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The case against "Unlimited" Data

iphone1027 said:
"Data hogs" how you eloquently put it are in fact using what they are paying for, UNLIMITED data. Last time I checked, unlimited means without boundaries, no restrictions or controls. Therefore, it is not the fault of data hogs that they use 2, 3, 5, 10 GB per month and other non-data hogs use let's say, < 1 GB or < 500 Mb per month.

I'm curious as to know what YOUR definition of a data hog is? Keep in mind this will be strictly your opinion, not a fact.
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The issue is not the amount of data you are using. It's how you are getting the data (via tethering). Tethering is against AT&T's terms of use for the unlimited data. The fact that they haven't gone after you for it is only luck. They may be more vigilant now that there's an explicit tethering package.
 
chrmjenkins said:
The issue is not the amount of data you are using. It's how you are getting the data (via tethering). Tethering is against AT&T's terms of use for the unlimited data. The fact that they haven't gone after you for it is only luck. They may be more vigilant now that there's an explicit tethering package.
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Well...I will agree with this point...Unlimited means unlimited, but tethering is prohibited.

Several years ago (pre-iPhone), I read a whole lot about tethering...bought a "kit" from Frys...Took it on a business trip...Tried it once, and then read about people getting HUGE bills...

Since tethering is prohibited under the terms of the unlimited data plan, somebody cannot argue that unlimited includes the ability to tether.

It's unlimited except for the purposes of tethering.

I do agree with you.
 
I would switch to the limited 2gb data plan if they included 1500 or unlimited texting. That would be a great incentive to get people to stop hogging data :)
 
Assuming we're all on non-jailbroken iPhones and nobody is tethering, I think it still stands to reason that most users will be consuming significantly more data this year and even more the next.

What some of you are calling "hogging" now will be more average in a year or two. I suspect it will be sooner than some of you think with the new generation of phones and faster data connections.

AT&T knows what they're doing. I bet way more people will be paying over $30 per month for data with these limited plans than people realize.

If a limited-data system is the future for all of us eventually, I really like the idea of rollover data. Also, I think it's time for everyone to stop pretending that text messaging is something other than data.
 
I think I'm being misunderstood.

It isn't that AT&T (or any other carrier) has NO incentive to improve their network, only that given the current situation of very few carriers with built-out networks, and AT&T's exclusive lock on iPhones here in the States, the incentive for improvement is limited, and is MADE WORSE by the all-you-can-eat "unlimited" data packages.

And I'm NOT saying that YOU as an individual will see your life improve by switching to capped data, rather that WE as a group (the "consumers") may see real improvement with this change over time.

Sean
 
chrmjenkins said:
The issue is not the amount of data you are using. It's how you are getting the data (via tethering). Tethering is against AT&T's terms of use for the unlimited data. The fact that they haven't gone after you for it is only luck. They may be more vigilant now that there's an explicit tethering package.
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Just to be clear, I may have come across with the idea I tether everyday or even every other day, that is not the case. I have tethered probably a handful of times in about 6-8 months or longer. 99% of my >2GB has been exclusively off the iPhone.
Now, maybe it's gone unnoticed out of luck; could be chance, call it whatever you want. I personally know many, many, many people that have tethered since before iPhones (using HTC Tilt's, Black Jacks, Nokia's) and have never even received an email warning or cancellation of service.
So I go back to my original point, that is calling people "data hogs" is not appropriate when in fact AT&T allowed people to be able to download/upload as much as their hearts desire with the introduction of the "unlimited data plan."

Some people actually use it, others don't. It's not my problem that others do not even use more than 120 Mb per month on an unlimited plan. I guess that's why AT&T created the new data plans to adjust for that but still provide the >2GB people such as myself and others, the chance to continue using the unlimited plan.
 
iphone1027 said:
True I pay for unlimited data, and it's also true I could download/upload the data in whatever method I choose to.
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Where did you get that idea? Have you checked the contract you signed and agreed to? I am not a fan of the new data plans but people that tether as a replacement for home internet, downloading 10gbs worth of ***** a month are exactly the reason att cannot keep up with the network demand and suck so bad.

What you are doing is no where near evil, but it is a crime and you are doing exactly what you agreed not to do. You plan is designed and priced to provide data to your phone, not everything you own.

I understand their are a lot of other reasons att sucks but its hard for me to understand peoples sense of entitlement when they are knowingly braking a contract and abusing their service.
 
dtboice said:
Where did you get that idea? Have you checked the contract you signed and agreed to? I am not a fan of the new data plans but people that tether as a replacement for home internet, downloading 10gbs worth of ***** a month are exactly the reason att cannot keep up with the network demand and suck so bad.

