Verizon cutting back on top 5 %

[ESN]

I read where Verizon is going to start cutting back on the data speed of the top 5% OF HEAVY DATA USERS. If we pay for unlimited data how can they do this? I am not in the 5% but to me if you pay for unlimited then you should get what you pay for.

[kbz1960]

Because unlimited isn't truly unlimited. It's capped at 5gb on most carriers but 5gb should be more then enough for a mobile device.

[Underway99]

They aren't capping your data usage, they're capping the transfer speed when you exceed 2GB. Since they've not said they're going to bill extra if you exceed 2GB, they apparently aren't in violation of the TOS because you still get to use the entire 5GB that you've paid for. It'll just be a lot slower.

As I understand it, the computer will determine if your data gets throttled by location and traffic. If you're connected to a very busy cell site, your speed will drop. The throttling will remain for the duration of the present cycle AND for the following bill cycle.

What galls me is that they are pushing data-intensive applications (NFL Mobile, Skype, music streaming, etc) and will cut your speed if you actually use them. Why would I want to pay to watch highlights or Red Zone action on NFL Mobile and have the data stream slow way down? I understand that it's a business, and that Big Red is looking to suck more through an even bigger straw in my wallet, but they're going to find that many of us are near our limits and will cut way back.

[MobileMadness002]

Originally Posted by ESN

I read where Verizon is going to start cutting back on the data speed of the top 5% OF HEAVY DATA USERS. If we pay for unlimited data how can they do this? I am not in the 5% but to me if you pay for unlimited then you should get what you pay for.

Just read your TOS and whine elsewhere.

[cbreze]

Originally Posted by MobileMadness002

Just read your TOS and whine elsewhere.

Anybody who uses 2GB of data a month is no data hog what with the data heavy apps and such these days. I don't mind being throttled, especially if the network is busy, but geez at least make it an appropriate level to start the throttling at, like 5GB.
I never went over 2GB using my old BB, but on an android device I usually top out closer to 3GB a month. Certainly not in the catagory of an abuser. So a 5GB threshold would be alot more fair. just sayin'
Furthermore I find it very hard to believe that only 5% go over 2GB/month.

[cbreze]

Originally Posted by ESN

I read where Verizon is going to start cutting back on the data speed of the top 5% OF HEAVY DATA USERS. If we pay for unlimited data how can they do this? I am not in the 5% but to me if you pay for unlimited then you should get what you pay for.

ESN, you realize were not being cut off, just slowed down during heavy network usage times. As I mentioned in another post a higher threshold before throttling kicks in would be alot more acceptable in my view. 2GB is nothing, We're still unlimited, just being subject to optimization=throttling. And I certainly DO NOT call 2GB heavy usage. Pretty light considering.

[chrisy520]

Some Android users claim to use 20+GB a month. That's with NetFlix, Video calling, and rooted free tethering.

I use 5-6GB consistently on my device. That's with normal use. No Netflix, no tethering, no video streaming except for the occasional YouTube.

I am not worried about being throttle. The 20-30GB people should worry.

[cbreze]

Originally Posted by chrisy520

Some Android users claim to use 20+GB a month. That's with NetFlix, Video calling, and rooted free tethering.

I use 5-6GB consistently on my device. That's with normal use. No Netflix, no tethering, no video streaming except for the occasional YouTube.

I am not worried about being throttle. The 20-30GB people should worry.

Curious chrisy, but why not be concerned? It sounds like by your usage that over half your billing cycle could be subject to throttling. Verizon further stated that for heavy users(2GB+) , they might implement 2 billing cycles of throttling. This part I do not understand. I guess in time we'll see how this plays out. I was throttled the other day btw and the slow speed was not at all nice. I stopped after a frustrating few minutes and came back later.

[chrisy520]

I'm not in the top 5% of heavy data users. As far as I know, that is who is being throttle, not users going over 2GB.

I'm at almost 6GB right now and notice no data slowness. Fast as ever.

Like I said, those who are in the top 5% of heavy data users are using 20+GB a month.

Not sure where you got the 2GB cap at.

[cbreze]

Originally Posted by chrisy520

I'm not in the top 5% of heavy data users. As far as I know, that is who is being throttle, not users going over 2GB.

I'm at almost 6GB right now and notice no data slowness. Fast as ever.

Like I said, those who are in the top 5% of heavy data users are using 20+GB a month.

Not sure where you got the 2GB cap at.

This I got from Verizons own news release and from their website. Over 2GB is considered heavy usage and ifyou have not been throttled yet you will be. It is not fully implemented yet. I'll see if I can find it. Everything they do seems to revolve around the magic level of 2GB. Tether plans, hot spots, tiered data plan. All focus on 2GB limits. This is their way around the unlimited users.

This from their own site spells it out in plain english:

How will I know if I’m in the top 5% of data users?
As of August 2011, the top 5% of data users were using 2 GB or more of data each month.

http://support.vzw.com/information/data_disclosure.html

[chrisy520]

Verizon can now throttle top five percent of bandwidth hogs, downres multimedia transfers -- Engadget
http://www.arlingtoncardinal.com/201...th-3g-devices/
http://www.droid-life.com/2011/09/16...ata-customers/

There's no way 2-6GB is in the top 5% of heaviest data users. Look on Android and iPhone forums. They are all over 5GB/month, and a lot much, much more.

Everything I can find about it says "Top 5%"of heavy users; no where can I find throttle at 2GB.

[cbreze]

Click my link. It's pretty informative

[Itzdatdude]

Wasn't there something about this whole "throttling" mess only affects users on 3G?

Personally, I think that it is crazy that people use more than 5GB on a phone. To me that means that those people have a whoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooole lot of idle time on their hands lmao.

[DJM1947]

Originally Posted by cbreze

This I got from Verizons own news release and from their website. Over 2GB is considered heavy usage and ifyou have not been throttled yet you will be. It is not fully implemented yet. I'll see if I can find it. Everything they do seems to revolve around the magic level of 2GB. Tether plans, hot spots, tiered data plan. All focus on 2GB limits. This is their way around the unlimited users.

This from their own site spells it out in plain english:

How will I know if I’m in the top 5% of data users?
As of August 2011, the top 5% of data users were using 2 GB or more of data each month.

Network Optimization

That could be a very misleading statement from Verizon. Saying the top 5% were using 2 GB or MORE. Well that same statement does not rule out the top 20 or 30% who could also be using 2 GB or more. They may just be trying to find a way to move more people to their tiered plan by using the fear factor. It looks like they did get a few people's attention.

[chrisy520]

5GB is nothing for an Android or iPhone. I use the phone the same about of time as my 9630. It just uses more data because it doesn't compress it, has flash and a better browser.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com