The Myth of Unlimited Data and the Unfortunate Decline of AT&T Service

i-want-the-serv… · ‎06-18-2012

This letter is in response to a text message from AT&T threatening to limit my data speed after an atypical month in which my data usage spiked above 3 GB on my contractually recognized unlimited data plan.

After speaking with three AT&T agents, including a callback from upper management, I am left with no comfort that AT&T is willing to look at the simplicity of my case, but rather default to the absurd fine print of an obscure contractual amendment which they claim allows AT&T to limit the speed of access to an unlimited plan to the point where the data is rendered inaccessible.

The first two representatives were not empowered to help me and also seemed to have highly inaccurate information about my account. For instance, the first representative told me that I was in the top 5% of data users who are clogging up the network for other users, which is why AT&T had to implement a program to better manage network abusers like me,unless however, I pay more. She suggested that I downgrade from my unlimited plan to a plan that is limited to 5 GB and pay $20 more a month to do so.

And so I researched my data usage to see if it was true that I was a data abuser. It is not. In fact, over the last year, I used and average of 1.1 GB a month. To put this in perspective, I use about 1/3 of the data allowance that of a user who is limited to 3 GB and pays the same price per month as I do, the difference being that a customer on a limited plan has the option to pay $10 for each extra GB when they go over their allowance to keep their speed from being sabotaged. I found it odd that the representative told me that in March, I used over 5 GB of data when in fact, I only used .4 of a GB (400 Megabytes). And last month, I only used .1 of a GB (100 Megabytes). AT&T doesn't roll over my data surpluses but rather chooses to reprimand me if should spike above an amended and arbitrary threshold. Let me reiterate, that my data plan is unlimited and this shouldn't be something I need to defend.

The representatives gave me advice on how to reduce my data. "Don't stream music or video, use wifi instead of 3G, etc" . They are asking me not to use the services that I pay AT&T over $1000 a year to use, my single largest annual utility expense in fact. I’m being told that I should seek data access alternatives yet still pay AT&T every month for “unlimited data”? Alternatives don’t always for someone like me. For example, I stream music, download email and use mapping services on the road when I tour. There is no wifi on the highway. If I can't have this, then why should AT&T get my hard earned money for an “unlimited plan”.

This situation is rather ironic, because as an existing customer, I’m being asked to not use the same services that AT&T advertises in order to attract new customers.

The manager who then called me back was combative, and turned my issue into a debate, defending the new policies of AT&T unrelentingly and quizzing me on my conclusion that AT&T's speed limitations are a violation of the contract to deliver to me the unlimited data that I signed up and paid for. For instance, he asked me how I can trust a consensus from other customers who have testified about the serious impediment of a speed limitation. He compared it to scuba diving, and explained that one cannot know what it is like to scuba dive if they have never experienced it for themselves and explained that I can't operate under the influence of testimonials. I am still not sure how this analogy applies to my situation, especially since he is comparing a recreational activity to a punishment, but when I did ask him to enlighten me with the truth about exactly how much my speed would be reduced from an official AT&T perspective, in a defensive tone, he quickly quipped that that information is internal proprietary information. It was at this moment, that I realized that I am not a customer of AT&T, but merely a funder, and that my five year relationship with AT&T is coming to an end.

$1000 a year is a lot of money for an independent musician, and an expense that at one time I was able to justify, as it gave me access to the information and resources that I needed on the road. I switched from Sprint to AT&T since that was the only way to get an iPhone, as AT&T had formed an exclusive relationship with Apple at the time in order to entice early adopters such as myself who were interested in having mobile access to information and media.

The iPhone, only available through AT&T, came with an unlimited data plan for $30, which I had reservations about at first since I was only paying $15 for unlimited data on my Treo with Sprint, and also paying for broadband internet at home. But after taking the chance, I was quite satisfied with my choice, as connection speeds were adequate, and I figured that it would only get better over time and the price would come down.

