Sprint to start ‘throttling’ “Unlimited Data” users

from JoeUser Forums

 

Sprint is joining the top three carriers in throttling unfair users exceeding 23 GB data per month.

This they maintain is to maintain optimal usage of cell sites for all users. This is because (they maintain) the quality of service declines at particular sites – so, the throttling will involve connection speeds at these sites until congestion clears.

The optimization will be calculated every 20 milliseconds.

Sprint maintains that the 23 GB standard is one held across the industry.

“According to metrics provided by the carrier, with 23GB of data users can send 6,000 emails with attachments, view 1,500 Web pages, post 600 photos, stream 60 hours of music and another 50 hours of video…AT&T and Verizon were first to institute connection slowdowns on customers with grandfathered-in all-you-can-eat subscriptions. T-Mobile, which like Sprint still markets unlimited data options, also adheres to a soft data cap set at 23GB, and in August said it would come down hard on users abusing the system.” – appleinsider

Verizon and AT&T have seen push back from the FCC but in May eased back on throttling for grandfathered data plans.

Source:

http://appleinsider.com/articles/15/10/17/sprint-to-throttle-unfair-customers-using-more-than-23gb-of-data-per-month

53,944 views 16 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Not that I care about Sprint, but doesn't "Unlimited Data" mean exactly that? You can't legally throttle users back if it's "Unlimited".

I am on a 30GB plan with unused data rollover for one month at AT&T, with six Smart phones on my Family Plan, and have not once in 5 years exceeded the data limit. There are tons of free wireless connections out there so use them, (but don't send out sensitive data of course).

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Tom, the point of their action is to discipline "abusers" by throttling their speeds down on the sites where there's congestion such that they compromise the network less.

Multiplicity - Control multiple PCs using one keyboard and mouse
Reply #3 from GalCiv3 Forums Top

This is big for those like myself who operate in a manner in which use of Wi-Fi is impossible. I deliver for UPS. I use my phone network to stream music and news while I work and I move between multiple businesses through out the day, many of whom would frown on me using their Wi-Fi and in residential areas where I don't think they would want a random stranger tagging their Wi-Fi and those that would I wouldn't be in range long enough for it to matter. I would blow through 60 hours of music/news in a week.

Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top

You "abuser", you, Ryat. ;)

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I guess I would be considered a dinosaur in this conversation (old fart) once I figured out you were talking about cell phones I knew I didn't have a problem.  Only use my cell phone to make and receive calls.  I know, what a waste of technology.      :-"

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 2

Tom, the point of their action is to discipline "abusers" by throttling their speeds down on the sites where there's congestion such that they compromise the network less.
End of DrJBHL's quote

 

But if Sprint told them their data use was "Unlimited" Doc, they can't legally do that.  ;)

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Tom...yes, they can...and other companies are doing it as well. "Unlimited" as in "By buying TWO you SAVE!"...no you don't. You "save" when you take the money and put it in a bank. 

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 7

Tom...yes, they can...and other companies are doing it as well. "Unlimited" as in "By buying TWO you SAVE!"...no you don't. You "save" when you take the money and put it in a bank. 
End of DrJBHL's quote

 

Guess we need to rewrite the definition of "Unlimited" in dictionaries then as it means "not restricted, without limits, restrictions, or controls."  o_O

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

I don't have that problem, my phone is a safe link. Unlimited text and 250 minutes a month. No smart anything. Why...'cause I don't need the aggravation. 

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quoting LightStar, reply 8

Guess we need to rewrite the definition of "Unlimited" in dictionaries then as it means "not restricted, without limits, restrictions, or controls."  
End of LightStar's quote

Indeed...but note...they aren't limiting the data (quantity)...only the speed and only when there's congestion at certain sites (as if you'd really be able to check the veracity of that).

Reply #11 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting DrJBHL, reply 10


Quoting LightStar,
reply 8

Guess we need to rewrite the definition of "Unlimited" in dictionaries then as it means "not restricted, without limits, restrictions, or controls."  

Indeed...but note...they aren't limiting the data (quantity)...only the speed and only when there's congestion at certain sites (as if you'd really be able to check the veracity of that).

