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"Unlimited data". You don't get limited on the amount of data you can download/upload, just on the speeds. :)
I don't agree with AT&T, but that's a valid defense for me.

Yeah but when they throttle it to the point of uselessness, it isn't even data anymore. Just unlimited nothingness. Believe me, I am grandfathered in on the unlimited iPad data plan, and since they started throttling, it's been very frustrating.
 
As much as I dislike data throttling, I have to agree with AT&T on this. The FCC is using extortion and the 100m number is definitely plucked out of thin air. The U.S. Government is bankrupt, so its preying on big corporations, looking for ways to fine them to bring in revenue. They realize that the average citizen loathes these big companies (just look at these comments), so these money hungry government agencies assume the role as savior in the eyes of citizens.

I'm personally not a fan of AT&T. I've been a customer of theirs since the original iPhone, but have only stuck with them due to lack of compelling alternatives. I always feel like I'm getting nickel and dined by them and if a compelling alternative provided a way to jump ship I'd do it in a heart beat. At the same time, AT&T can't force me to be their customer and I have voluntarily given them my money.

On the other hand, the government is doling out erroneous fines with the threat of law behind them. That's far more of an injustice and more of a threat to me as a citizen. This isn't just happening to big corporations, but individuals as well. I understand the AT&T bashing, but the government is out of control and are the bad guys here. Cheering them on will only strengthen their vice grip on the America.


"The U.S. Government is bankrupt" -- I totally agree!

But who "bankrupted" them - The Very Same Big Business that is now crying foul! All the Lobbyists and PACs that have the support (read $$$$) of "Big Business" are the ones who have undermined the doctrine of "Government of the people, by the people, for the people."

It's now "Government of the people, by Big Business, for Big Business."
 
Ok I don't know AT&Ts packages so meybe this is not possible, but if you use mora data evry month it might be time to get a package with more data included. Or dump any "unlimeted but throteled after 5 GB" plan

Never getting rid of my unlimited data plan. Were still fighting until we win the war.
 
Sure, no harm involved. I could have lost my job because I couldn't connect to the internet at a reasonable speed. I could barely send an email with the throttled speed. Absolutely absurd statement on ATT's part.

This statement makes no sense.

You could have lost your job because of an email that you sent on your MOBILE DEVICE could not get to your work place? If your WORK is not paying for your mobile device and data, then it's not your fault. Your work should have supplied reliable resources to you if they expect you to work remotely. And if your work IS paying for your mobile device and data - it's also not your fault as you're using company resources, and are limited by them.
 



Last month the United States Federal Communications Commission announced that it would fine AT&T $100 million for misleading customers about its unlimited data plans and not adequately warning customers about throttling their data speeds. AT&T has since responded, arguing that data throttling doesn't harm customers, the company is being prejudged and that its First Amendment rights are being violated in a response first found by The Hill (via Ars Technica).

ATT-Logo.jpg

AT&T, who wants the FCC to drop the fine, claims that it has made all the required disclosures to customers, pointing out that its Unlimited Data Plan customers were more likely to renew their contracts than non-Unlimited Data Plan customers. Additionally, the telecommunications company argued the FCC would be outside of its authority in both imposing the fine and making other requests because the statute of limitations on the case has passed.

Lastly, AT&T argued that the FCC has no authority to order the company to inform its customers that it violated the Transparency Rule in not telling them about speed changes when throttling data because the statement would both be untrue and a violation of AT&T's First Amendment rights.

AT&T ceased selling Unlimited Data Plans years ago but continues to have customers grandfathered to its Unlimited Data Plans. Previously, the company throttled its Unlimited Data Plan customers once they exceeded 5 GB of LTE data, but in May the company changed its policy to only throttle customers when connected to a cell tower experiencing network congestion.

Article Link: AT&T Urges FCC to Drop $100 Million Fine, Says Data Throttling Doesn't Harm Customers
Freedom of Speech?
 

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Aside from throttling, this is the main reason I got off the unlimited plan. They withheld two major features from unlimited users, FaceTime over a cellular connection and tethering. The way they treated unlimited users was so frustrating.

I think you have a legitimate gripe against throttling, which is inconsistent with the service you were originally sold. But I don't see why your original agreement requires AT&T to provide you with additional bandwidth-gobbling services that were not specified in the original agreement. It seems totally fair and reasonable to me that if you want such high-bandwidth additional services, you would have to pay extra.
 



