Tutor
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2 Messages
Unlimited Data plan is a complete fraud
I upgraded to an unlimited data plan a few weeks ago, nearly doubling my monthly charges (for two lines) to $150. Today I received a txt message from ATT warning me that if I exceed 22GB of data usage before the next billing cycle, my "speeds might be reduced in areas with network congestion". This is like paying for an all-you-can-eat buffet, but having your plate taken away after a second round. I called ATT and the service rep could not explain why speeds might slow after 22GB, insisting that they might slow if I happened to be in a congested location, like a big sporting event. This is absolutely disingenuous crap, and I asked several times why anyone would pay for "unlimited data" if ATT can unilaterally decide to limit it. This is really an outrageous fraud, and the absurd, canned responses the rep gave add insult to injury.
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sandblaster
ACE - Expert
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64.7K Messages
6 years ago
I guess you didn’t read the details of the plan. This 22GB threshold for possible slowdown has existed for years. Every carrier has a similar policy on their unlimited plans. The reason is simple, the network is a shared resource and it does not have unlimited capacity. When the network is congested, they have to do something to manage it and temporarily slowing down heavy users is one of the things ATT does. In fact it’s what most carriers do. You may never experience a slowdown but the warning that you might is mandatory. Many users report going way past 22GB with no slow downs.
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Upperleftcoast
Tutor
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2 Messages
6 years ago
Thanks. I needed a wi-fi alternative for a few months, so I did not read the details. But the plan is clearly sold as “unlimited data”, and that it has a “threshold” means it is not “unlimited”. What really irritated me is the glib response that the network “might be congested” when I reach 22GB. It might be congested from the first GB of data I use, and the scripted responses just insult this customer’s - and every customer’s - intelligence. Clearly there is collaboration (dare I say collusion) among the carriers to make sure they are all equally screwing their customers. Outside the US, e.g., in Korea, Hong Kong, Japan, etc., wireless data speeds are vastly greater, and ATT is at least a decade behind those carriers in quality of service. I’ve had enough.
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Gary L
ACE - Expert
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16.5K Messages
6 years ago
The MIGHT be and being contingent on NETWORK CONGESTION is very relevant. If that doesn't happen you then it does not matter. There are people who use hundreds and hundreds of GB and are very happy with their plan.
Not if you read the sign that says that the buffet has a 2-plate maximum.
AT&T has posted those details pretty clearly.
The text message clearly said if there was "network congestion", I'm not sure why you would call?
Because it may not impact you significantly (IF at all).
So you want a rep to give you answers other than they are authorized to give?
MY SUGGESTION (and you did post this in the Community Forum) is:
Use it until you go above 22GB and see if you even notice a debilitating difference.
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GLIMMERMAN76
ACE - Expert
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23.9K Messages
6 years ago
You get unlimited data.. data speeds were never unlimited... Unlimited means no overages. My kid uses 50gb on average no slow downs. It's all about towers and if it's congested.
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OrangePapers
Contributor
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1 Message
5 years ago
After I downloaded many gigabytes of ebooks, my data rate was throttled down so badly that it took like 5 minutes to load one web page.
And now it is even worse: for the last two days, the account is dead and I have not gotten a single byte through
I logged into https://dcp2.att.com/OEPNDClient/pages/A-00T.jsp? and it tells me that the plan that came with my original device (there wasn't one -- I bought a used Netgear Nighthawk MR1100 ) is no longer offered, and they want me to sign up for a new plan that charges $50 per gigabyte. No joke. I repeat that:
$50 PER GIGABYTE.
That is not an unlimited plan. By the way, I've only had the plan and the equipment for 4 months, and the AT+T web site says that my plan is paid up until 9 March 2019, but they turned it off on Feb. 28.
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Gary L
ACE - Expert
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16.5K Messages
5 years ago
According to the web, what is the NAME of your plan?
If you don't want to switch you do NOT have to switch. You can keep your old (unnamed) plan.
Obviously, it is NOT an unlimited plan, it's per GB.
FYI, AT&T currently doesn't allow unlimited plans on hotspot devices other than connected cars.
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formerlyknownas
ACE - Sage
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116.6K Messages
5 years ago
AT&T has not sold an unlimited hotspot plan since march 2018. They sell a 250 gig plan in rural areas with no internet options. Don’t know what you think you bought, but it isn’t unlimited.
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Kiserch744
New Member
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1 Message
4 years ago
(edited)
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townsend775253
New Member
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4 Messages
1 year ago
its a bit late but id like to chime in... they are still doing it. ive had my unlimited plan for almost 2 decades.... i got credited the couple dollars in the (Edited per community guidelines) a few years ago (but they raised my bill $35 a month after the (Edited per community guidelines) which got them their money back from me in 6 months or so.... and they are STILL doing it..... i get throttled on my phone and get down to 2 mb a second after i get to 22 gigs.... and when I ask them about it they say "network congestion in your area" I live in a town with 1 stop light......... so unless the cows are on their phones at 3am, idk who is congesting it. BUT my 6th line I pay for that we don't use until I'm throttled...... is still SCREAMING fast, at the same times and locations that our others get slowed......
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formerlyknownas
ACE - Sage
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116.6K Messages
1 year ago
@townsend775253
So you are on a 14-year-old plan with no hotspot allowed, a 22 GB threshold and whose base price is more than the current Unlimited Premium plan that has no Threshold at all and includes 50 GB of Hotspot data.
Or to say it in another way you've kept an old plan that is worth less, and cost more rather than switching to the current plans.
Get with the 2020s fella. 😂
https://www.att.com/plans/wireless/
(edited)
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