Leaving AT&T Due to Throttling of Grandfathered Unlimited Data

[Apple Expert]

So has anyone left ATT and gone to Verizon and found they really missed having data/voice at the same time? Or was losing that really irrelevant?

I have left. I haven't missed it. I do miss the faster data speeds. But what I don't miss is the spotty coverage. If you have strong coverage for Verizon in your area, I say go for it. I was lucky to have unlimited data on Verizon also, so hopefully I'm not throttled at 2gb.

 

[Raftysworld]

So has anyone left ATT and gone to Verizon and found they really missed having data/voice at the same time? Or was losing that really irrelevant?

Every 4G phone has simultaneous voice/data on Verizon.

 

[0071238]

Onthecouchagain, I left AT&T two weeks ago and switched to Verizon (had a 4s with AT&T and still have a 4s with Verizon). No regrets whatsoever!

I was definitely concerned at first that there was no way I'd be able to cope without being able to talk/surf at the same time, but honestly, it hasn't been an issue.

The only thing I miss about AT&T are the data speeds! You can't deny that their Internet speed is awesome, but do you know what's even more awesome? Not dropping calls. Seriously, I am soo happy with the coverage that Verizon offers. Personally, I'd rather have slower Internet speeds but more reliable voice coverage. I was dropping about five calls a week with AT&T and in the past two weeks with Verizon I've only dropped one call. I'm definitely a happy girl since switching. ^_^

 

[darkwind]

I'm also on the "use as much as we can while throttled" bandwagon. I realize it may not do much. Still, it's almost fun to see how much I can rack up over a day even at 10-15Kbps. I got throttled on 1/30 at 3.5GB used with only 8 days left in my billing cycle. So far I've managed to get up to 14GB as of this morning. And I generally use 1GB+ a day with my method. I'm downloading a 1.2GB app over and over, which requires being jailbroken. There's a size limit for apps on 3G unless you have an app like My3G. Just be sure to pause the download if you aren't going to have your phone plugged in the whole time, it chews through about 15-20% of batter in an hour.

Try uploading to Dropbox every night. Your download speed is throttled. Your upload speed isn't. A free dropbox acct is 2gb. Upload that amount each night. Then delete the pics and start the uploads again that night. You'll wrack up 2gb a night no problem. If you want to pay for a bigger dropbox acct, you could do more.

 

[onthecouchagain]

Thanks for the feedback.

One more question: between ATT and Veriz, whose signal penetrate buildings better? I work deep inside a building.

 

[lordofthereef]

Thanks for the feedback.

One more question: between ATT and Veriz, whose signal penetrate buildings better? I work deep inside a building.

Completely variable. In the basement level of the building where I work, I get 2 bars on ATT and a coworkers gets nothing on Verizon. Conversely, inside of our Best Buy my ATT signal is almost dead and my fiance's verizon signal is 1-2 bars.

 

[rjohnstone]

Thanks for the feedback.

One more question: between ATT and Veriz, whose signal penetrate buildings better? I work deep inside a building.

Depends on where you are at.
AT&T and Verizon both use the 850 band (good building penetration) and the 1900 band (not so good building penetration) for their respective formats (GSM or CDMA).
The frequency varies by market.
AT&T was supposed to have moved most of their 3G traffic over to the 850 band and move EDGE to 1900, but I haven't seen anything regarding that in over a year.
Verizon uses the 850 band pretty much every where.

 

[magicbrain]

Works

The dropbox idea will not work. On the mobile app it has a max of 150MB upload at a time. The only way to make it work is to add a bunch of 150MB files.

Works for me ... uploaded 500gb file, clicked it on the phone, was still in process of downloading in the morning

Btw, I'm proud to report, I've managed to crank 3.5gb in 3 days over edge (throttled) to a total of 5.5gb last month. My highest (norma)l data use up to this point was 4.6gb, so here you go Att, you "win"

 

[TWO2SEVEN]

Just got my text message for the third month in a row. In the past I was over 5 (first time) and close to 2.5 (second time).