But to my astonishment, over the last five years, I have witnessed a serious degradation in connection speed and quality of service from AT&T. The threat from AT&T to further limit an already slowing connection speed was only an insult to injury. As a touring musician, I find myself in small towns and large cities, in rural settings, and metropolises, and the degradation is consistent in all settings. AT&T chooses to blame the customers for using the data that they pay for.

In August my contract with AT&T is up and the two things that were retaining me as a customer are no longer in existence. These two things were the unlimited data plan that is now moot and the exclusive contract with Apple that at one time didn't give me an alternative carrier for my device of choice. Those issues combined with a customer service system that chooses to spar with their customer rather than find simple solutions to keep them happy, has me looking for a new mobile relationship that sees me as a customer rather than a dollar sign.

wingrider01 · ‎05-26-2008

hope you like Sprint, they are the last of the top 3 that have unlimited, in fact on the 28th Verizon's data plans are going to be a lot more restirctive then ATT's with their new plans coming out. T-Mobile caps also by the way, good luck with what ever carrier you find for "unlimited data", but suggest you read the fine print real close before you commit

By the way, spring has always been at the bottom of the heap as far as data tranmissions speeds are concerned, good luck there

Mundty · ‎04-29-2012

My mother has Sprint and has zero issues with her cheaper Unlimited Data plan. Her call coverage is no worse than mine, and her bill per phone is cheaper too. There's nothing wrong with Spring from where I sit, if they're abusing you as a customer then definitely go back to Sprint. Vote with your wallet as they say, good luck to you!

GRI-01 · ‎06-27-2012

I guess the expressed attitude of Mr. wingrider01 to the letter penned by Mr. i-want-the-service-i-pay-for, tells us everything we need to know about arrogance and condescension of AT&T loyalist ...

Mr. wingrider01 - Why so much hate towards a customer who took the time to patiently detail his AT&T experience. That is his reality.

There must be a great personal satisfaction in verbally ***** a long time paying customer who is articulately explaining his choice to cast his economic ballot with a different provider.

[Please keep it courteous]

GRI-01 · ‎06-27-2012

wingrider01 · ‎05-26-2008

GRI-01 wrote:

I guess the expressed attitude of Mr. wingrider01 to the letter penned by Mr. i-want-the-service-i-pay-for, tells us everything we need to know about arrogance and condescension of AT&T loyalist ...

Mr. wingrider01 - Why so much hate towards a customer who took the time to patiently detail his AT&T experience. That is his reality.

There must be a great personal satisfaction in verbally ***** a long time paying customer who is articulately explaining his choice to cast his economic ballot with a different provider.

[Please keep it courteous]

you are making a basic wrong assumption - I am not a att loyalist, I have had my issues with them over the last few decades - some have beenr resolved to my liking, some have not. what I am is a business loyalist and OCD when it comes to contract terms ands agreements, nothing that any carrier has done to limit the amount of data that is being utilized by the end user. Sprint is the only top 3 carrier that is still offering any form of "unlimited data", and even their terms of serivce have built in agreements to restrain data transmission.

As far as your last comment - see nothing verbally offensive in that, unless you consider criticism of a provider that I also utilize for cell phone service verbally offensive, everything I mentioned is from personal expierance of having their service for over a decade and issuing their phones to my employees along with verizon, rogers, orange, and globalstar.

I and all my employees that travel extenisively carrier phones from all carriers in tge US since all cell phone serivce providers have their area of their areas of good reception and abysmal reception. Sprint data service is abysmal generally, slow, erratic and prone to dropped packets, that is from experience from myself and my employees.

Go ahead and change if you feel that it is required, just go into it with your eyes open and reading their agreements before you sign then, the grass may always look greener on the other side but in reality the chances of it being perfect are slim to none, it still require mowing and there are still infestations that are hidden

JFizDaWiz · ‎10-27-2010

I like your user name. Please show me where in the wireless customer service summary that states they even guarantee service period.

