Correct for 5GB on LTE. I was throttled last month on my 5s once I reached 5GB. I was still able to stream music and have my biking app track my ride via GPS with not problem. I even tried a little Netflix. It definitely took longer to load but once it buffered it seemed to stream ok. I only watched for a few minutes so it's possible the video would start to stutter at the throttled speed. But everything else worked fine. For my use, it just confirmed I want to keep my unlimited data plan.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Carrier Grandfathered AT&T Unlimited Data Plans...
- Thread starter zuckuss00
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Correct for 5GB on LTE. I was throttled last month on my 5s once I reached 5GB. I was still able to stream music and have my biking app track my ride via GPS with not problem. I even tried a little Netflix. It definitely took longer to load but once it buffered it seemed to stream ok. I only watched for a few minutes so it's possible the video would start to stutter at the throttled speed. But everything else worked fine. For my use, it just confirmed I want to keep my unlimited data plan.
Used the chat online to talk to ATT and was told that if my contract ends any day on the week of 9/16 I am eligible to upgrade. Mine ends on 09/17. Also the unlimited data plan and any other plans I have stays the same. They were very clear: you are changing your device not your plans. I was also told I can order the new iPhone on the Apple site.
You need to calm yourself down. Breathe.
You're acting like I'm personally attacking you.
I wasn't aware that there was a difference if you used LTE or 3G when it came to data throttle. I thought it throttled you down at 3GB regardless. I'm always on 3G.
And to add, I've been with AT&T for a very long time. Back when they were still Cingular, before the release of the iPhone.
You may now step off your pedestal.
Apple employees are clueless.
----------
In other words, the Apple chat folks are just robots reading from a script, a script that doesn't offer an unlimited plan because AT&T doesn't offer an unlimited plan anymore. Grandfathering is too confusing for the robots, so they just spew misinformation.
I been with them since 1998.
And I know what Im talking about before I post wrong info and try to dispute others about a certain topic.
Its not if you're on 3G coverage area, its if you have an unlimited LTE iphone data plan on your account. Even if you're using iphone 5, 5S of 5C for example and mostly on 3G area and not within LTE coverage they will start throttling you at 5GB if you have the iphone unlimited data LTE plan.
Its about what plan you have attached to your line not coverage area.
Do you even have an unlimited iphone data plan and what model iphone are you using?
As long as you don't move to a mobile share value plan you will be able to keep your unlimited data plan no matter which device you use
Pretty sure the last part of this is incorrect. NEXT doesn't change your plans (unless you switch to Mobile Share, which you don't have to), it is only a way to buy the phone with a monthly payment and allow you to upgrade sooner. So it wouldn't affect a grandfathered plan.
Also, I don't believe it affects corporate discounts either. Pulled this from one of the NEXT pages on the AT&T site:
Even if you turn off LTE you still get 5GB of unthrottled data. if you really have unlimited iPhone data on a 5S you'd know that. But from your posts I highly doubt it.
Last edited:
When I pre-ordered my 5, I was able to change my shipping address after I ordered the phone online to my apartment near my college. For the 5s, I was not able to do it online, but I called apple and the rep there was able to change it for me quickly. I will assume I'm going to have to do the same for the 6.
I'm not too sure. I passed 3gb last month and I noticed my LTE being slower (downtown SF and berkeley) but from what I've heard the throttle speeds are way way slower. I have gotten throttled before around 2 years ago after I hit over 5gb and that was noticeable. I've had an unlimited plan since the original iPhone in 2007.
Did you ever get a warning once you get close to the 3gb mark? That is how you know they are about to throttle you (which I am sure you knew already)
What I know is that I get throttled at 3GB. I'm done with you. Believe what you want, I don't care about this conversation anymore.
Lol
They must target you and throttle you early cause they don't like you or something.
Everyone else on LTE unlimited iphone data plans gets throttled after 5GB.
Or if you're telling the truth then your data plan is not provisioned right on your AT&T account for LTE unlimited data. They might still have you on the old 3G unlimited iphone data plan.
The way to fix this is to call and give them your iphone 5S IMEI number so they can update it on their end and switch your plan to the correct one.
Your plan listed on your account should display "Data Unlimited for iPhone on 4G LTE"
You shouldn't be throttled at 3GB on an iPhone 5S even if you turn off LTE. I'd call AT&T if this is the case with you. You're not getting what you are paying for otherwise.
There have been times where I thought I was throttled (speeds below .5 Mbps) but it was actually AT&T's overloaded network in NYC as per usual. Later on I'd be back up.
I called AT&T just now to ask about grandfathered unlimited plans and got some answers.
He stated (with a lot of certainty like he's been trained to say this answer so it sounded like he knew what he was talking about) that they don't have a way to automatically give the unlimited plan since it's an obsolete plan but that they have a way to flag your account when you buy iPhone 6 which tells them that you are an unlimited plan account.
From there, they will apparently put you on a 3GB plan initially to complete the transaction with the intent on automatically putting you back onto an unlimited plan after you buy the phone.
One thing I did not ask which I should have is how long they will keep you on the 3GB plan...whether it's just for a few days or for that month. I more than likely won't go over 3GB anyway so I didn't think to ask.
He stated (with a lot of certainty like he's been trained to say this answer so it sounded like he knew what he was talking about) that they don't have a way to automatically give the unlimited plan since it's an obsolete plan but that they have a way to flag your account when you buy iPhone 6 which tells them that you are an unlimited plan account.
From there, they will apparently put you on a 3GB plan initially to complete the transaction with the intent on automatically putting you back onto an unlimited plan after you buy the phone.
One thing I did not ask which I should have is how long they will keep you on the 3GB plan...whether it's just for a few days or for that month. I more than likely won't go over 3GB anyway so I didn't think to ask.
I haven't read through this entire thread, but I don't know why this time would be different from previous phone upgrades. I also have the AT&T grandfathered unlimited plan and with each iPhone upgrade, I have kept it.
I received some information via 1 out of 5 chats. The other 4 said I wouldn't be required to change my data plan with the 1 said I would have to pick a plan but to call AT&T when I receive the new device & they will put me back on to Unlimited data. I'm switching to the Next plan. Just in case this turns into a storm, I save my chat with the representative.
