AT&T to raise insurance, throttle heavy data users ahead of iPhone 5 launch
AT&T plans to raise insurance costs for iPhone users and begin to throttle the top 5 percent of its data users as it prepares for the launch of Apple's fifth-generation handset.
The wireless provider on Friday updated its insurance information webpage to note that starting Oct. 4, rates will jump from $5 to $7 for both new and existing customers.
As Electronista points out, the price hike arrives in conjunction with the establishment of a new device tier ( Device Tier 3) for iPhone and "other devices" that carries a $199 non-refundable deductible.
The changes go into effect the same day Apple has scheduled a media event to take the wraps off its latest line of iPhones. As such, the timing may suggest that Apple and it partners may begin accepting pre-orders shortly after the announcement, given the new insurance plan will go into effect the same day.
Another change coming to AT&T customers ahead of the new iPhone is the throttling of data speed for its heaviest users.
Some of these customers began receiving text messages from AT&T this week, advising them that their data usage places them in the top 5 percent of the network and warns of reduced speeds beginning Oct 1st. Reddit user skelatwork posted an image of a text he received from the carrier on Thursday, claiming he had used over 11GBs at the time.
AT&T released a statement in July preparing users for the bandwidth cap, though it has never outlined what usage statistics constitute being in the top 5 percent.
The wireless provider on Friday updated its insurance information webpage to note that starting Oct. 4, rates will jump from $5 to $7 for both new and existing customers.
As Electronista points out, the price hike arrives in conjunction with the establishment of a new device tier ( Device Tier 3) for iPhone and "other devices" that carries a $199 non-refundable deductible.
The changes go into effect the same day Apple has scheduled a media event to take the wraps off its latest line of iPhones. As such, the timing may suggest that Apple and it partners may begin accepting pre-orders shortly after the announcement, given the new insurance plan will go into effect the same day.
Another change coming to AT&T customers ahead of the new iPhone is the throttling of data speed for its heaviest users.
Some of these customers began receiving text messages from AT&T this week, advising them that their data usage places them in the top 5 percent of the network and warns of reduced speeds beginning Oct 1st. Reddit user skelatwork posted an image of a text he received from the carrier on Thursday, claiming he had used over 11GBs at the time.
AT&T released a statement in July preparing users for the bandwidth cap, though it has never outlined what usage statistics constitute being in the top 5 percent.
Comments
AT&T released a statement in July preparing users for the bandwidth cap, though it has never outlined what usage statistics constitutes being in the top 5 percent.
Of course it didn't. This way it can claim any user is in the top 5%, thereby justifying throttle all users eventually.
Of course it didn't. This way it can claim any user is in the top 5%, thereby justifying throttle all users eventually.
Certainly all iCloud users.
Of course it didn't. This way it can claim any user is in the top 5%, thereby justifying throttle all users eventually.
Couldn't this be considered a material breach of the contract with it's users and allow users to break their contract, to go with, say Sprint- who says they will not throttle users?
Couldn't this be considered a material breach of the contract with it's users and allow users to break their contract, to go with, say Sprint- who says they will not throttle users?
Sprint does throttle users who exceed 5GB
Couldn't this be considered a material breach of the contract with it's users and allow users to break their contract, to go with, say Sprint- who says they will not throttle users?
How? You're still allowed unlimited data usage. There's no stipulation in the contract that states your data will always be at a high speed.
And now that the major providers have either tiered or capped data plans where are you going to go? Face it whether you like it or not you're stuck with your current provider for life.
They can throttle all they want... I'm still gonna use it...
"Hi there. You're among the top 5% of oxygen users this month. Click here to find out how to avoid reduced respiration rates."
By the way, what is the way to avoid reduced data rates? Stop using the service? Pay more?
Couldn't this be considered a material breach of the contract with it's users and allow users to break their contract, to go with, say Sprint- who says they will not throttle users?
If you are already OOC, it is a hollow remedy.
(over 14 Gb in the past month with unlimited plan)
What on earth are you using that much data for?
What on earth are you using that much data for?
Its purpose, probably.
What on earth are you using that much data for?
Let me clarify, that is just for my 11 and 9 year old sons who share an iPhone. Everything from YouTube... a lot of YouTube to web surfing, etc. There is a lot on YouTube...
What on earth are you using that much data for?
I was tipping 100GB/month at one time with my "contract violating" tethering.
Sprint does throttle users who exceed 5GB
It has never throttled my connection, even in the months when I have used 10-20GB. I never have a problem streaming video either.
It has never throttled my connection, even in the months when I have used 10-20GB. I never have a problem streaming video either.
It will be very interesting to see how that changes if they get the iPhone 5 four days from now.
I'm currently living in South Korea and Olleh, one of the carriers of the iPhone here has "Olleh Wifi" everywhere for their customers, street, bus, subways, trains. It's really nice.