“I am an AT&T employee and the postings on this site are my own and don’t necessarily represent AT&T’s positions, strategies or opinions.”

i-want-the-serv… · ‎06-18-2012

Show me where in the original contract that I signed over 5 years ago where I agreed to have the speed of my unlimited data plan sabotaged above 3 GB. To amend the contact years later and hold the customer accountable to the added fine print in a contact many pages long is a technique that companies use to empower themselves and further debilitate the customer. Not a good business practice.

WillGz · ‎08-14-2012

I too have been burned by AT&T's "Unlimited data". I found a relatively new cell service that is simply awesome. They don't charge you for tethering! Just pay for the data you use. No contracts, no throttling, great customer service. I have a Samsung Transform Ultra that I can tether 5 devices to... Their latest phone (the Galaxy SIII) has 4G LTE and you can tether 10 devices at a time!

Here's an estimate of what you'd pay Ting (I'm estimating your usage)...

$6 - 1 phone on the plan

$18 - 1000 minutes

$11 - 4000 texts

$24 - 1GB data

= $59 (+ taxes - about $2)

I switched and I'm averaging about $38 / month for two phones. You only pay for what you use.

Data costs about $20 / gig.

$50 off any new device from Ting: VTIMRK6

If you just want to try them out, the cheapest device is $20 (kyocera brio - looks like a blackberry, great for texting) with the $50 coupon code. VTIMRK6

Did I mention 4G LTE? Blazing fast.

WillGz

[Edited to comply with Guidelines]

i-want-the-serv… · ‎06-18-2012

Thanks Will. If I were able to use my existing device (iPhone), I'd jump on that service right away. I really like that you only get charged for what you use and credited for what you don't use. At$t on the other hand, charges customers full price whether they use significant data or not and then reprimands them when they squeak over an amended limit. It won't be long before new companies offer refreshing solutions to what the streamlining profit maximizing monopolies offer. My contract is up in a couple months and I'll be shopping around. Thanks for the info.

i-want-the-serv… · ‎06-18-2012

Thanks for the insight wingrider. But I assure you that the original contract I signed over 5 years ago for an unlimited data plan, did not have the stipulation of impeding my data speed when I reach over 3 GB so drastically that the data is rendered useless.

They have amended the contract on their end and use the argument that they are not limiting my access to data, but are slowing down the speed.

There is no getting around the fact that limiting the speed so drastically is a limitation on data, however they choose to manipulate the wording of it.

I keep my end of the contract with At&t by paying them over $1000 a year, but they are violating their end of the contract by limiting my data on an unlimited plan.

21stNow · ‎07-07-2010

The terms of service for mobile data usage are separate from the terms and conditions of the contract and can change at any time. AT&T always reserved the right to prohibit behavior that impedes the use of the network by other customers. That wording was vague, but it covered them. After some customer backlash, AT&T issued concrete guidelines that a customer can use to know what levels of data usage they can use before throttling.

People may not like this policy, but it is what it is and customers agree to it by continuing to use AT&T's service. Feel free to voice your opinion on this because customer comments can lead to change.

wingrider01 · ‎05-26-2008

i-want-the-service-i-pay-for wrote:
Thanks for the insight wingrider. But I assure you that the original contract I signed over 5 years ago for an unlimited data plan, did not have the stipulation of impeding my data speed when I reach over 3 GB so drastically that the data is rendered useless.

They have amended the contract on their end and use the argument that they are not limiting my access to data, but are slowing down the speed.

There is no getting around the fact that limiting the speed so drastically is a limitation on data, however they choose to manipulate the wording of it.

I keep my end of the contract with At&t by paying them over $1000 a year, but they are violating their end of the contract by limiting my data on an unlimited plan.

that original contrsact you signed five years ago is no longer in affect, the maximum term of the contract is 2 years, add to the simple fact that data is not part of the contract, it is a feature code added - aka a rider on the contract that you signed, they have their own terms of service and fair use policy.

