FCC Questioning All Carriers On Unlimited Throttling Policies

[Macboy Pro]

The point of the bandwidth restriction is to limit the amount of data you are able to use.

So a bandwidth limit is a limit on data volume by restricting speed.

A 4G unlimited data plan means unlimited amount of data at average 4G speeds.

So, when you signed up for "Unlimited Data", it was back in 2007 if you were with AT&T. They canceled within months of offering it. As a courtesy, (NOT by contract), they let you stay with unlimited. So now for very smart reasons that most of the rest of us appreciate, they would prefer you get a real plan. Because you won't, they limit you to that 2007 data speed. Your throttled speed is probably way faster than what you would have gotten on the first iPhone. EXTREMELY reasonable.

The rest of us who have real plans are very happy that these carriers are throttling. It prevent network slowdowns. Why should someone who bought a plan 6 or 7 years ago get special treatment?

Keep complaining and they will just give you a new plan or watch you walk. And the only place to go is to another carrier who will not give you unlimited. (or if they do, it will be throttled by default because they suck).

And for the record, this statement "A 4G unlimited data plan means unlimited amount of data at average 4G speeds" is what you WANT unlimited data plan to mean. It is not what it means in your contract.

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I can guarantee by throttling the one unlimited user on that so called congested tower, who just happens to hit the magical 5GB number, will not suddenly speed up the service for all the rest. We all know that is BS. Simple as that. Because at any one time on a congested tower, you probably will not have more than one user with unlimited who hit the 5GB limit. Most of the time, you probably have none, and the congested tower is not the result of unlimited data users. It's a scam by Verizon, and I'm glad the FCC sees through that.

#1 You can't guarantee anything. You get discredited when you start your argument that way.
#2 They are throttling WAY WAY WAY more than one user (you).
#3 Its not all about you. The network is for all users.
#4 You are NOT buying UNLIMITED BANDWIDTH and the contract for both AT&T gives them the right to throttle you. READ IT
#5 If the government sticks their hand in it, unlimited plans will be gone immediately. They will not just decide to give you unlimited data and unlimited bandwidth. They will cancel your plan and make you pick one like you should have a few years ago.

 

[SolRayz]

I still have my unlimited plan with AT&T...the minute they cut that I'm out. I'm out with data plans altogether.

The whole concept of limiting internet data for everyone and then punishing those who hold strong to unlimited data is the biggest scumbag corporate move.Turning data into a commodity item was the worst thing to ever happen to the mobile data market and the internet in general. AT&T has even followed suit with data limitations in home internet.

If they want to clamp down on service and destroy the fabric of the internet with bogus and costly limitations, whats the point of mobile internet.

 

[Southern Dad]

So, when you signed up for "Unlimited Data", it was back in 2007 if you were with AT&T. They canceled within months of offering it. As a courtesy, (NOT by contract), they let you stay with unlimited. So now for very smart reasons that most of the rest of us appreciate, they would prefer you get a real plan. Because you won't, they limit you to that 2007 data speed. Your throttled speed is probably way faster than what you would have gotten on the first iPhone. EXTREMELY reasonable.

Actually Apple and AT&T advertised that you could get the Unlimited Data plan. Many people purchased iPhones with that understanding. The same with the iPads. No one said that you'd have unlimited data only as long as AT&T wanted you to have it.

 

[IbisDoc]

I agreed with you until this statement. Government is not the people. The people are individuals, who all have different wants and desires. The government merely represents the elected officials' own desires, after buying off at least 50% + 1 of the population with promises to redistribute their fellow citizens' wealth.

Fixed it for you.

 

[Macboy Pro]

Actually Apple and AT&T advertised that you could get the Unlimited Data plan. Many people purchased iPhones with that understanding. The same with the iPads. No one said that you'd have unlimited data only as long as AT&T wanted you to have it.

And the phone you bought when you were told you could have unlimited plans? Do you still have it? If so, I would agree, you should be able to use your iPhone 1 that you bought with the unlimited plan.

My point is that the carriers allowed the unlimited plan to continue, even until this day. The problem is that back in 2007 you couldn't download 10 Gig in a month if you downloaded all day every day. The speed wasn't there. Now you can download 10 Gig in a couple hours. Why should the carrier allow someone who is now using a generation 4 or 5 phone keep their 7 year old plan? Why should the carrier allow someone to stream 200-300 Gig a month for $30 when the rest of us pay normal pricing? Why should the rest of us who pay normal pricing have to be bogged down in certain areas so the unlimited plans from 7 years ago can stream netflix or hulu, or whatever.

