I've always wondered why AT&T didn't just get rid of the grandfathered "unlimited" data plan. When folks sign their next contract, they'd have to pick a different data plan. Seems like that'd be a lot less headache than how they're handling it now.
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AT&T Starts Throttling Unlimited Data Users after 2GB of Monthly Usage
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Very well said. To all the AT&T "supporters", why should we have to switch if we're not happy? Why do we, as loyal customers and consumers, have to constantly change our usage habits and navigate the contract loophole minefield just to keep what we were originally sold?
Why is AT&T allowed to change their definition of "fair use"? Does that seem fair? Months ago, one could use 5GB without throttling and now they can't? What changed? Their contract or someones interpretation in order to wean people from their unlimited data contracts?
It's unfair, and it's bullying, pure and simple. I don't do anything but do some very occasional web browsing, check my email throughout the day, and stream internet radio while driving and exercising. This month, my data usage is 1.8GB. No warnings from AT&T, yet. Is my usage excessive? Is 2GB excessive? 4GB? 20GB? I don't watch videos or download massive amounts of data. Apple's own iCloud service allows me to listen to my music library by downloading from the cloud. More data usage, and this is an officially sanctioned Apple service. I'm abusing my data service??
I'd love to see someone take AT&T to task on this. When do we stop becoming the victims?
What about "premier"
I have not seen one yet, so I am curious if there is a correlation to these messages and your status as a BusinessDirect Premier account.
Yes/No??
I have not seen one yet, so I am curious if there is a correlation to these messages and your status as a BusinessDirect Premier account.
Yes/No??
Thanks for the links, I just submitted my complaint to both agencies. I feel much better now.
Great!
Great! I'm glad you did. I hope others in the thread will join us in submitting a complaint to these agencies...
Some additional thoughts I have...
For the FTC:
As I was saying earlier in the thread, for "unlimited" plan customers, AT&T has provided no proof of the accuracy of its internal bandwidth meters, and thus there is no consumer-transparent basis under which this "top 5%" throttling practice is determined and implemented. The FTC needs to investigate this deceptive business practice in which a plan is marketed as "unlimited" but is throttled to the point of useless with no clear criteria based on users who travel frequently from region to region. What's the basis for throttling someone who travels between NYC and LA? Where's the congestion? How can they throttle an "unlimited" plan user when others are paying for the tiered plans and using the same amount of data if not more?
AT&T is deceptively marketing an "unlimited" data plan which is throttled to useless speeds based on the video evidence below. This is an unfair and deceptive business practice against AT&T customers.
You can point the FTC to this YouTube video:
»www.youtube.com/watch?v=XW5aEQzTcW0
As for AT&T's tiered data offerings: that's another reason to ensure that these usage meters are accurate. Who's checking this? No one I'll bet... Why would they?
All the more reason for the FTC to make AT&T come clean on everything.
As for the FCC:
Select "Deceptive or unlawful advertising or marketing by a communications company (does NOT include Telemarketing)"
You will fill out "Form 2000A - Deceptive or Unlawful Advertising and Promotion Complaint"
The complaint has the same basis as above. AT&T is deceptively marketing an "unlimited" data plan which is throttled to useless speeds based on video evidence. You can point the FCC to the YouTube video above.
You can submit this form online or on paper.
Very simple to do.
Great! I'm glad you did. I hope others in the thread will join us in submitting a complaint to these agencies...
Some additional thoughts I have...
For the FTC:
As I was saying earlier in the thread, for "unlimited" plan customers, AT&T has provided no proof of the accuracy of its internal bandwidth meters, and thus there is no consumer-transparent basis under which this "top 5%" throttling practice is determined and implemented. The FTC needs to investigate this deceptive business practice in which a plan is marketed as "unlimited" but is throttled to the point of useless with no clear criteria based on users who travel frequently from region to region. What's the basis for throttling someone who travels between NYC and LA? Where's the congestion? How can they throttle an "unlimited" plan user when others are paying for the tiered plans and using the same amount of data if not more?
AT&T is deceptively marketing an "unlimited" data plan which is throttled to useless speeds based on the video evidence below. This is an unfair and deceptive business practice against AT&T customers.
You can point the FTC to this YouTube video:
»www.youtube.com/watch?v=XW5aEQzTcW0
As for AT&T's tiered data offerings: that's another reason to ensure that these usage meters are accurate. Who's checking this? No one I'll bet... Why would they?
All the more reason for the FTC to make AT&T come clean on everything.
As for the FCC:
Select "Deceptive or unlawful advertising or marketing by a communications company (does NOT include Telemarketing)"
You will fill out "Form 2000A - Deceptive or Unlawful Advertising and Promotion Complaint"
The complaint has the same basis as above. AT&T is deceptively marketing an "unlimited" data plan which is throttled to useless speeds based on video evidence. You can point the FCC to the YouTube video above.
You can submit this form online or on paper.
Very simple to do.
You started so high-concept and you almost got to a colorable argument, but you missed the mark and therefore came to the wrong conclusion.
