Data throttling

[Facci]

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Sneezerdoc wrote:
Yeah I got the email and text message at 2.1gb. I was shocked. 2.1gb ? I am on the unlimited plan. I pay for the unlimited plan which is the same price as the 3gb plan! I called AT&T and they said I was in the top 5%. How can this not be a violation of the contract? I have unlimited 3G not some 28k baud modem speed?? In the end this is essentially the same as forcing us onto a 2gb tiered plan but for a higher cost. I have filed a complaint with the FCC !

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2.1GB in what period of time? That seems to be a big issue is not just how much data but how much data in a certain period of time.

[goochr041]

File a complait with the FCC

http://esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm

This is how we as consumers hold AT&T accountable

I am throttled and have used 2.2 gigs this month and have 14 days left in the cycle. Im on track to use 4.4 gigs and that is less than the 5 gig plan!!!

HOW AM I 5%

[HPLouis]

Call ATT and ask for some sort of compensation for the throttling.

I called ATT a couple of night ago, after my wife got her third throttle warning in three months.

I told the rep about the throttling, at around 2GB per month.  She checked it and agreed that it was too low of a point to throttle.  I also told her that I average less a 1 GB a month for my whole 3 years with ATT. 

The rep suprised me by offering to put unlimited family texting, with mobile to any mobile, at the account level, for only $20.  The regular price is $30.  That is a $10 a month savings for as long as I'm an ATT customer.  There is no expiration date on it.

Here is a link of my online account manager after the change.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7141/6766023277_8a9158b811_b.jpg

Henry

[Jackwagon]

I just got warned at 1.3 GB !!!  There is no way 1.3 GB puts me in the top 5% of "users in my area"  My area is Houston, Texas.  How is this not fraud?  "Unlimited" should have at least some semblance of the idea that something does not have a limit.  I understand curbing misuse, this is not that.  When for the same $30 per month I would have 3GB/mo, this is just fraud.

[txsnafu]

I was told by customer service that throttling was due to network congestion. Just like a small minded corporation to take it out on the CUSTOMER. I'd like to know how cutting my speed is going to cause me to cut down on data use. I'll tell you. Nothing streams anymore, not even music without breaking up to buffer. They're hoping we all get frustrated and just stop using data.

During the same phone call I was told "if speed is such an issue I should give up my unlimited data plan and go to a tiered pricing plan". I told her no way in hades I'm giving up my unlimited plan. She also told me "I was still being provided with unlimited data". That's where they've got us. Yes they are still providing us with unlimited data but  at a 10th mbps download speed it's virtually useless.

I'm in the DFW area and this is just like the issue of area codes 20 years ago when cell phones really hit the market. Someone should have had the foresight to create area codes just for cell phones. But no.... now we have 15 different area codes just in Dallas-Ft Worth for everything from cells to land lines to faxes. Rather than making their customers angry because the network won't handle the data volume FIX THE NETWORK.

The only resolve may be for us all to complain to the FCC for prejudicing those of us with unlimited data plans. ALL DATA PLANS SHOULD GET THE SAME SPEEDS.........

[Dellman87]

So true. I totally agree that AT&T should not be throttling our data speeds.

Question: Has anyone noticed their throttle cap rising from month to month? I was at 2GB 1st time, and now Im about to hit 2GB again for month #2. I'm interested to see if anything different happens.

[MWithersIT]

This is wonderful, i shared this on FB and sent to all my friends, compensation is the only alternative to switching to another carrier.

I hope everyone here will call and complain asking for some compensation or threaten to switch to SPRINT ;P

[txsnafu]

Reading through these posts I see a lot of people are getting the throttling message at 2GB and even less.  

I'm wondering why you can now buy 3GB for $30 but those paying $30 for unlimited are being throttled at 2GB. Seems as though the threshold for throttling should be 3GB if you are to get what you're paying for comparably. If I get throttled before 3GB customer service will get a call from me for sure....

[juleschiz]

"can't give kudos to this post"  - fraud to throttle below the highest gigs offered on the tiered plans. 

