As you may know, AT&T started throttling data speeds for the top 5% of its smartphone users on unlimited data plans from October 1st.
It looks like AT&T maybe throttling the speeds down to 2G speeds for the top 5% of data users, according to TiPb.
TiPb reports that one of their users who happened to fall in the top 5% of the smartphone users got a message informing him that his data speeds for the rest of the bill cycle will be reduced.
He noticed that after getting the message, he doesn't seem to be getting speeds any faster than an 150kps, while his friends and co-workers who are using the same tower are getting full speed.
I called AT&T because I thought it was an issue with them and I did a trouble shooting session on the phone. After finishing they asked if I received any text from them and I replied “yes” and told them which one and that’s when AT&T told me “problem solved”. I asked how do I go from 14mbps to straight EDGE, bypassing 7.2mbps, and they couldn’t reply.
It's a pity that while Apple is introducing features like iCloud and OTA iOS software updates, which will translate into more data usage and carriers like AT&T are putting restrictions that will deprive users of a better user experience due to reduced speeds (throttling unlimited data plan customers) or come at a much higher cost (tiered data plans).
Have you received a warning message from AT&T? Has the speed dropped to 2G speeds for you as well after getting the message? Let us know in the comments.
[via TiPb]
I’ll sign a class action suit against at&t and get many more people to sign it. I was throttled on my last billing cycle. Talked to a rep and he said that I will be throttled again after 2gb.
I just bought two skyrocket phones in december and added a line. I wasn’t even warned about this trottling scam until I got the dirty little message saying that I was in the top 5% and my data speeds will be reduced.
I am tired of being ripped off by these thieving corporations. For those of you who defend these crooks, your either part of their scam or really stupid.
I don’t know if there is some fine print that allows them to interpret unlimited as not really unlimited, but I think one line of attack is to throttle down based on a percentage. A user has no way of knowing if he is in or nearing the 5%, and also no way to audit or verify that after the fact. It is completely new ground compared to signing up for a plan based on advertised speeds, then knowing what you are paying for, then seeing a bill which you can dispute if not correct. Basing it on a percentage I bet could be successfully attacked.
I have received this msg 2 mos in row. I travel for my work, my phone is my internet so I use close to 7-8gigs per month. Now they’ve reduced my speed to Edge, therefore I can’t do my work. I’m definately in on the lawsuit. and I’ve put my complaint in with FCC and BBB. as far as AT&T goes, I call on a daily basis to complain, I’ve talked to 2 supervisors where I didn’t say nice things! needless to say they don’t like me, but I’ll keep calling on a daily basis.
I suggest like a few people post, keep using your data. Now even though it’s at Edge, I keep my mail syncing every few minutes plus Pandora streaming 24/7 it buffers alot but goes along. it maybe slow but i’m not stopping, hopefully it’ll hit 10/11 gigs! This is just until my contract ends in 2mos and I’ll transfer to Sprint.
Sign me up lets sue AT$T.It is the Devil.
in my case, i called at&t again to complain, as they tried getting me to go a tiered plan again (my reply was so you got bandwidth if I get a tiered plan and use 10gigs of data? they had no response) i’m not even screwing with these people anymore, went on amazon and crossed over to Sprint today. it’s cheaper and still unlimited. getting my phone in 2 days and cancelling with att. still got 2 mos on at&t contract, i may have to pay a $50-60 bones early term, though i’m fighting it. but if so, screw it as a last resort i’ll pay I’m done with this sillyness.
Yah I was throttled at 2 gb! Already filed implants with FCC and BBB. They shouldn’t throttle until at least 3 gb which is what $30 gets you know. Secondly throttling isn’t limiting my speed, it’s making the device unusable. Please guys FCC complaints! BBB!
Let me know where I sign up for this lawsuit , im all in !!!