Here's where you went wrong:
The whole "top 5% being throttled" program was sold as a solution to a problem of a select few using an excessive amount of data. That's what it was explained as when they first announced it, and that's what it was promoted as up until the current situations began occurring.
Two gigabytes is not an "excessive amount of data" when the mid-level of the current tiered-data plans is three gigabytes.
Two gigabytes is not an "excessive amount of data" when the mid-level of the current tiered-data plans is three gigabytes.
Translation: get out of a broken contract by paying an ETF that ensures AT&T doesn't pay for its breach.
This all assumes, of course, that people here signed a contract that allowed AT&T to change the terms. The last contract I signed was in 2007. I've merely extended that contract every time I've upgraded a phone, and all that I signed in each of those circumstances was with a stylus on an electronic pad. I don't recall ever seeing any new language that would indicate AT&T reserves the right to limit my unlimited data. In fact, I know I was never presented with any such modifications to my contract because I would definitely have taken notice.
And even so, you are running with the argument that this is a case about contracts. The most egregious tort committed would be one of fraud, independent of a contract. It's unreasonable to assume consumers will read all the fine print of a several-page contract, but it IS reasonable that a consumer will rely on promotional language such as "Unlimited 3G Data!" That is where AT&T will burn for this.
This all said, the thing that I most want to know here is, what is your gripe? Either you are an AT&T shill, a troll, or just someone who thinks they know something that they don't. What horse do you have in this race? If you don't have AT&T, or do have AT&T and are content with your service, great. This thread isn't for you.
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LOL.. look at his handle before you reply. It was well chosen.
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Oh absolutely. But to Verizon? They are not unlimited either...
I never said that 3GB is excessive. Heck, I would barely consider 10GB to be.
While the program was sold as a solution to punish just the abusers, that doesn't change the fact that it was stated from the beginning that they were targeting 5% (when, in reality, only a small fraction of a percentage would have been suffice). By saying that they're going to throttle the top 5% in one breath, and that only 2% of data users use more than 2GB in another, I thought it was fairly clear what the ultimate goal was.
I have never told anyone to pay the ETF. Instead, I would hope people would fight, complain, constantly harass them, or do anything they possibly could to get out of it. Unfortunately, the time to get out of it easily (as per the contract, it was possible between July and Oct of last year) has long passed, so it may no longer be possible for everyone, but it's certainly worth a try.
If that's not an option, I don't see why people would still prefer to pay for something they can't use for the majority of their billing period when, for the same price, others have moved up to the 5GB tethering plan. Stubbornness and pride only work so far... and then you're simply handing AT&T money for something you can't use.
In addition to the press releases, they included the amendment in everyone's August 2011 bill.
Knowing how much junk they generally include along with the bills, it's no wonder that so many people didn't see or read it, but they did do everything they needed to to cover themselves.
Again, as I've been saying since July, I am not on AT&T's side for this. What they have done is an obvious money grab and a way to screw a decent number of their loyal customers. Unfortunately, what's done is done and while it may be morally wrong, they seem to have covered all their bases legally here.
Why should that matter? As a reader on this forum, it's tiring to have a dozen plus threads all complaining about the same thing.
So this thread is only for people to join together, hold hands, and complain with each other without actually doing anything real or making a difference?
This forum is all about discussion. I am simply joining in the discussion. It's just a shame that one can't express their own opinion or offer advice without being called a troll, representative of AT&T, or being tracked and followed outside of this site.
Do something about it...
You can do what I suggested....
http://www.fcc.gov/complaints
http://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/
You can do what I suggested....
http://www.fcc.gov/complaints
http://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/
What application did OP use?
I realize this is very off topic, but does anyone know what application OP uses? It looks good and I could really use an app like that.
Thank in advance!
I realize this is very off topic, but does anyone know what application OP uses? It looks good and I could really use an app like that.
Thank in advance!
2GB = Warning
3GB = Throttle
They're simply trying to force people who have the unlimited plan to ditch it for either the $50 5GB plan... which still may not suffice for some unlimited users, or pay even more money.
It's absolutely ridiculous. Since they're not just coming out and forcing unlimited people to switch, it makes me wonder if they're obligated to provide the unlimited service people are paying for.
Throttling people's internet to upwards of 50x's below normal speeds as reported by somebody via youtube is simply not acceptable. Think of the things you may need to load on the go like maps... If you're paying for the same service I don't see how they can suddenly degrade the service.
3GB = Throttle
They're simply trying to force people who have the unlimited plan to ditch it for either the $50 5GB plan... which still may not suffice for some unlimited users, or pay even more money.
It's absolutely ridiculous. Since they're not just coming out and forcing unlimited people to switch, it makes me wonder if they're obligated to provide the unlimited service people are paying for.
Throttling people's internet to upwards of 50x's below normal speeds as reported by somebody via youtube is simply not acceptable. Think of the things you may need to load on the go like maps... If you're paying for the same service I don't see how they can suddenly degrade the service.