[AndyMorrison]

This is utterly ridiculous.  I'm at day 24 of my 31 day billing cycle (i.e.over 75% of the way through) and I'm being threatened with throttling because I've used 2078MB of data.Assuming a similar consumption pattern for the remaining week I'll end up at less than 2700MB for the month.  It's absurd to suggest that unlimited plan users can be throttled before they use the amount of data that's in the similarly priced tiered data plan.  I can only assume this is an underhanded attempt to force folks to the tiered plans.

[sdanilyuk]

I'm in the same boat. used 2.1gb and got "high data usage.." emai. If 2gb is high what is unlimited plan for? This is deceiptive practice. Customer service not able to help. All of us need to voice it to be heard. I submitted FCC complaint. Will you?

[isurus]

$30 unlimited throttled at 2gb vs $30 3gb unthrottled data
yes that makes perfect sense ...

[Nickaroni22]

I've had some friends who have all been throttled, they've been throttled around the 1.5gb level. They all heavily use Netflix, Pandora, and many other streaming services. I've been a unlimited data user since the original iPhone, I haven't received any warns yet from AT&T. We unlimited users pay $30 a month, and there are people getting throttle using under 2gb. Back in 2007 data wasn't as popular as it is now, AT&T is just trying to make as much money as they can without updating networks. So they screw there loyal customers over with this throttling, because they say they over load the network. I'd like to know what percentage of AT&T customers are on the unlimited plans. When you get throttled you go from 3G speeds to prehistoric speeds. I certainly hope the government gets involved.

[Tx Rednek]

I know of folks being throttled @ 350 Megs. You read that correct.

I'll subit this for yalls reading.

I got the email and text warning today(Premier user) @ 2.1Gigs w/ 7days left in my billing cycle.

[quote]Customers have several ways to manage extremely high data usage.

[B]You may also consider switching to a tiered data plan if speed is more important to you than having an unlimited data plan. Customers on tiered plans can pay for more data if they need it, and will not see reduced speeds.[/B] [/quote]

It's all about the money.

{links removed per Guidelines}
As it stands, AT&T's plan means that 5% of users will have their mobile broadband crimped each month, regardless of future improvements to network capacity. Many may choose to pay up to restore speedier connections. Operators are right when they point out that caps and fines are perfectly legitimate ways to keep a network fluid. Their true intentions will, however, be revealed when the 4G floodgates open. [B]If the restrictions are not loosened, they can no longer be justified as a reasonable tax on bandwidth hogs who make online life slow and miserable for more restrained types. They will start looking more and more like a rent-seeking ruse.[/B]

Just had a buddy "warned" @ 1.8Gigs. This is getting ridiculous.

I wonder if the FCC would hear our grievances regarding this?

I ask because, I was told by an AT&T rep on Monday that we unlimited subscribers will cost AT&T a fine to the gubment for going over a certain level of data. What that level is, who knows. To which I asked, so it's OK for tiered subscribers to go over this ambiguous level. She said, kind of. When a tiered subscriber goes over their allocation, they get charged at the rate of $10 per GB. That fee is to cover said fine assessed by the gubment.

I have an 'Ace in the hole" should I choose to make a large stink about this.

[Tx Rednek]

Complaint filed w/FCC.

[DerekEd]

Okay, I'm not the type to usually join a forum and post but I feel obligated to do so. I've been an AT&T customer for quite some time. My wife was of course the one the signed us up and I've been coughing up nearly $300.00 a month for years for our plan. We have 4 lines and they're all unlimited data. I recently upgraded to a Galaxy SII because my daughter sold me on the idea of being able to stream movies from my phone to my televison and I do love my netflix but the kids are usually using our only "smart tv". Well I'm still almost two weeks out from my next billing cycle and recieved a message concerning me being in the top 5% after just a couple nights of streaming videos. I cannot even put into words how upset I am. All this time shelling out what I've always considered to be an extortionate rate of money per month considering I've always used my phone just to send/receive emails on the go. For the the first time in a long time, I was actually enjoying my phone and now I'm being punished. Granted, I checked my data and it is over 5 GBs but some warning wouldve been nice. That being said, I'm turning these phones off and moving over to Walmarts Straight-Talk plan. I refuse to be sold a service under false pretenses only to find out otherwise. AT&T, dont pee on my leg and tell me its raining. I've spent my last dime on you and your services. As long term customers, my family and I deserve better.