Today I am at 1.6!!!! Really AT&T, I don't even get to hit 2gb before I get throttled?!

 

[Raftysworld]

Just got my text message for the third month in a row. In the past I was over 5 (first time) and close to 2.5 (second time).

Today I am at 1.6!!!! Really AT&T, I don't even get to hit 2gb before I get throttled?!

Image

You used 1.6GB? Unacceptable. You're ruining the network for everyone by hogging so much unnecessary data. How can you possibly use so much? Did you decide to watch a movie on your phone in the last month? Did you listen to a few hours of music on Pandora and download a few games? Read your contract 10 times, memorize it, and then bow down to your AT&T overlords.

In all seriousness, how can people using 1.6GB get throttled, but people using 2.9GB who pay the same amount of money each month on the 3GB plan aren't throttled? It's incredible.

 

[crookedcharlie]

You used 1.6GB? Unacceptable. You're ruining the network for everyone by hogging so much unnecessary data. How can you possibly use so much? Did you decide to watch a movie on your phone in the last month? Did you listen to a few hours of music on Pandora and download a few games? Read your contract 10 times, memorize it, and then bow down to your AT&T overlords.

In all seriousness, how can people using 1.6GB get throttled, but people using 2.9GB who pay the same amount of money each month on the 3GB plan aren't throttled? It's incredible.

It's simple. Because this is not about people "abusing" the network, as was originally claimed. It's about AT&T getting people off of unlimited plans so they can charge for overages. Every month, the "top 5%" goes down, and more and more people find the service unusable. They switch, which also brings the "top 5%" lower and lower, until the unlimited plan drops down to nearly nothing.

I'm not giving AT&T a cent to end my contract early. At the end of this current contract, I'm canceling my phone plan and my uverse. I will never do business with this company again, and I suggest all of you do the same.

 

[TWO2SEVEN]

You used 1.6GB? Unacceptable. You're ruining the network for everyone by hogging so much unnecessary data. How can you possibly use so much? Did you decide to watch a movie on your phone in the last month? Did you listen to a few hours of music on Pandora and download a few games? Read your contract 10 times, memorize it, and then bow down to your AT&T overlords.

In all seriousness, how can people using 1.6GB get throttled, but people using 2.9GB who pay the same amount of money each month on the 3GB plan aren't throttled? It's incredible.

I know! I'm hogging EVERYONE else's data here!

 

[Raftysworld]

It's simple. Because this is not about people "abusing" the network, as was originally claimed. It's about AT&T getting people off of unlimited plans so they can charge for overages. Every month, the "top 5%" goes down, and more and more people find the service unusable. They switch, which also brings the "top 5%" lower and lower, until the unlimited plan drops down to nearly nothing.

I'm not giving AT&T a cent to end my contract early. At the end of this current contract, I'm canceling my phone plan and my uverse. I will never do business with this company again, and I suggest all of you do the same.

+1, I agree completely. Loyal customers who are being throttled at half the data of a new customer who pays the same amount of money, you guys need to get out of there entirely. Don't give in and switch to a tiered plan. Completely sever all ties to AT&T.

 

[Orlandu]

Just got my text message for the third month in a row. In the past I was over 5 (first time) and close to 2.5 (second time).

Today I am at 1.6!!!! Really AT&T, I don't even get to hit 2gb before I get throttled?!

That's just the warning text that you're nearing top 5%. More than likely you won't be throttled until going over 2GB. My warning message usually comes at 2.5GB and I get throttled after 3GB.

 

[crookedcharlie]

If you really want to have a good time, call up AT&T customer service and ask them questions that expose this as the B.S. scam that it is, and watch them revert to their script instead of answering the questions.

