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

[lordofthereef]

I think if AT&T took away unlimited data on the next upgrade a lot of people would leave AT&T. I would go to Verizon or sprint or go per paid Plan and take 3 more lines in my family plan away as well.

Just curious, why Verizon? They basically have the same plans as ATT right now.

 

[mantan]

I think if AT&T took away unlimited data on the next upgrade a lot of people would leave AT&T. I would go to Verizon or sprint or go per paid Plan and take 3 more lines in my family plan away as well.

Verizon doesn't offer unlimited data for new subscribers anymore. Sprint does for now...but mostly because they are trying to play catch up. With their current speeds, it wouldn't be worth it. At LTE speeds maybe....but it's just a matter of time before they follow suit.

 

[K00LJerk]

At&t employee here in the wireline side of the company. We provide the fiber ethernet pipe (backhaul) to the cell sites including our competitors. I'm working in a Metro PCS site as I type this, I've also done Sprint, Verizon, T-mobile and every other co in Southern Cal. I imagine it seems unfair to be capped but think of the other side of the coin, throttling makes sure others can use the internet too. If all the resources are tied up with a few downloading movies then other customers can't send texts, emails browse etc... From what I understand LTE is scalable so in the future more pipe will be implemented, I know because Fiber optics is pretty unlimited it just depends on the equipment its hooked up to. I welcome competition but you'll find they have they're limitations too. Contact At&t too let em know, the network is better now than its every been. think back to the first cell phones. Constructive criticism always welcome

 

[OceanView]

Just curious, why Verizon? They basically have the same plans as ATT right now.

Just put that in there. Not necessarily going to V.
I probably will go prepaid as it is much cheaper. I could save about $50-$75 per month total on all 4 lines.

----------

At&t employee here in the wireline side of the company. We provide the fiber ethernet pipe (backhaul) to the cell sites including our competitors. I'm working in a Metro PCS site as I type this, I've also done Sprint, Verizon, T-mobile and every other co in Southern Cal. I imagine it seems unfair to be capped but think of the other side of the coin, throttling makes sure others can use the internet too. If all the resources are tied up with a few downloading movies then other customers can't send texts, emails browse etc... From what I understand LTE is scalable so in the future more pipe will be implemented, I know because Fiber optics is pretty unlimited it just depends on the equipment its hooked up to. I welcome competition but you'll find they have they're limitations too. Contact At&t too let em know, the network is better now than its every been. think back to the first cell phones. Constructive criticism always welcome

If they can't handle the load, then we should have the option to remove data from our smartphone plans. Why offer something you can handle. Seems like a scam to me.

 

[lordofthereef]

Just put that in there. Not necessarily going to V.
I probably will go prepaid as it is much cheaper. I could save about $50-$75 per month total on all 4 lines.

I see. Makes sense. I asked because I see a lot of people say they are going to VZW just to spite ATT. In reality, I don't think ATT minds much. They are picking far more customers than they are losing.

----------

If they can't handle the load, then we should have the option to remove data from our smartphone plans. Why offer something you can handle. Seems like a scam to me.

I don't know if I would call it a scam, but I completely agree with you. I know a few people that would be perfectly happy without being required to have a data plan on their smartphone.

 

[chakraj]

First off, when Verizon throttles you they do it on a per tower and per user basis. Meaning if the tower you are on is only you, even if your throttled you get the full spectrum of that tower, and if the tower is full then you get throttled. Also if you go to a different area and a different tower, you are again at full speed until you reach the 5% threshold for that tower.

SO they are not the same.

Also Verizon has a loophole right now so you can get unlimited data.

I also agree, if ATT can not support the traffic they have now, how can they keep selling more? To make it worst they say last quarter they sold more smart phones than ever, how can they do that. That is just plain fraud.

 

[lordofthereef]

First off, when Verizon throttles you they do it on a per tower and per user basis. Meaning if the tower you are on is only you, even if your throttled you get the full spectrum of that tower, and if the tower is full then you get throttled. Also if you go to a different area and a different tower, you are again at full speed until you reach the 5% threshold for that tower.