Sue them I’m getting tired of this reduced speed. Why would I need an iPhone if I can’t watch any web content. I am on my 3 rd iPhone and have 5 phones on my plan 4 of which are iPhones. This is a bunch of crap AT&T King of Bate&Switch
If Dum AT&T like reduce ur data it’s not from 400ko/s to 12ko\s
And she need call app store delete Netflix app.
AT&T IS SH*T!!!It’s the sixth of the month my new billing cycle restarts on the 19th and they are already sending me this sh*t.” AT&T Free Msg: Your data usage is approaching the top 5% of users. Use Wi-Fi to help avoid reduced
speed for this bill cycle. Visit www.att.com/dataplans.”
I am furious they have throttled me after 4 gigs of usage. Top 5% is so bogus, i don’t care how much data other people are using 4 gigs is not all that much on my UNLIMITED plan! I was never told that i would be throttled back when sign a 2 year contract. Also how do i know they are really targeting the top 5%, I want to see the #*&$ing usage data. I would have been a lot less upset if ATT had just told me that when i upgraded I would have to give up my unlimited plan, but this is a SCAM!
I am ready and in all the way for the lawsuit!
they just want more $ email me when the lawyer is ready! anyone got a lawyer?
I am ready and in all the way for the lawsuit!
they just want more money email me when the lawyer is ready! anyone got a lawyer?
I was throttled a couple of weeks ago. I was 10 days into my billing cycle and only had used less than 2 Gbs. I am angry.
I am considering switching to Sprint because of the “truly unlimited” data plan. I read the terms of use, though. It says the retain the right to throttle people’s speeds.
I am writing an Op Ed piece for the local paper. Hopefully, it will go further.
I consider this a breach of contract, as I was sold on the fact that I would not have to worry about my data usage with the unlimited plan. They say I still have unlimited data, they do not guarantee speeds. Who knows how far it could spread. It is the topp 5% of users today, tomorrow it could be 10 or 15%. You have unlimited nights and weekends. They could start blocking numbers to and from your phone that you frequently call, and say that you still have unlimited nights and weekends, they don’t gaurantee connections to every number.
I am also going to be contacting the Better Buisness Bureau, and the Consumer Protection Agency.
I was throttled a couple of weeks ago. I was 10 days into my billing cycle and only had used less than 2 Gbs. I am angry.
I am considering switching to Sprint because of the “truly unlimited” data plan. I read the terms of use, though. It says the retain the right to throttle people’s speeds.
I am writing an Op Ed piece for the local paper. Hopefully, it will go further.
I consider this a breach of contract, as I was sold on the fact that I would not have to worry about my data usage with the unlimited plan. They say I still have unlimited data, they do not guarantee speeds. Who knows how far it could spread. It is the topp 5% of users today, tomorrow it could be 10 or 15%. You have unlimited nights and weekends. They could start blocking numbers to and from your phone that you frequently call, and say that you still have unlimited nights and weekends, they don’t gaurantee connections to every number.
I am also going to be contacting the Better Buisness Bureau, and the Consumer Protection Agency.
http://lawyers.findlaw.com/lawyer/practice/Class-Actions—-Plaintiff?DCMP=GOO-DIR_INJ-ClassActionsGen&HBX_PK=list+of+class+action+lawsuits
At&T Throttling Unlimited data Lawsuit -FIND YOUR CLASS ATION LAWYER HERE!
http://lawyers.findlaw.com/lawyer/practice/Class-Actions—-Plaintiff?DCMP=GOO-DIR_INJ-ClassActionsGen&HBX_PK=list+of+class+action+lawsuits
im now throttled down to 10.8 KB/sec and since ive had my iphone for about 8 months, ive downloaded 17.3 GB of data.
Why 5% and why all you losers will still roll over like a little b***h…
Why 5%?
By throttling the top 5%, you basically bring down the average speed of all users. For example, the first time they “check” for the top 5% user, the 95%-100% users get slammed down to the bottom. Then the second time they check, the 90%-95% people get slammed. If I do this 10 times a month, then EVERYONE gets throttled.
