DSLReports: Verizon purges most unlimited plans, begins throttling remaining

[Red Storm]

I avoid using WiFi on principle on our unlimited lines. For me it's more about principle than need. Stupid I know but whatever

There are benefits. Your cellular connection is generally going to be more secure than any wifi network that's not your own.

 

[jdoggg12]

100/month for wireless internet with the best provider, that lets you tether, is an amazing deal as it is.

No, it's not, given the amount of public funding they've been given to build-out their networks. Additionally, they're still far behind most of the rest of the world in terms of speed and service for the money. Yes, the US is a huge landmass to cover, but I'm talking specific to highly populated, well-developed areas.


Looking at how other plans are currently priced, a plan like mine where I use around 200 minutes and a couple thousand texts, $100/month is basically $30/month for your phone/txt features and $70 for data. My home internet isn't even $70!

 

[Bateluer]

I was using 50-90gb a month when I was using my phone as my sole source of internet

You know . . . this is the exact reason why carriers want to introduce network management and restrictive data caps.

 

[sze5003]

You know . . . this is the exact reason why carriers want to introduce network management and restrictive data caps.

Yea I saw it coming. I normally use 8gb just with my monthly routine of Pandora, netflix, not being able to use WiFi at work.

I know some people tether to their home since they live in remote areas and use up to 90gb. That's pretty insane.

I'm tempted to wait for the nexus 6 if I leave Verizon when they throttle or just get the oppo one plus. I think I have already been slowed down since today I was downloading an aosp Rom and it took about 56 minutes. That or the congestion must have been pretty bad.

 

[NutBucket]

There are benefits. Your cellular connection is generally going to be more secure than any wifi network that's not your own.

Agreed. Plus it's typically faster than hotel wi-fi. I use it exclusively while travelling.

Actually I only use wifi at the in-laws because it's one of the few places I don't have good signal.

 

[shortylickens]

Agreed. Plus it's typically faster than hotel wi-fi typically. I use it exclusively while travelling.

Actually I only use wifi at the in-laws because it's one of the few places I don't have good signal.

Hotel ethernet is usually pretty good, if they have it.

 

[NutBucket]

I guess you've had better experiences than I have.

 

[magomago]

No, it's not, given the amount of public funding they've been given to build-out their networks. Additionally, they're still far behind most of the rest of the world in terms of speed and service for the money. Yes, the US is a huge landmass to cover, but I'm talking specific to highly populated, well-developed areas.


Looking at how other plans are currently priced, a plan like mine where I use around 200 minutes and a couple thousand texts, $100/month is basically $30/month for your phone/txt features and $70 for data. My home internet isn't even $70!

I do not know about the amounts of public funding they have been given; can you provide information? Were there requirements around taking the money, i.e. provide a certain speed or maximum price to the general public?

You can't compare a untethered connection to a tethered-to-the-ground wired connection as apples and apples. Yes, the latter is cheaper, but the latter won't let you walk 1 mile away from your house and still have internet access. The latter is useless outside the immediate vicinity of your house (assuming you have a wireless router). Not surprisingly, the latter is typically a more consistent of a connection [although time warner where I live wants to prove me wrong].

 

[magomago]

Yea I saw it coming. I normally use 8gb just with my monthly routine of Pandora, netflix, not being able to use WiFi at work.

I know some people tether to their home since they live in remote areas and use up to 90gb. That's pretty insane.

I'm tempted to wait for the nexus 6 if I leave Verizon when they throttle or just get the oppo one plus. I think I have already been slowed down since today I was downloading an aosp Rom and it took about 56 minutes. That or the congestion must have been pretty bad.

If I had to guess, I'd venture people streaming music 8 hours a day at 64kbps isn't the problem; the problem is people trying to monopolize the majority of tower's bandwidth at any given instant when the tower is already under a heavy load.
I really think its going to be those that tether at home and move massive amounts of data back and forth that will experience a slowdown in performance, but not slow enough that their practical usage is impacted.

That said I encourage more competition from Cellular; if they can truly manage the load and do it all wirelessly, then maybe it will help to weaken cable land line monopolies/duopolies that exist.