SO they are not the same.

Also Verizon has a loophole right now so you can get unlimited data.

I also agree, if ATT can not support the traffic they have now, how can they keep selling more? To make it worst they say last quarter they sold more smart phones than ever, how can they do that. That is just plain fraud.

My understanding is that the loophole is closed. I could be wrong. We were referring to the current "legitimate" data plans, those which you can get by walking into any VZW store, as being the same.

 

[AlkFoo]

I have been following this thread for awhile, and finally had to post. It is very simple what AT&T is going to do. They have a clause in your contract that says they can change the terms any time they want (as do ALL providers), so all they will do is notify everyone on the unlimited data plan that they are ending unlimited data, and you will be switched to the 3gb plan at some point in the future. The price is the same, and users will probably not have any legal recourse, since there is no change in your monthly bill. Why do you think they came up with that? Their lawyers probably told them that as long as the price that people pay remains the same, they can change the agreement, and people would still be liable for the ETF if they decide to leave, and the only choice will be to switch providers. Legally, there is nothing anyone can do about it. All this talk about a class action lawsuit can go nowhere, since AT&T is not technically breaking any laws. Though I will say that their actions are not very moral, and certainly not customer service oriented, but when have ANY cell phone companies (big 3 anyway) cared about customer service?.

I am NOT defending AT&T's actions. They are actually acting in a very underhanded fashion to get people off the unlimited data plans. I'm just surprised that they haven't completely done away with them, as they can do so anytime they wish.

Most of us can accept the reality that AT&T probably has the right and legal high ground in the these contracts. But I believe not only do people have the right voice there objections to it, as consumers we should do it more. Maybe if there is enough pressure from consumers, then these companies might reconsider how they do business. Again, I'm sure the contract gives AT&T the right to do whatever they want, and since there is no Real competition, I believe there is a bigger issue that needs to be address. If the government isn't going to break up oligopies or monopolies, then at the least they (the compaines) shouldn't be allowed these loopholes out of contracts that in turn, customers are binder too but the companies can change. That's where the FCC, government, etc... should look- not that the contracts favor the companies, we all know they do, that these contracts by these companies (who tamper and feed off each other) are not fair and violate many of our rights.

Trust me: I know... I don't have to have a cell phone, or a contract... but let's get real- the majority of American's do or it's close to reaching a majority.

 

[jvdrummer182]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A406 Safari/7534.48.3)

I have an Iphone 4S and the unlimited data plan from at&t (since the first gen iphone was released). I am part of the metro new york market. Last month I received this message from AT&T after reaching 2 GB of data use: "ATT Free Msg: Your data use is approaching the top 5% of users. Avoid reduced data speeds, use Wi-Fi where available. Visit..."

And today I received that same message from AT&T after hitting 1.5 GB of data use. This data throttling is getting out of hand. Is anyone aware if a class action lawsuit is being organized against AT&T for customers paying for an unlimited data plan and not receiving this "unlimited" product?

 

[TWO2SEVEN]

And today I received that same message from AT&T after hitting 1.5 GB of data use. This data throttling is getting out of hand.

I did a speed test on Monday (pictured below). Then on Tuesday I got my "warning" text. I was at 1.68gb. I got another message last night.

I decided to run another speed test this morning from the same location as the test on Monday (my desk). I am now just over 2gb of data usage.

I understand the throttling and all, but the huge drop in speed is what makes me mad.

 

[jvdrummer182]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A406 Safari/7534.48.3)

5.22 Mbps down?! I'm luck if I get anywhere close to 2 Mbps down:

http://instagr.am/p/HG_wVmOIoH/

 

[mantan]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A406 Safari/7534.48.3)

5.22 Mbps down?! I'm luck if I get anywhere close to 2 Mbps down:

http://instagr.am/p/HG_wVmOIoH/

All depends on where you live. I typically get 5+ speeds down..but I live where AT&T's wireless division is headquartered. So you know the coverage is great.