That video is pretty damning.... the speedtest on one of them was only .06-.12? That's near dial up speeds. The video I referenced had one phone getting about 5Mbps and the other .5Mbps
I've started getting throttled at 2.1gigs for the past couple of months. Problem is, they're also inflating the amount of data that I'm actually using. It's averaged to a 1/3 more than what I've truly used. I've spent hours on the phone to AT&T and to Apple about the issue. Only to be shined on without answers to simple questions.
I've been tracking it now for 3 months and every month AT&T is over stating my use. I have several friends in other states with the same issue. I'm reaching out to see who's interested in a class action.
Apple isn't squeaky clean either. They have an issue with their Cellular Usage meter. It's got a flaw and bug too.
I've written letters to both CEOs and their legal departments. And as of this morning filed the FCC complaint. Getting prepared for the storm to come.
That would have made the most sense...
Out of curiosity, for those that are throttled, does it matter if you disable 3G?
ATT Bill shows past usage
I understand they can change the terms. . . but also think that when they do we should be able to change ours as well.
If you change the terms it seems I should be able to get out of my contract.
My problem with all of this is that I do think they are inflating my usage.
I pulled my data usage after I got the warning this month. I couldn't go earlier than June of 2010 but. . .
I average .4 gb per month. My largest spike was in December of 2011 when I was traveling (road trip maps, boarding passes, schedules, etc.) and shopping.
I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt because I think I did use more data (although I did use the work iPhone for most of the mapping).
All of a sudden I get a notice with at least 10 days to go in my billing cycle.
I checked the usage. I thought it was odd that every entry was listed as "Sent" nothing was received. I even had one listing saying that I had sent a half a gig of data in a 24 minute period. . . . Seriously?
I called. Got an extremely rude rep who said that my usage was due to the app store checking for updates and other apps that might be open.
I tried to point out that had never been the case before and she got even more rude. I asked about the sent/received column and asked why everything said sent and she was practically yelling at me.
Since she wouldn't escalate my call to someone else I got off and called again.
This time the rep said nothing made sense and sent me off to the technical group where they're "investigating".
I think it's interesting that our notices all have the same amount of usage in them.
I'm in southern CA. Media capital of the world. . . 2 gigs is in the top 5%.
I doubt it.
Logging with the FCC.
Would be happy to talk about a class action.
This wouldn't be the first time that ATT lost one of those over unfair billing practices.
And yes, when my contract is up I'll move on.
I understand they can change the terms. . . but also think that when they do we should be able to change ours as well.
If you change the terms it seems I should be able to get out of my contract.
My problem with all of this is that I do think they are inflating my usage.
I pulled my data usage after I got the warning this month. I couldn't go earlier than June of 2010 but. . .
I average .4 gb per month. My largest spike was in December of 2011 when I was traveling (road trip maps, boarding passes, schedules, etc.) and shopping.
I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt because I think I did use more data (although I did use the work iPhone for most of the mapping).
All of a sudden I get a notice with at least 10 days to go in my billing cycle.
I checked the usage. I thought it was odd that every entry was listed as "Sent" nothing was received. I even had one listing saying that I had sent a half a gig of data in a 24 minute period. . . . Seriously?
I called. Got an extremely rude rep who said that my usage was due to the app store checking for updates and other apps that might be open.
I tried to point out that had never been the case before and she got even more rude. I asked about the sent/received column and asked why everything said sent and she was practically yelling at me.
Since she wouldn't escalate my call to someone else I got off and called again.
This time the rep said nothing made sense and sent me off to the technical group where they're "investigating".
I think it's interesting that our notices all have the same amount of usage in them.
I'm in southern CA. Media capital of the world. . . 2 gigs is in the top 5%.
I doubt it.
Logging with the FCC.
Would be happy to talk about a class action.
This wouldn't be the first time that ATT lost one of those over unfair billing practices.
And yes, when my contract is up I'll move on.
Signed it too
If your speeds are being slowed by AT&T or if they are trying to get you to switch from your Unlimited data plan please sign the forum in the link
http://www.change.org/petitions/att-data-throttle#
and downloaded the app Onavo Thx!!
If your speeds are being slowed by AT&T or if they are trying to get you to switch from your Unlimited data plan please sign the forum in the link
http://www.change.org/petitions/att-data-throttle#
and downloaded the app Onavo Thx!!
I'm also in So. Cal so there is NO WAY 2gb is the limit. ATT are just a bunch of a$$h0les. I'm at the point where I'm willing to pay my EFT (285) and move on to Verizon. They may get my EFT but they will never get anymore money from me in the future. That will hurt them losing the revenue vs. the EFT. But the iPhone does hold a good resale value and I'm sure I can get good money for my Black 64gb with AppleCare+. The real question is when should I leave? When they don't throttle I'm a happy campier. I get service all over. But I'm not going to let me them punk me on data and pay them.
I mean this with as little offense as possible to the author of that petition, but if you're really serious about the petition you should come up with something that is well written. I am completely on your side in this, but I cannot bring myself to putting my name on that. It is concise and to-the-point, but it needs a little more on the intelligent argument side and less on the "I'm a pissed off teenager" side (now clue how old the author is of course).
Just my $.02 and intended to be constructive criticism, not flaming.