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AT&T sets threshold for 'unlimited' data plan throttling - Page 2

post #41 of 73
3/1/12 at 6:34pm
Soooo... Its a limited unlimited plan?

Screwing over consumers is the American way of business anymore. Standard procedure. Thank goodness for the likes of Apple who still believes in competition through innovation, quality products and service. I wish they would buy At&T with their $100 billion in cash.
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post #42 of 73
3/1/12 at 7:10pm
I'm glad to see AT&T doing the right thing here. I know people are upset about any kinds of limits on an 'unlimited' plan, but clearly the 2 GB cap was ridiculous. I'm glad to see they bumped it up to 3. This should make most people happy, as when the 2 GB cap went into effect, a ton of people posted on here that they use about 2 gigs a month & got hit. 3 gigs should alleviate most of those problems. I'd like to see it higher (at least higher than the current cap limits) or else slow down data 'hogs' but only when the cell they are in is congested & they are actually hurting other users, but at least they have become more reasonable with the cap.

I really don't think the Small Claims court action scared them at all. They didn't even send a member of their legal team to the hearing, just a sales person. It's not surprising that they lost, but if they started to send lawyers to these things, they would win them all.

As far as the Simultaneous talk & surf, I think it's not that big of a deal. I have Sprint, which doesn't offer the talk/surf at the same time, but it is really almost never a problem. It probably happens to me once every couple of months. For those that NEED the capability, AT&T is the only option, but while it's nice to have, it's far from a deal breaker for most users.
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post #43 of 73
3/1/12 at 7:14pm
I pay $5 a month extra, above & beyond the 2gig plan, to keep the grandfathered 'unlimited' plan. Most months I am way below the 2 gigs, but a couple of times I have gone over. I basically was willing to pay for the piece of mind, knowing I wouldn't be billed $10 for another gig, when I only went over by 12mb. If you averaged out all of my usage, I am well below the 2gig monthly usage, yet get billed for each & every text over my limit (doesn't apply to the data credit, even on a limited data plan). I was dreaming that tethering would be added to the unlimited plan; how naive. Not only did that not occur, but AT&T charges extra for tethering, throwing in extra gb, which you may never use. There is no provision for free use of tethering as long as you stayed under the 2gb limit of the phone plan, & it never applied to the 'unlimited' plan.

Its almost interesting to read that even more throttling will occur on the unlimited plan & hear speculation that AT&T probably will drop it altogether,
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post #44 of 73
3/1/12 at 7:16pm
Folks should still sue in small claims court. Now AT&T is unabashedly admitting that the unlimited plan you signed up for in their contract has been broken by AT&T. 3GB is not unlimited. They shouldn't be able to blatantly cap "unlimited" and get away with it.
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post #45 of 73
3/1/12 at 7:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by I am a Zither Zather Zuzz View Post

You cannot talk and surf the web at the same time with Verizon, and that ability is very important to iPhone users.

Maybe you weren't aware of that?

For example, if your wife calls you on your 25th Wedding Anniversary, and you had forgotten, you can make a dinner reservation online while you chat with her. Then you don't get in trouble.

With Verizon, you end up in the doghouse for the night, instead of enjoying sa delicious meal with your beloved.

Its not worth it. Stick with ATT.

All the LTE phones allow talking and surfing, and once a LTE iPhone get released on VZW that argument won't hold water.
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject" - Winston Churchill
"Just because something is deemed the law doesn't make it just" - SolipsismX
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"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject" - Winston Churchill
"Just because something is deemed the law doesn't make it just" - SolipsismX
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post #46 of 73
3/1/12 at 7:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil View Post

So why haven't I heard even a whisper about it since the Verizon iPhone 4 launch? And why do people still buy Verizon and Sprint iPhones, then?

I don't expect an answer. I don't WANT an answer. I'm exposing nonsense, is all.

They're too busy talking on the phone to post their complaints on AI.
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject" - Winston Churchill
"Just because something is deemed the law doesn't make it just" - SolipsismX
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"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject" - Winston Churchill
"Just because something is deemed the law doesn't make it just" - SolipsismX
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post #47 of 73
3/1/12 at 7:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by I am a Zither Zather Zuzz View Post

You cannot talk and surf the web at the same time with Verizon, and that ability is very important to iPhone users.

Maybe you weren't aware of that?

For example, if your wife calls you on your 25th Wedding Anniversary, and you had forgotten, you can make a dinner reservation online while you chat with her. Then you don't get in trouble.

With Verizon, you end up in the doghouse for the night, instead of enjoying sa delicious meal with your beloved.

Its not worth it. Stick with ATT.

Verizon's 4G LTE network allows you to talk and surf at the same time.
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post #48 of 73
3/1/12 at 7:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wickly View Post

Verizon's 4G LTE network allows you to talk and surf at the same time.