ATT is violating nothing in the terms of your contract that is currently in effect (the new one you signed when you got your new subsidized phone, not the one 5 years ago), the tos and fup for data use spells it out - and those are in effect now. There words do not have to be manipulted, they are spelled out

hertzsae · ‎06-13-2012

If their argument that going over 3GB is an unreasonable amount of usage was true, then they would have no need for a 5GB plan.

Once your contract is up, AT&T should unlock your phone for you. There are many prepaid carriers that use AT&T's network. Once your phone is unlocked (and maybe before), you could easily go to one of them without buying new hardware.

21stNow · ‎07-07-2010

hertzsae wrote:
If their argument that going over 3GB is an unreasonable amount of usage was true, then they would have no need for a 5GB plan.

Once your contract is up, AT&T should unlock your phone for you. There are many prepaid carriers that use AT&T's network. Once your phone is unlocked (and maybe before), you could easily go to one of them without buying new hardware.

All of the prepaid carriers that use AT&T's network that I know of either throttle or cap data usage at a level below 3GB. I've used H2O Wireless and Red Pocket. I've heard negative rumblings about how Straight Talk administers their data plans, but haven't experienced it. Jolt Wireless has a limit of 1GB, but I'm not sure if it is throttled or capped after that.

hertzsae · ‎06-13-2012

So it will be no worse than what he/she has now and it will be significantly cheaper, because the price won't be based on trying to recoup the phone subsidy.

21stNow · ‎07-07-2010

1GB of data would be worse than 3GB of data. If the OP is paying $1,000 a year now, most prepaid services would cost around $600-$720 a year. Factor in the loss of phone subsidy, and he may not come out that far ahead by going the prepaid route.

i-want-the-serv… · ‎06-18-2012

At&t should have a data rollover system. If they're going to punish a customer for the rare time that they go over an arbitrary limit, then they should reward the customer for the times that they have low monthly usage. Let me remind you that over the last year, I had an average of 1 GB of data usage per month. The ONE time I went over 3 GB on my unlimited plan, AT&t sent me the text threatening to sabotage my speed. And so you can't use the argument that I'm clogging up the network for users.

Wingrider, AT&t may have found a way to sneak an amendment into my contract renewal, but why do business that way? Why use fine print to trick a customer into a contract? It should be clearly stated that the plan is NOT unlimited when selling it to the customer.

wingrider01 · ‎05-26-2008

i-want-the-service-i-pay-for wrote:
At&t should have a data rollover system. If they're going to punish a customer for the rare time that they go over an arbitrary limit, then they should reward the customer for the times that they have low monthly usage. Let me remind you that over the last year, I had an average of 1 GB of data usage per month. The ONE time I went over 3 GB on my unlimited plan, AT&t sent me the text threatening to sabotage my speed. And so you can't use the argument that I'm clogging up the network for users.

Wingrider, AT&t may have found a way to sneak an amendment into my contract renewal, but why do business that way? Why use fine print to trick a customer into a contract? It should be clearly stated that the plan is NOT unlimited when selling it to the customer.

they did not "sneak" anything into your "contract", the terms of service and fair use policy has been in affect since the unlimited plan came about.

Simpe question -----

Are you still getting unlimited data?

Note, there is no reference to "unlimited speed" in that question, a simple Yes or No for the exact question stated please

there is only one answer - that is Yes, you are still getting data, just ot at the speed that you feel you deserve. The major difference here is - you data continues, the speed is capped, if it was theother way around where you where hard capped at 3GB and once you exceed that limit nothing concerning data.

this is basicly a dead issue, the caps are in affect, have never seen any carrier even hint about "data roll over" and the only new data plans that are being talked about is the new mobile share plan.

If you have only recieved the message one time, then you should be perfectly suited to switch to the 3GB tiered plan, you just need to decide if the bandwidth throttles or a rare overage charge is more important and criticla to your situation.

i-want-the-serv… · ‎06-18-2012

Wingrider, do you work for AT&T? Because the only people who I've heard defend the claim that severely limiting data speed to the point that basic functions can't be accessed, all work for AT&T.

So to simply answer your question: No, I do not get unlimited data.

