Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Would You Give Up Unlimited Data For LTE Speeds?

  • I Would Give Up My Unlimited Data for LTE and a Newer Phone

    Votes: 45 42.9%
  • I Would Keep My Unlimited Data and Stick with a Previous iPhone

    Votes: 60 57.1%

  • Total voters
    105
I agree...It's only a matter of time.

So you think theyll just one day take everyone off unlimited? No matter if you stay on a 3G device after 4G is out? I think thats pretty crappy of them to do. My parents have some insanely cheap unlimited everything plan from forever ago because theyre grandfathered into it. It is from Sprint though.
 
So you think theyll just one day take everyone off unlimited? No matter if you stay on a 3G device after 4G is out? I think thats pretty crappy of them to do. My parents have some insanely cheap unlimited everything plan from forever ago because theyre grandfathered into it. It is from Sprint though.
That is exactly what I think, and they will probably use high data usage and illegal tethering as the reason.

Edit: I don't know if they can just take you off unlimited without you signing a new contract, but I doubt it.
 
That is exactly what I think, and they will probably use high data usage and illegal tethering as the reason.

Edit: I don't know if they can just take you off unlimited without you signing a new contract, but I doubt it.

The illegal tethering thing I can understand even though I think its kinda BS but this whole unlimited is not really unlimited thing kinda pisses me off. If theyre really gonna get people off unlimited for high data usage then why the hell would they call it unlimited to begin with? Really shady imo if thats how it happens.
 
So you think theyll just one day take everyone off unlimited? No matter if you stay on a 3G device after 4G is out? I think thats pretty crappy of them to do. My parents have some insanely cheap unlimited everything plan from forever ago because theyre grandfathered into it. It is from Sprint though.
I don't think they'll punt people off, no. However, I think it'll come down to 3G seeming to be utterly slow because of whatever comes after 4G. You wouldn't stay on GPRS now, would you?
 
The illegal tethering thing I can understand even though I think its kinda BS but this whole unlimited is not really unlimited thing kinda pisses me off. If theyre really gonna get people off unlimited for high data usage then why the hell would they call it unlimited to begin with? Really shady imo if thats how it happens.
The only thing that I can figure, is that when the unlimited plan was first introduced, devices just weren't capable of using the amount of data that they now, and by the time AT&T figured out it was gonna be a problem, the cat was already out of the bag. Lets face it, every time a new version of a device comes out, it is capable of using more data, faster.
 
I don't think they'll punt people off, no. However, I think it'll come down to 3G seeming to be utterly slow because of whatever comes after 4G. You wouldn't stay on GPRS now, would you?

no I wouldnt but there is a huge difference between GPRS and 3G. I know I know theres a big difference in 3G to LTE but with GPRS data takes FOREVER to load. On 3G I barely wait more than a few seconds for anything. When I tether its not any noticeably different than my cable internet. I may be able to hang onto 3G for a while if it keeps my unlimited data but I say that now then LTE comes out and I may collapse and get it haha.
 
Bottom line....If they come out with a new phone that I want, I'm gonna get it, and it really doesn't matter if I have to give up my unlimited data, to make that happen.
 
no I wouldnt but there is a huge difference between GPRS and 3G. I know I know theres a big difference in 3G to LTE but with GPRS data takes FOREVER to load. On 3G I barely wait more than a few seconds for anything. When I tether its not any noticeably different than my cable internet. I may be able to hang onto 3G for a while if it keeps my unlimited data but I say that now then LTE comes out and I may collapse and get it haha.
That's now. Back when GPRS was new it was equally speedy because phones weren't trying to download an entire webpage (which are now more complex). In 3-4 years 3G will also have a hard time pulling in much more complex and data intensive sites. That's just the way progress goes.
 
You're going to lose unlimited data when your contract comes to an end so you might as well just get rid of it now. Use the faster speed of LTE and learn how to moderate your data usage. It's pretty simple.
 
I'm pretty sure I'm gonna give it up even before an LTE phone (averaging 2.4 GBs a month)... don't see why I should keep unlimited as I don't have a need for it.
 