Not on an iPhone.
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post #49 of 73
3/1/12 at 9:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mkral View Post

I really don't think the Small Claims court action scared them at all. They didn't even send a member of their legal team to the hearing, just a sales person. It's not surprising that they lost, but if they started to send lawyers to these things, they would win them all.

There is a common misconception about Small Claims courts. Lawyers/attorneys are NOT allowed to represent anyone in Small Claims courts. Only the plaintiff and defendant are allowed to speak and represent themselves. That's why AT&T sent an employee salesperson to represent its interests in the Small Claims court.

So I would say that the Small Claims court action did scare them to some extent.
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post #50 of 73
3/1/12 at 9:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dick Applebaum View Post

AT&T sets threshold for 'unlimited' data plan throttling

How can that sentence make any sense... don't words have meaning?

Sure. And ATT defines "unlimited data" as the amount of data, independent of the speed. Grandfathering wasn't something they had to do and it could be dropped completely at any time. In fact I won't be shocked if come the next iPhone that is exactly what happens.

Personally I support the carriers being able to throttle. So long as they are upfront about it and consistent. ATT has now achieved both. Or at least has put it on the books. If they don't follow their own rules they get what they deserve in terms of small claims, negative PR, lost accounts etc
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post #51 of 73
3/2/12 at 12:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by charlituna View Post

Sure. And ATT defines "unlimited data" as the amount of data, independent of the speed. Grandfathering wasn't something they had to do and it could be dropped completely at any time. In fact I won't be shocked if come the next iPhone that is exactly what happens.

Personally I support the carriers being able to throttle. So long as they are upfront about it and consistent. ATT has now achieved both. Or at least has put it on the books. If they don't follow their own rules they get what they deserve in terms of small claims, negative PR, lost accounts etc

grandfathering is something companies do to encourage the consumer to stick with the plan and company they were already using , if they didnt then the consumer would be looking at all companies equally when there contract is up.
what att is saying is that they dont value their long term customers
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post #52 of 73
3/2/12 at 12:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil View Post

So why haven't I heard even a whisper about it since the Verizon iPhone 4 launch? And why do people still buy Verizon and Sprint iPhones, then?

I don't expect an answer. I don't WANT an answer. I'm exposing nonsense, is all.

I agree with your stance to ZZZ. However, I am in this group at Verizon. I don't like the fact that you can't do both simultaneously, but don't complain because it's a function of CDMA not Verizon's policy.

I would complain if it was Verizon policy doing it to iPhone users. We don't because Verizon can't do anything about it yet. LTE (4G) should, I hope, change this. There is advantages to having this functionality.
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post #53 of 73
3/2/12 at 12:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bageljoey View Post

Just about every time you agree to anything with a corporation or bank these days, you also agree to settle all disputes with arbitration. It is a situation that works against the consumer in almost every case...

Maybe it time for a new term "Class-Action Arbitration." Actually I think it's far time for consumer unionization. Collective bargaining against these monopolies is what is needed to balance the playing field. Competition isn't working when Telcos collude.
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post #54 of 73
3/2/12 at 3:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bageljoey View Post

Well, it seems to me that Zither doesn't believe it either, he is just trying to stir the pot.

However, I will answer your question as best as I can. Many (most?) of the Verizon iPhone buyers were already Verizon customers so they were never accustomed to having voice and data at the same time. They have no cause for complaint. OTOH, people who did switch to Verizon did so with the full knowledge of that limitation--it's not like it was a secret. They would have known that they were making the choice to give up simultaneous voice and data in return for better coverage in their area or a better rate plan or whatever. If THEY were to complain they would rightly be called idiots.

For me, I don't use voice and data simultaneously all that often, but when I do I find it extremely useful--usually I have GPS and maps going while talking on speakerphone. I have even helped family members with dumbphones find their way by using my maps while talking to them... It wouldn't be a deal breaker for me, but I would certainly miss it!

Finally, we will never know how many people decided to stay with AT&T because of this functionality. Who knows, maybe that is exactly the reason the long rumored mass exodus never occurred when Verizon got the iPhone.

If you find this line of reasoning to be nonsense, that is fine with me. It will be a moot point soon anyway with LTE, I guess...

Trust me voice and simultaneous data are a deal breaker for me. I can't live without that functionality. I use it all day everyday. Not to mention; when you're tethering a laptop/tablet with AT&T and get a phone call it's no problem. With Verizon or sprint. Your data cuts out and gives priority to the phone call. Not good when your in the middle of doing something important online on your tethered device. (my company pays for tethering for me)
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post #55 of 73
3/2/12 at 5:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by kharvel View Post

There is a common misconception about Small Claims courts. Lawyers/attorneys are NOT allowed to represent anyone in Small Claims courts. Only the plaintiff and defendant are allowed to speak and represent themselves. That's why AT&T sent an employee salesperson to represent its interests in the Small Claims court.