I've reached the point where I'm considering giving in and switching to the 3 gig plan. I typically used between 1.8-2.4 gigs. A lot of that came from streaming ~ 2 hours of sports radio in my office building (can't get a good regular reception). I've gotten so paranoid about getting throttled that I've curtailed how i use my phone. Halfway through the billing cycle and I'm only at 354mb.

if I'm giving up how I used my phone, is unlimited really worth it?

But it seems like the easy way out to let AT&T strong arm me into a 3 gig plan. As I've said before, my issue isn't so much them ending the plan (that was coming eventually), it's the hamfisted way they are doing it.

If I could get a the deal some have gotten on a 5 gig plan w/tethering and discounts on other items to get it at the same $30, then I may make the switch.

 

[jvdrummer182]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A406 Safari/7534.48.3)

I understand what you mean by changing how you use your iPhone. I also used to stream Internet radio and had to completely stop because of the fear that it would force me to go over AT&T's "top 5% of data use" and result in being throttled.

 

[TWO2SEVEN]

5.22 Mbps down?! I'm lucky if I get anywhere close to 2 Mbps:

This is rare for me too, I was pretty surprised to see it.

I've reached the point where I'm considering giving in and switching to the 3 gig plan.

But if I'm giving up how I used my phone, is it really worth it?

my issue isn't so much them ending the plan (that was coming eventually), it's the hamfisted way they are doing it.

I agree with you. I was streaming podcasts during work quite a bit and I've had to stop. I dug out my old Zune (gasp haha) because it has a radio tuner on it.

I bought my phone to use it, I don't like having to be so careful with my data.

I'm getting pretty close to giving in and going with the tiered plan, but I'm afraid to give up my unlimited just in case something changes, even though that is HIGHLY unlikely haha.

 

[YaBoiD]

Just called cust srvc and they lowered my bill by $10 for my unl texting plan. Thinking about switching to the 5GB tethering plan since I want to purchase the iPad 3. I'll wait it out on my unlimited data plan until then to see if anything changes.

 

[jvdrummer182]

Just called cust srvc and they lowered my bill by $10 for my unl texting plan. Thinking about switching to the 5GB tethering plan since I want to purchase the iPad 3. I'll wait it out on my unlimited data plan until then to see if anything changes.

What was the reason you asked for the $10 credit?

 

[YaBoiD]

What was the reason you asked for the $10 credit?

I told them about being throttled, Verizon offering "double the data" type plans, increased upgrade fee's, no need for unl texting w/ iMessage but there isn't an option to lower amount of text on my plan.

 

[lordofthereef]

I told them about being throttled, Verizon offering "double the data" type plans, increased upgrade fee's, no need for unl texting w/ iMessage but there isn't an option to lower amount of text on my plan.

Is this for the month, or permanent?

 

[TSX]

I did a speed test on Monday (pictured below). Then on Tuesday I got my "warning" text. I was at 1.68gb. I got another message last night.

I decided to run another speed test this morning from the same location as the test on Monday (my desk). I am now just over 2gb of data usage.

I understand the throttling and all, but the huge drop in speed is what makes me mad.

Image

Image

Welcome to the club.

 

[Eternal 28]

Is this for the month, or permanent?

Its permanent, I have the same plan as well.

 

[marksman]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A334 Safari/7534.48.3)

The one thing that bothers me even more about being throttled because I'm in the top "5 percent" in my area is that I travel a lot for work. I'm gone a good 6 months out of the year and I rely on my iphone for Navigon, Yelp, Netflix and other streaming apps quite a bit. So how does it work for someone like me who is in a different city constantly throughout the year? I do get throttled one month because I happen to be in NYC on the day my I reach my cap and because of the high data usage in that city? Or what if I'm in El Paso where someone can probably exceed 3 gigs and not come close to the top 5%. At that point, I'm really not getting what I've paid for. If anything ATT should be a bit more lenient with customers who have enterprise accounts with them.

Just pay for the bandwidth you use and you won't have to worry about throttling. For someone who travels that much and likely relies on the access it seems silly not to switch to a regular plan.

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A334 Safari/7534.48.3)

BGR is talking about it also.

