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Top five percent of AT&T smartphone usage and Bandwidth throttling

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ZipZap said:
When ATT started offerring the unlimited plan it clearly was not causing problems for their network. They continued to offer it for years....and no problem was voiced.

So, how is it that now it is a problem and they need to throttle?

Did they over sell subscriptions?
Did they plan bandwidth poorly?
Did they build out the network too slowly?
Did they mispend on failed ideas (t-mobile)?

There have been many iterations of the iphone and each is more efficient at pushing data. Why dont they stop offering new phones? Keep everyone on slower phones? Did they not make money on those phone sales?

Or, hey they could stop initiating new customers until the build out more capability.

It seems like all of a sudden they are having issues but there doesn't really seem to be a clear root cause. So they blame their customers. They throttle some plans at the exact same time they push out new plans.

I mean, its not an issue to use 3GB for $30 but it is to use 2GB for $30 just because one plan is called tiered and one is called "Unlimited"?

To me, this is the point to be made to the FCC and not one of legalities or moralities or any other "lities".

We all understand what's in the contract but what I dont see is:

Any evidence that usage is impacting their network to the point that throttling is necessary

Any evidence that 2GB is in the top 5% or usage (just have to take their word for it)

Any evidence that they have not oversold their network (which we all know they have)
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Sounds like a bunch of gibberish so most people will bend over and take it.

I am part of the 5% it seems that people in America are always being condemned for being at the top.

My contract says "UNLIMITED" not "unlimited unless you actually use our services" followed by "once you use 2GB we will make it impossible for you to use more unless you want to pay more like everyone else"

If everyone with unlimited plans used 10GB what would AT&T do then.
I am doing my part.
I have netflix on continuous stream until my bill cycles. I was limited at 2GB for using approved apps like Pandora. I have 3 days left in my billing cycle. I have consumed 4GB of AT&T's bandwidth and I hope in the next few days I will reach 6GB. Had they let me continue unrestricted instead of limiting me I would have only consumed maybe 3GB.

each month they limit me that is what i am going to do. I cannot use my phone for what it was intended for, AT&T cannot use their bandwidth for what it was intended for.

Unlimited Means Unlimited
 
chakraj said:
ARGH, they will black list you matey, then you will have the black spot on your hand, or as they call it, "the mark of eight" Finally ATT will release the CRAKEN on you!
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:)

All kidding aside, a buddy of mine essentially canceled a phone with ATT ages ago (something like 15 years-ish) and never paid his ETF. He has tried to sign back up with them and they refuse. All he can get from them is a go phone.... or put down a huge down-payment. For some, it doesn't matter, and that's fine. There are those who are young and foolish (like he was then) and won't think about future consequences.

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iphone1105 said:
no, because commenting takes 5 seconds, he's spending hours and days doing something, doesn't compare...good try though, next?
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I agree with everything you say, but you might get your point across better if you sounded less troll-y. Just a thought. :)
 
lordofthereef said:
:)

All kidding aside, a buddy of mine essentially canceled a phone with ATT ages ago (something like 15 years-ish) and never paid his ETF. He has tried to sign back up with them and they refuse. All he can get from them is a go phone.... or put down a huge down-payment. For some, it doesn't matter, and that's fine. There are those who are young and foolish (like he was then) and won't think about future consequences.

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I agree with everything you say, but you might get your point across better if you sounded less troll-y. Just a thought. :)
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You are right of course, always best to think through all of the ramifications of your decisions. I was just having a little fun :)
 
iphone1105 said:
no, because commenting takes 5 seconds, he's spending hours and days doing something, doesn't compare...good try though, next?
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So taking 30 seconds to delete the app, then start the download again at a maximum of twice a day is spending hours and days on something? I don't see how that adds up. Please enlighten me.

By the way, I'm up to 9.2GB data usage after being throttled at 3.5GB.
 
Orlandu said:
So taking 30 seconds to delete the app, then start the download again at a maximum of twice a day is spending hours and days on something? I don't see how that adds up. Please enlighten me.

