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ATT Throttle/ copy and paste chat w/ customer service...

luckyblue

luckyblue

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jan 7, 2010
154
90
This frustrates me to say the least. I normally use around 1.5 gb a month, but don't like the burden of knowing they could throttle me if I use a lot one month. What gets me the most is that they do this at 3gb when Verizon is offering a plan for 4gb for $30. How can they consider their plan unlimited when they are throttling at an amount less than what is offered by a competitor. If Verizon is offering 4gb, than unlimited should at least be double that. I don't go for the argument that throttling isn't the same as cutting your internet, if it's so slow that it's worthless than it's the same as cutting to me...


Please wait for a site operator to respond.
You are now chatting with 'Shakella'
Shakella: Hello Mr. Baker, I will be more than happy to assist you today by helping you with your unlimited messaging questions. It's my priority to resolve your issues today and to also respond to any other questions you may have. As a valued customer, I will review your account to ensure that you have the best value for your money.
Mark: Hi, I got a notice that my data will be throttled because I reached 3 gb this month
Mark: I have unlimited, and I know that verizon sells a plan right now for 4gb for $30 a month
Mark: I understand that unlimited isn't truly unlimited according to ATT but 3gb isn't really that high when it comes to photo stream, itunes cloud/match, etc.
Mark: I could understand throttling if someone is hitting 20 gb or more, but 3gb is not unlimited
Mark: especially when Verizon is offering 4gb for $30. Wouldn't you think that I should at least be able to get 4gb, 5gb, or more, considering it's "unlimited"?
Shakella: Since you have a 3G or 4G smartphone with our unlimited data plan, You will see speeds reduced if you use 3GB of data or more in a billing cycle. Speeds will return to normal at the start of the next billing cycle. For context, less than 5% of smartphone customers use more than 3GB per month.
Shakella: Are you still with me?
Mark: If the "limit" on an "unlimited" plan can't be changed, then I'll have to take my business to Verizon. I stuck with you guys with inconsistent reception because the ATT sales guy convinced me that by being "grandfathered into the unlimited plan was a huge benefit and I wouldn't be harassed like this
Mark: W/ Verizon it's not unlimited but at least I know I can get 4gb without getting throttled
Shakella: I do apologize for the inconvenience, However when you have unlimited data and reach the 3gb that is when your speed slow down.
Mark: Hence, I don't really have unlimited. I understand you guys have fine print, but that's just ridiculous. I know you are caught in the middle and don't make the decisions but as you can imagine it's really frustrating
Shakella: Yes I do understand how frustrating this can be Mr. Baker.
Shakella: Thank you, Is there anything else I may assist you with today?
Mark: Is there nothing that can be done to make sure I'm not throttled? If not, there is nothing else, and I'm going to share this chat message on the internet
Shakella: No there is nothing we can do about data being throttled.
Mark: Thank you
Shakella: You are more than welcome, have a nice day!

I took out last names and a couple of lines where she asked for my ss#, but other than that it's unchanged.
 
I hate to say this, but I think we just need to get over this. They adjusted the limit to 3GB to match the tiered $30 plan, so now unlimited, really means you get the same 3GB the tiered people get and "unlimited throttled" data after that.

I know it's not what we signed up for, but I think this is a dead issue now. The vast majority of AT&T users really do use WAY less data then you would think - thus the popularity of the 200MB plan, etc.

Isn't that Verizon 4GB plan a temporary promotion? It's the "double data for same price" on the 2GB plan for $30. Before the promotion AT&T gave you more than Verizon, and now with the promotion, they give you less.

As long as the two carriers have similar pricing, there is really no incentive for AT&T to give you more data than this. Unfortunately for us, the reality is that for most people 3GB is way more data than they need.
 
There was nothing said in this message that is surprising in the least. Honestly, what was the point of posting it? They told you you are throttled at 3GB and there is nothing you can do about it. Did you think entering a quick online chat would change their newly revamped policy? These are sincere questions by the way. I am truly stumped about what you thought the outcome would be.
 
I didn't expect to get much out of the chat, but wanted to at least try and see what they'd say. The triumph of evil is when good men standby and do nothing. :) I posted this because I thought people would like to see what ATT's direct stance on it is.

With apple pushing icloud, itunes match, photostream, etc., then ATT throttling the unlimited plan, somethings got to give. The only thing I did different this month is stream iheart radio. It's not like I'm downloading large files or tethering.
 
luckyblue said:
I posted this because I thought people would like to see what ATT's direct stance on it is.
Click to expand...

I guess I am just confused because it is pretty clear what their direct stance is. This is how all the teclos operate. When you ask a rep why or how the limit is imposed they divert to the standard "You will get throttled at 3GB and the throttle will be lifted at the end of the billing month". Disagree with them over any of their other policies and they will use the same general formula when responding.
 