AT&T declares war on unlimited data users

http://www.bgr.com/2012/02/14/att-declares-war-on-unlimited-data-users/

Ha, Now ATT fires back saying its our fault.

http://www.bgr.com/2012/02/15/att-on-data-throttling-blame-yourselves/

Hold on a minute, they are the ones selling it, if they dont have enough bandwidth to support the customers they have, how can they sign up new people. Isnt that fraud. kind of? to sell something you dont have?


Before you pay = Im selling x, its $100. a month and I will give you x.
After you pay your $100. = I dont have enough x to go around, you will have to do without.

ATT= Hey its not our fault, we just sell, we don't support the network.

New customers get pay for what you use plans not flat rate freeload plans.

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A334 Safari/7534.48.3)

BGR is talking about it also.

AT&T declares war on unlimited data users

http://www.bgr.com/2012/02/14/att-declares-war-on-unlimited-data-users/

Ha, Now ATT fires back saying its our fault.

http://www.bgr.com/2012/02/15/att-on-data-throttling-blame-yourselves/

Hold on a minute, they are the ones selling it, if they dont have enough bandwidth to support the customers they have, how can they sign up new people. Isnt that fraud. kind of? to sell something you dont have?


Before you pay = Im selling x, its $100. a month and I will give you x.
After you pay your $100. = I dont have enough x to go around, you will have to do without.

ATT= Hey its not our fault, we just sell, we don't support the network.

Again, this is where AT&T is getting an F for handling a legitimate business issue.

Their message isn't that 'you're using too much data'....we want people to start paying for the data they use.

Again, the writing has been on the wall this day would eventually come. But AT&T should have manned up and just announced they were ending unlimited on the next upgrade. People would be unhappy, but they'd deal with it to get the next phone. But giving the dog and pony show about 'heavy users' last fall, then dropping that threshold down a few months later to 2G just pi$$es off a lot of your best customers. And then to insult them and act like it's their fault....wow, just wow.

I agree. AT&T should have ripped the bandage off and ended unlimited. However they were actually trying to be considerate of their users and only get crap for it.

There is no reason why anyone who actually must have more data can not switch to a regular plan. It is not like they are unreasonable. Instead of doing it though people will complain and act like they are mistreated. That is why the idea of the customer is always right has been dead for a long while.

I think what AT&T has done here from the beginning has been fair and reasonable. They have spent way more time and resources keeping the unlimited program alive at this point then it has been worth to them yet people still act like AT&T owes them 1000 gigs a month for $30 forever.

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A334 Safari/7534.48.3)

At&t employee here in the wireline side of the company. We provide the fiber ethernet pipe (backhaul) to the cell sites including our competitors. I'm working in a Metro PCS site as I type this, I've also done Sprint, Verizon, T-mobile and every other co in Southern Cal. I imagine it seems unfair to be capped but think of the other side of the coin, throttling makes sure others can use the internet too. If all the resources are tied up with a few downloading movies then other customers can't send texts, emails browse etc... From what I understand LTE is scalable so in the future more pipe will be implemented, I know because Fiber optics is pretty unlimited it just depends on the equipment its hooked up to. I welcome competition but you'll find they have they're limitations too. Contact At&t too let em know, the network is better now than its every been. think back to the first cell phones. Constructive criticism always welcome

Unfortunately fair is not in many peoples vocabulary. They have no problem having the guy who uses 60 Megs a month subsidize their 60 gigs a month usage. People still clinging to unlimited certainly have no interest in the bigger picture. It is all me I me I I me I.

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A334 Safari/7534.48.3)

I have been following this thread for awhile, and finally had to post. It is very simple what AT&T is going to do. They have a clause in your contract that says they can change the terms any time they want (as do ALL providers), so all they will do is notify everyone on the unlimited data plan that they are ending unlimited data, and you will be switched to the 3gb plan at some point in the future. The price is the same, and users will probably not have any legal recourse, since there is no change in your monthly bill. Why do you think they came up with that? Their lawyers probably told them that as long as the price that people pay remains the same, they can change the agreement, and people would still be liable for the ETF if they decide to leave, and the only choice will be to switch providers. Legally, there is nothing anyone can do about it. All this talk about a class action lawsuit can go nowhere, since AT&T is not technically breaking any laws. Though I will say that their actions are not very moral, and certainly not customer service oriented, but when have ANY cell phone companies (big 3 anyway) cared about customer service?.