Fair use?
There’s also a question of what “fair use” means. AT&T will of course argue that it means “fair distribution” of network capacity to all users, but is it really “fair use” given the proliferation of online/mobile software? The way smartphones and carrier plans are packaged clearly imply a much higher level of usage than what actually gets used. Yes, it is perfectly understandable that my grandma, who got a smartphone cuz they are on promotion now, uses less data than my niece does. But can my grandma actually be considered as a fair user? She clearly is not expected to leverage the full potential a smartphone can offer, but my niece definitely has a better grasp on the apps available thanks to Apple and AT&T’s own advertisement.
Why you will still roll over like a little b***h
Well, AT&T wants you to quit AT&T. Why? Cuz you’re a liability to the company. Why would they keep you when they can sell your 10GB bandwidth for over 3X the price you’re paying? Sure, you’ll go to T-Mobile and what not. Then T-Mobile can deal with your high usage and congestion problem. T-Mobile raises its prices, and then you’ll come back to AT&T for the new tiered plans! In addition, no lawyer wanna fight a battle like this. Unlimited data users are now the minority, and AT&T would paint you the opportunistic villains who took advantage of their business plan at the infancy of smartphones. Is there really shame in being an early adopter and reaping the benefits of your foresight though? Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, and Mark Zuckerberg all simply adopted to a new strategy and run with it. So for all you 2GB users blaming the 10GB users… NO, IT’S AT&T’S PROBLEM WHO ISN’T UPDATING THEIR TOWERS FAST ENOUGH
In summary, AT&T has adopted an excellent strategy from game theory to limit your usage without sounding like the villan using ambiguous language, forced your view on the legal interpretation of your existing contract, calculated your most probable exit option (quit AT&T), and measured that you look like a jack ass in court. They are jackasses, but they definitely aren’t stupid.
it is complete BS! its discrimination, plain and simple. why should we be punished for having our unlimited data that they sold us? I should be able to get the same speeds as everyone else does, even if i used 100 GB’s a month. just because they realized that they were losing money on the unlimited data plans doesnt mean i should have to suffer for it. the lady i talked to said its because there is such a high demand for mobile data that they had to slow mine down because its unlimited which is such BS! im so sick of having to “abide’ by there bullsh*t contract when they keep giving me the finger. me and my husband are going to have a lawyer look through our full contracts by them and also into this matter, i dont care if i pay more than i would to end my contract early, i would rather give them the finger back than bend over to them.
I just filed my complaint with the FCC. I’ve called AT&T twice in the last two weeks regarding the text I got after reaching 2GB, trying to get a REAL explanation of this scheme. I talked to five different people (three of which were supervisors) and every time I get a different BS answer. I got so frustrated with the last jerk I talked to last night that I told him since AT&T could care less about keeping me as a customer that I would take my $300/month somewhere else. This is ludicrous and they need to be stopped now. We should not be punished for being long time customers. And yes, they SHOULD cater to us, seeing as how WE keep their pockets fat. We are very capable of taking our money elsewhere.
were do i sign up for a class action lawsuit? im an 8 year att customer and this is how they treat me? screw them
There is a lawsuit pending against AT&T alleging that they unfairly charge customers for services not rendered, but it’s in such small increments that nobody notices. My concern is, if tthen are not being accurate to begi with, then how can they throttle people with any fair estimation of who is in the top 5%? I said this before: They have lawyers, and you signed a contract. Do you really think that they would open themselves up to a suit? Public outcry is the answer! Look at Bank of America- they backed down on their new fees when customers expressed displeasure. Text 5 people and have them do the same. Get the word out there! Use your phones! If enough people are outraged, it will hurt AT&Ts bottom line. Unlimited folks DON’T LEAVE!!! That will only save them money. Instead, let potential new customers know what a sleazy company AT&T is. Do that by plastering the airwaves with info about this ridiculous plan. If enough people are talking they have to listen!