Here's some that have provoked some hilarious responses so far:

When and how is the "top 5%" measured? (They'll talk about a computer. Ask about the computer. They will simply keep mentioning "a computer" as if it's the only computer in the world. They are VERY proud of their computer)

If I'm in the top 5% for a millisecond, because of time zones and usage patterns am I stil throttled? What if I'm close to the "top 5%," get an email that pushes me over, and then someone else downloads an app that is far bigger than my email, and they pass me into the "top 5%?" Are we both throttled? (They simply will not answer this.)

Why am I being punished for using the same amount of data as a tiered plan user simply because of the plan I'm on? (They will literally ignore this. It seems like they're being told to not admit that the only reason you're being throttled is that you're on an unlimited plan. They will simply say "top 5% of users."

Also, a ten minute semantical argument about what "unlimited" means to them is hilarious.

#joys of working at home.

 

[chakraj]

Here is the best one.

"Please show me the contract signed by myself and an ATT rep in which I agreed to have my service materially degraded by your bandwidth management system."

Answer= Just read your terms of service

Your answer= Im sorry, but in order for a contract to be legaly binding it must be signed by both parties, please supply me with the contract signed by myself and an ATT rep that states that I have consented to such a policy.

They can not, they did not.


Its just like the robo signers at BofA, They dont legally have title to your house unless they actually have the physical deed signed by you and a second party, a copy will not suffice. However if you did not know that and just let them foreclose on you, they will not tell you the law.


Que all of the softbrains out their to say, its in your TOS. So what, I didnt sign that TOS and surly ATT didnt sign it, its not a binding contract.

 

[nizmoz]

I just left AT&T for Verizon and got a Razr Maxx. Anyone who says Verizon has poor voice quality needs to be quiet. Because they don't have a clue what they are talking about. Voice Quality is excellent, and coverage is great. 4G speeds are fast, 3G is fair (just browsing between both Verizon seems faster) even though speed tests say otherwise.

 

[cyks]

If you really want to have a good time, call up AT&T customer service and ask them questions that expose this as the B.S. scam that it is, and watch them revert to their script instead of answering the questions.

Here's some that have provoked some hilarious responses so far:

When and how is the "top 5%" measured? (They'll talk about a computer. Ask about the computer. They will simply keep mentioning "a computer" as if it's the only computer in the world. They are VERY proud of their computer)

What else would prefer them say? That there is some old guy in back feverishly working his slide rule? Of course it's done automatically by a computer and there would be no reason for them to explain the inner workings of it to those at the call center.

If I'm in the top 5% for a millisecond, because of time zones and usage patterns am I stil throttled? What if I'm close to the "top 5%," get an email that pushes me over, and then someone else downloads an app that is far bigger than my email, and they pass me into the "top 5%?" Are we both throttled? (They simply will not answer this.)

It seems very obvious that, yes, you'll both be throttled. You would be the instant you pass the threshold and they would be as soon as they do.

Since throttling isn't lifted until the end of the billing period it's possible (however unlikely) that if everyone were to go over their threshold they could, in essence, throttle all unlimited user speed at once.

Also, a ten minute semantical argument about what "unlimited" means to them is hilarious.

You know what's even more hilarious and something that they find funny? You continuing to pay them each month while complaining.

 

[crookedcharlie]

What else would prefer them say? That there is some old guy in back feverishly working his slide rule? Of course it's done automatically by a computer and there would be no reason for them to explain the inner workings of it to those at the call center.

My point, which you have failed to grasp, is that they can't explain their policy, because their policy, by its very design, is to force users to a tiered plan. It's not "throttling heavy users." It's a way to clear their books of the contracts they advertised to get people to join their service. The truth of the policy is "we're throttling as many users as we think we can get away with to get them to switch." Of course they can't say this.

It seems very obvious that, yes, you'll both be throttled. You would be the instant you pass the threshold and they would be as soon as they do.

Since throttling isn't lifted until the end of the billing period it's possible (however unlikely) that if everyone were to go over their threshold they could, in essence, throttle all unlimited user speed at once.

Yes, which makes their "top 5%" argument a complete fallacy. As you point out, they could throttle every single user of their unlimited plan. The "top 5%" DOES not equal "100%" to any rational mind.