I'm really surprised that the limit is only 3gb. Now when the 5% tries to stay below 3gb they will effective be lowering the cap. So then it will be 2.5gb the 5% will use less then it will be 2gb. Etc etc until it's low enough where a larger percent the 5 will maintain it. Everyone should just try to use right up too 3gb.
 
cynics said:
I'm really surprised that the limit is only 3gb. Now when the 5% tries to stay below 3gb they will effective be lowering the cap. So then it will be 2.5gb the 5% will use less then it will be 2gb. Etc etc until it's low enough where a larger percent the 5 will maintain it. Everyone should just try to use right up too 3gb.
Click to expand...

That's not how it works anymore. Even if every unlimited user still holding onto the plan used 50MB a month the 'soft' cap would still be at 3GB.
 
Spectrum Abuser said:
That's not how it works anymore. Even if every unlimited user still holding onto the plan used 50MB a month the 'soft' cap would still be at 3GB.
Click to expand...

Gotcha did not know this. Wouldn't be a bad deal for a lot of people if it were offered. I use less then that but it be nice to have some headroom for a little data if I exceeded it.
 
Like others have said move on ffs. It's a dead issue. Don't like it change carriers. Vote with your wallet people.
 
It is what we signed up for!

aross99 said:
I hate to say this, but I think we just need to get over this. They adjusted the limit to 3GB to match the tiered $30 plan, so now unlimited, really means you get the same 3GB the tiered people get and "unlimited throttled" data after that.

I know it's not what we signed up for, but I think this is a dead issue now. The vast majority of AT&T users really do use WAY less data then you would think - thus the popularity of the 200MB plan, etc.

Isn't that Verizon 4GB plan a temporary promotion? It's the "double data for same price" on the 2GB plan for $30. Before the promotion AT&T gave you more than Verizon, and now with the promotion, they give you less.

As long as the two carriers have similar pricing, there is really no incentive for AT&T to give you more data than this. Unfortunately for us, the reality is that for most people 3GB is way more data than they need.
Click to expand...

In your contract AT&T has the right to change the data delivery, why can't people understand what is in the contract? I get it that people are upset that AT&T is flexing their muscle regarding data which may get more people to go to tiered plans but it's no secret that we've all agreed to this!
 
I've only recently come back to the forum... and it seems like I see a similar thread like this everyday. This shouldn't be an issure for most people... unless you are using your mobile device data plan as your primary internet provider. My work and home has wifi... and that's where I am at 90% of the day. Other times I'm driving... but not using data. Seems like the data abusers have brought this upon us. I don't see why people have to use their mobile devices as their primary internet provider... however, I do feel for those don't have internet in their area, and people who make their living on the road... that have to tether their data.
 
erayser said:
I've only recently come back to the forum... and it seems like I see a similar thread like this everyday. This shouldn't be an issure for most people... unless you are using your mobile device data plan as your primary internet provider. My work and home has wifi... and that's where I am at 90% of the day. Other times I'm driving... but not using data. Seems like the data abusers have brought this upon us. I don't see why people have to use their mobile devices as their primary internet provider... however, I do feel for those don't have internet in their area, and people who make their living on the road... that have to tether their data.
Click to expand...

Many people, myself included, refuse to use the WiFi available at work because it's not worth the risk. Besides the obvious issues with porn, many companies also hold issue with their workers visiting any social media sites (facebook, twitter, etc.), any streaming video or audio, gaming sites (pogo and the like), or various job/ career seeking webpages.

For me, I'd much rather use my data plan and 3G and not risk getting fired or reprimanded because I decided to skim the classifieds of an online local paper during my lunch break.

Then of course there are plenty who don't even have the option of WiFi at work and use their phones as a radio, streaming music or news throughout the day.


As for driving, there are plenty of people using their phone as a GPS navigator and/ or streaming radio... or, for those commuting via train, it's often the perfect time to catch up on their favorite TV shows or movies via Netflix or an app from their cable company.


Now, I'm not siding with the data abusers, but to say that the only way to use excessive data is to use their phone as a primary internet provider is extremely short sighted.
 
I know this has nothing to do with ATT but i read that some people used about 16-20GB on Sprint and they have yet to be throttled. The speeds are slow but that sounds like a good thing to me.
 
cyks said:
Many people, myself included, refuse to use the WiFi available at work because it's not worth the risk. Besides the obvious issues with porn, many companies also hold issue with their workers visiting any social media sites (facebook, twitter, etc.), any streaming video or audio, gaming sites (pogo and the like), or various job/ career seeking webpages.

For me, I'd much rather use my data plan and 3G and not risk getting fired or reprimanded because I decided to skim the classifieds of an online local paper during my lunch break.

Then of course there are plenty who don't even have the option of WiFi at work and use their phones as a radio, streaming music or news throughout the day.


As for driving, there are plenty of people using their phone as a GPS navigator and/ or streaming radio... or, for those commuting via train, it's often the perfect time to catch up on their favorite TV shows or movies via Netflix or an app from their cable company.


Now, I'm not siding with the data abusers, but to say that the only way to use excessive data is to use their phone as a primary internet provider is extremely short sighted.
Click to expand...

