T-Mobile to Begin Throttling Unlimited Data Customers Who Engage in Peer-to-Peer File Sharing

T-Mobile will beging throttling customers who use their Unlimited LTE data plans for torrents and peer-to-peer file sharing, according to an internal memo to staff.

T-mobile has identified customers who are heavy data users and are engaged in peer-to-peer file sharing, and tethering outside of T-Mobile’s Terms and Conditions (T&C). This results in a negative data network experience for T-Mobile customers. Beginning August 17, T-Mobile will begin to address customers who are conducting activities outside of T-Mobile’s T&Cs.

This memo only applies to those on the older $70 unlimited data plans or the new $80 Simple choice plans, and not towards current plans that have a capped data allowance. If an unlimited data customers is caught abusing the network, T-Mobile will first contact the customer and send a warning. If the misuse still persists, T-Mobile will begin to throttle their speeds.


For those curious as to what T-Mobile classifies as misuse, read below:

Using the Service in connection with server devices or host computer applications, including continuous Web camera posts or broadcasts, automatic data feeds, automated machine-to-machine connections or peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing applications that are broadcast to multiple servers or recipients, “bots” or similar routines that could disrupt net user groups or email use by others or other applications that denigrate network capacity or functionality.

These measures will be put in place starting August 17, although we expect this only affects a small portion of customers.

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