So I would say that the Small Claims court action did scare them to some extent.

AT&T certainly has lawyers that are employees of the company. AT&T could just send one of them. It's not like the customer filed suit against the sales manager.
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post #56 of 73
3/2/12 at 6:08am
Wow that whole situation really sucks. I live in Germany and I can use my phone as a hot spot. I assumed everybodies phone could do it until my son came to visit for Christmas and his couldnt. Now I see why.
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post #57 of 73
3/2/12 at 6:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by I am a Zither Zather Zuzz View Post

Not on an iPhone.

I'm sorry, I'm going to have to ask you to stop talking until you can provide proof of your ABJECT NONSENSE.

There is no LTE iPhone. You cannot possibly know this. Therefore you are writing a hoax by stating "Not on an iPhone" as a response to the ability to use voice and data services simultaneously with LTE.
PhilBoogie
That's Google alright. For a stupid company they sure do dumb things.
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PhilBoogie
That's Google alright. For a stupid company they sure do dumb things.
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post #58 of 73
3/2/12 at 7:16am
Der AT&T: Get read for a class action suit for

Breach of contract
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post #59 of 73
3/2/12 at 7:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dadoria2 View Post

Trust me voice and simultaneous data are a deal breaker for me. I can't live without that functionality. I use it all day everyday. Not to mention; when you're tethering a laptop/tablet with AT&T and get a phone call it's no problem. With Verizon or sprint. Your data cuts out and gives priority to the phone call. Not good when your in the middle of doing something important online on your tethered device. (my company pays for tethering for me)

Same for me, though I don't have tethering. I need that functionality.

Quote:
Originally Posted by pgreen01 View Post

Wow that whole situation really sucks. I live in Germany and I can use my phone as a hot spot. I assumed everybodies phone could do it until my son came to visit for Christmas and his couldnt. Now I see why.

You can, but it costs extra per month, which is CRAP. I paid for the data, now let me use it.
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post #60 of 73
3/2/12 at 7:58am
5GB for LTE?

So if you use the LTE plan like those super-fast douchebags in AT&Ts obnoxious TV commercial, you exhaust your allotted limit in a day, more or less?

Also, does AT&T pay TV "reporters" to brainwash us into the "OMG the networks are so clogged that we have to throttle" BS? If it's so jammed, why can I get 3.5Mbps download without any problems anywhere in Dallas? Especially if I pay extra for more GB/month?
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post #61 of 73
3/2/12 at 8:47am
I have both iPhone and iPad on AT&T.
When the new model iPad arrives, I am switching to Verizon.
I made a mistake in holding onto my unlimited plan, when I have never used more than 2GB.

The unlimited plan was a bait and switch from the start.
Offer an unlimited plan, then take it away unless grandfathered.
You can't go month-to-month, because if you ever drop a month, you lose unlimited.
Even tho you aren't using it, who knows what the future holds?
Then, add throttling to all those loyal customers that paid the extra cost of unlimited all this time.

On another topic:
It would be nice if Verizon would subsidize the iPad.
I have never turned off my iPad connection to AT&T in the nearly two years I've owned it (see above).
I would be happy to contract for 2 years to get a price reduction.
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post #62 of 73
3/2/12 at 10:55am
Quote:
Originally Posted by AppleInsider View Post

A new policy to be applied to AT&T unlimited 3G and 4G data plans puts a cap on the amount of bandwidth users are allowed before being throttled, effectively bringing and end to truly 'unlimited' data use on the company's network.

AT&T was the first partner telecom to carry Apple's iPhone, and offered $30 unlimited data plans when the device rolled out in 2007.

[ View article on AppleInsider ]

AT&T only charged $20 per month for the unlimited data plan when iPhone (the original) came out, and it was grandfathered in at that price as well, just like the unlimited part of it, for that now old, Edge only iPhone. Anyway, point being, AT&T is taking more from us than even this article implies, relatively speaking.
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post #63 of 73
3/2/12 at 11:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by FresherWaymore View Post

AT&T only charged $20 per month for the unlimited data plan when iPhone (the original) came out, and it was grandfathered in at that price as well, just like the unlimited part of it, for that now old, Edge only iPhone. Anyway, point being, AT&T is taking more from us than even this article implies, relatively speaking.

They also didn't have to subsidize the cost of the device. It was a profit sharing model that allowed them to pay out small amounts to Apple each month for money already collected instead of a huge lump sum right after the month of the sale. This allows for AT&T's data plan to be far less than the industry which was charging up to 2 to 3x as much for unlimited data for EDGE speeds if I recall correctly.

It's rumoured that AT&T is the one that didn't want to end the profit sharing even though it was unwanted by most MNOs.

