ATT data caps, a new twist?

[sportage]

Most ATT cell customers know that ATT imposed data caps to grandfathered unlimited data customers, after exceeding 3GB data usage in a single billing cycle.
So you would expect that would mean reducing data speed. Correct?

However, I've been hearing and witnessing of something totally new and different when it comes to data capping, the old on-off water spigot game.
ATT isn't just reducing data speed, they have started imposing a new technique where they turn on-off your data usage. Usually by several second increments.

Like inviting some poor thirsty soul to take a drink from the outside water spout, and while drinking you play this little game of turning on-off the faucet.
The very same technique, except with your live data connection.
Welcome to the new data capping scheme.

Before, capped customers could still continue to surf at reduced data speeds, downloads simply took longer. Pages were slower to load. Netflix defaulted to lower resolutions.

But why not take this data capping to a new level?
Briefly turn off the data faucet entirely, then back on, then back off, then back on, and so on and so on?
In several second increments?
Drive the customer absolutely insane.
Why?

Because ATT already have, and too will other cell providers, have come to the conclusion that these grandfathered unlimited data loafers are a real pain in their backside.

If ATT can drive them away, so be it. No loss. No tears. And good riddance.
Weed these unlimited data users out and off the unlimited data tete once and for all.

If you are a target of data capping, this is the new, new.
Limiting or capping speed is no longer enough of a deterrent. Not good enough.
Instead, just turn off, then on, and then back off again that data tap, repeatedly, every few minutes/seconds until their data service is completely unusable.
Then surely those customers will leave once and for good. No loss.
And don't let the door hit you in the backside on the way out...

Data capping technique is a changing. And that is simply to force unlimited freeloaders to jump ship.
If you are a target the data capping, for whatever reason, be prepared.
No... this not local cell jamming. No... not device failure. No... not some location issue.
As might be just a few of the reasonings expressed to you, point blank, by that customer service rep, when call to inquire/complain.

Simply ask that rep up front if you are being targeted by sporadic data interruption, intentionally, by that cell provider.
They will have to admit to you that yes, you are indeed, experiencing just that.
This is new.
Welcome to the new data capping technique soon to be the standard of data capping.
And that goal is to once and forever do away with anyone enjoying grandfathered unlimited data. Period!

It will be interesting to see if and where this might lead to in the courts.
For hefty class actions will surely be forthcoming.

 

[Newbian]

But it's still unlimited data so you are fine....

 

[Ichinisan]

AT&T has made an absolute killing on me. I pay for grandfathered unlimited data on 3 lines ($90). I rarely go over 2GB. My mother simply doesn't use data at all. My brother sometimes hits 3GB. It has been this way for years. I continue to pay for unlimited simply because I don't want to have unexpected overages...not to abuse the system like so many others. If I ever need to use a bit more than I typically do, AT&T is going to screw me with their throttling...even though I pay so much for data I hardly use.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

You can thank the people who abuse the system.

 

[Crono]

I like how people say "abuse the system".

Most of us who have grandfathered unlimited paid and continue to pay for unlimited.
The carriers aren't losing massive amounts of money. They aren't victims.

If they wanted to be honest, they could do what legitimate web hosting companies have done for years and be up front about the data caps (i.e. you pay for certain amount of speed and data transfer), advertising them clearly alongside plan pricing and their claims about how awesome their speed and coverage is.

It's everyone else who is getting the short end of the stick with ridiculous 2GB caps. Seriously, Verizon and ATT can brag about their miraculously fantastic 4G/LTE speeds, but if you actually want to use it for more than a few hours, well, you have to pony up a lot more money or just be satisfied with your lowly <5 GB.

 

[Gunslinger08]

You happen to be using an iPhone? I've been having network hanging issues on both wifi and 4G with iOS 6. Sounds exactly as you describe. I'm not a grandfathered unlimited customer.

 

[bearxor]

AT&T has made an absolute killing on me. I pay for grandfathered unlimited data on 3 lines ($90). I rarely go over 2GB. My mother simply doesn't use data at all. My brother sometimes hits 3GB. It has been this way for years. I have unlimited simply because I don't want to have unexpected overages...not to abuse the system like so many others. If I ever need to use a bit more than I typically do, AT&T is going to screw me with their throttling...even though I pay so much for data I hardly use.

I'm going to make some presumptions here, so if they're wrong, they are, but it's just food for thought.

