AT&T warns of coming clamp-down on iPhone data hogs

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  • Reply 121 of 217
    ifailifail Posts: 463member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by TenoBell View Post


    AT&T doesn't have to change the contract, there already is a 5GB soft cap in the contract. The soft cap allows AT&T to discourage people who frequently exceed the 5GB cap.



    Thats only for the data cards they use for wifi, not the iphone





    Quote:
    Originally Posted by voretaq7 View Post


    Why do people keep repeating the same things?







    AT&T advertises an unlimited service. UNlimited. WITHOUT limitation.

    Transferring a terabyte of data in a month would not be "abusing" this service.

    Transferring an exabyte of data a month would not be "abusing" this service.

    Transfering a kilobyte of data a month would not be abusing this service.



    When your usages effects 80+ million customers from being able to enjoy the network due to your rampant use it abuses the service.



    Quote:
    Originally Posted by jazzmsngr View Post


    iFail, please read the above article BEFORE you start carrying the flags of the mega-corporations who claim to be on your side.



    They knew (att) what they were getting into with offering unlimited services.....they lured in consumers with a deal, and now they are pissed because they can't discriminate pricing on those same consumers. Would they have had the 3,000,000 new subscribers if they did not offer unlimited service? Maybe....or maybe not. I can only speak for myself in that I would not have done the deal. I have unlimited texting too....I would be one of the ones you claim are getting ripped off since I only text about 150 times a month.....but I never want to have to keep track of it and possibly go over, so I pay more a month to not have to worry about it. if they did not offer $30 for unlimited (or charged more for unlimited) I would have stuck with my non-internet phone. But I did not want to worry about "going over".



    I think 30 for unlimited is more than fair.....now....if you want to add tiers below 30 then fine, but when my HOME internet costs 40 a month, how can you tell me 50 a month for mobile is fair?



    Thats your fault you pay an extra 20 bucks a month for what you dont need. What sucks is the fact people abusing their services makes the 100 dollars a month i spend for AT&T just completely reek and i dont even use an iPhone! I dont like AT&T service as much as the next but lets be real here, the issues comes not only from iphone users but most ABUSERS.



    I'm not chanting for the mega corp but when 3% of your users eat nearly half your available bandwith that is not fair to the 80+ million people who pay for the same damn service and not expect to get atleast one dropped call a day or have their network flipflop from 3G to Edge (and in turn kill the battery of the phone sooner cause its constantly searching for 3G). I expect them to come in and say "enough is enough" and get a handle on some things.



    You are clearly someone who most likely uses more than their fair share of the internet (you sound like it). Im sure your parents taught you that if you abuse something, it gets taken away. They could put a 5GB cap and i wouldnt care, they could do tiered pricing and id probably be happy if it brings my bill down, but if them making YOU PAY MORE FOR YOUR USAGE improves my network, then i'm all for it
  • Reply 122 of 217
    kent909kent909 Posts: 731member
    Is this a case of AT&T being able to change the terms of a contract in the middle of the contract. Meaning if I signed up last week for the $30/mo. unlimited data plan that they can limit my usage before my two year contract expires, and if I don't like it I can cancel my service and pay an ETF? Big balls for someone about to lose their butt next year.
  • Reply 123 of 217
    aluopaluop Posts: 57member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by TenoBell View Post


    That's because you don't understand that no carrier literally offer "unlimited" data, they all have soft caps in the fine print of the contract. The soft cap is a contractual safeguard that helps the carrier take action if too many people hog bandwidth.



    Who doesn't understand this?

    I don't think anyone here needs your explanation.



    My point is if you advertise it with the word "unlimited" there should not be any cap no matter what.

    If the cap is 5GB, just say 5GB not "unlimited"!



    AT&T is trying to escape from their responsibilities by bringing hatred of some of their subscribers who are paying for and using something as they advertised.
  • Reply 124 of 217
    ifailifail Posts: 463member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by kent909 View Post


    Is this a case of AT&T being able to change the terms of a contract in the middle of the contract. Meaning if I signed up last week for the $30/mo. unlimited data plan that they can limit my usage before my two year contract expires, and if I don't like it I can cancel my service and pay an ETF? Big balls for someone about to lose their butt next year.



    Yes if they choose to change the contract terms they can. You can cancel your service but you wont have to pay an ETF, you get out of your contract with no loss (in fact it would most likely be AT&Ts loss if you just started your contract since they dont recoup iphone costs for almost 2 years)
  • Reply 125 of 217
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by GQB View Post


    Exactly what is an iPhone user's 'contract' with AT&T? (Not being facetious.)