The carriers could have canceled unlimited years ago but they have played the game. Its time that everyone get a real plan and watch their data rather than watch their netflix.

 

[C DM]

Actually Apple and AT&T advertised that you could get the Unlimited Data plan. Many people purchased iPhones with that understanding. The same with the iPads. No one said that you'd have unlimited data only as long as AT&T wanted you to have it.

The only time you might be guaranteed something is for a duration of a contract. Once there is no contract the terms can change or service discontinued with some advance notice. Basic contract law when it comes to anything and has been I existence since long before cell phones or anything technological.

 

[IbisDoc]

The only time you might be guaranteed something is for a duration of a contract. Once there is no contract the terms can change or service discontinued with some advance notice. Basic contract law when it comes to anything and has been I existence since long before cell phones or anything technological.

Wasn't that contract about paying off the phone subsidy? At the time, didn't the cell companies abuse that contract by enforcing an "early termination fee" that was not proportional to the amount still owed on the subsidy?

So now, the talking point is that the contract was really just about guaranteeing an unlimited plan for 2 years, but the cell companies are actually just looking out for the customer and being really nice? L.O.L.

 

[C DM]

Wasn't that contract about paying off the phone subsidy? At the time, didn't the cell companies abuse that contract by enforcing an "early termination fee" that was not proportional to the amount still owed on the subsidy?

So now, the talking point is that the contract was really just about guaranteeing an unlimited plan for 2 years, but the cell companies are actually just looking out for the customer and being really nice? L.O.L.

What the point of contract might have been is one thing but that the contract is what sets the terms and enforcement is another. Again basic contract law. Trying to be funny about who got what out of the contract or say this is better than that doesn't change what the contract means and what it means when there isn't a contract. That's real life where "LOL"s and all that are just fun things kids do.

 

[IbisDoc]

What the point of contract might have been is one thing but that the contract is what sets the terms and enforcement is another. Again basic contract law. Trying to be funny about who got what out of the contract or say this is better than that doesn't change what the contract means and what it means when there isn't a contract. That's real life where "LOL"s and all that are just fun things kids do.

Real life is about accepting your lot in life, not acting out of envy, and doing what you can with what you have, instead of trying to drag everyone down to the lowest common denominator.

 

[C DM]

Real life is about accepting your lot in life, not acting out of envy, and doing what you can with what you have, instead of trying to drag everyone down to the lowest common denominator.

Well it certainly seems a lot of people are simply unable or unwilling to accept their lot in life with unlimited data service they have been allowed to keep and the terms that can change in relation to it (unless a contract is involved at the time). There's the reality it seems where some just don't wan to face it.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

What if Verizon said top 5% use only about 3gb? The number they provide is what we have to go by. They aren't proving if it's fact or not.

Second, you received a new phone to drop you unlimited data. The users on unlimited data had to pay full retail price. Huge difference bud.

Lastly, att did start throttling. However they weren't bind by the terms verizon is for purchasing block c. Which verizon is using for their lte which the public owns and verizon is leasing. Might want to educate yourself a bit.

It was the same with AT&T. They first said 95% of customers used less than 2GB. They later changed their minds and said 3GB. Who cares, though. That wasn't my point.

Second, I received a new phone to drop my unlimited data? Where is it? I can't find it, because I'm still using the phone I had before! In fact, I gave up unlimited data when I decided to switch to the Mobile Share value plan and move all my family from Verizon to the Mobile Share Value plan.

Lastly, why, then, is the FCC sending letters to all the carriers? Sorry we're not all as smart and educated as you.