End of DrJBHL's quote

Add this to the long list of words for which big business has modified, changed, hijacked, and/or deliberately modified to confuse and obfuscate meaning:

a) join our 'family.' Business meaning > we want you you be loyal, give 120%, works crazy hours for below living wage rates. Prospective employee understanding > Oh, they have a supportive family atmosphere, they will care about me as a person, cool. rality>  thay will probably churn you till thay burn up, and when you cannot produce anymore (health/age/etc.) quietly dispose of you. 

b) we 'care' about the <fill in blank> so we support <fill in blank>.  Business meaning > Lending a small but highly publicized support of a conservationist, local caring, etc. to enhance sales revenues in that market.  Just another form of cleverly disguised advertising. Consumers > wow, that company is simpatico with me. I'm gonna buy their stuff.

c) We must protect (or they hate) our American way of life.  Business > un-earned income over class: deregulate so we can feather our own nest / maximize bottom line / maximize bonuses to top level creatures/persons, capital venture to raid a smaller corporation's assets, and cash out the pensions, pocket the money for ourselves.  Regular people >  Democracy, kindness, civil society, fair opportunities, etc. 

Nothing new under the sun, manipulating language for the benefit of one's own group is rampant.  Trusting that the masses will continue to unpack the meaning of words differently than the unearned uber class or <fill in the blank, group> is key to how many (and our) societies operate. Always fair and balanced.

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

 

Up here (in Canada) the carriers have been choosing one or the other model for a while now.  Then we consumers just needed to choose between 'Unlimited Data' (with the potential for speed throttling) or 'Set Data Plans' with no speed throttling.  As doc pointed out, the wording 'unlimited' has always applied to quantity not quality (and that is actually the consumer's fault since when comparing cell providers and plans everyone was always only interested in the GB 'limit').   Personally, I've always opted for a carrier with a set data plan. 

Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
Quoting LightStar, reply 8
Quoting DrJBHL,
reply 7

Tom...yes, they can...and other companies are doing it as well. "Unlimited" as in "By buying TWO you SAVE!"...no you don't. You "save" when you take the money and put it in a bank. 



 

Guess we need to rewrite the definition of "Unlimited" in dictionaries then as it means "not restricted, without limits, restrictions, or controls."  o_O

End of LightStar's quote

Their use of the term 'unlimited' is in regards to amount, not speed....so it's entirely legit...;)

Reply #14 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting the_Monk, reply 12

 

Up here (in Canada) the carriers have been choosing one or the other model for a while now.  Then we consumers just needed to choose between 'Unlimited Data' (with the potential for speed throttling) or 'Set Data Plans' with no speed throttling.  As doc pointed out, the wording 'unlimited' has always applied to quantity not quality (and that is actually the consumer's fault since when comparing cell providers and plans everyone was always only interested in the GB 'limit').   Personally, I've always opted for a carrier with a set data plan. 
End of the_Monk's quote

 

Interesting clarification.  Thanks  :)

Reply #15 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Jafo, reply 13


Quoting LightStar,
reply 8




Quoting DrJBHL,

reply 7


Tom...yes, they can...and other companies are doing it as well. "Unlimited" as in "By buying TWO you SAVE!"...no you don't. You "save" when you take the money and put it in a bank. 



 

Guess we need to rewrite the definition of "Unlimited" in dictionaries then as it means "not restricted, without limits, restrictions, or controls."  o_O



Their use of the term 'unlimited' is in regards to amount, not speed....so it's entirely legit...;)

End of Jafo's quote

 

That.

And I'm pretty sure as long as they warn you ahead of time that it is going to change, giving you time to either:

  A: Switch to a different service level.

  B: Switch to a different carrier with no contract termination fees (seeing as they changed the terms first)

 

With one of those two choices I don't see why there would be any problem. Just because they have had something in the past in no way means they have to keep that until the end of the world. Now, if they try to keep you locked in to their contract with having changed your service, it would certainly be time for pitchforks and fire!

Reply #16 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Ryat, reply 3

This is big for those like myself who operate in a manner in which use of Wi-Fi is impossible. I deliver for UPS. I use my phone network to stream music and news while I work and I move between multiple businesses through out the day, many of whom would frown on me using their Wi-Fi and in residential areas where I don't think they would want a random stranger tagging their Wi-Fi and those that would I wouldn't be in range long enough for it to matter. I would blow through 60 hours of music/news in a week.
End of Ryat's quote

Music streaming is likely not nearly as bad as streaming full length movies or watching netflix all day long on your phone. Unlimited data on your phone wasn't meant to support this type of high quality bandwidth requirements. However, due to better transfer rates with LTE, the accessibility of streaming high quality content has grown a lot. Carriers are simply having to adjust due to limited network bandwidths. 23gb should cover standard web content, streaming music and probably a few movies in a month.