Last month the United States Federal Communications Commission announced that it would fine AT&T $100 million for misleading customers about its unlimited data plans and not adequately warning customers about throttling their data speeds. AT&T has since responded, arguing that data throttling doesn't harm customers, the company is being prejudged and that its First Amendment rights are being violated in a response first found by The Hill (via Ars Technica).

ATT-Logo.jpg

AT&T, who wants the FCC to drop the fine, claims that it has made all the required disclosures to customers, pointing out that its Unlimited Data Plan customers were more likely to renew their contracts than non-Unlimited Data Plan customers. Additionally, the telecommunications company argued the FCC would be outside of its authority in both imposing the fine and making other requests because the statute of limitations on the case has passed.

Lastly, AT&T argued that the FCC has no authority to order the company to inform its customers that it violated the Transparency Rule in not telling them about speed changes when throttling data because the statement would both be untrue and a violation of AT&T's First Amendment rights.

AT&T ceased selling Unlimited Data Plans years ago but continues to have customers grandfathered to its Unlimited Data Plans. Previously, the company throttled its Unlimited Data Plan customers once they exceeded 5 GB of LTE data, but in May the company changed its policy to only throttle customers when connected to a cell tower experiencing network congestion.

Article Link: AT&T Urges FCC to Drop $100 Million Fine, Says Data Throttling Doesn't Harm Customers



Last month the United States Federal Communications Commission announced that it would fine AT&T $100 million for misleading customers about its unlimited data plans and not adequately warning customers about throttling their data speeds. AT&T has since responded, arguing that data throttling doesn't harm customers, the company is being prejudged and that its First Amendment rights are being violated in a response first found by The Hill (via Ars Technica).

ATT-Logo.jpg

AT&T, who wants the FCC to drop the fine, claims that it has made all the required disclosures to customers, pointing out that its Unlimited Data Plan customers were more likely to renew their contracts than non-Unlimited Data Plan customers. Additionally, the telecommunications company argued the FCC would be outside of its authority in both imposing the fine and making other requests because the statute of limitations on the case has passed.

Lastly, AT&T argued that the FCC has no authority to order the company to inform its customers that it violated the Transparency Rule in not telling them about speed changes when throttling data because the statement would both be untrue and a violation of AT&T's First Amendment rights.

AT&T ceased selling Unlimited Data Plans years ago but continues to have customers grandfathered to its Unlimited Data Plans. Previously, the company throttled its Unlimited Data Plan customers once they exceeded 5 GB of LTE data, but in May the company changed its policy to only throttle customers when connected to a cell tower experiencing network congestion.

Article Link: AT&T Urges FCC to Drop $100 Million Fine, Says Data Throttling Doesn't Harm Customers



Oh they don't think it harms people?????????????/
How about it drives me CRAZY LITERALLY..!!!
My Account is with AT&T and I cant stand them...!!!
MONEY GRUBBING ABUSERS...!!!
 
I'm not really affected by any throttling (so far). But a few comments. First - I think it's great that ATT hasn't forced people off their Unlimited plans. They easily could have by now. They haven't. Argue against that all you want if you must. However - stating that more people renew their unlimited vs non-unlimited is a smokescreen. Psychological or not - why switch if you're still on the plan - whether to a limited plan or other carrier.

And unless something has changed which I am not aware of - the real issue people should be fighting isn't over unlimited data or throttled speeds. It's that if one is on a metered plan - then they should be able to use that data however they want without penalty or extra charges for tethering. If that has changed, forgive me. But I believe if you buy X amount of data, that's yours. I don't hold the same argument for unlimited plans because, to me, that's a different scenario and wide open for abuse.
 
i was with AT&T mobile for 17 years and was so mad with their new pricing and service that i left and will NEVER go back. i always heard bad things about sprint but i've been with them for a year and never get dropped call and i got fast unlimited data and my bill with "renting" my iPhone is still $35 cheaper. unfortunately now i'll be dealing with freakin AT&T again since those pricks bought directv!!!!! if not for sunday ticket i'd be leaving them now too!! that's how much i HATE AT&T!!
 
Seriously AT&T?!? You can blatantly lie like that??? No one was harmed? Hope the FCC responds by asking AT&T customers to send in their experiences and shove it up ATT's rear end
 
arguing that data throttling doesn't harm customers,

So, fraud doesn't harm one of the two parties, the one being defrauded?