    Is the 2 year lock-in the same as a 2 year contract? Are they required to not increase our plan rate at all? I tend to doubt it.



    If anyone can de-legalize the actual contract we sign it would actually add value to this conversation.



    They can increase rates but they can't increase the rates of a current contract. You sign a 2 year contract which locks in your rates. Its an unlimited data plan its very clear.
  • Reply 126 of 217
    tenobelltenobell Posts: 7,014member
    I looked over it again, you are right it does not specifically say for the iPhone. The contract does say that if you are tethering your phone and consistently using over 5GB a month, AT&T has the right to charge you more or disconnect your service.



    If you are consistently over 5GB, you are likely tethering your phone, and then subject to this part of the contract.



    Quote:
    Originally Posted by ifail View Post


    Thats only for the data cards they use for wifi, not the iphone



  • Reply 127 of 217
    aluopaluop Posts: 57member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by DominoXML View Post


    Or just stop being an all-you-can-eat restaurant when the regular customers aren't happy with the resulting quality due to a wrong mixed calculation and look for alternative offers.

    Hm, I missed the exclusive contract thing in the US.



    Perhaps the end of exclusivity could be a chance for AT&T...



    Exactly.

    Instead of bringing hatred and paying lawyers big money for stupid lawsuit, they should spend time and money on fixing the problem. Put more money they get from the unexpected millions of new customers back to the network, change their plan structure, stop advertising and selling fake "unlimited" plan, etc.

    Just not blame some of their customers who are paying for and using their service as advertised.
  • Reply 128 of 217
    geekdadgeekdad Posts: 1,131member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by solipsism View Post


    I remember that. The fine print says they can change the plans at any time since the contract is to hold you to the plan not the other way around. But if they essentially rip up the contract then you no longer are tied to that contract by law. I’ve seen it work for and against consumers. For being ones that wanted to switch carriers but didn’t want to incur a cancelation fee.



    Works for me! So my mandatory " $30 Unlimited Data" gets charged again even though they charge me for texting (which is data BTW). I can then cancel my contract with AT&T without a penalty then I will do so!! :-) Then I will just jailbreak my iPhone 3GS and go to T-Mobile for half the price!!! Wooohooo I would be saving money!!!

    Sounds like a winner to me...........
  • Reply 129 of 217
    desarcdesarc Posts: 642member
    this upsets me just enough to constantly stream pandora on my iphone instead of listening to my music. i renewed my contract when the 3gs came out, so i've got a while to force all your call to drop. muah ha ha.
  • Reply 130 of 217
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by ifail View Post


    Thats only for the data cards they use for wifi, not the iphone









    When your usages effects 80+ million customers from being able to enjoy the network due to your rampant use it abuses the service.







    Thats your fault you pay an extra 20 bucks a month for what you dont need. What sucks is the fact people abusing their services makes the 100 dollars a month i spend for AT&T just completely reek and i dont even use an iPhone! I dont like AT&T service as much as the next but lets be real here, the issues comes not only from iphone users but most ABUSERS.



    I'm not chanting for the mega corp but when 3% of your users eat nearly half your available bandwith that is not fair to the 80+ million people who pay for the same damn service and not expect to get atleast one dropped call a day or have their network flipflop from 3G to Edge (and in turn kill the battery of the phone sooner cause its constantly searching for 3G). I expect them to come in and say "enough is enough" and get a handle on some things.



    You are clearly someone who most likely uses more than their fair share of the internet (you sound like it). Im sure your parents taught you that if you abuse something, it gets taken away. They could put a 5GB cap and i wouldnt care, they could do tiered pricing and id probably be happy if it brings my bill down, but if them making YOU PAY MORE FOR YOUR USAGE improves my network, then i'm all for it



    Don't think so buddy! - By the way, how much is AT&T or some other Socialist group out there paying you to say this garbage?



    My contract is for UNLIMITED BANDWIDTH. PERIOD. I do think that if people want to pay less for less bandwidth usage, AT&T should offer cheaper deals for them; however, they should leave our unlimited bandwidth usage alone (and at the same price).



    As time passes, these cell phone companies need to INVEST (i.e. use the $$ we pay them) in NEW and FASTER networks such as the 4g network (http://www.4gnetwork.com/).



    Streaming videos and media is just the tip of the iceberg. AT&T and others need to build their networks up to handle the load. It may take a while; however, they need to be progressing and not regressing. This whole scheme is just a way to gouge consumers so the big wigs up top can make an extra buck. Its no different than the price gouging that goes on at the gas pumps.