Bring up good points. I guess it's more of a non-issue for me. Since I work at a university, our wifi is mainly public wifi for students/faculty/staff on campus. It isn't an internal network, so our security and IT dept. doesn't manage it. Since I'm on the development team, most us write code all day, so we are streaming radio/music all day long... Just as long as we are productive management doesn't care what we do on the public wifi... or sites we go to. We don't stream videos often... except this week. A lot of the employees were streaming March Madness.:p

Sorry, I didn't realize how others can make good use of their mobile data. I guess I'm just blessed with a great job, and a short commute.:)
 
erayser said:
Bring up good points. I guess it's more of a non-issue for me. Since I work at a university, our wifi is mainly public wifi for students/faculty/staff on campus. It isn't an internal network, so our security and IT dept. doesn't manage it. Since I'm on the development team, most us write code all day, so we are streaming radio/music all day long... Just as long as we are productive management doesn't care what we do on the public wifi... or sites we go to. We don't stream videos often... except this week. A lot of the employees were streaming March Madness.:p

Sorry, I didn't realize how others can make good use of their mobile data. I guess I'm just blessed with a great job, and a short commute.:)
Click to expand...

Same story myself. I live 5 minutes from the university I work at (U of R) and I go from home (wifi) to work (wifi). I browse all over the internet at work so it's a non issue for me. No restrictions other than the normal use your head stuff (porn, torrents and the like). I was paying for unlimited data for years, never used more than 500mb on my phone. So I dropped it and went with the 5gig tethered plan instead. Got a credit which makes it $40 a month for a year.

Works for me. Getting an iPad without mobile data so hotspot will come in handy when and if I can't find wifi. Lol. Wifi is literally everywhere. Pretty soon cellular data won't be needed - good by telcos! :D
 
aross99 said:
I hate to say this, but I think we just need to get over this. They adjusted the limit to 3GB to match the tiered $30 plan, so now unlimited, really means you get the same 3GB the tiered people get and "unlimited throttled" data after that.

I know it's not what we signed up for, but I think this is a dead issue now. The vast majority of AT&T users really do use WAY less data then you would think - thus the popularity of the 200MB plan, etc.

Isn't that Verizon 4GB plan a temporary promotion? It's the "double data for same price" on the 2GB plan for $30. Before the promotion AT&T gave you more than Verizon, and now with the promotion, they give you less.

As long as the two carriers have similar pricing, there is really no incentive for AT&T to give you more data than this. Unfortunately for us, the reality is that for most people 3GB is way more data than they need.
Click to expand...

Agreed. The majority of people are not concerned with being throttled and will stay with AT&T. In fact, I am sure there are millions out there who have no clue that they can be throttled by going over 3GB just like there are those who have never updated their two year old 3GS simply because they don't know there are updates out there and never use iTunes.

Last month, I used nearly 6GB in about 6 hours downloading music from iTunes match simply to see if I could get throttled. I didn't. I did this on the last two days of my month. This month, I am 20 days in and have barely used 88MB. I think my average was about 500MB.

On these forums, we have only heard from a very small group who were upset. Sure there are many more who are upset but I'm willing to bet most people aren't bothered.
 
luckyblue said:
Mark: If the "limit" on an "unlimited" plan can't be changed, then I'll have to take my business to Verizon. I stuck with you guys with inconsistent reception because the ATT sales guy convinced me that by being "grandfathered into the unlimited plan was a huge benefit and I wouldn't be harassed like this
Mark: W/ Verizon it's not unlimited but at least I know I can get 4gb without getting throttled
Click to expand...

Just wondering if you switched to Verizon and, if so, how is it working out.
 
hexonxonx said:
On these forums, we have only heard from a very small group who were upset. Sure there are many more who are upset but I'm willing to bet most people aren't bothered.
Click to expand...

It's tough to remember, but this is a key point. The people who frequent MR (myself included) represent a tiny minority for AT&T, Verizon, Apple, etc. As obnoxious as the carriers actions may be, they can make these types of changes, because the vast majority just aren't affected...
 
If you get a LTE phone in an area that only has 3G service, do you get the 5 GB throttle limit or 3 GB? Does the phone have to be purchased from AT&T?

Thanks.
 
vistadude said:
If you get a LTE phone in an area that only has 3G service, do you get the 5 GB throttle limit or 3 GB? Does the phone have to be purchased from AT&T?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
From what I've read, throttling is based on the plan you have. You just need to be on an LTE data plan to fall under the 5GB cap.
Many people on LTE plans with LTE phones are still not in LTE coverage areas yet.
No, you don't have to buy the phone from AT&T.
There isn't a huge selection of LTE phones that work on AT&T's LTE bands out there though.
There's the HTC Vivd, SGS2 Skyrocket, SGS2 LTE (Canada version only) and the Note. I think Pantech has one as well, but not sure of the model.
None of the EU or Asian version of the SGS2 LTE (I9210) will work with AT&T's LTE bands.
 
Hmm interesting, if they are currently grandfathering unlimited iphone plan into unlimited LTE plan (throttled at 5 GB), will they continue grandfathering once an LTE iphone is released, and if so, what is the throttling speed for LTE users?
 
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