I am NOT defending AT&T's actions. They are actually acting in a very underhanded fashion to get people off the unlimited data plans. I'm just surprised that they haven't completely done away with them, as they can do so anytime they wish.

Most of us can accept the reality that AT&T probably has the right and legal high ground in the these contracts. But I believe not only do people have the right voice there objections to it, as consumers we should do it more. Maybe if there is enough pressure from consumers, then these companies might reconsider how they do business. Again, I'm sure the contract gives AT&T the right to do whatever they want, and since there is no Real competition, I believe there is a bigger issue that needs to be address. If the government isn't going to break up oligopies or monopolies, then at the least they (the compaines) shouldn't be allowed these loopholes out of contracts that in turn, customers are binder too but the companies can change. That's where the FCC, government, etc... should look- not that the contracts favor the companies, we all know they do, that these contracts by these companies (who tamper and feed off each other) are not fair and violate many of our rights.

Trust me: I know... I don't have to have a cell phone, or a contract... but let's get real- the majority of American's do or it's close to reaching a majority.

Lol apple has continued unlimited plans past multiple contracts yet you have the nerve to claim they are trying to screw you in all this? That is absolutely delusional.

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A334 Safari/7534.48.3)

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 5_0_1 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/534.46 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.1 Mobile/9A406 Safari/7534.48.3)

I have an Iphone 4S and the unlimited data plan from at&t (since the first gen iphone was released). I am part of the metro new york market. Last month I received this message from AT&T after reaching 2 GB of data use: "ATT Free Msg: Your data use is approaching the top 5% of users. Avoid reduced data speeds, use Wi-Fi where available. Visit..."

And today I received that same message from AT&T after hitting 1.5 GB of data use. This data throttling is getting out of hand. Is anyone aware if a class action lawsuit is being organized against AT&T for customers paying for an unlimited data plan and not receiving this "unlimited" product?

You do get unlimited data. If it bothers you switch over to a pay for what you use plan and save money every month instead of trying to join a class action suit.

 

[YaBoiD]

Is this for the month, or permanent?

It's permanent.

 

[jvdrummer182]

You do get unlimited data. If it bothers you switch over to a pay for what you use plan and save money every month instead of trying to join a class action suit.

Explain to me how controlled data speed is unlimited. Unlimited means not bound or controlled; unlimited data amounts and unlimited speed. Plus, AT&T lowers the speed in order to limit a customers data use, which completely goes against the idea of being unlimited. If I'm paying a company for a service, I want to get what I signed up for.

The biggest issue here is that AT&T currently offers a 3 GB data plan for the same price I'm paying for my unlimited plan, but they have the audacitiy to warn unlimited customers of being throttled once they hit 1.5 GB. AT&T should atleast allow us unlimited customers to reach 3 GB of usage before threatening to throttle speed.

 

[pooleman]

Last month I got my throttling warning at 11 gigs. This month I am at 3.8 and I got the warning. Also, last month I started using "Tether" app that was available on the iTunes store for a day before it was removed. The day after I used it I got the warning last month. I used it again Saturday for the first time this billing cycle and Sunday I got the warning again. I'm convinced this is not a coincidence.

 

[TWO2SEVEN]

The biggest issue here is that AT&T currently offers a 3 GB data plan for the same price I'm paying for my unlimited plan, but they have the audacitiy to warn unlimited customers of being throttled once they hit 1.5 GB. AT&T should atleast allow us unlimited customers to reach 3 GB of usage before threatening to throttle speed.

This is my main issue as well.

I can see their argument about the speed. Technically they guarantee that you can use as much data as you want, however, there is no guaranteed (unlimited) speed mentioned.