    Check out Stop the Cap at:

    http://stopthecap.com



    Quote:

    ... the “us vs. them” mentality promulgated by many companies attempting to argue for caps and tiered pricing is designed to manipulate public opinion by engendering fictional stereotypes of “bandwidth hogs” and “abusers,” suggesting that some people are unfairly benefiting from overuse of services at another’s expense. Some providers have admitted that the cost of delivering the service is nearly the same no matter how much bandwidth is consumed, and many companies already offer under-marketed “lite” user plans for those only accessing the Internet occasionally. Provider bills are notorious for never decreasing, only increasing. Despite industry manipulation of consumer fears, customers recognize the fact they have never received a cable bill that has “gone down.” They only go up.



  • Reply 131 of 217
    s8er01zs8er01z Posts: 144member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Abster2core View Post


    Just where are you?



    Quad Cities (Davenport, IA Region).... If I was anywhere else in Iowa I wouldn't have 3G at all.



    Can I give my 'unlimited' bandwidth to someone else? maybe they can use it?
  • Reply 132 of 217
    <channels Molly Wood>

    WTG AT&T Execs! Display your ignorance for all to see so that we don't have to speculate anymore. What a stupid, threatening thing to say to your own customers.



    These so-called "abusers" and "data hogs" are your best and most excited customers. They actually put up with your poor network quality and pay you for your services anyway. The fact that they're using lots of data means that they're running around, dodging the dead zones in your network and limiting their "mobile" lives to your coverage map. Its not like Apple would allow a bittorent client on their phone that would eat up any available bandwidth. The folks you call "data hogs" are also known as users. If your network can't balance the load from the users you've signed up, that's your own problem. You should have included the price of the necessary upgrades in your contracts with Apple and with users and rolled those improvements out by now.



    Idiots...

    </channels Molly Wood>
  • Reply 133 of 217
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by technohermit View Post




    It will be really childish whining when the plans are 500MB per month for $30, and up from there. Then the real crying begins.



    Actually, I think that's when the leaving begins...
  • Reply 134 of 217
    ifoneifone Posts: 15member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Gazoobee View Post


    What a stupid argument. I bet you are one of those sucking all the data.



    In the first place there are already caps on the data. There isn't an "unlimited" plan in existence in any country that's truly unlimited.



    Secondly, why should someone who just gets email have to pay the same amount as someone who is watching live TV 24/7? This isn't a penalty on high data users more than it is a return to sanity in pricing.



    My contract allows for 6 Gigabytes of data a month for $30.00 plus hidden fees and taxes. This is a very generous plan by most standards, but I only use perhaps 20 or 30 Megabytes of data myself. Anyone streaming more than 6 Gigs of data a month certainly deserves to pay more, and people like myself who need a data contract, but only need a few hundred MBs should pay substantially less. This is just common sense and fairness.



    Behaviour won't be modified if there is no cost to said behaviour. Some assh*le abusing the bandwidth won't stop doing it if there is no cost to him.



    Yes, I'm one of them 'hogging' all the data....what u don't seem to understand is, whatever new pricing plan at&t comes out with, it is doubtful that the lowest price will be less than $30/mth



    So you thinking that this will benefit you....it won't...



    Fairness is, if you advertise an unlimited plan....keep it unlimited...I don't care if you want to put a soft limit to monitor data usage....as long as you don't charge me for it...



    Another point of note: Some months I may use over 6 GB of data, some moths i may use less than 1B....if my plan is capped at say 5 GB, will I be reimbursed for my 4 GB I didnt use? or will I be able to add them to my next month? If there tethering plans are anything to go by....I doubt it....
  • Reply 135 of 217
    ifoneifone Posts: 15member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by heulenwolf View Post


    <channels Molly Wood>

    WTG AT&T Execs! Display your ignorance for all to see so that we don't have to speculate anymore. What a stupid, threatening thing to say to your own customers.



    These so-called "abusers" and "data hogs" are your best and most excited customers. They actually put up with your poor network quality and pay you for your services anyway. The fact that they're using lots of data means that they're running around, dodging the dead zones in your network and limiting their "mobile" lives to your coverage map. Its not like Apple would allow a bittorent client on their phone that would eat up any available bandwidth. The folks you call "data hogs" are also known as users. If your network can't balance the load from the users you've signed up, that's your own problem. You should have included the price of the necessary upgrades in your contracts with Apple and with users and rolled those improvements out by now.



    Idiots...

    </channels Molly Wood>



    I agree with you 100%....iPhone users have given at&t a much needed boost regardless of poor coverage and dropped calls rate....Then they come out threatening to charge more because that is the easiest way to reduce load on the network....