Presume you're on at least the 700 minute plan with three smart devices and unlimited text on the account, no FAN discount. You should be paying:
70 + 10 + 30 + 30 + 30 + 30 = 200

Consider switching to mobile share:
6GB 90 + 35 + 35 + 35 = 195

You'd save $5 a month and 6GB seems like it covers your usage. On top of that, the mobile share plan will give you hotspot access and FaceTime over cellular, I think you have at least one iPhone. Lets say you go over 6GB twice a year and get charges the $15 overage. You're still saving $30/yr. You come out even better if you have a FAN discount and/or if you're on a higher minute package. I was able to go from two lines with unlimited data and a Verizon iPad I paid for through VZW to a 10GB mobile share with the iPad on it (no LTE but AT&T HSPA is fast enough) for $10 less than what I was paying per month. And I'm definitely not going over 10GB.

Of course, what you should consider is switching from AT&T to Straight Talk. You'd be looking at $135 for all three lines and it should more than cover your data usages.

As for the OP, AT&Ts throttling has always been like that. If you look at something like speed test, it looks like its transmitting in bursts and then going to nothing. I would agree that it is basically unusable.

 

[child of wonder]

Truth in advertising should be required when it comes to these caps. Carriers should have to advertise their plans as follows:

"Now with 4G/LTE speeds of up to 40Mb/s!*

* standard 2GB monthly bandwidth cap applies and equals 6 minutes and 50 seconds of 4G/LTE speed per month"

 

[dmcowen674]

You can thank the people who abuse the system.

and who do you work for?

 

[dmcowen674]

Most ATT cell customers know that ATT imposed data caps to grandfathered unlimited data customers, after exceeding 3GB data usage in a single billing cycle.
So you would expect that would mean reducing data speed. Correct?

However, I've been hearing and witnessing of something totally new and different when it comes to data capping, the old on-off water spigot game.
ATT isn't just reducing data speed, they have started imposing a new technique where they turn on-off your data usage. Usually by several second increments.

Like inviting some poor thirsty soul to take a drink from the outside water spout, and while drinking you play this little game of turning on-off the faucet.
The very same technique, except with your live data connection.
Welcome to the new data capping scheme.

Before, capped customers could still continue to surf at reduced data speeds, downloads simply took longer. Pages were slower to load. Netflix defaulted to lower resolutions.

But why not take this data capping to a new level?
Briefly turn off the data faucet entirely, then back on, then back off, then back on, and so on and so on?
In several second increments?
Drive the customer absolutely insane.
Why?

Because ATT already have, and too will other cell providers, have come to the conclusion that these grandfathered unlimited data loafers are a real pain in their backside.

If ATT can drive them away, so be it. No loss. No tears. And good riddance.
Weed these unlimited data users out and off the unlimited data tete once and for all.

If you are a target of data capping, this is the new, new.
Limiting or capping speed is no longer enough of a deterrent. Not good enough.
Instead, just turn off, then on, and then back off again that data tap, repeatedly, every few minutes/seconds until their data service is completely unusable.
Then surely those customers will leave once and for good. No loss.
And don't let the door hit you in the backside on the way out...

Data capping technique is a changing. And that is simply to force unlimited freeloaders to jump ship.
If you are a target the data capping, for whatever reason, be prepared.
No... this not local cell jamming. No... not device failure. No... not some location issue.
As might be just a few of the reasonings expressed to you, point blank, by that customer service rep, when call to inquire/complain.

Simply ask that rep up front if you are being targeted by sporadic data interruption, intentionally, by that cell provider.
They will have to admit to you that yes, you are indeed, experiencing just that.
This is new.
Welcome to the new data capping technique soon to be the standard of data capping.
And that goal is to once and forever do away with anyone enjoying grandfathered unlimited data. Period!

It will be interesting to see if and where this might lead to in the courts.
For hefty class actions will surely be forthcoming.

Doubt anything would happen in the courts.

Big money rules them.

 

[Engineer]

ISP's aren't going to stop until they get a pay per GB model installed. Somewhere, spidey is having an orgasm thinking about that day.

 

[dmcowen674]

ISP's aren't going to stop until they get a pay per GB model installed.

Somewhere, spidey is having an orgasm thinking about that day.

Remember the 59 cents a bit?

 

[Ichinisan]

I like how people say "abuse the system".

Most of us who have grandfathered unlimited paid and continue to pay for unlimited.
The carriers aren't losing massive amounts of money. They aren't victims.

If they wanted to be honest, they could do what legitimate web hosting companies have done for years and be up front about the data caps (i.e. you pay for certain amount of speed and data transfer), advertising them clearly alongside plan pricing and their claims about how awesome their speed and coverage is.