 

[Medic311]

The only time you might be guaranteed something is for a duration of a contract. Once there is no contract the terms can change or service discontinued with some advance notice. Basic contract law when it comes to anything and has been I existence since long before cell phones or anything technological.

actually if you read the terms of the contract, they are able to change your service as long as they provide written notice of doing so and then give you the option of canceling the contract without penalty

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I can guarantee by throttling the one unlimited user on that so called congested tower, who just happens to hit the magical 5GB number, will not suddenly speed up the service for all the rest. We all know that is BS. Simple as that. Because at any one time on a congested tower, you probably will not have more than one user with unlimited who hit the 5GB limit. Most of the time, you probably have none, and the congested tower is not the result of unlimited data users. It's a scam by Verizon, and I'm glad the FCC sees through that.

and what Verizon LTE tower isn't congested these days? the LTE speeds for Verizon have taken a nose dive in comparison to 2012. i was pulling down 35+ with my iPad 3 LTE but today i'm lucky to get 12 down during off peak times in the Philadelphia area. all of the towers are congested here, and oddly it's worse in the suburbs than in the city. i can be LOS with the tower, full signal, and only pull down 1-5 during peak times.

i'm on an unlimited data plan and i use between 20GB-30GB of data per month. my employer for security reasons does not have wifi so if i want mobile internet i need to use LTE. when i go out in the field for site visits i'm using LTE as well since our work laptop is locked down and the AT&T wireless card we have will only work on our work laptops and wifi broadcasting is disabled. the only time i'm not using LTE is when i am home for about 4 hours then i go to sleep. with how congested the LTE towers are here in Philadelphia, surrounding suburbs, and elsewhere in So.Jersey and Delaware...i am basically going to be throttled most of the day, every day, every month. but again what's the point when my speeds are atrocious anyways. what are they going to throttle me to if i'm pulling down less than what i used to get with my iPhone 4S on 3G in 2011? (1-3 down, 1 up)

 

[ThunderSkunk]

According to Wheeler, pointing towards the policies of other carriers was not a sufficient response. "'All the kids do it' was never something that worked for me when I was growing up," he said.

They do it because they can, and there isn't a single thing anyone can do about it. And we cheer them on because in our consumer culture, we've been taught to value corporate profits above all else, and regard consumer protections as mighty wicked sinful things.

 

[Medic311]

the FCC has the ultimate power believe it or not and the carriers ARE listening to what they have to say. reason being, is the FCC still holds what the carriers desperately want right now, and that's extra spectrum. the FCC should stop all spectrum sales immediately and revise the terms. any carrier who wishes to bid on spectrum will be prohibited from throttling, period.

They do it because they can, and there isn't a single thing anyone can do about it. And we cheer them on because in our consumer culture, we've been taught to value corporate profits above all else, and regard consumer protections as mighty wicked sinful things.

see my post above. there is a way that the FCC can put their foot down

 

[noodlemanc]

The fact that it is a governmental body looking into questionable business practices should NOT make it a political issue. Governmental bodies regulate ALL aspects of businesses.... so there literally would be nothing at all that would not thus be considered political.

Government itself is a political issue.

 

[lordofthereef]

I see two possible outcomes:

1. The FCC fails to do anything meaningful and all carriers simply carry on doing business the way they have been (throttling and all that jazz).

2. The FCC deams it unlawful for carriers to throttle on unlimited data plans at which point AT&T and Verizon all cancel their unlimited data packages within 24 hours. *

* Those still in contract will either be given a free "you can choose another plan or we can cancel your contract without an ETF" or they will simply be allowed to ride out their contracts and not renew them when they expire. I find the latter option to be the least likely. I just don't think there are a large percentage of consumers holding onto their unlimited data plans, especially on Verizon.

It's a great thing the FCC is putting their foot down (finally) but I fear it's too little too late. There is nothing forcing these carriers to continue providing an unlimited service at all.

 

[AZhappyjack]

I see two possible outcomes:

1. The FCC fails to do anything meaningful and all carriers simply carry on doing business the way they have been (throttling and all that jazz).

2. The FCC deams it unlawful for carriers to throttle on unlimited data plans at which point AT&T and Verizon all cancel their unlimited data packages within 24 hours. *

* Those still in contract will either be given a free "you can choose another plan or we can cancel your contract without an ETF" or they will simply be allowed to ride out their contracts and not renew them when they expire. I find the latter option to be the least likely. I just don't think there are a large percentage of consumers holding onto their unlimited data plans, especially on Verizon.

It's a great thing the FCC is putting their foot down (finally) but I fear it's too little too late. There is nothing forcing these carriers to continue providing an unlimited service at all.

The data plans are not part of the wireless contracts. Canceling the unlimited data plans will not constitute an adverse material change, and will not affect cellphone contracts.

 

[lordofthereef]

i love how verizon says that it only affects a small subgroup of its customers...then their claims that those customers are ruining it for everyone else seems like made-up horse$hi+, huh?