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post #64 of 73
3/2/12 at 11:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by SDW2001 View Post

Der AT&T: Get read for a class action suit for

Breach of contract

1) The contract clearly states in what way the service is unlimited.

2) The contract is designed to hold you accountable for the value of the service you agree to pay for. You can end it by paying the ETF fee and AT&T can end it at any time they want.

3) If a carrier forces a change that is not specified in the contract the contact is nullified. I've seen this before when companies were being bought out. This allows the customer to leave the carrier and keep the device, if they so choose, without a fear of penalty but it does not mean the carrier has to pay them anything for dissolving the contract as its for the carrier against the consumer who is getting several hundred dollars for free up front, in most cases.

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post #65 of 73
3/2/12 at 5:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SpamSandwich View Post

Let the lawsuits begin, crush AT&T's stock price, then let Apple sweep in and buy them out. Why didn't I think of that...

And will Apple support all the other mobile devices currently supported by AT&T? Or will it be an Apple only network?
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post #66 of 73
3/2/12 at 5:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil View Post

I'm sorry, I'm going to have to ask you to stop talking until you can provide proof of your ABJECT NONSENSE.

There is no LTE iPhone. You cannot possibly know this. Therefore you are writing a hoax by stating "Not on an iPhone" as a response to the ability to use voice and data services simultaneously with LTE.

If "there is no LTE iPhone", then you certainly cannot "use voice and data services simultaneously with LTE" on an iPhone. So what he said is true.

And unless he was using speech to text technology, he was either "typing" or "posting", not "talking".
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post #67 of 73
3/2/12 at 5:24pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX View Post

He's not a serious poster. He thinks he's being clever by posting what he thinks the ultimate Apple apologist would say. Best just to ignore him... or make him cry.

But if he is simply posting what Apple fans like to see posted, then what is the problem?
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post #68 of 73
3/2/12 at 5:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Haggar View Post

But if he is simply posting what Apple fans want to see posted, then what is the problem?

"...posting what he thinks..."

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post #69 of 73
3/2/12 at 5:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Haggar View Post

But if he is simply posting what Apple fans like to see posted, then what is the problem?

The blatant lies? The Poeing? The disingenuousness of it all?

Take your pick.
PhilBoogie
That's Google alright. For a stupid company they sure do dumb things.
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PhilBoogie
That's Google alright. For a stupid company they sure do dumb things.
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post #70 of 73
3/3/12 at 5:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by I am a Zither Zather Zuzz View Post

You cannot talk and surf the web at the same time with Verizon, and that ability is very important to iPhone users.

Maybe you weren't aware of that?

For example, if your wife calls you on your 25th Wedding Anniversary, and you had forgotten, you can make a dinner reservation online while you chat with her. Then you don't get in trouble.

With Verizon, you end up in the doghouse for the night, instead of enjoying sa delicious meal with your beloved.

Its not worth it. Stick with ATT.

Thanks for recapping the AT&T commercial for us.
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post #71 of 73
3/3/12 at 8:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SolipsismX View Post

1) The contract clearly states in what way the service is unlimited.

Yes, it does. It says nothing about throttling if you use too much.

Quote:

2) The contract is designed to hold you accountable for the value of the service you agree to pay for.

I honestly don't know what the hell that means.

Quote:
You can end it by paying the ETF fee and AT&T can end it at any time they want.

Irrelevant. The ability to end a contract does not mean AT&T gets to alter the terms after you sign it.

Quote:



3) If a carrier forces a change that is not specified in the contract the contact is nullified. I've seen this before when companies were being bought out. This allows the customer to leave the carrier and keep the device, if they so choose, without a fear of penalty but it does not mean the carrier has to pay them anything for dissolving the contract as its for the carrier against the consumer who is getting several hundred dollars for free up front, in most cases.

I've seen that as well. In this case, AT&T has allowed people who bought unlimited data plans to be grandfathered in...presumably because they had to. But the data is not unlimited. Downloads slow to near zero after one exceeds their cap. You are therefore paying for an unlimited data plan with a data limit.
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post #72 of 73
3/3/12 at 8:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SDW2001 View Post

Irrelevant. The ability to end a contract does not mean AT&T gets to alter the terms after you sign it.

I was under the impression that you automatically agree to any changes made to your contract by AT&T every time you pay your monthly bill.
PhilBoogie
That's Google alright. For a stupid company they sure do dumb things.
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PhilBoogie
That's Google alright. For a stupid company they sure do dumb things.
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post #73 of 73
3/4/12 at 12:37am
A number of years ago, T-mobile Uk introduced a fair use policy on their unlimited tariff, after 3gb they limited your use to regular html traffic and email, blocking you-tube etc. In time this limit was dropped to 1.5gb.

Now though they have decided to backtrack and have done away with limits on their Full Monty package.

Hopefully others will follow suit.
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