[mveloz]

I'm [word filter avoidance] I just received the dam 5% email & txt. These dam big corporation dont learn their lesson. Look at the Netfix, Chase, Bank of America and others when they get to greedy" Lost of alot of loyal customers". These corporation dont get it by now they're worth [word filter avoidance] with out us. How about you give us some of our money back for every time a call drops or when you cant make a call due to a dead spots. Time to break my contract and look for another carrier.

[Tx Rednek]

@Derek, if you'll get the ATT line of Stait Talk phone, SIM unlock your SII, you can use it on ST w/ the correct APN settings.

[Tx Rednek]

un·lim·it·ed

- adjective 1. not limited; unrestricted; unconfined 2. boundless; infinite; vast 3. without any qualification or exception; unconditional

Their business practices are indefensible.

[musebox]

Last month was the first time I received the text message that I was nearing the top 5%.  I checked my data usage and I was at 4GB so I thought, well, I guess I overidid this month. I will have to watch it from now on. My data was never throttled as I recevied the message with 2 days left in my billing cycle. Well, just yesterday, I received the warning again, but this time I only have just under 1.5 GB! What is going on? I don't stream. At home I use my wifi 100% of the time. The only time I use data is when I am at work and I download some podcasts, but I try to download them at home before I leave for work to avoid data consumption. I do not tether at all. I browse some webpages during my lunch hour, but this is not every day or full the full hour, maybe 15-20 minutes. Obviously, this is AT&T trying to bully unlimited data subscribers into one of their tiered plans. I didn't believe this before, but now I don't have any other choice but to believe. Well, I will not switch, if they want to throttle my data, go ahead. I still won't switch until there is a better option and their current tiered plans are not there yet. Again, a warning about nearing the top 5% at 1.5 GB? Yeah, right!

[Unlimitedliars]

I got my message yesterday at 2.2gb usage.

From what the At&t rep told me, there are 3 consecutive messages that Unlimited (LOL) users will get. First is a warning that you are within 1/3 of the usage cap. Second warning will come 2/3 of the cap. Finally a third message will come at 3/3 and you will be throttled. That's all I could extract from the employee and their personal grasp of the policy.Napkin math puts the Cap at a little over 6gb this month. Thanks AT&T! If I get a message at under 2gb I am going to file complaints, which the rest of you should do.

Later Unlimited buddies!

[Ludatyk]

I just filed my complaint through FCC and I would encourage others do the same.

I just received my message that I am in the top 5 % and indeed I am being throttled. I felt it was no need to contact customer service because I'm sure they have heard it all. So, what's the use? They could careless anyhow. I'm sure they would institute their sales policy of enticing me to the newly introduce data plans. And my reasoning for posting is to express others to voice their opinions because this is clearly a bully move to force people who have unlimitely plan to switch to their tiered data plans. It's practically away for them to get over on their customers. Which I can't understand why would AT&T disappoint their long lasting customers, that's something that is clearly beyond me. I have 2 unlimited data plans on my plan and they both have been throttled, I've been with Cingular/AT&T for almost 10 years.. I miss the cingular days, NOW they are money hungry.. could careless about their customers.

[aristizzle]

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MWithersIT wrote:
This is wonderful, i shared this on FB and sent to all my friends, compensation is the only alternative to switching to another carrier.

I hope everyone here will call and complain asking for some compensation or threaten to switch to SPRINT ;P

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AT&T is not compensating for throttling. Sprint's service is as slow as the data when your throttled with AT&T. Threatening is not going to change anything, you have your choice to leave or not.