You know what's even more hilarious and something that they find funny? You continuing to pay them each month while complaining.

Well, their call volume goes up whenever I call, which makes their employees work harder, which either a) prompts them to bring on more call center reps, costing them more money or b) prompts employees to quit, degrading the level of person willing to work for them. I also mentioned that I'll be leaving them as soon as I can not be paying them for an early termination fee, and canceling other services with them as well. I'll also be telling friends and family of my experience, and advising them of how AT&T does business, hopefully costing them future customers. I guess it's funny that they get a couple hundred dollars from me for 6 months, and then lose far, far more down the road. Yep, a laugh riot.

I hope you work for AT&T. If not, you're simply a corporate apologist or "fan" of a company that has no such allegiance to you. Anyway, feel free to ignore any of my future "complaints," as I will be doing the same to any of your responses.

 

[cyks]

I hope you work for AT&T. If not, you're simply a corporate apologist or "fan" of a company that has no such allegiance to you. Anyway, feel free to ignore any of my future "complaints," as I will be doing the same to any of your responses.

Feel free to ignore me all you like.

I'm far from a corporate fan. I'm just a realist who saw the clear writing last July when they first announced the throttling plan.

The difference is that, rather than waiting 6+ months to do anything about it, did what I could last year and took my smartphone plan elsewhere.

By all means, I hope that you and the others continue to call me an apologist or worker for AT&T since it speaks volumes about the mentality of many on here.

 

[lordofthereef]

I just find it amazing that there are so many people that are so sure ATT is not in their legal right; that this is black and white. Don't you think that lawyers would be chomping at the bit to represent those "wronged" by ATT if this is a sure-fire win? I see pages and pages of people exclaiming that there is nothing in the contract, the contract is not even actually legalling binding, etc. etc. Take them to court! Sure, it will cost you money, but you stand to gain much more than you stand to lose because you are 100% certain you will win.

In reality, what I see here is a bunch of people perceiving some activity is illegal and thus spouting off a bunch of things they believe to be facts about how legally binding (or not) these contracts are. I repeat, you all are extremely sure of yourselves. That's great! Take back what was taken from you. You know you are right, so what are you waiting for?

I just left AT&T for Verizon and got a Razr Maxx. Anyone who says Verizon has poor voice quality needs to be quiet. Because they don't have a clue what they are talking about.

This is going to be variable bud. There are areas where I can say Verizon has poor voice quality. Likewise, there are areas where ATT will have poor voice quality. Telling people that they don't know what they are talking about just makes you look and sound foolish.

 

[nizmoz]

This is going to be variable bud. There are areas where I can say Verizon has poor voice quality. Likewise, there are areas where ATT will have poor voice quality. Telling people that they don't know what they are talking about just makes you look and sound foolish.

And what is the difference between me telling people that and someone telling people Verizon has crappy voice quality vs AT&T? Enough said.

 

[lordofthereef]

And what is the difference between me telling people that and someone telling people Verizon has crappy voice quality vs AT&T? Enough said.

That said, all things being equal (reception, mostly) I would say that the voice quality on Verizon is better, actually. This is my opinion. Nothing more.

 

[cyks]

And what is the difference between me telling people that and someone telling people Verizon has crappy voice quality vs AT&T? Enough said.

There is no difference. Depending on the area, both are right and both are wrong, but instead of saying, "they have better ___" as though it is the same for everyone, both should say "in my area, they have better ____."

 

[Apple Expert]

There is no difference. Depending on the area, both are right and both are wrong, but instead of saying, "they have better ___" as though it is the same for everyone, both should say "in my area, they have better ____."

Your right its all about location. In my area they are about equal. However ATT is faster on 3G. But I do live in a Verizon 4G LTE market and it's pretty dam fast (20 mbps). You wouldn't have Verizon if you don't get service. Like wise for ATT. All boils down to what is better in your area.