This is certainly not a dead issue as it has not been resolved for myself and many others. I did finally speak with an AT&T representative a couple of days ago who agreed with me ( a first! ), and told me that it has been an issue that has affected and upset MANY customers.

She explained that in a couple of weeks, AT&T will roll out new plans that are more fair and are based on actual usage. I'm waiting to see how that pans out before I jump ship.

As of now, I'm heavily leaning towards a service that charges me based on my actual usage and doesn't reprimand their customers for using the service that the pay for in the way it was advertised to them in the contract. Someone will fill this niche if At&t doesn't.

i-want-the-serv… · ‎06-18-2012

To clarify my first sentence, "...the only people who I've heard defend the claim that severely limiting data speed to the point that basic functions can't be accessed (is not limiting data), all work for AT&T.

wingrider01 · ‎05-26-2008

i-want-the-service-i-pay-for wrote:
To clarify my first sentence, "...the only people who I've heard defend the claim that severely limiting data speed to the point that basic functions can't be accessed (is not limiting data), all work for AT&T.

sorry to disprove you guess, I do not work for att, I run my own successfully company, a few decade ago we had a contract with the original form of att for special services (dedicated data communications).

There is a very simple way of telling who here does fit you you are guess, att employees are required to have disclaimers stating that while they work for att the opinions are their own and do not reflect on att policy. If you take a few seconds to look, you do not see one under my name.

Have been throttled a couple of times, we must have different definitions of "basic services" have no issue recieving my email or text message, so basic functions work without a hitch. You have the choice, stay with unlimited and live with the throttling, switch to the 3GB tiered for the same price and pay the occasional overage, or go to sprint, cricket or t-mobile, but be sure to understand their terms, they all have the same wording for data control

i-want-the-serv… · ‎06-18-2012

Well, it is interesting to hear that there is someone out there who doesn't work for At&t who sides with them on this. I must say, I am surprised.

I am not looking to sue At&t, so there is no need to highlight so defensively the safety net of their fine print.

What I AM trying to do is offer them valuable and representational feedback from a long-time customer and to let other customers know that the unlimited data access plan that was originally advertised to us it not unlimited as most people would define the word.

Again, I'll see what the new At&t plans offer, look at what other networks are offering for customers like myself who average a low data usage that spikes at times, and then make a decision as my contract is nearly up.

I'm hoping that At&t will use the feedback from the customers who took the time to offer it in order to improve their service for all.

wingrider01 · ‎05-26-2008

i-want-the-service-i-pay-for wrote:

Well, it is interesting to hear that there is someone out there who doesn't work for At&t who sides with them on this. I must say, I am surprised.

I am not looking to sue At&t, so there is no need to highlight so defensively the safety net of their fine print.

What I AM trying to do is offer them valuable and representational feedback from a long-time customer and to let other customers know that the unlimited data access plan that was originally advertised to us it not unlimited as most people would define the word.

Again, I'll see what the new At&t plans offer, look at what other networks are offering for customers like myself who average a low data usage that spikes at times, and then make a decision as my contract is nearly up.

I'm hoping that At&t will use the feedback from the customers who took the time to offer it in order to improve their service for all.

would not matter you don;t have a leg to stand one. I side with business and contracts. As far as feedback, the unlimited plan is grandfathered, it is on the way out. Surprised that they did ot take the steps that verizon didi with their grandfathered plan - want to keep unlimited data, then pay full retail for the phone, you want subsidized phones then move to their shared plan and drop the grandfathered one.

att offers 300MB, 3GB and 5GB (only one that allow tethering). On the 28th they will offer various shared data plans that allow up to 10 devices to share the data and the phones get unlimited minutes and texts automaticly. Tethering and hotspot are included in all the plans.

verizon has shared data plans

sprint still offers unlimited data with caveats

i-want-the-serv… · ‎06-18-2012

No offense, but I'm really looking for a response from At&t here. I find it odd that you have almost 7000 posts in this forum defending At&t without having some sort of tie to them or kickback of some sort. I'd like to hear from some other voices if possible and ideally an official At&t statement about this particular issue.

wingrider01 · ‎05-26-2008

i-want-the-service-i-pay-for wrote:

No offense, but I'm really looking for a response from At&t here. I find it odd that you have almost 7000 posts in this forum defending At&t without having some sort of tie to them or kickback of some sort. I'd like to hear from some other voices if possible and ideally an official At&t statement about this particular issue.