[bobhacksman]

Hello,

I have a question regarding how the heck I am in the top 5% of data users if I only used 1.8GB of data? Today I got a text saying I was in the top 5% but I had only used 1.8GB. It's strange to get this text at only 1.8GB since last I used 6GB of data before I got a message from AT&T. That was the first time ever I got a text about my usage. In fact if you look at these screenshots I have used lots of data in the past year and never got a text about my data.

http://wafeeali.com/up/uploads/images/12-8to1-8.png In Dec 6.8GB of data used before I got a message

http://wafeeali.com/up/uploads/images/11-8to12-8.png In Nov I used 2.5GB Not one message

http://wafeeali.com/up/uploads/images/10-9to11-9.png In Oct I used 3.45GB never got a message 

http://wafeeali.com/up/uploads/images/9-9to10-9.png In Sep I used 2.25GB and never a message

http://wafeeali.com/up/uploads/images/7-9to8-9.png In July 6.01 GB of data and not ONE message

If AT&T talked about data throttling in July why haven't I got a single message until last one. It doesn't make sense how can the top 5% change from 6GB to 1.8GB?? Seems like AT&T is forcing my to stay under 2GB.

Also I noticed I never got a message until I started using the SlingPlayer APP. Seems like AT&T only targets phones using certain Apps that are data heavy.

How is there a way for the customer to know AT&T is now lying about what the top 5% is??

EDIT: saw that throttling only started in OCT but my point is still valid

[isurus]

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aristizzle wrote:

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MWithersIT wrote:
This is wonderful, i shared this on FB and sent to all my friends, compensation is the only alternative to switching to another carrier.

I hope everyone here will call and complain asking for some compensation or threaten to switch to SPRINT ;P

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AT&T is not compensating for throttling. Sprint's service is as slow as the data when your throttled with AT&T. Threatening is not going to change anything, you have your choice to leave or not.

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wrong

in the san francisco bay area
att average 200-300kbps
sprint average 100-150kps
att throttle is 10kbps

[Bwolffdrums]

Considering that 75% of AT&T's total revenue is from wireless data and landline services it's not surprising that they would use back door tactics such as progressively lowering the level at which unlimited plans are throttled in order to get high data users to move to tiered plans which would result in a significant revenue increase for them.  As a business move it's pretty smart.  As a customer having your "unlimited" data plan being rendered useless after only 2 gigs, it's pretty unfair and lame.  If you're only getting 2 gigs for the same price as people who are getting 3 gigs on a tiered plan, it only makes sense to switch, which is exactly what they want you to do. 

[cantwaittoswitc…]

Reached my limit at 2 gigs, called customer service....WOW what a waste of time.  Unlimited...right!  I know I am probably repeated alot of things already said, but I feel the need to!!!!  Love the fact that they cannot tell you what the data limit is, only that you are getting near the threshold.  They also will not tell you what speed you will be limited too neither.  If your going to limit your customers, have the answers available to them!!!  They are bulling us out of unlimited into limited plans....smart for them.  [Per Guidelines:  Keep it Relevant and Appropriate]..  In the mean time, I will send a complaint to the FCC and Better Business Bureau. Unlimited is unlimited!!  Wow I feel better already.  Shame on ATT.

[MJB0188]

AT&T has every right to maintain their network.  There has to be some point where users can't abuse it.  I'm not saying 2GB is abusing it but the guy that will use 100+GB is definitely abusing it and unfortunately this ruins it for people who don't want to abuse it.  If speed is such an issue then no one is stopping all of you from switching to a tiered plan.  That way you can pay for more data when you need it.  Whining about this on practically every smartphone forum is going to get everyone NOWHERE.  

[Tx Rednek]

C'mon Junior, are you serious? Are you gonna sit there and honestly say you're willing to pay more than what's legitimate? ATT knows exactly what they're doing here and to suggest folk who are on GF plans '"pay more" if they "need more" data is disingenuous.

[MJB0188]

What other solution is there?  It's their contract that they can throttle, its just not spelled out.  If speed is that important to you then you should switch.  If not, then deal with it.  Its as simple as that.  Unlimited data is a thing of the past as much as we dislike it.