AT&T Issues Warning to Data Speed Demons

[Michael Essany]

We've known it was coming. We've been warned about its arrival. And now we're on the eve of AT&T's throttling bloodbath.

Okay, so maybe I'm being a little dramatic. But it's unlikely that anyone in the top 5% of heaviest data users on AT&T's network would disagree with such an assessment, as tomorrow could be the start of a painful experience. Beginning October 1st, the carrier is going to begin throttling data speeds for customers on unlimited data plans who remain voracious data hogs.

Warning texts have once again been fired off by AT&T as a last-minute reminder to users that they can help avoid throttling of their data speeds by relying more heavily on Wi-Fi. AT& said it would issue warnings and provide for a brief grace period before any serious action is taken, so if you've received the "text of data death" last night or this morning, consider yourself warned.

Subscribers who find themselves throttled will still be able to keep their unlimited data plans but they will be subjected to speed reductions until the next billing cycle commences.

Given that overall data usage has spiked to levels roughly 8,000 times higher than they were when the iPhone was first introduced on AT&T's network in 2007, some industry watchers believe AT&T's decision to crack the whip is both logical and fair to the other 95% of users.

Source: Minyanville

[Anthony Bouchard]

I don't think it's a fair practice. Users signed a contract for unlimited data. Not, "unlimited data for the first 2GB then slow, frustrating unlimited data from that point on." If AT&T is having bandwidth issues maybe they need to upgrade their systems and bring their technology more up to date.

[mortopher]

I don't think it's a fair practice. Users signed a contract for unlimited data. Not, "unlimited data for the first 2GB then slow, frustrating unlimited data from that point on." If AT&T is having bandwidth issues maybe they need to upgrade their systems and bring their technology more up to date.

The fine writing of the unlimited plan does disclose a 5 gb cap.

[NiteStar]

I have unlimited data. Yes anytime I read these things about At&t canceling people who it feels is abusing their data, I get upset. But truth be told, I also feel it's pretty difficult to get to some of these massive data GB used that I've seen people post, I understand why AT&T feels the need to do something about it. It's hard nowadays not to be around wifi hotspots or wifi signals you have access to like at work or home. This of course is just my opinion and should be read as such.

[Anthony Bouchard]

The fine writing of the unlimited plan does disclose a 5 gb cap.

I know there are hidden flukes, I still think it's wrong to label it unlimited without getting the full deal.

Companies.. will be companies.

[z6joker9]

What is the cutoff before they throttle you? If it's as low as 2GB and the throttling is significant enough, I'd rather pay $25 for 2GB and then extra for data to use as needed. I rarely go over 2GB but keep it just in case I have a reason to download heavily one day. I still kick myself for letting go of my unlimited iPad plan.

[Anthony Bouchard]

What is the cutoff before they throttle you? If it's as low as 2GB and the throttling is significant enough, I'd rather pay $25 for 2GB and then extra for data to use as needed. I rarely go over 2GB but keep it just in case I have a reason to download heavily one day. I still kick myself for letting go of my unlimited iPad plan.

The contract says 5GB although, it seems more realistic at 2GB.

[unison999]

^^People sign up for unlimited data, but it does not say the speed of the data gets to you. So it is fully in their right to pull back data deliver speed to your equipment, because they are still not limiting the amount of data going to your equipment. That is why EVERY provider is throttling back data speed after certain amount of data downloaded, hell even home service do that it sucks but what can you do.Speed demons???Are they making their equipment faster than everyone else's?

[Anthony Bouchard]

^^People sign up for unlimited data, but it does not say the speed of the data gets to you. So it is fully in their right to pull back data deliver speed to your equipment, because they are still not limiting the amount of data going to your equipment. That is why EVERY provider is throttling back data speed after certain amount of data downloaded, hell even home service do that it sucks but what can you do.Speed demons???Are they making their equipment faster than everyone else's?

I believe the throttling the speed of your data is a 'limit.' Hence the false name 'unlimited' data. That's everyone's beef.

[boxxa]

Yes. ATT should be updating their network with all the money they are making to satisfy users but I have heard that some of the people who are pushing the limits and getting throttled are using over 30GB of data a month which is a little crazy.I stream SoundCloud and SiriusXM all the time on my phone over 3G along with videos and my max has been about 12GB/ month. I average about 7 and have never been bothered. Also, they are talking about throttling users, not people who use X amount from what I have seen so if you are the top 5% then you are getting slowed down while a general user who uses 3+ GB should be ok.

[Colby21]

There is no 5gb cap. At least for me there isn't. I have the graph from att.com on my usage. During the month of August, all i did was teather, and i used 18gigs in the month of august. and 9gigs in July... No joke.

[Wolftamer]

I believe the throttling the speed of your data is a 'limit.' Hence the false name 'unlimited' data. That's everyone's beef.

I'm pretty sure most people understand unlimited to mean data, not speed.

[vantheman169]

The contract says 5GB although, it seems more realistic at 2GB.

For a fee of I think $80 dollars there is a guy named Manny, that i believe must work for at&t, hooking people up with unlimited data plans as many lines as you want. Or you may try the iPhone 2g hack mentioned in the same article. If it works with a iPhone 4 sim it should work with an iPad sim.

How to Get Back on AT&T

[Colby21]

[thetoothfairy]

I will tell you what! Let AT&T ever send me one of those because I hardly ever use the data I pay for so in my eyes they owe me! They are so worried about people using data... what about the people paying for the data that don't use much of it?

[norfskate]

That's a lot of porn! :-)

[confucious]

The problem is not the amount of data, it's how it's used. Tethering kills the network which is why they charge extra for it.
But then, so does streaming - which they allow.
You would be surprised at how much better their network would be if they stopped streaming and tethering - and it's not just a case of lack of investment.
But most people don't seem to worry about practicalities.
Here in the UK we have always had limits - mine's 3Gb after that I'm throttled - but it's very different here.

[Razorinthe60s]

I know my little two lines won't matter but going to go with sprint when contracts are up and screw at&t for slowing down my unlimited speed. Hope more people follow and give sprint their business.

[Anthony Bouchard]

I know my little two lines won't matter but going to go with sprint when contracts are up and screw at&t for slowing down my unlimited speed. Hope more people follow and give sprint their business.

Sprint will follow suit like Verizon did.

[Mysterion]

I'm a data hog on my Verizon iPhone 4 and I don't care.