By the way, I'm up to 9.2GB data usage after being throttled at 3.5GB.
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Keep it up, you'll show them... :rolleyes:

Meanwhile, they've completed their goals. They've stopped the heavy abusers - there's no possible way for anyone to reach 20-100GB any more and while you can rack up data usage, you're still inconvenienced and the data is nearly useless for any real word application.

They can care less if you use 10GB... as you're continuing to pay far more than your usage costs.
 
ZipZap said:
When ATT started offerring the unlimited plan it clearly was not causing problems for their network. They continued to offer it for years....and no problem was voiced.
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Except there were TONS of problems. Their network, especially in major cities, could not come close to keeping everyone happy. Granted, they continued to offer plans and sell phones, but don't assume that they didn't have problems before now when they clearly did.
 
I have the Unlimited plan. The most I ever used was 2GB - this month - as of today, the last day of my billing cycle.

Somehow 2GB per month is too much on the unlimited plan.

Anyone who thinks at&t is right is a slave.
 
8CoreWhore said:
I have the Unlimited plan. The most I ever used was 2GB - this month - as of today, the last day of my billing cycle.

Somehow 2GB per month is too much on the unlimited plan.

Anyone who thinks at&t is right is a slave.
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A slave to who? Most of us who know that AT&T is legally right proved we're not slaves and took our money elsewhere.
 
I can make the argument that iPhone owners who upgrade year after year (myself included) are slaves to consumerism too.

Let the down rating commence! :D
 
I do not agree that they are legally right, and unless you can present case law or a prior precedent then you are just assuming. Once it goes to court we will know until then it's all conjecture.
 
pooleman said:
A troll like you spends far more than 5 seconds replying on these forums. Nice try, next.
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Exactly, some of these AT$T trolls seem to be here all day responding to every post, pretty ironic.

Oh and why is trolling allowed here??
 
how is 4G throttled? you still get pretty good speeds or same as 3G you go down to edge speeds ? anyone that has a 4G phone or know anyone thats being throttled on a 4G device..

thanks
 
cyks said:
They can care less if you use 10GB... as you're continuing to pay far more than your usage costs.
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Then I think it would make more sense to start the throttling at 10GB, no? That would let the low and medium users breathe by giving them more than enough room and would stop the massive usage by the abusers.
 
iMaconApple said:
how is 4G throttled? you still get pretty good speeds or same as 3G you go down to edge speeds ? anyone that has a 4G phone or know anyone thats being throttled on a 4G device..

thanks
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Only the unlimited plan gets throttled, since there is no unlimited plan for 4G there shouldn't be any throttling.
 
You are wrong, if you have an unlimited 3g plan and upgrade to a 4g phone, they upgrade you to a 4g unlimited plan. They do throttle the 4g unlimited plans at ATT right now. If you have an android phone you can get around the slow down by using a different APN setting.

Now Verizon is NOT throttling their LTE network, because they have spent the money to build the backhaul to be able to support the amount of customers they actually have unlike ATT.
 
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chakraj said:
Now Verizon is NOT throttling their LTE network, because they have spoent th emoney to build the backhaul to be able to support the amount of customers they actually have unlike ATT.
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Are you sure that's the reason? Not saying you are wrong, but I would think this is more due to the relatively small number of 4G users on the unlimited data plan (one cannot technically go in and sign up for unlimited without a loophole involved). In short, once we get more markets and plenty more 4G users I wouldn't be shocked to see that throttled too. If the next gen iPhone is LTE compatible, this will be sooner, rather than later. Just a guess, of course. Either way, VZW is smarter with their throttling than ATT in that they only throttle during peak usage times. I find that to be very fair.

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iMaconApple said:
how is 4G throttled? you still get pretty good speeds or same as 3G you go down to edge speeds ? anyone that has a 4G phone or know anyone thats being throttled on a 4G device..

thanks
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I would assume it's not a percentage of the peak, but rather just a flat number (read: terrible). Technically ATT is calling the 4S a 4G phone, by the way, or they were at one point.
 
for now atleast Verizon is pushing people to upgrade to a 4G LTE phone by telling old unlimited people that get throttled that if they go to LTE they will not be throttled.

