AT&T Starts Throttling 'Top 5%' of iPhone Data Users
LIKE
TWEET
SHARE
PIN
SHARE
POST
MAIL
MORE
Posted December 7, 2011 at 7:08pm by iClarified
AT&T has started throttling the 'top 5%' of iPhone data users, according to a new report from TiPb.
TiPb reader David, who previously got the infamous SMS nasty-gram, just received it again and since then can't seem to get download speeds any faster than an EDGE-like 150Kbps. His friends and co-workers are still getting full speed, ruling out a tower problem.
"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"
I have been throttled after 2gb i asked them where they get their 5% data from and i was told " its just the way it is and if i dont want to be throttled, i need to switch to a tiered plan"
What really sucks here is the math... 5% of top users does not clearly define a limit. Every cycle lowers the threshold of what amount of data puts you into the 5%. What happens if the Unlimited users are eventually "trained" (forced) to use less and less data because the 5% keeps getting lower and lower? Eventually, those on the 2GB plan become the 5%. I'd like to see all the Unlimited users stop using data for a month and force limited plans to be throttled. Then we'd really see the sh1t hit the fan.
On the flip side of that idea, I wonder what would happen if Unlimited users took turns using exorbitant amounts of data each month, raising the 5% threshold for everyone else. Hmm...
How much data are you unlimited data plan people using? You all knew AT&T was trying rein in customers who were abusing the unlimited service.
AT&T isn't trying to screw anyone, they're trying make it so that their 3G networks aren't being over burdened by excessive traffic.
Again, I know you all knew this.
Quit complaining about it and start using wifi little more. It really is that simple.
Most people these days are on the go. And at my night job I'm on Netflix, HBO Go, Slingbox and and Sundays the NFL Sunday Ticket. One month I hit 20gb LLS.
This is just another way to screw over the people that still have unlimited data, because lets face it, the people who don't have unlimited will never use the amount data that us unlimited users use. I remember the days when companies strived to make the consumer happy, not anymore, it's all about the money which means companies could care less about the consumer.
It's not because they only care about money, it's because there is no real competition. Due to government regulations and barriers to entry, it's an oligopoly, or in some areas, a monopoly. When you don't have competition, consumers get screwed. They're always worried about money. Of course they're trying to get as profitable as possible, no matter the circumstances... get the government out of the business, and then more companies can spawn and we'll get competition that forces these lousy companies to serve the consumer.
![Apple Falls to Fifth Place in Chinese Smartphone Market as Sales Decline 25% [Canalys]](/images/news/93417/93417/93417-160.jpg "Apple Falls to Fifth Place in Chinese Smartphone Market as Sales Decline 25% [Canalys]")
![iPhone's Share of New Smartphone Activations Declines to 33% in the U.S. [Chart]](/images/news/93409/93409/93409-160.jpg "iPhone's Share of New Smartphone Activations Declines to 33% in the U.S. [Chart]")
![Apple Watch Series 9 Back On Sale for 25% Off! [Deal]](/images/news/93421/93421/93421-160.jpg "Apple Watch Series 9 Back On Sale for 25% Off! [Deal]")
![New M3 13-inch MacBook Air On Sale for $110 Off! [Lowest Price Ever]](/images/news/93420/93420/93420-160.jpg "New M3 13-inch MacBook Air On Sale for $110 Off! [Lowest Price Ever]")
![New 15-inch M3 MacBook Air On Sale for $149.01 Off! [Lowest Price Ever]](/images/news/93314/93314/93314-160.jpg "New 15-inch M3 MacBook Air On Sale for $149.01 Off! [Lowest Price Ever]")
![Apple 96W USB-C Power Adapter On Sale for 49% Off [Deal]](/images/news/93302/93302/93302-160.jpg "Apple 96W USB-C Power Adapter On Sale for 49% Off [Deal]")
