Verizon Wireless Throttling Unlimited 4G Data Hogs
On Friday, Verizon Wireless stated that beginning October 1, it plans to throttle the speed of a specific group of 4G LTE customers with unlimited data plans. The move is part of the company's Network Optimization policy that launched three years ago, which limits the bandwidth of the company's top 5 percent 3G customers.
"We understand that our customers rely on their smartphones and tablets every day. Our network optimization policy provides the best path to ensure a continued great wireless experience for all of our customers on the best and largest wireless network in the U.S.," said Mike Haberman, vice president – technology, for Verizon Wireless.
According to the company, it uses "network intelligence" to slow the speeds of its top 5 percent data gulpers still on the legacy unlimited data plans. These customers will experience a data slowdown if they're connected to a cell cite that's experiencing peak usage. Once that heavy traffic has subsided, or the user moves to a different cell site, then Verizon will sling the floodgates back open.
As for the new group of 4G LTE customers, users who will see the throttling on Verizon's network will (1) be in the top 5 percent of data gulpers (aka more than 4.7 GB in a single billing period), (2) have fulfilled their minimum contractual commitment, (3) are on unlimited plans using a 4G LTE device, and (4) are connected to a congested cell tower.
"They may experience slower data speeds when using certain high bandwidth applications, such as streaming high-definition video or during real-time, online gaming, and only when connecting to a cell site when it is experiencing heavy demand," stated the press release.
Verizon stopped selling unlimited data plans back in 2012, and switched to a Share Everything Plan that pushes customers into paying for pools of data that can be shared with other members of the same plan. Those on the Share Everything plans will not be affected by the Network Optimization throttling.
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First they make us pay for data on a smartphone even if we do not use their data. (free WIFI at work, your own WIFI at home and if your a Cable subscriber there are free WIFI hotspots throughout the cities.)
Now they want to throttle those with unlimited data?
How about fair data rates!!! Why is it a company can charge $30 for a 3GB monthly data plan but at the same time charge $20 for 300MB a month data plan. If you convert the numbers, its 3072MB for $30 or 300MB for $20. An extra $10 should not give you 2772MB of extra data!!!
I have a seperate business iPhone and I don't use it for anything but calls because we have 12 users on a 10GB limit which is the highest they will go for us.
Verizon is claiming that they don't have to wire NJ with a Fiber solution because their Wireless network is an alternative to DSL and Cable. How can they justify any of the following statements. A teired data plan with a THROTTLE CAP to replace a cable or dsl installment??
This should be a Class action lawsuit. This is just another ploy by verizon to dupe customers and get the upper hand. They make RECORD Profits year after year and we are talking like 30+Billion a year in profits.
Yet they dont upgrade their networks, takes them half a year and makes netflix pay for hardware into their servers. Its like how, HOW is this company still around with all the SHADY business practices and deception! Let me guess, too big to fail, right?
Why would they invest in their infrastructure when the infrastructure is more than sufficient if data hogs are throttled? You do realize that data is not free and network towers do not grow on trees. Every byte of data uses a quantifiable amount of energy and energy cost money. So are you saying they should just continue to give people more bandwidth and lose money?
Net neutrality and throttling bandwidth hogs are two unrelated topics.
Why are you jogging and watching movies at the same time? If it is a visual pleasure problem, then please consider jogging outside.
First they make us pay for data on a smartphone even if we do not use their data. (free WIFI at work, your own WIFI at home and if your a Cable subscriber there are free WIFI hotspots throughout the cities.)
Now they want to throttle those with unlimited data?
How about fair data rates!!! Why is it a company can charge $30 for a 3GB monthly data plan but at the same time charge $20 for 300MB a month data plan. If you convert the numbers, its 3072MB for $30 or 300MB for $20. An extra $10 should not give you 2772MB of extra data!!!
I do not see a problem with charging per gigabyte. As I said earlier, data uses a quantifiable amount of energy and energy cost money. Do you think paying per kW/h at your home is unfair? Do you think paying per gallon of gas for your car is unfair? Do you think paying per gallon of water you use at home is unfair? Why should bandwidth be any different? It uses energy, so you should pay per unit of energy used.
I do agree that their data rate prices are ridiculous. However, have you ever considered that their prices are ridiculous because you are footing the bill for high bandwidth users?