What you are doing is no where near evil, but it is a crime and you are doing exactly what you agreed not to do. You plan is designed and priced to provide data to your phone, not everything you own.

I understand their are a lot of other reasons att sucks but its hard for me to understand peoples sense of entitlement when they are knowingly braking a contract and abusing their service.
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Apparently you didn't read my post above this one. Please read it.
 
If the ast vmajority of users use under 2GB, and only a very small % use more than that, how is one to conclude that the connectivity will be better?
 
iphone1027 said:
Apparently you didn't read my post above this one. Please read it.
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You are correct. I mistook you for TeamDNA who was bragging about using 10+gb per month.

I dont know how much data you use but since you dont do it to much I assume you are also paying for your home connection and not trying to milk everything out of a phone plan.

The way I see it tethering is like speeding, not a big deal if you do it occasionally even though you kinda know you shouldn't but a big deal if you're flying by all the time with out giving a s** about anyone but your self.

Sorry, I jumped the gun on you.
 
dtboice said:
You are correct. I mistook you for TeamDNA who was bragging about using 10+gb per month.

I dont know how much data you use but since you dont do it to much I assume you are also paying for your home connection and not trying to milk everything out of a phone plan.

The way I see it tethering is like speeding, not a big deal if you do it occasionally even though you kinda know you shouldn't but a big deal if you're flying by all the time with out giving a s** about anyone but your self.

Sorry, I jumped the gun on you.
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No problem, honest error. I agree with you on the tethering analogy. Again, when I do actually use it, it's when I need a netbook where I have no WiFi connection. I don't substitute it for my WiFi at home or available WiFi's in the area. However, I have gone without tethering for 2-3 months and have hit about 2-2.2 GB per month on my iPhone.
 
iphone1027 said:
No problem, honest error. I agree with you on the tethering analogy. Again, when I do actually use it, it's when I need a netbook where I have no WiFi connection. I don't substitute it for my WiFi at home or available WiFi's in the area. However, I have gone without tethering for 2-3 months and have hit about 2-2.2 GB per month on my iPhone.
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Ya,, sorry bout that.

I think a lot of my anger is knowing that even though I use just under 1gb a month now I am using an original 2g iphone on the edge network. I'm so glad that I get to keep the unlimited plan because I'm sure the new 4g phone with netflix will easily put me over 2gb.

I'm just a bit pissed at the people that are messing up the network for everyone else and feel like its their duty to use as much data as possible.

Still 2gb a month would SUCK!
 
dtboice said:
Ya,, sorry bout that.

I think a lot of my anger is knowing that even though I use just under 1gb a month now I am using an original 2g iphone on the edge network. I'm so glad that I get to keep the unlimited plan because I'm sure the new 4g phone with netflix will easily put me over 2gb.

I'm just a bit pissed at the people that are messing up the network for everyone else and feel like its their duty to use as much data as possible.

Still 2gb a month would SUCK!
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LOL, it's alright. Think of it this way, soon you'll have the iPhone 4 and you'll forget about your iPhone 2G:D

My personal opinion though, I don't think there are enough people downloading/uploading a whole lot of data to bottleneck the network. Honestly, how many people really hit >5GB of data per month?
According to AT&T stats approx 2% of the whole network goes above 2 GB per month; that's not a whole lot compared to the whole.
 
:D
dtboice said:
Ya,, sorry bout that.

I think a lot of my anger is knowing that even though I use just under 1gb a month now I am using an original 2g iphone on the edge network. I'm so glad that I get to keep the unlimited plan because I'm sure the new 4g phone with netflix will easily put me over 2gb.

I'm just a bit pissed at the people that are messing up the network for everyone else and feel like its their duty to use as much data as possible.

Still 2gb a month would SUCK!
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I completely agree...and it's a truism in life that the dishonest minority ruin it for the innocent majority. So many of our laws are based on that very premise.

Too bad AT&T can't track down TeamDNA from this forum. :D
 
I don't think I've ever used 200mb of data a month, but there is always a chance I'll download an album or something via iTunes that can immediately put me over my limit. The overage charges are very fair and won't bankrupt you like they would in the past, but I still think an unlimited plan is the best option for me.

I do agree charging an extra $20 to allow tethering is stupid, especially for those with data caps.
 
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