Contributor
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5 Messages
AT&T Throttling 3G Data for NO reason
Every month on the 15th or 16th my internet suddenly becomes almost useless. Streaming radio doesn't work, most websites won't load, etc. I've tested the throttled connection and its at least a 75% reduction in my normal 3G speeds..around 30kbs/s (kilobytes/second) to be precise. The connection always goes back to normal right around the last day of the month. I know all about how wireless data contracts work and if I'm being throttled at all then it should have no relation to the day of the month - it should be a function of my billing cycle. Second and more to the point, there's no excuse for me being throttled when I'm not going over my data cap. This billing cycle I've used less than 100mb of data so I know that I'm being throttled for no reason whatsoever. This has been going on for about six months now and over the past 4-5 months I've contacted AT&T multiple times and received either no response or completely absurd ones. Last time around I was told the slowdowns were due to tower upgrades. I took it upon myself to seek out a cell network engineer with over 15 years on the job. He comfirmed my suspicion that the upgrades excuse was yet another lie. I've had it with AT&T's deceptions. Barely being able to use mobile internet 50% of the time isn't just annoying - its a breach of my contract as well. I'm going to contact AT&T one last time and demand they start delivering the service I paid for or I'm getting legal help. Still, you can't let these companies walk on you or they'll just keep doing it. Is anyone else having this problem? I'll try to keep you all posted on developments.
[Legal discussions are not permitted per the Guidelines]
Accepted Solution
christopherjones
Scholar
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121 Messages
10 years ago
"its a breach of my contract as well"
No, actually it's not. You obviously haven't read the Terms and Conditions.
AT&T can throttle your data or even completely stop your data if they want to; and yes, they can do that legally.
If I were you, I wouldn't waste my time with a lawyer, as it'd just waste your money and time (I'm pretty sure AT&T's big-wig lawyers have covered themselves for events and situations like this...)
Anyway, back to an actual solution... ...
I'd recommend that you answer all those questions so that we might be able to help you out.
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sandblaster
ACE - Expert
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64.7K Messages
10 years ago
Agree with the above. Chances are you are not being throttled and the issue is something else.
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s_coleman
Contributor
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5 Messages
10 years ago
I've read my contract and there is nothing in it saying that AT&T can slow down my data for no reason at all. Nothing. There are no network congestion issues that would cause my connection to go to 2G on the same day of the month every single month. Also, if they wanted to cut off my data then they have to cancel my service altogethor..maybe you guys should get a little more more famialiar with contracts. The unwarranted throttling started about 5 months ago and it happens regardless of how much data I have used. Even if it WAS due to me exceeding my cap it wouldn't be happening on the same day every month In fact it wouldn't ot be based on a calendar month at all but rather on my billing cycle. There's no technical issue the engineer could think of that would be causing it. As to some of your questions I have unlimited data. My BB9000 always says 4G when its getting a 3G signal even though its not a 4G phone - it was a stupid and deceptive ploy by RIM and AT&T to try and fool people this way, but there it is. I've never exceeded my data cap before the throttling kicked in and it keeps right on saying 4G (LOL) once it happens. The slowdown is 100% consistent - it takes me down to 2G speeds (30 kilobytes/second) no matter where I am. The only logical answer is that its just AT&T screwing its legacy unlimited data customers with a clear breach of contract, as they've done repeatedly in the past. And have no fear, I won't be spending a dime of my money on legal help if it comes to that. Obviously I'm hoping it doesn't but you have to hold these companies accountable for their actions. BTW, I find it realy interesting how AT&T employees can mention legal action yet my original post was edited by the mods to remove them.
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s_coleman
Contributor
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5 Messages
10 years ago
Actually, "contract" isn't the right word - what I should be saying is "service agreement". I've been out of my contract for a long time. I have noticed that my agreement changes frequently but there's nothing it in that can explain the slowdowns I'm experiencing. Also, regarding the tower upgrades explanation: if there were a shred of truth behind it then millions of customers would be having issues and this doesn't seem to be the case.
