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AT&T explains limits for 'unlimited' data plans
AT&T finally shared its stipulations for unlimited data plans Wednesday. We already knew the provider was restricting the top 5 percent of its data consumers, but this announcement marks the first time it has actually detailed what those restrictions are.
The not-so-unlimited-tariffs on AT&T's 3G HSPA+ network are capped at 3GB while 4G LTE users get an extra 2GB, the company said in an announcement (summarized below). Smartphone users with an unlimited 3G or 4G data plan:
- You'll receive a text when your usage nears 3GB in one billing cycle.
- If you exceed 3GB, your speeds will be reduced for the rest of that cycle.
- The next time you exceed 3GB, your speeds will be reduced sans warning.
- Folks with a 4G LTE unlimited plan are soft capped at 5GB instead of 3GB.
AT&T says the changes are required due to ever-increasing mobile data usage and the availability of the wireless spectrum becoming scarcer. The caps purportedly ensure the best possible mobile broadband experience for all users.
The caps are unlikely to affect 95 percent of AT&T users, while the remaining 5 percent will still be able to consume data beyond the soft caps -- albeit slower than usual.
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User Comments: 52
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ATT - Always Talking Trash (you may get up to 3gig, just like you may get up to 18mbs speed, but it never gets higher then 8mbs.
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Just streaming radio in the car each day I have already reached 3.8GB this month.
How in the world does one use 3.8GB in 3 days just from streaming audio??? If it's a 128kbps stream, that's about 70 hours of streaming. Are you sitting in your car listening to radio 24 hours a day or something?
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Also, if you use netflix or other TV-based programs during work-outs on running/elliptical machines, it's very easy to use that allotment.
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he said each day, not 3 days. i assume he means for the entire month.
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treetops said:
@butch some people download games and movies.... not everyone has a desktop with their smartphone
yeah 3gig is laughable think if your local isp did this there would be riots
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mccartercar said:Just what exactly is going to use all this bandwidth if not data?Guest said:
an unlimited plan that is capped. wait. what?
The "unlimited" refers to data, not bandwidth.
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Maybe AT&T should charge Internet service, for all those using their phone as such. Do you honestly think you can drop your Internet service and use your mobile phone to take up the slack without catching a backlash from the mobile phone company?
I'm happy high bandwidth users are being capped. I'm happy traffic is being throttled. Why am I happy? I'm happy because it will help keep the price down for those who don't use much bandwidth and help keep cellular traffic regulated.
I do agree with the unlimited bit, if they can't give unlimited service they should drop the title.
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They should change the name. We have data caps here too on mobile Internet but at least they don't pretend it's unlimited.
Btw for those talking about tethering, doesn't AT&T add extra bandwidth (something like an extra 2GB on 3G) if you have a tethering plan? Or are you tethering without an official tethering option?
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This is the MichelTellorization of USA.
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i assume he means for the entire month.
Why would you assume that when he specifically said, "I have already reached 3.8GB this month." This month is only 3 days old.
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You guys are kidding yourselves if you think 3 GB is a lot. Just streaming music 5 days a week for example for a couple or few hours at a time is more than 1 GB. Pop in Mobile Vids from time to time and you're getting close. I personally don't use that much but I'm not arguing that. Also, the term "Unlimited" should NEVER be used unless it's by the definition. I've been arguing this for years and I don't know WHY the FCC or whoever allows them to use it. I'm surprised there aren't any lawsuits yet.
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Only Sprint has "Unlimited". What AT&T define as unlimited makes me laugh. Try and call their customer service line and ask them to explain it sometime. Its worth the wait just to hear them squirm a bit lol.
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Sarcasm said:
butch said:3GB? Jeez. What are you people doing that you need more than this on your phone? If you are using more than 3GB/mo on your phone then you should really step back and look at your life. Maybe you are missing out...
Seriously? Just because YOU don't use it, automatically everyone who does doesn't have a life?
It's called having children who won't quiet down unless they watch something on youtube, it's called watching a video while waiting 3 hours at the DMV, it's called downloading apps, updates, go on the internet and more. People have their uses, it doesn't mean they don't have a life.
2GB fills up quick, 3GB isn't much more.
YOU need to step back and look at your own life Mr. "Think I'm better than everyone else"
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its called playing mobile online games...
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treetops said:
infinity>3gb
no one likes being lied too
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well is funny they call unlimited to a Data plan that in fact is limited... so they are liars.. simple like that... false advertising
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"The "unlimited" refers to data, not bandwidth. "
Yes, just like this news story says. It would also be a problem if it were vice versa. It is because of this that it's not unlimited. That's the problem unless it were actually advertised for what it is....LIMITED.
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you could have access to all the data in the world, but if the bandwidth is too slow then there is no point now is there?
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So if they drop the rate down to 300 baud they can still say it's an unlimited plan. Obviously AT&T is misleading people. That's what companies tend to do to get your money these days. There was a day when companies tried to provide a great service and received payment for it. Now it seems companies treat people like sheep and attempt to herd them in by using legal but misleading statements so they can extract money from them.
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It was Bill Gates who said users will never need more than 640K.
Naturally, this statement backfired on him. Much later in a different press conference he asked the press members what was Microsoft known for? He was prompting for a Windows related response. Someone quiped. "The 640K barrier!".
He did not like that answer. {|-p
-Tron3
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4 NetFlix movies on my Ipad and I'm done for the month...Money grubbin bastards!
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Sprint for the win.
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notice the sprint adds on the right side of this page lolz
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Read that AT&T indicated users can't launch class action suit because of throttled data. But enough victimized users complaining to the federal government for fairness just might get AT&T's attention. Especially if the federal government, already suffering from severe lack of revenue, hints at sanctions and/or fines totaling hundreds of millions of dollars for deceiving and luring the American public into contracts that were vague and misleading. It wouldn't be the first time the Feds levied enormous fines against those big bad billion dollar companies all in the name of justice.
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I am interested in knowing what Netflix and Hulu are doing about the caps. Even Oregin and Steam have to make a stand against this or their business model is out the door. Seems they are applying a wait and see attitude to this when they should be at the forefront of this issue.
A bill in cogress to stop this? Wow Legislating morality is soo sooooo sad for America and its Corperate Economy.
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