Verizon to Begin Spot Throttling of High-Usage Customers on Unlimited LTE Plans

[69Mustang]

And this is precisely why Apple needs to become a service provider in its own right.

Never gonna happen. Apple likes nice big fat profit margins. Not anorexic 7-12% net profit margins the telcos enjoy.

And precisely why they won't. Same with being a cable company, ISP etc. Then they don't have to deal with crap like folks complaining about terms they agreed to when they signed their contracts.

I agree about the headache of running a company like that. Apple wants no parts of that nightmare. Plus just because Apple is good at running Apple doesn't mean they would be good at being a service provider. I disagree with you on the TOS'. Most, if not all, are structured specifically to discourage reading. They know most people want what they want when they want it. The majority will just hit accept to the agreement so they can get on with the enjoyment of their product or service.

 

[Ideanj]

I feel like no matter what, people are going to find something to bitch about. Just be grateful AT&T and Verizon both allow you to remain grandfathered on unlimited, which DOES prevent overage charges in all cases; they could just do away with it completely which would just give people even more to bitch about.

 

[furi0usbee]

Top 5%??? I remember when wireless carriers always said top 1%..... now it's top 5%.... next, top 10%..... First of all why does the FTC let them say UNLIMITED when that's not what any unlimited plan actually is. Because maybe you could argue that being bumped down is still access, so you haven't hit a limit, but if you were using truly unlimited, 100GB+ month, they would close your account using the verbiage in the UNLIMITED contract you signed. FTC should only allow UNLIMITED for just that, unlimited at a set speed. Not this tier/throttling system. Maybe if companies had to complete for real unlimited, they wouldn't be throwing that word around so much and would actually create a better service.

 

[solarguy17]

Verizon only continues to allow customers to keep their unlimited data if they either don't upgrade or upgrade with no discount. They are changing the terms that have honored for years without giving proper advanced notice. Can you imagine following their own set rules to keep unlimited data, spending $700 on a new device, and then being told they won't honor their own deal by throttling?

If you guys changed the terms of your agreement with Verizon, more power to ya. But for those of us who didn't, we're upset and have a right to be.



My question on this is how can we verify if we are on a congested tower and more specifically, what constitutes a congested tower?

They are giving everyone a 3+ month warning. That's a pretty good amount of time. Not saying it's a good policy but they are giving a good warning on the upcoming change.

 

[Gubbz]

This is surely fraud, as the title of the plan states Unlimited, but they limit their users, they attract people and then deliberately impose restrictions. In the UK, O2 got pulled up for similar in the first year if the iPhone. It is either unlimited or it's not, I wonder if they could get away with calling it Limited Unlimited?

This reminds me of the film The Big Bus, 'This is your first stop on your non-stop trip to Chicago' lol

 

[C DM]

These carriers can't keep calling these plans "unlimited" if they're not actually unlimited.

This is surely fraud, as the title of the plan states Unlimited, but they limit their users, they attract people and then deliberately impose restrictions. In the UK, O2 got pulled up for similar in the first year if the iPhone. It is either unlimited or it's not, I wonder if they could get away with calling it Limited Unlimited?

This reminds me of the film The Big Bus, 'This is your first stop on your non-stop trip to Chicago' lol

Throttling means you get your data at slower speeds, but you still get it. So it can still be unlimited, just getting it at a slower rate.

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Well that's even worse for you guys over there, but by the very definition of unlimited, they shouldn't be throttling the speed at any point. If they are, they can't call it unlimited.
If you go to a restaurant with unlimited free drink refills, you're going to get as many as you want. THAT'S unlimited.

But if you are going to get as many as you want only at a slower rate, is that still not unlimited? Unlimited doesn't imply how fast you get something, just that you can keep on getting it.

 

[Acorn]

Well that's even worse for you guys over there, but by the very definition of unlimited, they shouldn't be throttling the speed at any point. If they are, they can't call it unlimited.
If you go to a restaurant with unlimited free drink refills, you're going to get as many as you want. THAT'S unlimited.

Verizon's idea of unlimited is like a restaurant that offers free drinks but every time they fill the glass they put less liquid in it until finally your getting refills at 10% of the size of the glass over and over.

 

[sundog925]

To risk slower speeds, you must also meet all of the following criteria:

You're using a 4G LTE smartphone on an unlimited data plan.

Your current data usage falls within the top 5 percent of all Verizon users. This ceiling will almost certainly fluctuate in the future. As of March, hitting 4.7GB in a single month was enough to put you over it.