Let's say you go to an "all you can eat buffet", at 8am, and it closes at 10pm. They sell you a card that allows you to buy the "all you can eat buffet" henceforth, but you have to pay them a monthly stipend. There is no sign on the door that says that management can limit the amount you eat, because we just opened the restaurant, and we want to get all the people in, and we have "Frank's wonder Jell-O", which no one else has. (It's apple flavored.)

Frank makes 20 batches of his wonder Jell-O, and everyone likes it. You have 10 helpings of it, and you love it, so you stay, clearing out your calendar. The management loves that you love the place, but when you come back every day for a month, on the 30th day, the place is so packed that Frank has to get help, and now makes 200 batches, but since there is such a run on the place, the management gets rid of the "all you can eat buffet" and now makes it "you can have 2 plates of whatever you like". Your card is still valid, but you can switch over to the less expensive 2 plate option.

So, later, since Frank is exhausted, they now limit your access, after you have had 5 plates of wonder jell-o in a month to now having as much as you like, but you can only use a teaspoon to transfer the jell-o back to your table to eat it. (Health codes, and just not being gross limit you to eating at your table with a new spoon. You weren't really going to sit there at the line and eat straight from he Jell-O bowl, were you?)

The management says, "Hey, you can still have all you want, but we're going to intrinsically limit you on our side."

In fact, they have defrauded you by selling you a bill of goods with one hand, and throttling the supply on the other, thereby limiting, through overt action, how much data you can get.

For those that were following the analogy:
Frank's Wonder Jell-O - Data
The Plates and spoon - Your iPhone
"All you can eat" - Unlimited Data plan
upgrading to 200 batches - going from 3G to 4G/LTE
5 plates of Jell-O: The 5 gig limit
Teaspoon - them limiting your data speed
 
It's the only realistic way for everyone to have an uninterrupted connection. I don't think it warrants a $100M fine.

It's like fining the water company for not "adequately warning customers" that when they use a kinked garden hose, they won't get the full pressure. On a larger scale, if the entire district is using water at the same time, they won't get full pressure.


Nope... It's like fining the water company for kinking your garden hose because they think you've used your fair share of water.
 
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I'm a throttled customer. It harms me.

This crap about only throttling when on a congested tower doesn't mean much when you work in downtown Los Angeles and the towers are always busy.
Doesn't that mean they are self-throttling?

When I went on a cruise to Alaska, when we got to Skagway, a town of 900, with three other cruise ships, the amount of people went to about 10,000. When we first got there, the data streaming was fine, but after about an hour, when everyone realized they could get cell signal, the data rate dropped significantly.
 
Data Throttling doesn't harm customers, lol I want what they are taking! I swear AT&T is the epitome of an evil corporation!
 
If they fight it, double it. … If they fight it again, double it again. Their only interest is money, make screwing the customers expensive. They will understand expensive.


Article Link: AT&T Urges FCC to Drop $100 Million Fine, Says Data Throttling Doesn't Harm Customers
[/QUOTE]
I hear what you're saying, but that would smack of punitive justice for arguing your rights.

It would be like being issued a ticket for speeding, and your fine is $100, and when you appealed it, they raised the fine to $1,000, and if you appealed it again, it gets raised to $10,000.

Most people, even if they were innocent, would just take the fine at $100, because they don't want to risk the $900 difference. That would affect both the people and the government, as it would be a tyranny of the courts.
 
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What ATT is doing now is consistent with TMob, for example. Throttle only on congested towers. If there is no congestion there is no need to throttle. However the fine is for previous practices that frankly were meant to get people to drop the unlimited plans IMO. They can plead but their actions deserve to be punished because this is why they are now doing things better.

I ultimately dropped mine, but only because I have a family and their family plans became a better deal -- not to mention face time and tethering. Basically as new features come out they are not offering them to the unlimited plans making them less of a deal. For those still holding on, I applaud you. Personally, I am very close to switching to Tmob, once their network gets a little better.
 
It's the only realistic way for everyone to have an uninterrupted connection. I don't think it warrants a $100M fine.

It's like fining the water company for not "adequately warning customers" that when they use a kinked garden hose, they won't get the full pressure. On a larger scale, if the entire district is using water at the same time, they won't get full pressure.
It warrants a $500million fine to teach them a lesson. People are paying for stable service they need to make it happen.
 
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