    Would it not be more beneficial for them right now to invest in network infrastructure to accommodate the iPhone and all the other data hogs that are eventually gonna come out in the future?
  • Reply 136 of 217
    mjbmjb Posts: 1member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by druble View Post


    Typical fanboy attitude that it's a crime that they might lose their unlimited data because they hog all of it. Forget about all the users that their IPhone is ruining service for. As long as they have their unlimited data, forget about everyone else. Typical if you ask me. Get Windows Mobile phones, they don't hog up bandwidth like an IPhone, they have hundreds of thosands more apps than an IPhone, no restrictions on what you can develop and what you can run, and they don't ruin peoples networks. I'll continue to enjoy my Omnia which is far superior to IPhones, and I will enjoy my unlimited data from Verizon that is always nice and fast and has 3G coverage wherever I go, from CA to LA



    The iPhone user uses 10 times the data because it is usable. The other phones don't use data because they are not usable. If the apps are crap and the system is like using dos, then you will not use much bandwidth!
  • Reply 137 of 217
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by DanielSW View Post


    You're the moron--going into you childish tirade over something you clearly don't understand.



    No one could have predicted the astounding success of the iPhone or the impact on AT&T's network. You expect them to magically snap their fingers and the bandwidth is there for all you spoiled brats? No. It takes a huge amount of planning, permitting, construction, equipment logistics, personnel, etc., etc. This all takes time.



    In the mean time the various strains on the bandwidth have to be tempered somehow so that it can be more equitably apportioned.



    Any "moron" can and did predict the iPhone's success loud and clear above the din of clueless idiots like yourself.



    I expect to be delivered EXACTLY WHAT I PAY FOR: Unlimited Service.



    Put your head back into your ass now. Thanks.
  • Reply 138 of 217
    ifailifail Posts: 463member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by MSkiles26 View Post


    Don't think so buddy! - By the way, how much is AT&T or some other Socialist group out there paying you to say this garbage?



    My contract is for UNLIMITED BANDWIDTH. PERIOD. I do think that if people want to pay less for less bandwidth usage, AT&T should offer cheaper deals for them; however, they should leave our unlimited bandwidth usage alone (and at the same price).



    As time passes, these cell phone companies need to INVEST (i.e. use the $$ we pay them) in NEW and FASTER networks such as the 4g network (http://www.4gnetwork.com/).



    Streaming videos and media is just the tip of the iceberg. AT&T and others need to build their networks up to handle the load. It may take a while; however, they need to be progressing and not regressing. This whole scheme is just a way to gouge consumers so the big wigs up top can make an extra buck. Its no different than the price gouging that goes on at the gas pumps.



    Are you high on crack right now? Your unlimited bandwith that YOU suck up makes MY service suck. YOU hogging up bandwith brings the networks to its knees and its struggling. I am not making an excuse for AT&T and its crap network, it needs to be fixed and expanded asap, but im not making an excuse for you either. The crap service stems directly from users exorbitantly abusing the term unlimited and illegally tether and stream constantly like their sitting at a PC.



    Also, as much as we would like OTA wireless internet =/= cable internet with fiber optics
  • Reply 139 of 217
    jeffdmjeffdm Posts: 12,951member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by ifail View Post


    Are you high on crack right now?



    I think it's best to avoid making accusations like that.



    Quote:

    Your unlimited bandwith that YOU suck up makes MY service suck. YOU hogging up bandwith brings the networks to its knees and its struggling. I am not making an excuse for AT&T and its crap network, it needs to be fixed and expanded asap, but im not making an excuse for you either. The crap service stems directly from users exorbitantly abusing the term unlimited and illegally tether and stream constantly like their sitting at a PC.



    I don't think it's unreasonable to expect that AT&T have a good quality of service system set up so that high data use doesn't choke out non-data services.



    I'm sure they are improving, just too slowly for my tastes.



    I think it's inappropriate for internet providers to advertise unlimited service when it really isn't, it's kind of sleazy marketing.
  • Reply 140 of 217
    jeffdmjeffdm Posts: 12,951member
    It's best to leave out the slams when replying to other people. I don't know what has people so upset today, we've had more complaints today than I see in a typical week or even month. Maybe the snowstorm is aggravating people's stress levels.



    I'm tempted to drop a banhammer on people that call others morons, idiots, etc. rather than just hand out infractions. I really don't care if you think it's the truth, if you're going to be that rude, then you really shouldn't be posting. Several days off should do people some good.
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