You're a month-to-month customer. Most people probably fall into this category, but if you've recently managed to renew your contract, you don't need to worry about throttling. This is one situation where being under contract is a good thing. Of course, extending an unlimited plan isn't supposed to be technically possible anymore. But where there's a will there's a way, and users have occasionally discovered loopholes that allow the plans to be renewed for another two years.

 

[C DM]

Then don't offer something if you didn't intend to honor it like you advertised it.

Was it advertised that you'll always get the fastest speeds possible, guaranteed? Or anything like that? Or just that you can use up data as you want and won't get charged for any overages, which is what unlimited technically would mean.

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Verizon's idea of unlimited is like a restaurant that offers free drinks but every time they fill the glass they put less liquid in it until finally your getting refills at 10% of the size of the glass over and over.

Or more like they refill your glass at a slower rate. So if you drink it fast the next one might not be fully refilled for you yet just because you drank it fast. You still get unlimited drinks, just at a slower rate. Many restaurants do that with their unlimited options actually where they will bring out next dishes only if you fully finished the one you already got and they will take some time to bring out the next one.

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But it's all part of one plan. The speed is part of the plan. Limiting the speed is limiting the plan. At least in my opinion.

un·lim·it·ed
ˌənˈlimitid/
adjective
not limited or restricted in terms of number, quantity, or extent.

Since the speed is being restricted, I don't consider that unlimited.

And in that very definition nothing about speed is mentioned. You are getting unlimited data, not data at unlimited speed or anything like that. They are different things, and one doesn't imply the other.

 

[tmarks11]

I am surprised that Verizon and ATT grandfather their plans. I am sure their lawyers are clever enough to weasel their way out.

Don't get me wrong: i have an ATT grandfathered plan on my iPad that I am sticking to like glue. I have kept the plan through 3 iPad upgrades.

Surely ATT lawyers could argue that I am using it on a completely different device, and I couldn't transfer the plan. But they didn't.

I started on a 3G plan (all that was available then); and ATT upgraded it to include LTE when they rolled out LTE nationwide. Surprised me; I thought they would choke us all to 3G speed until we traded in our "slow" 3G unlimited plan for a modern LTE-speed metered plan.

Surely ATT lawyers could argue that I am only authorized 3G speeds, because that was the original deal. But they didn't.

Of course, I am not the kind of user that keeps ATT executives awake at night. I don't think I have ever exceeded 2Gb in a month, and most months are in the 300mb realm.

So it is ironic that those with VZW unlimited plans from the days of 3G are going to complain when their data rate is throttled from 4G down to....wait for it... 3G speeds....

...You are getting unlimited data, not data at unlimited speed or anything like that. They are different things, and one doesn't imply the other.

+++1

 

[furi0usbee]

How do you pay for more than unlimited?

Great point. Unlimited was never unlimited, FTC should have banned them from using that word in advertisements, and it's too bad people don't have real choice. Basically when you sign up for cell serviced, you sign just about every right of yours away, rights that if you know you were giving up, you'd think twice. And since they all do this to us, guess what, we have no choice. The future is bleak.

 

[osofast240sx]

Great point. Unlimited was never unlimited, FTC should have banned them from using that word in advertisements, and it's too bad people don't have real choice. Basically when you sign up for cell serviced, you sign just about every right of yours away, rights that if you know you were giving up, you'd think twice. And since they all do this to us, guess what, we have no choice. The future is bleak.

I agree. And what the hell is XLTE? Verzion just decided to make up a name for lte smh

 

[C DM]

I agree. And what the hell is XLTE? Verzion just decided to make up a name for lte smh

They decided to give LTE with additional bandwidth/spectrum their own marketing name. Kind of like AT&T decided to call HSPA+ 4G at one point.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2458251,00.asp

 

[4jasontv]

Throttling means you get your data at slower speeds, but you still get it. So it can still be unlimited, just getting it at a slower rate.

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But if you are going to get as many as you want only at a slower rate, is that still not unlimited? Unlimited doesn't imply how fast you get something, just that you can keep on getting it.

Except that it was "unlimited 3G data". Then I agreed to pay full price for a device and was told it was "unlimited LTE data". So yeah, the speed was included.

 

[C DM]

Except that it was "unlimited 3G data". Then I agreed to pay full price for a device and was told it was "unlimited LTE data". So yeah, the speed was included.

Except the speed is not part of that. 3G and LTE are technologies that are used not speeds--you can still have slow LTE (like you can have slow WiFi, for example).