We need to make noise and lots of it. AT&T knows how this is going to play out . The main objective of AT&T is to get rid of the unlimited plans. Either by forcing you to drop it of your own free will or getting rid of you as a customer. They know what this is going cost to go to court , which they will , but they also know the profit from data sales will blow that out of the water. Tough it out! Don’t drop your unlimited plans. Call the BBB, call your states Att. Generals office. Call the FCC or complain to these agency’s online. AT&T does not like the noise, they are just like our Govt , a big corporation and just go along quietly.
AT&T is very smug when you call them about this. That’s because the ppl you talk to have been instructed to treat you less than courteously. The reason for this is make you angry so you’ll make a move. As AT&T well knows your basically powerless. AT&T does not care if you have been a customer for 15 minutes or 15 years, all they want is for you to give up your unlimited plan quickly and quietly. Let’s show em how powerless we are. MAKE NOISE!!!!
Third month in a row iv been throttled. It’s bs. You really can’t do anything on edge speeds
Fax and Address for letters.
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Complaints
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, D.C. 20554
Fax: 202-418-0232
Attorney General of Texas
Consumer Protection & Public Health
Dallas Office
Fax: (214) 969-7615
Randall Stephenson, AT&T CEO
208 S Akard St.
Dallas Texas 75202
Fax: 214-741-0198
Maybe if we all file a smail claims suit in our cities. And also write the FCC a fax we will get attention. WHAT HYPOCRITS, ATT advertises come to our network on TV and send us texts telling us the network is too croweded…this is unethical and contrary to FCC guidlines of transparency.
I got the 5% notice last week, it sure seems like it more than 5% to me. I would sign up for a law suit, unlimited data does not means unlimited !
AT&T sucks !
So if we go to at tiered plan of 3GB, what guarantee do we have that in 6 months we aren’t throttled at 1 mb? I was lured in by unlimited 3G, but now have unlimited crap speed.
Beginning of your fall for AT&T!
I’m simply DISGUSTED by att’s GREED & MANIPULATION! This is my 3rd straight month of being throttled! Can’t update apps, can’t surf or even look up anything. Will have to unsubscribe Hulu, because I can’t watch it either.
Can’t wait to switch! AT&T YOU’RE GOING DOWN!
I’m getting the same BS from them too. I would sign a million times over! Mine is so bad that I can not even download a song on iTunes because it’s so slow. I called an got the same BS that everyone gets. They are basically going to hold all of their Unlimited Data Subcsribers” captive until they switch to a tiered plan so they can suck us dry. This is sooooo not right! They offered it and now they want to take it back so to speak. We all have paid and elected to opt in for “Unlimited Data” for a reason. SCREW YOU AT&T!!! Your going to get it in the end with your poor business practices and I can’t wait to be a part of it!!! I love telling everyone about what your doing to your customers and know that I have been successful in contributing to the loss of at least 32 new customers and what could have been 3 very large business accounts!!! Where do I join in? Let’s ban together and let them get what they deserve, a lawsuit that is going to kick them right in the wallet!!!!
Keep me posted on the lawsuit. I’m ready to sign!
I want to be in on any lawsuit for the top 5%
If AT&T can throttle my data, I can join a class action lawsuit. They can’t hold me to the contract that they themselves breach when they throttle my unlimited data plan.
Im all for a class action lawsuit. But AT&T will try and buy everyone off. If we won it should be for them to stop throttling the data. Not for money. Well maybe some for the lawyer. Lol but if they pay off everyone they can and will go back to their old ways. They have to make sure the people with the tier plans can use as much as possible so they can go over their limit and pay more. Btw. They have change thier teired data plans to 450mb for $20 and 3gb for $30. Not sure what the 5gb cost but as always they stick it to their customers
Its a shame to have one of the best devices on the market..only to be step on my my carrier. Apple should respond to ATT and maybe something will happen.
Mora than 8 GB of data