Well, no, not really. I still think it's BS, to a degree, but not for the reason you mentioned.

Imagine you have a cake for 20 people. Your party has only 15 people, but one guy who loves cake. He ends up eating 7 servings of the cake (because he is not limited in any way). All of the sudden there isn't enough to serve all of your guests their normal sized slices.

The argument is the same. There is a very small (according to the telcos) number of people actually using dozens of gigs of data. The problem is that if you have a couple of those folks constantly streaming their videos (or whatever else), that is eating at the bandwidth others could use, especially at peak times.

Keep in mind netowrk congestion is already a verifiable phenomenon even without the majority of folks sitting on unlimited data. The point is that these folks useing 15, 30, 50+ gigs a month are only making it worse, potentially consuming the amount of data a dozen or MORE people would in a month.

Now, my two big issues are as follows:
1. calling it unlimited (basically they didn't/don't have the balls to just tell it like it is because they don't want to give their customer a reason to bail... which is sort of silly because nobody with great nationwide coverage even offers unlimited anymore)

2. If I am willing to simply pay overages, I am not limited in any way. I suppose their logic is that most folks will simply self limit (because who wants a $500 bill for a single line, right?). But that still irks me to no end that unlimited users are a "problem" after 5GB, however I can easily buy a 30GB package, or simply pay overages on a tiered plan.



Anyway, I think we are going to see an end to unlimited data soon. Potential profit loss from customers who bail (and again, those who do will do so in spite because there isn't really comparable service that's unlimited... for those that have the option to go TMO they probably have done already simply for the monthly savings) will be negligible compared to fines that could be imposed.

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The data plans are not part of the wireless contracts. Canceling the unlimited data plans will not constitute an adverse material change, and will not affect cellphone contracts.

If that's the case the companies have even more insentive to drop the plans completely.

 

[twoodcc]

well so far i love my unlimited data on t mobile. so far i haven't been throttled, and i use much more than 10 gb a month. now if i had access to faster internet at home, then i would use much less on my phone

 

[ToroidalZeus]

Unlimited data does not equate to unlimited SPEED. That should be obvious to anyone that can read the word "data" there not "speed". I mean your entire argument is absurd and nullified. Why should other users be slowed to a crawl because someone is downloading tons of illegal torrents while they're just trying to check their mail? The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one. Throttling under heavy loads so everyone can USE the Internet rather than one person HOGGING it makes sense and the only arguments I see from those against that seem to be, if I pay more money than those beneath my social/financial level, I should be treated like a King and they can weight to check their email until my movies are all done downloading a few days from now.

Now if they want to sell data plans that guarantee SPEEDS instead of "data", then you'd have a great argument. But data <> speed.

Sorry man but your logic is complete.

First, technically you are right, it is unlimited 'data' and not 'speed' BUT it'd argue that it's implied that unlimited data means usable data. When I signed up for unlimited data, I didn't except them to throttle me so hard it takes MINUTES to load a single web page. For all intents and purposes they are reneging. IF this was two corporations instead of a corporation and an individual I would guarantee you that this kind of issue would head to court. Legally, writing ambiguous documents with loop-holes to exploit is frowned down upon.

Second and more important this isn't about downloading torrents or movies. There is a trend right now in favor of netflix and youtube over cable, likewise there will be a trend to favor mobile internet v home internet. But the absolute last thing carriers want to do is spend money on their networks because that eats into profits. For the record right now carriers are spending about 2/3rds of what they spent 10 yrs ago per year for upgrades. Now like I said, it isn't about torrenting, simple daily usage like streaming music or watching youtube at your launch break will hit that 5GB limit FAST. Instead of doing the morally right thing and upgrade their networks to support a future mobily connected society, the carriers will do everything in their power to keep usage low and rake in as much profit as possible.

 

[Mackan]

I still have my unlimited plan with AT&T...the minute they cut that I'm out. I'm out with data plans altogether.

The whole concept of limiting internet data for everyone and then punishing those who hold strong to unlimited data is the biggest scumbag corporate move.Turning data into a commodity item was the worst thing to ever happen to the mobile data market and the internet in general. AT&T has even followed suit with data limitations in home internet.

If they want to clamp down on service and destroy the fabric of the internet with bogus and costly limitations, whats the point of mobile internet.