 

[rdlink]

I support this. If you want more you should be forced to pay more.

That's a crock. They signed a contract with VZW, and now VZW is changing the terms. I'm a tiered user, but I'm gone from VZW when my contract is up. Time to stop rewarding these scumbags for this type of behavior.

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Except the speed is not part of that. 3G and LTE are technologies that are used not speeds--you can still have slow LTE (like you can have slow WiFi, for example).

LTE is advertised as a bigger pipe, thus it is a speed.

 

[kdarling]

The biggest difference between Verizon's throttling and almost every other carrier that does throttling of the highest users, is...

...Verizon ONLY throttles during the time that there is congestion.

The instant that the month-to-month high data user flips to a non-congested cell, or the current cell stops being congested, they go back to full speed.

Other carriers throttle for the rest of the billing period no matter what, even if the high data user is alone on a cell. Verizon does not throttle unless it's necessary to be fair to other users.

 

[4jasontv]

Except the speed is not part of that. 3G and LTE are technologies that are used not speeds--you can still have slow LTE (like you can have slow WiFi, for example).

Oh I get it. Like if I rented a V8 that sometimes drops to 80 horsepower. I mean, the car still ran.

 

[kerrikins]

I'm of two minds on this.

1. If using 4.5gbs is enough to get you in the 'top 5%' then that's ridiculous and defeats the purpose of having an unlimited plan completely.

2. Part of this problem exists because there are cocky little jerks who think it's awesome to use their phones to run up 500gbs of usage. I can't even do that on my home connection, and while people can preach about not offering unlimited unless they plan to make it truly unlimited, the fact of the matter is that when these plans first came out usage just didn't *get* that high. Until the iPhone came out, 500mb was a lot!

So I feel sorry for the people whose usage is pretty reasonable, but I don't feel sorry for the people who are running up their usage deliberately.

 

[PocketSand11]

I don't even care if they're being relatively dishonest. Those bozos wasting 20 gigabytes every day and slowing down the network can take all the "read the fine print" punishments possible for all I care.

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I can't even do that on my home connection, and while people can preach about not offering unlimited unless they plan to make it truly unlimited, the fact of the matter is that when these plans first came out usage just didn't *get* that high. Until the iPhone came out, 500mb was a lot!

Exactly. They ask for sympathy (since legally, there was no guarantee of not being throttled), but that's ridiculous to request. I'll bet the throttled speed today is better than the full speed of 2008.

 

[C DM]

That's a crock. They signed a contract with VZW, and now VZW is changing the terms. I'm a tiered user, but I'm gone from VZW when my contract is up. Time to stop rewarding these scumbags for this type of behavior.

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LTE is advertised as a bigger pipe, thus it is a speed.

And yet nowhere in what you purchased was there any reference to unlimited speed or a guarantee of any speeds. Just unlimited data, as in no overages for whatever data you use, and that part is still there in that no matter how much data you use you would not have to pay any overage charges.

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Oh I get it. Like if I rented a V8 that sometimes drops to 80 horsepower. I mean, the car still ran.

You rented a V8 but the speed limit wherever you drive has been set to 25 MPH. The power of the car had no relationship to the speed that you can go whoever you are driving.

 

[danielsutton]

And precisely why they won't. Same with being a cable company, ISP etc. Then they don't have to deal with crap like folks complaining about terms they agreed to when they signed their contracts.

They do have to deal with the crap. And if they are not a service provider, they cannot do anything about it. But if Apple became a carrier, then they could offer service the way they want to, and the way their customers expect. So, it would really be a win for everyone. Greedy telcos can stick to their old ways as Apple provides end-to-end hardware/software/services, and leaves them in the dust.

Apple, if you are reading this, heed my advice, and become a carrier. Do not let the telecommunications companies ruin it for you by offering less and less service for more and more money. If you would offer your own data services, you could do it at reasonable cost, and you could bring the same kind of innovation to cellular data that you have brought to smartphones, tablets, computers, and the like.

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Never gonna happen. Apple likes nice big fat profit margins. Not anorexic 7-12% net profit margins the telcos enjoy.



I agree about the headache of running a company like that. Apple wants no parts of that nightmare. Plus just because Apple is good at running Apple doesn't mean they would be good at being a service provider. I disagree with you on the TOS'. Most, if not all, are structured specifically to discourage reading. They know most people want what they want when they want it. The majority will just hit accept to the agreement so they can get on with the enjoyment of their product or service.