This is a peer to peer forum, ATT has very little official involvement on ythe forums. Been on the forums for close to 5 years. If you want other responses there are a few 300 - 500 post threads from about a year ago when this policy was starting to be enforced that cover just about everything

Getrealmmkay · ‎10-13-2012

Dear Wingrider1! Congratulations on your ACE status. I have no idea what it means but I hope it comes with some free data, these phones sure burn through it...

I am glad I found this thread. I too have been a loyal AT&T customer since the iPhone came out. I too paid for the unlimited package for many years(also known as subsidizing their buildout of 4GLTE) ! I too have a fundamental grasp on the definition of "unlimited". To me it means 'unlimited' and of the same quality.

Have you ever been to a Chinese 'All you can eat buffet'? Imagine one day you are especially hungry and the server smiless at you and suggests the 'All You Can Eat Buffet' and notes that it is only available If you agree to come back once a month. You decide that while it is more money up front it will best serve your needs over time. Did I mention this was the only restaurant available? You like it so much that you come back month after month for years sometimes eating a lot, other times eating a modest amount. A funny thing happens at your five year anniversary of being a loyal customer. You walk in one day to see some customers trying to eat but their jaws have been partially wired shut so in fact their experience is now not so pleasant and you think back to the first time you walked in and were greeted with server with a smile saying 'how about an amazing all you can eat buffet, it's awesome it has over 200 items and we constantly keep it fresh, just come in once a month ....'

What seems to be missing from these overly-legalistic postings, where you consistently side with AT&T and almost wag your finger at readers, is a simple acknowledgement that what sales persons say in the showrooms when selling a product to a customer is indeed understood in good faith by the customer as the agreement. Yes, when the deal is done the customer is in fact supposed to read the agreement and understand it fully, but in practice they are often not lawyers and do not want to hire one to go over an agreement with a company who has just had one of its agents explain to you the terms and conditions.

So when i signed up for the unlimted data plan the enthusiasm of the salesperson was overwhelming and stuck in my memory. 'Really its unlimited?, i asked. "absolutely 100% unlimited! You can download the entire internet if you have enought time.."

Fair enough?

Also, if the people who use a lot of data and are considered 'abusers' of the service only comprise a very small percentage of all users then what is the freaking problem? Let them use away, if they are such a minority they won't hurt significantly effect the bandwidth.

It is indeed shameful that a company that I have spent approximately $7200 (pre-tax) for the last five years of service, will decide to wire my data jaws shut once a month if I dare walk in with a hungry appetite every once in a while.

I'm sure it will only be a matter of time till everyone is offering an unlimited data plan again... I hope sooner than later.

[Per Guidelines: Keep it Relevant and Appropriate].

wingrider01 · ‎05-26-2008

Getrealmmkay wrote:

Dear Wingrider1! Congratulations on your ACE status. I have no idea what it means but I hope it comes with some free data, these phones sure burn through it...

I am glad I found this thread. I too have been a loyal AT&T customer since the iPhone came out. I too paid for the unlimited package for many years(also known as subsidizing their buildout of 4GLTE) ! I too have a fundamental grasp on the definition of "unlimited". To me it means 'unlimited' and of the same quality.