Agree. And with these ultra fast 4G networks that are blooming up, the standard data plans in my country are still in the range of 0.5-2 GB of data per month. If lucky, that's only enough to check a couple of websites on the train to and back from work, every day.

To see this pattern follow suit in home based internet as well is disgusting.

One can understand the need to pay for how much you consume when it comes to electricity, water, etc. It's not unlimited resources, and money is spent to generate it in the first place.

But data to be sent over the internet? No, it's just a golden opportunity for the carriers to impose artificial limits on it for the sake of greed. They don't improve their networks, they stall, they lie, they will do everything to make it look like they are victims of your data consumption.

 

[kenroberts83]

I still have my unlimited plan with AT&T...the minute they cut that I'm out. I'm out with data plans altogether.

The whole concept of limiting internet data for everyone and then punishing those who hold strong to unlimited data is the biggest scumbag corporate move.Turning data into a commodity item was the worst thing to ever happen to the mobile data market and the internet in general. AT&T has even followed suit with data limitations in home internet.

If they want to clamp down on service and destroy the fabric of the internet with bogus and costly limitations, whats the point of mobile internet.

There's quite a lot of point to it. I don't think anyone is going to shed a tear if you cancel your internet. See ya.

 

[Skika]

The problem i see with it is that they advertise unlimited lte data when its limited lte and the rest is not lte.

 

[G MAN2]

Had enough? Do something!

If people think that the internet bandwidth is choked by too many user's they are wrong. The breakup of the current monopoly MUST be done NOW!
Just as in 1975 and the breakup of the Bell system that produced improved service ,lower rates for customers and less monopolistic policies of the major phone companies that existed back then, the monopoly that exists NOW,in the USA & a few other countries are resulting in extortionate GB/DATA rates ($15/GB WTF?).IF YOU ARE A DATA USER IN THE USA and are paying $12+/GB when you go over the 'limit' of your crappy 400MB monthly $60 plan ,YOU SHOULD BE ABSOLUTELY OUTRAGED, and if your not? Then you deserve the reaming you get every time you hit 'update' in 'start window news tile' in Windows 8/8.1 and it auto downloads over your connection plan limit.

The FCC MUST put ISP's into the class of 'PUBLIC UTILITY', so we can all have more reasonable rates.A downloaded GB should cost less than $0.50 and the ISP's would still make massive profits.

Canada has 100's of ISP's and lower rates over the same optic fiber networks.Tell your elected officials and the FCC toBreak-up the monopoly and tell the FCC to classify ISP's as 'public utilities' if you want a better/less expensive internet people.

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Agree. And with these ultra fast 4G networks that are blooming up, the standard data plans in my country are still in the range of 0.5-2 GB of data per month. If lucky, that's only enough to check a couple of websites on the train to and back from work, every day.

To see this pattern follow suit in home based internet as well is disgusting.

One can understand the need to pay for how much you consume when it comes to electricity, water, etc. It's not unlimited resources, and money is spent to generate it in the first place.

But data to be sent over the internet? No, it's just a golden opportunity for the carriers to impose artificial limits on it for the sake of greed. They don't improve their networks, they stall, they lie, they will do everything to make it look like they are victims of your data consumption.

That is correct, and it is false as well.

 

[osofast240sx]

And the phone you bought when you were told you could have unlimited plans? Do you still have it? If so, I would agree, you should be able to use your iPhone 1 that you bought with the unlimited plan.

My point is that the carriers allowed the unlimited plan to continue, even until this day. The problem is that back in 2007 you couldn't download 10 Gig in a month if you downloaded all day every day. The speed wasn't there. Now you can download 10 Gig in a couple hours. Why should the carrier allow someone who is now using a generation 4 or 5 phone keep their 7 year old plan? Why should the carrier allow someone to stream 200-300 Gig a month for $30 when the rest of us pay normal pricing? Why should the rest of us who pay normal pricing have to be bogged down in certain areas so the unlimited plans from 7 years ago can stream netflix or hulu, or whatever.

The carriers could have canceled unlimited years ago but they have played the game. Its time that everyone get a real plan and watch their data rather than watch their netflix.

Because u signed a contract!

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The problem i see with it is that they advertise unlimited lte data when its limited lte and the rest is not lte.

I think they offer unlimited high-speed data did not specify whether it's over LTE, 4G or 3G.