Apple has their big, fat profit margins with their hardware business, as well as the 30% that they get from sales on the App Store. This is more than enough to subsidize data services, and they can keep making fat profits, there are no problems there. They still have a smartwatch to release, a new Apple TV, and some more Mac models. They are ripe for innovation, and they will make money like we have never seen before. Because Apple makes so much money on their hardware, software, and services, they can more than afford to become a service provider. They can offer unlimited date for everything (including voice, via VoIP) and once again control the narrative. The greedy telcos have been damaging Apple's image, nickel-and-diming customers while reducing the utility of having smartphones and tablets to begin with.

The telcos are becoming greedier and greedier, and are beginning to make it very difficult for us to enjoy our digital lifestyles. Apple needs to rise above the fray and spend some of its massive mountain of cash to restore sanity to the "Internet of things" and provide Apple-quality service that goes with their Apple-quality products.

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And yet nowhere in what you purchased was there any reference to unlimited speed or a guarantee of any speeds. Just unlimited data, as in no overages for whatever data you use, and that part is still there in that no matter how much data you use you would not have to pay any overage charges.

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You rented a V8 but the speed limit wherever you drive has been set to 25 MPH. The power of the car had no relationship to the speed that you can go whoever you are driving.

It is as if all of the highways in the country were demolished, and people were made to drive their V8s though congested city centers instead. Unlimited data is very important, and unhampered speeds are important as well. The telcos are getting more and more greedy, and it is time for Apple to start offering its own services to bypass the greed. Apple is known for quality, and they should not settle for having their image tarnished by greedy telecommunications companies. If the telcos want to play cheap, then Apple should reach into its deep pockets and build out a network of its own, and then we can really enjoy our services.

 

[kolax]

But if you are going to get as many as you want only at a slower rate, is that still not unlimited? Unlimited doesn't imply how fast you get something, just that you can keep on getting it.

It's like unlimited refills on a drink, but on the second refill, they'll pop holes in your straw so you start to suck up air and less liquid. Third refill, they'll pop more holes in your straw so you get even more air and less liquid. But, it's still unlimited refills right?

What's the point in offering unlimited data if they'll slow you down so you can't actually be 'unlimited'?

 

[69Mustang]

Apple has their big, fat profit margins with their hardware business, as well as the 30% that they get from sales on the App Store. This is more than enough to subsidize data services, and they can keep making fat profits, there are no problems there. They still have a smartwatch to release, a new Apple TV, and some more Mac models. They are ripe for innovation, and they will make money like we have never seen before. Because Apple makes so much money on their hardware, software, and services, they can more than afford to become a service provider. They can offer unlimited date for everything (including voice, via VoIP) and once again control the narrative. The greedy telcos have been damaging Apple's image, nickel-and-diming customers while reducing the utility of having smartphones and tablets to begin with.

The telcos are becoming greedier and greedier, and are beginning to make it very difficult for us to enjoy our digital lifestyles. Apple needs to rise above the fray and spend some of its massive mountain of cash to restore sanity to the "Internet of things" and provide Apple-quality service that goes with their Apple-quality products.

But, that just ain't gonna happen. I know you love Apple, but your view of the company is a bit pollyanna. Apple is a for profit corporation. It has never been nor will it ever be mistaken for being altruistic. Apple does not like you or me. Apple likes for you and me to buy their products. That's it. But the thing is, that's what they're supposed to do. It's business. Smart business and they do it very well.

You also keep calling the telcos greedy. Greedy how so? They operate at ~10% profit margins, not 39%. They do not have $150 billion cached in overseas banks. Apple is not spending their cash horde to make you happy. I'm sorry, they're not. Telco infrastructure, maintenance, and upgrades are a money suck. Does that even remotely sound like something Apple would do? Even if Apple did as you say (it won't happen) what makes you think the services would be better and/or cheaper? Apple knows nothing about running a telco. Being good at one thing doesn't mean you're good at another. You say Apple can keep the high margins on the product side and take less on the provider side. Why would Apple take less profit on the provider side? Because they like us? At some point reality is going to creep in and you will realize what you think of Apple is not what Apple thinks of Apple. Apple is a tech company. No more, no less. Not a friend who makes cool stuff because they like you.

 

[Ptjones1968]

Will the person using the "all you can eat" analogy, please stop. It's annoying!
Also, to the "we should be grateful" mob, these companies are money hungry corporate machines that don't give a tinkers cuss to your loyalty and want to pillage as much cash as they can for their shareholders. Look at how Verizon are screwing consumers by slowing data streams to Netflix on their Fios network. Throttling should be illegal.