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wingrider01
Expert
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12.2K Messages
10 years ago
What you want is the Fair Use Policy. A quick search of the support knowledge base turns up this
http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=KB410284&cv=820#fbid=KacQD5a57vg
Scroll down end expand the section labeled "About reduced data speeds"
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Constructive
Former Employee
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32.9K Messages
10 years ago
Do you have an unlimited data plan? If so, we have information to help you manage your account if you use more than 3GB, which means you are in the top 5% of data users in our network. If you have a 4G LTE Smartphone with monthly data usage over 5GB, you'll also be interested in this information. You can check your usage for this month by dialing*data# on your mobile phone.
If you have one of our tiered data plans, this information will not affect you.
Background: In response to soaring mobile broadband usage and the limited availability of wireless spectrum, we implemented a network management program back in 2011 to help ensure the best possible mobile broadband experience for all of our customers.
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Constructive
Former Employee
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32.9K Messages
10 years ago
1.2 What are AT&T’s Rights to Cancel My Service(s) and Terminate My Agreement?
AT&T may interrupt, suspend or cancel your Services and terminate your Agreement without advance notice for any reason including, but not limited to, the following:
AT&T's rights under this Section 1.2 are in addition to any specific rights that we reserve in other provisions of this Agreement to interrupt, suspend, modify, or cancel your Services and terminate your Agreement.
After your Service Commitment ends and you are on a month-to-month Agreement, AT&T may terminate your Agreement at any time with 30 days notice
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christopherjones
Scholar
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121 Messages
10 years ago
You stated:
Let me help you out with that...
Click this link:
http://www.att.com/shop/en/legalterms.html?toskey=wirelessCustomerAgreement
and read this:
6.2 What Are The Intended Uses Of AT&T's Wireless Data Service?
Interesting, you stated that you read the contract, and "nothing in it saying that AT&T can slow down my data for no reason at all. Nothing."
....
no, again AT&T can stop or slow your data if or when they want (you signed the agreement).
And again, since I am simply a member of the AT&T community does not give you the right to insult.
Bingo! That's why.
Here's a fun link:
http://www.att.com/esupport/datausage.jsp?source=IZDUel1160000000U
I apologize that you do not understand how 3G / 4G works.
3G was a new way of transferring information. Then AT&T found out (yes a very evil deceptive ploy, that accidentally benefitted you), how to increase speeds on 3G with a revolutionary new data transfer protocol, called HSPA+. Since this was a lot faster than 3G, they named it 4G.
Simple / Easy version: AT&T simply made a faster version of 3G. So where there is 3G, yes, there is actually 4G. I hope that you can understand this "stupid and deceptive ploy". (BTW, other carriers do the same).
Educational link: http://www.att.com/esupport/article.jsp?sid=KB115951&cv=820#fbid=5o_RKtzT_6S
There's no breach in contract, see above; as you signed and agreed to the contract (Wireless Customer Agreement). If you didn't sign this, then you simply wouldn't have service on your cell phone.
I'm not an AT&T employee, this is an AT&T community forum. This is generally for AT&T users to help other AT&T users, and so far you're not making it easy for us to help you out.
While non of the users on this forum (including employees) are getting paid to help you out, it doesn't seem like you really want to receive help..
But yes, my legal advise is to not waste time on a lawyer 😛
Yes, we get it... You paid for Unlimited Data but you're not getting Unlimited Data.. You're not the first one, and certainly won't be the last. We get it.
Another person with the same issue:
https://forums.att.com/t5/Wireless-General-Care-and/Dissatisfi-ed-with-data-policy/m-p/3356149#M194390
So here's a recap for you.
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1mike2c
Contributor
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1 Message
10 years ago
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wildguth
Contributor
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3 Messages
10 years ago
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