You're going to lose unlimited data when your contract comes to an end so you might as well just get rid of it now. Use the faster speed of LTE and learn how to moderate your data usage. It's pretty simple.

Not true at all. not everyone gets phones at subsidized prices. Thanks for the tips though.........
 
Not true at all. not everyone gets phones at subsidized prices. Thanks for the tips though.........

Actually it is true. Everyone is able to get a subsidized price at the end of a contract or in most cases, with a year left in your contract. Once your contract comes to an end, you will no longer be able to have an unlimited data plan as the plan no longer will exist. You might as well get use to not using as much data as you want. Limit yourself and then when you do lose your unlimited data, you won't be going ape **** because you don't know what to do with your life. Thanks for the tips though......
 
True. But that only affects whether you have a contract, not data speed (which is what I think the previous poster was referring to).
Exactly...If you aren't under contract, I would assume that they can change your plan, if and when they want to.
 
Actually it is true. Everyone is able to get a subsidized price at the end of a contract or in most cases, with a year left in your contract. Once your contract comes to an end, you will no longer be able to have an unlimited data plan as the plan no longer will exist. You might as well get use to not using as much data as you want. Limit yourself and then when you do lose your unlimited data, you won't be going ape **** because you don't know what to do with your life. Thanks for the tips though......

I mean maybe youre right but Im not sure. My dad has a super old school unlimited minutes plan that is extremely cheap and doesnt exist anymore. He has been out of contract for years and still has this plan since he uses cheap dumb phones and doesnt care about new smartphones. They have yet to take it away from him and the plan definitely doesnt exist anymore so thats proving you wrong right there. Maybe its different for data plans but you can definitely have a plan that doesnt exist anymore while not under a 2 year contract.
 
Last edited:
I mean maybe youre right but I dont think so and it doesnt sound like you know for sure youre just guessing. My dad has a super old school unlimited minutes plan that is extremely cheap and doesnt exist anymore. He has been out of contract for years and still has this plan since he uses cheap dumb phones and doesnt care about new smartphones. They have yet to take it away from him and the plan definitely doesnt exist anymore so thats proving you wrong right there. Maybe its different for data plans but you can definitely have a plan that doesnt exist anymore while not under a 2 year contract.
They haven't taken the plan away from him simply because they choose not to. If you aren't under contract, the carrier can do whatever they want, whenever they want to your plan.
 
They haven't taken the plan away from him simply because they choose not to. If you aren't under contract, the carrier can do whatever they want, whenever they want to your plan.

Gotcha did not know that. so they pretty much have full control and can do whatever they want whenever they want. That sucks.
 
Gotcha did not know that. so they pretty much have full control and can do whatever they want whenever they want. That sucks.
I can almost guarantee you that if they weren't making money off of your fathers plan, he wouldn't have it.:D
 
Gotcha did not know that. so they pretty much have full control and can do whatever they want whenever they want. That sucks.

He's also using a 'dumb' phone that most likely doesn't consume a lot of data. If he had a smartphone the plan would be removed in seconds. Without a plan, the service provider is able to change your plan in seconds and there is nothing you can do about it. I would advise not calling someone out and stating their wrong when you really aren't sure yourself.
 
Right now Im getting around 6Mbps down and easy 1-2Mbps up in the New England area with my iphone 4. If the next iphone is HSPA+ and since my area is upgraded to that I'd stick with that.


Holy chewy Cow, AppleJuiced! Is this speed common in your area (and other "3G" areas)?

I've never seen anything (ever) above 2.5Mbps down / ~ 1Mbps up. And I'm in a big city with widespread 3G deployment.

Anyway, to answer OP's question: No. That may change, but I'm OK for now and the foreseeable future.
 
I can almost guarantee you that if they weren't making money off of your fathers plan, he wouldn't have it.:D

Right but arent they making money off of all our plans? Why would they just dump me from unlimited 3G then? Theyre obviously making money off of me just like my dad.
 
Right but arent they making money off of all our plans? Why would they just dump me from unlimited 3G then? Theyre obviously making money off of me just like my dad.
Thay can't just pick and choose, in order to stop the data hogs, everyone will suffer.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.