Throttling of unlimited 4g
schadenfroh
Enthusiast - Level 2

So, as many of you likely know, Verizon will start throttling top 5% LTE data users in October that have unlimited plans:

Starting October 1, Verizon Will Include Unlimited 4G LTE Customers in “Network Optimization” | Droi...

While I applaud the marketing staff's efforts to deny that slowing the speed of LTE customers is throttling, and that the lawyers have made a very loose interpretation of what is considered "reasonable network management" to dodge FCC Block C spectrum rules (reasonable would be slowing down the folks that are, at the time of tower congestion, using the most bandwidth, rather than punishing top 5% unlimited data users who may not be using much bandwidth at the time of congestion, but have done so in the past during said billing cycle) , I figure I should prepare for the worst, since I do enjoy watching HD Netflix while traveling.

Is there anyway to sign a new 2-year contract with Verizon such that my unlimited data plan will not get throttled?  I don't want a new phone or upgrade, just a contract to ensure price stability, current plan, and no throttling.

Given I live in DC, there is plenty of congestion and I'm likely in the top 1% of data users given I push upwards of 40gb a month watching netflix (no TV, so phone gets it).

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Re: Throttling of unlimited 4g
sprmankalel
Champion - Level 3

Unfortunately there is no way to guarantee no slowing of speeds. VZW can throttle you at anytime. They really don't want people on unlimited anyway. I guess the only way to guarantee not being slowed is to actually pay for what you use.

Re: Throttling of unlimited 4g
schadenfroh
Enthusiast - Level 2

I pay quite a bit to Verizon every month for unlimited data...  I am paying for what I use.

Unfortunately, VZ doesn't seem to offer a "more everything" plan with a data cap that suits my data needs, which is rather disappointing.

Re: Throttling of unlimited 4g
sprmankalel
Champion - Level 3

So you're saying that the 5 smartphones I have on a 12GB ME plan isn't as valuable to VZW as your Unlimited plan? If you're using 40GB and want to pay for 40GB you won't get throttled. This is just another way to get people off of unlimited. Even the other carriers who advertise and offer unlimited throttle it.

VZW offers ME plans with up to 100GB of data.

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Re: Throttling of unlimited 4g
LRVassar
Specialist - Level 2

According to another website, which I won't mention, using more than 4.7 GB's of data monthly would make you a top 5% user and you should expect to be throttled.

I don't feel so bad for getting rid of my unlimited line when I did, because their value just dropped dramatically.

Re: Throttling of unlimited 4g
sprmankalel
Champion - Level 3

I think it's great. For one, I use more data on a capped plan than I did on an unlimited plan. Also, I think with so many data devices out in the world now that it's high time we pay for what we use. Even if there was still unlimited for everyone, why is fair that we all pay one blanket price while some consume as much as 40GB and some are less than 1GB. One of my lines uses less than 500MB a month. I wouldn't want to pay the same as someone using so much data.

Re: Throttling of unlimited 4g
M9
Contributor - Level 1

I think it sucks. I have been a customer for 5 years. I pay 39.99 for voice that I don't even want or use, 29.99 for UNLIMITED!!!! DATA & 30.00 for UNLIMITED!!! Hotspot. I just spent close to 1000.00 bucks for a new HTC one max & accessories. I think I have paid for my UNLIMTED!!! data not for limited data called unlimited.

Re: Throttling of unlimited 4g
M9
Contributor - Level 1

Oh yeah forgot about the 3 bucks for roadside assistance that I've never used & the 5 or 10 bucks of BS fees.

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Re: Throttling of unlimited 4g
M9
Contributor - Level 1

Not true T-Mobile offers truly unlimited plans for 80 bucks a month. If there rather dismal service area works 4 u it's a much better deal.

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Re: Throttling of unlimited 4g
M9
Contributor - Level 1

I rate this decision right up there with the decision to charge me a 3$ fee for the privlige of paying them in cash. I don't think that is legal. A US dollar bill says "This note is legal tender for all debts public & private in the US". I think if u do business in the USA u must accept them. Probrably the same "genius" behind both policies.

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