Have you ever been to a Chinese 'All you can eat buffet'? Imagine one day you are especially hungry and the server smiless at you and suggests the 'All You Can Eat Buffet' and notes that it is only available If you agree to come back once a month. You decide that while it is more money up front it will best serve your needs over time. Did I mention this was the only restaurant available? You like it so much that you come back month after month for years sometimes eating a lot, other times eating a modest amount. A funny thing happens at your five year anniversary of being a loyal customer. You walk in one day to see some customers trying to eat but their jaws have been partially wired shut so in fact their experience is now not so pleasant and you think back to the first time you walked in and were greeted with server with a smile saying 'how about an amazing all you can eat buffet, it's awesome it has over 200 items and we constantly keep it fresh, just come in once a month ....'

What seems to be missing from these overly-legalistic postings, where you consistently side with AT&T and almost wag your finger at readers, is a simple acknowledgement that what sales persons say in the showrooms when selling a product to a customer is indeed understood in good faith by the customer as the agreement. Yes, when the deal is done the customer is in fact supposed to read the agreement and understand it fully, but in practice they are often not lawyers and do not want to hire one to go over an agreement with a company who has just had one of its agents explain to you the terms and conditions.

So when i signed up for the unlimted data plan the enthusiasm of the salesperson was overwhelming and stuck in my memory. 'Really its unlimited?, i asked. "absolutely 100% unlimited! You can download the entire internet if you have enought time.."

Fair enough?

Also, if the people who use a lot of data and are considered 'abusers' of the service only comprise a very small percentage of all users then what is the freaking problem? Let them use away, if they are such a minority they won't hurt significantly effect the bandwidth.

It is indeed shameful that a company that I have spent approximately $7200 (pre-tax) for the last five years of service, will decide to wire my data jaws shut once a month if I dare walk in with a hungry appetite every once in a while.

I'm sure it will only be a matter of time till everyone is offering an unlimited data plan again... I hope sooner than later.

[Per Guidelines: Keep it Relevant and Appropriate].

The grandfathered unlimited plan is just that it is gradfathered, I am actually surprised to see that it has not been sunsetted once and for all as Verizon has done with theirs.

As far as your comparision to a "all you can eat buffet", have seen people that have been requeted to leave one becasue of oveer-inudlgence. so your comparision is invalid.

Sorry to disallusion you, but your comment of "siding consistently" is inciorrect and base on the illogical assumptions and lack of actual facts, I am first and formost a business owner, so I tend to side with the business facts and contractual agreements, if you take the time to actually review the binding agreements that you probably blissfully and with lack of fore thought clicked "I agree", electronicily signed or physically signed. You are getting unlimited data you are not hard capped, the simple fact that you are not getting the data streamed to you at the bandwith you feel you are enititled to and demand from the carrier is not a valid point of contention on the agreement. You state is 100 percent unlimited, just as your question was answered, the content devliery pipeline is not, two intierely different things. The misconception of tha it is believed that "unlimited" applies to both quantity and speed, if you review the fair use policy and terms of service you will notice that no where does it state tranmission speed with the word "unlimited" associated

The only two major providers that have "unlimited data" plans are Sprint and T-mobile, your theory of "everyone will offer unlimited plans again" will more then likely never happen - you did know that verizon is forcing people that are grandfathered into their unlimited plan by altering the upgrade policy - you want a discounted phone and are still on umlimited - well then switch to our shared plan and you get a subsidized phone, don;t want to they pay full price for the phone. So if a verizon customer values their grandfthered unlimited plan they get to pay 649.00 for their 16GB iphone instead of 199.00 like people on the shared plans are. Heck even broad band providers are capping the amount of data that you can consume on your home network. Charter cable has cone as far as if they determine that you atre using bit-torrent for copuy righted matierial they will throttle your data speed.

I have unlimited on my iphone, have never come close to the 3GB thottle limit, but then I use the data occasionally, for email and the such. If I want to listen to music or watch shows I have use the in home stereo or I load things I want to watch while I am on the road through the directv Nomad, and get news ones when I am connected to the hotel's internet.

curious was to why you claim "pre-tax" on your comment though, you figured out a way to pay your phone bill out of your gross income and not your net?

finally just lay your asumptions to rest, your comments about ACE status doe not grant anyone that has that signature block any special deals with ATT.