It's everyone else who is getting the short end of the stick with ridiculous 2GB caps. Seriously, Verizon and ATT can brag about their miraculously fantastic 4G/LTE speeds, but if you actually want to use it for more than a few hours, well, you have to pony up a lot more money or just be satisfied with your lowly <5 GB.

When AT&T still offered the unlimited data plan for iPhone and iPhone 3G, it was meant for phones that streamed video at less-than-HD resolution and had no tethering capability. Now, I hear about people who use hacked phones with tethering enabled to replace their home Internet connection with the phone's mobile data connection...which is not how it was intended. Some of these people are streaming Netflix all day on retina displays and tethered laptops / tablets.

 

[LikeLinus]

You can thank the people who abuse the system.

Absolute bullshit. They sold something as unlimited. You have an always on pipe and you should be able to use it 24/7 if you see fit. It's not right to sell something under false advertising and then punish the end users because you cannot keep up with the demand of your product because you oversold it.

 

[child of wonder]

Absolute bullshit. They sold something as unlimited. You have an always on pipe and you should be able to use it 24/7 if you see fit. It's not right to sell something under false advertising and then punish the end users because you cannot keep up with the demand of your product because you oversold it.

This.

Bandwidth caps are like offering an "All you can eat" buffet but restricting everyone to 12oz of food.

I understand they didn't anticipate such a rapid growth in data usage, but it's only going to get worse. Bandwidth caps are providers' way of fighting the market rather than finding ways to adapt to it.

 

[Jeff7]

Absolute bullshit. They sold something as unlimited. You have an always on pipe and you should be able to use it 24/7 if you see fit. It's not right to sell something under false advertising and then punish the end users because you cannot keep up with the demand of your product because you oversold it.

Advertising: Where "unlimited" can have limits, and numbers other than zero can still equal zero.

 

[phucheneh]

Advertising: Where "unlimited" can have limits, and numbers other than zero can still equal zero.

Also, where 'best' is meaningless and 'better' can get you sued. I always liked that one. :awe:

 

[OBLAMA2009]

that sounds really irritating, it would be like the power company strobing your bedroom lights on and off repeatedly to get you to turn them off.

the truth is that unlimited data isnt really the problem, because most people on unlimited use far less than 2 gb anyway. they just want more money, especially from the one in a hundred unlimited data users that use 50 gb a month watching movies. those people piss me off, they are ruining it for the other 99. data should basically be unlimited for web surfing, people who do 50 gb should be banned from ever having a cell phone

 

[OBLAMA2009]

Advertising: Where "unlimited" can have limits, and numbers other than zero can still equal zero.

the cell phone industry is plagued with false advertising. a lot of these prepaid companies will advertise "unlimited talk/text/4g* web!!!!"

*first 256kb at 4g speeds.

even a 2 year old can tell you that is misleading

 

[13Gigatons]

I think Republic wireless is the future of mobile service. I bet the at&t and Verizon will move in that direction.

The main problem though is that whether you use towers or wifi you are limited by the fiber network and no one seems interested in building a first class network.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

I think Republic wireless is the future of mobile service. I bet the at&t and Verizon will move in that direction.

The main problem though is that whether you use towers or wifi you are limited by the fiber network and no one seems interested in building a first class network.

what is republic doing that is so great.

for right now, att and verizon can get away for anything, there are people like me who cant afford not to have service everywhere.

 

[EMPshockwave82]

This.

Bandwidth caps are like offering an "All you can eat" buffet but restricting everyone to 12oz of food.

I understand they didn't anticipate such a rapid growth in data usage, but it's only going to get worse. Bandwidth caps are providers' way of fighting the market rather than finding ways to adapt to it.

Bandwidth caps on unlimited plans are like offering an "all you can eat" buffet but restricting you to 1 oz of food per hour after you have eaten your first 12 oz of food.

They should be up front about the fact that they are limiting you but people need to realize they were never promised unlimited data at maximum speed in most cases.

 

[Crono]

what is republic doing that is so great.

for right now, att and verizon can get away for anything, there are people like me who cant afford not to have service everywhere.

I hadn't heard of them before. Very interesting.

My contract with Verizon expires early next month. I may just switch to Republic. The fact that they only have one phone is kind of a letdown, though. But for unlimited data I'll bite.

 

[OverVolt]

Its so that you can still send text messages, but you hit your limit and basically steaming/web is completely shut down.

You sound like some guy who jail breaks his iPhone as a tether to use it for home internet complaining or something.