As reported earlier this year as a alternative to data caps, AT&T has begun sending messages to all smartphone owners that are among the top five percent of data users on the network. This was first spotted by a Cult of Mac user and posted on the popular Apple blog. After sending the text message warning of the decreased speed, AT&T throttles that account down to 2G (EDGE) speeds for the remainder of the billing cycle. The majority of these users likely pay AT&T for unlimited data each month, a plan that AT&T discontinued in favor of plans that cap data usage each month. While a smartphone user would likely have to use a tremendous amount of data to receive this message, business users that constantly utilize smartphone data during an extremely busy month may be impacted by this change.
While AT&T claims to use data throttling as a temporary measure until the company can enhance the data network, part of the planned improvements to the network include utilizing T-Mobile’s network to ease the struggling AT&T network. However, the possibility of this happening is dwindling without FCC approval and resolution of a Department of Justice lawsuit which is required to continue with the merger according to Forbes. While Virgin Mobile and Verizon also cap high data users on a month-to-month basis, this action isn’t going to help enhance AT&T’s image within the public. According to a recent study, AT&T has the lowest consumer satisfaction rating based off results from over 60,000 Consumer Reports subscribers.
AT&T officials are likely concerned with the upcoming expiration date of the two-year contract of anyone that upgraded to the iPhone 4 during June of 2010. Since Apple will likely release an iPhone 5 during mid-2012 to entice iPhone 4 users to upgrade, AT&T subscribers could easily defect to more stable and advanced data networks on other cellular providers six months from now.
AT&T at the corporate level just doesn’t seem to get it do they? It’s sad really, a company with such potential has people with the customer service skills of a piece of fossilized dinosaur s**t running it.
AT&T is an evil company, and this is more proof. More reason for people to switch to Sprint
this is bull shit. i got a text and email saying i’m part of the top 5% data usage. I’m hardly on it. only reason why i stood with att was because i have unlimited data. now this crap. had i known i would have switched over to verizon a long time ago and enjoying my 4glte. att is so full of it. I hope you all see that and cancel att. They truly blow right now. I’m so pissed off right now.
>a smartphone user would likely have to use a tremendous amount of data to receive this message…
Not so! The throttling warnings kick in at just 2GB monthly, which is just over the mid size plan cap and well under the 4GB cap for high capacity plan. Also, it’s “95% of all smartphone users” in a given month, not all iPhone or all Unlimited users, so we are basically talking about a system in which AT&T plays judge, jury and executioner.
I’ve been on this plan for four or five years and just started seeing notices today. My pattern hasn’t changed.
Not sure how to post a jpg, but here is a copy of the email that I received.
HIGH DATA USAGE ALERT
Like other wireless companies, AT&T is taking steps to manage exploding demand for mobile data. We’re responding on many levels, including investing billions in our wireless network this year and working to acquire more network capacity.
As mentioned on a previous bill, we’re also taking additional, more immediate steps to help address network congestion and improve reliability. One of these steps involves a change for some customers who use extraordinarily large amounts of data in a single billing period – about 12 times more data than the average smartphone user.
For the current billing cycle, your data usage indicates you could be affected by this change. Here’s how it works:
Smartphone customers with unlimited data plans may experience reduced speeds once their usage in a billing cycle reaches the level that puts them among the top 5 percent of heaviest data users. These customers can still use unlimited data and their speeds will be restored with the start of the next billing cycle.
We’re writing because you are in the top 5 percent of heaviest data users for this billing cycle. Because we recognize that data usage can change from month to month, you will not see reduced speeds this billing cycle.
Beginning with your next billing cycle, we’ll send you a text message if you are approaching the top 5 percent of heaviest data users. We’ll also send you a second text message if you cross into the top 5 percent of heaviest users, at which point you may see reduced speeds for the rest of the month.
Customers have several ways to manage extremely high data usage.
Wi-Fi offers great speeds and doesn’t add to your wireless data usage. Consider using Wi-Fi when possible for applications that use the highest amounts of data, such as streaming video apps, remote web camera apps, large data-file transfers (like video) and some online gaming.
You may also consider switching to a tiered data plan if speed is more important to you than having an unlimited data plan. Customers on tiered plans can pay for more data if they need it, and will not see reduced speeds.
To estimate how much data different activities use, and find out more about Wi-Fi or tiered data plans, visit https://www.att.com/dataplans or call Customer Care at 800-331-0500.
You won’t believe this one!! I just got the warning text/email. I have only used 2.07GB of data this month and I’m 27 days into my billing cycle. I called ATT they said that for this month anyone over 2GB is considered a heavy user and they will throttle me down to a 2G data speed. Basically they are trying to kick everyone off the Unlimited Plan. I can’t believe how dishonest that is. I could understand if I had used 6 or 7GB, but 2GB. That’s crazy.
Can you email us a screenshot? Would love to see it.
I know this is old, but I’m still on the Verizon 3G unlimited data plan on my iPhone 4 and last month I used 27GB and never heard a peep. Constantly over 5-10GB a month for the last 6 months. Speeds usually the same–2-3 bars in rural southern America.
Oh, I have 450 minutes nationwide, unlimited texting, and unlimited data (grandfather clause). I pay 80$ a month after 19% voice/data discount.
Just bought my iPhone on Sprint last week. SO glad I waited all these years…
i also appreciate them not throttling me ever for using what i pay for
this is why i pay a little more on verizon for the best service out there…i get 2.5 mbps on 3g all day and im able to buy 20gb of data on their network if i need it
AT&T at the corporate level just doesn’t seem to get it do they? It’s sad really, a company with such potential has people with the customer service skills of a piece of fossilized dinosaur s**t running it.
AT&T is an evil company, and this is more proof. More reason for people to switch to Sprint
AT&T…no signal strength and now, no speeding tickets…
Good ole 50 a month, 4g for 100 mb and 2g for the other 29 days
Theres a shocker and to think these are the fucks that want tmobile…..so they can slow them down to. Occupy or annon…should hit this bastards.
All the big carriers will lose customers if this continues as a trend. I know plenty of people who are using their cell services as their home Internet provider. If you advertise as unlimited, it should be unlimited… Not Unlimited* (*4 gigabytes total data allowed). If your network can’t handle it, than upgrade!
AT&T will be occupied very soon, that’s seems like breach of contract on their part to me
Oh so they have 4G, but no one can use it!!!! Sue the bastards!!!
I agree! The best service just went down the crapper.
“The best service in the world, just got crappier!!”