3G, but 4G!? Isn't 4G LTE supposed to solve all of our bandwidth problems?

Not sure if this is just a troll or not, but I have bandwidth problems at work with a dedicated 100 Mbps connection to our ISP. We'll never have a fast enough network to solve our bandwidth problems. Every time we get close a new technology comes out that gives the user a better experience, but uses more bandwidth.

 

[JohnDoe98]

To me it seems as though some of you are destined for lawsuits. You are stuck on the unlimited verbiage, sure it was used when you bought your data plan and should stick.

Looked at another way, most of us have heard that the biggest data hogs fall into the smallest percentile eg: 5%. This to me is a blatant example of data hogs abusing the infrastructure at its finest.

It has long been unthinkable that a person would expect extra minutes for free if they went over their voice plan so why should data be any different?

In today's world you get what you pay for, and I don't think a company with major assets and infrastructures to worry about is asking much by throttling.

Yet those who are hung up on the literal interpretation of "unlimited" are destined for their day in court.

Greed is a deadly sin remember.

If the network can't handle "data hogs" then the network shouldn't be selling unlimited data plans. This isn't the user's fault.

 

[spazzcat]

Throttling at 3GB/mo for 3G/HSPA+ users and 5GB/mo for 4G/LTE users seems like a bit of an F-U for iPhone users. Since most AT&T smartphone users are iPhone users and all iPhones are on 3G (or slower).

Isn't the the 4S on the on the 4G plan. I remember when I upgraded they made a big deal about changing the planing from 3G to 4G....

 

[Zimmy68]

Unlimited is just that, unlimited. I will sue for any throttling at all. The company is bad enough without trying to pull this crap.

Where does it say, Unlimited at a guaranteed speed?

 

[applesith]

It took them this long to figure this out? WOW

 

[Mr Fusion]

Bye Bye Ma Bell

I consistently use over 3GB of data per month but since my usage was spread over many different markets, throttling never affected me.

This is a deal breaker. My next iPhone, as well as the other four on our family plan, will not be with AT&T.

 

[Can't Stop]

Phrasing...

I can haz lecturez.

 

[iScott428]

I am ready to file a suit

Before atleast the top 5% was region specific, now just 3gb and then boom slow downs. That is ridiculous and illegal. As it has been defined before the word unlimited has been falsely advertised. I need to go read my original contract and find out where there is a clause that says AT&T can change the meaning of the term "unlimited."

I have never Jailbroken any of my iPhones ever. I have brought AT&T a lot of business over these years and 4 new iPhone contracts directly through family members and this is the thanks we early adopters get. Fux you AT&T fux you

 

[JohnDoe98]

Where does it say, Unlimited at a guaranteed speed?

It doesn't, it says unlimited 3G data. That is a hardware speed limit. The throttling is a software implemented speed restriction that wasn't agreed to in the contract. If they wanted to allow throttling, they would have needed to word their contract something like:

Unlimited 3G data (throttling may apply).

 

[noahrobd]

If they're going to throttle at all, it should be after 5GB for the 3g data as well. But AT LEAST make it after 4GB to distinguish it from 3GB/month plan. At least that is a SIGNIFICANT amount above 3GB. Give something to show appreciation for these long standing customers.

 

[Lennholm]

Not to defend AT&T on this one, but I think they've always advertised the unlimited plan as "unlimited data". Technically, even if you're throttled, you have access to unlimited data, just not unlimited speeds.

It's a slime statement that AT&T can hide behind. Ultimately, they'll just stop allowing folks to grandfather their unlimited plans. So then everybody goes on a tiered plan, or they keep their old phones/plans. Either way, AT&T wins. If you sign up for a new plan/phone, they get you for two more years. If you keep your old plan and phone, they keep collecting the monthly fees and they don't have to subsidize the $400+ for a new phone.

Either that, or enough people leave and they're forced to change.

I think that 4G/LTE iPhone will be the equalizer for Verizon/Sprint. AT&T would be wise to lock in as many iPhone users to 2 year contracts as they can. These antics won't help their cause on this front.

Hmm what in the phrase "unlimited data" suggests that "unlimited" refers to the amount of data but not the speed of data? By that logic, ATT could just as well cut you off completely and claim "we never meant unlimited amount or speed of data, we simply meant you have access to everything on the internet, we don't censor anything"

 

[devinci99]

As an unlimited user I still find that annoying. yeah 3gb is the same price as unlimited, but I have unlimited. At least treat me with the respect of a little bit of a perk... throttle at 3.25gb just to honor the title of 'unlimited'!

I agree except I think trottle at 5.1GB to be more fair. Unlimited users should have the at least same benefits at their highest tier plans before getting trottled.

 

[claygreenberg]

Folks, the fact is that AT&T has every right to make these changes for a new customer or as someone signs a new contract. It is highly questionable, however, that they make these changes that affect customers in the midst of an active contract term. In doing this, it seems that they're banking on the unlikelihood that a single customer could afford to litigate on the matter and that the contract bars class actions. Of course, there is still small claims court, but you have to show actual quantifiable damages.