AT&T throttling unlimited data users starting at 2 GB per month based on location
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The number two U.S. mobile carrier announced in October, 2011 that it would reduce the connection speed of the "top 5 percent" of unlimited data users, though recent complaints reveal that throttling can begin after only 2 GB which is well under the 3 GB "limited" plan that carries the same monthly cost.
According to The New York Times, John Cozen was among the first to be throttled, or have his data speed limited until the next billing cycle, after using only 2.1 GB of data.
Cozen posted an email exchange with AT&T's customer service that claimed he was in the top five percent of heavy data users, and thus would be throttled as per the company's new guidelines. He goes on to say that the rule is unfair given that the cost for AT&T's unlimited data plan is equal to the $30 per month tiered plan customers pay for 3 GB of bandwidth.
AT&T's unlimited data plan is a relic from the launch of the first iPhone, and customers who took advantage of the premium service were grandfathered in when the company axed the option in 2010 as it moved to a completely tiered system.
AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel said that, as of summer 2011, the top five percent of heaviest data users averaged 2 GB or more per month. He goes on to say that throttling is on a case-by-case basis, and that the limit varies on spectrum availability and data use from other customers.
Siegel's comments are echoed in an online support document on AT&T's website.
âThereâs a very good chance you wouldnât be slowed,â Siegel said, noting that less than one percent of customers were affected by the policy in January.
66 Comments
Right, is there anything in the EULA that says they can't throttle? Anything at all? If there is, we can't do anything about this.
If there isn't, I want a $100 billion class-action lawsuit and a ruling that makes it illegal to claim something is unlimited in any sort of bandwidth-related situation when it isn't.
Yea but 1% of what? 1% of 1,000,000 phones would be a pretty large number of users affected.
They have the right, but that's extra weak considering Unlimited users are essentially paying for 3GB of metereed data anyway at $30/month. IOW, they should at least allow 3.1GB of usage because being jackasses.
Right, is there anything in the EULA that says they can't throttle? Anything at all? If there is, we can't do anything about this.
If there isn't, I want a $100 billion class-action lawsuit and a ruling that makes it illegal to claim something is unlimited in any sort of bandwidth-related situation when it isn't.
If the blood sucking lawyers haven't figured it out by now there must be a reason such a lawsuit hasn't been filed yet. This is so blatant as to be truly stunning in its audacity.
Why do these unlimited users continue to complain and bang heads against the wall? Just switch to the damned 3GB plan, you're never going to be back in a situation where you get all the data you want while others pay for it. Go to 3GB, pay for your overages like an adult, and maybe even go outside and enjoy the sun.