I also read on the internet that part of the 700 mhz spectrum purchase agreement was a anti throttleing clause. (It has to be true because I read it on the internetz) still it could be true?
 
Fight

Those who are pissed about being throttled after 2gb (got a warning this month at 1.5gb):

1) demand proof from Att that indeed 5% of all iPhone users have used less then 2gb / month on average, before oct, when throttling went into effect (thus artificially lowering the average)
2) if you're like me and have not singed new contract in oct, demand a copy of a contract
3) sign petition on change org
4) turn pandora at night as you phone is charging ... that way the "average" usage will go up

Or) give in, give Att what they want and cancel - here's how not to pay cancellation fee

Ps: my average has been 2-3gb, but since I've hit 4.6gb, once in nov, I've been harassed and throttled at 2gb
 
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magicbrain said:
Those who are pissed about being throttled after 2gb (got a warning this month at 1.5gb):

1) demand proof from Att that indeed 5% of all iPhone users have used less then 2gb / month on average, before oct, when throttling went into effect (thus artificially lowering the average)
2) if you're like me and have not singed new contract in oct, demand a copy of a contract
3) sign petition on change org
4) turn pandora at night as you phone is charging ... that way the "average" usage will go up

Or) give in, give Att what they want and cancel - here's how not to pay cancellation fee

Ps: my average has been 2-3gb, but since I've hit 4.6gb, once in nov, I've been harassed and throttled at 2gb
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1) Good luck demanding anything from them without a court order.
2) They'll be happy to show you the original contract, which you signed, that clearly states that they can change the terms and conditions- so long as they give you ample notice of the changes and a chance to leave without an ETF (which they did... months ago).
3) I'm sure AT&T is terrified of the whopping 25 people who have signed. Unless it reaches 10k signatures, they won't care (and even then it's debatable).
4) You'd need more than 5% of the people to do this to have even the slightest effect. Of course, considering that many of those using the most data and being throttled are moving elsewhere or changing their plan, expect the throttle point to continue to go down.

Whether you change plans or continue to keep 'Unlimited' out of spite, you're still giving AT&T what they want every month when you pay them.

The only way to not give them what they want is to drop them and go elsewhere.
 
chakraj said:
for now atleast Verizon is pushing people to upgrade to a 4G LTE phone by telling old unlimited people that get throttled that if they go to LTE they will not be throttled.
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Curious, could one upgrade to the LTE plan and then just use a 3G phone? I know you could with ATT, but it's all sims with them. THinking VZW is different, but who knows. Also, let's say you own a 4G phone but no 4G data in your area. Are you still subjected to the throttle?
 
cyks said:
1) Good luck demanding anything from them without a court order.
2) They'll be happy to show you the original contract, which you signed, that clearly states that they can change the terms and conditions- so long as they give you ample notice of the changes and a chance to leave without an ETF (which they did... months ago).
3) I'm sure AT&T is terrified of the whopping 25 people who have signed. Unless it reaches 10k signatures, they won't care (and even then it's debatable).
4) You'd need more than 5% of the people to do this to have even the slightest effect. Of course, considering that many of those using the most data and being throttled are moving elsewhere or changing their plan, expect the throttle point to continue to go down.

Whether you change plans or continue to keep 'Unlimited' out of spite, you're still giving AT&T what they want every month when you pay them.

The only way to not give them what they want is to drop them and go elsewhere.
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Don't listen to this poster, he or she works for AT&T.
Almost every post this person made has tried to discourage any action against AT&T.
 
OceanView said:
Don't listen to this poster, he or she works for AT&T.
Almost every post this person made has tried to discourage any action against AT&T.
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Really? I'm repeatedly telling people to take their money and leave AT&T - which is best and easiest action one could take against them. I guess that's normal for employees though?



By all means though, continue with the accusations that I somehow work for them.
 
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