AT&T Wants to Throttle iPhone Data… or Just Charge More for Heavy Usage?
PCWorld has an article up saying that, based on AT&T CEO Ralph de la Vega’s comments during yesterday’s CTIA Keynote, AT&T was laying the groundwork to “manage” or “throttle” iPhone users’ data.
de la Vega did use most of his time, after announcing VoIP over 3G for iPhone, to rail against the FCC’s net neutrality push. He claimed a small percentage of heavy data users (i.e. iPhone users) were hogging most of the limited data resources, and “crowding” out regular (i.e. non-iPhone users). He also stated that AT&T would need to “manage” the network so that the few couldn’t crowd out the many.
This is what makes PC World think:
In the face of exploding data service demand and scarce wireless spectrum, does AT&T intend to quietly begin rationing the data usage of bandwidth hogs like the iPhone? Will AT&T begin to quietly “manage” the duration and speed of my 3G connection based on how much data I’ve used in a given day, or on the type of content or services I’m using the bandwidth to access?
Aside from “AT&T should spend some of their billions making a better network and getting 4G here faster”, it’s hard to argue that the iPhone hits the network like a freight train, and when you multiply that by tens of millions of users, it’s a huge load (something RIM emphasizes to carriers when pitching their highly compressed, proxied BlackBerrys as “better network citizens”).
That’s an immediate problem for the iPhone on AT&T, but arguably if another device with a great internet experience ever succeeds enough to reach those numbers on a single network — Android or webOS for example — it will become an everyone problem everywhere.
Dieter Bohn, editor-in-chief of our Smartphone Expert network was live at AT&T’s keynote yesterday, but his takeaway was a little different:
It’s pretty clear from [de la Vega's] complaints about the top percentage that he would want tiered data prices instead of unlimited for everybody. That seems more likely what was meant by ‘managing.’ I think that rather than rationing, ATT would just like to charge that top percentage more.
What do you think? Do you want AT&T “managing” your iPhone usage? Does it sound fair to charge heavy users more for that heavy use?
October 8th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Yes, iPhones use more data, that is part of why we pay more for data…Don’t jack the rates up even higher…
October 8th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Selling an unlimited data plan and then being shocked when some of your customers take you up on it seems more than just a tad disingenuous to me.
October 8th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
We pay enough as it is for this spotty 3 g.
October 8th, 2009 at 2:40 pm
I bet this is mostly because of the people who are tethering,they said tethering will be available one day but screw it, if they want tethering, make a feature for a $$$/month extra.
October 8th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
I’m sorry guys. Maybe I should stop downloading those 4GB HD movies, eh? :p
October 8th, 2009 at 2:42 pm
I pay more for my phone data connection on my iPhone than I do for my home data connection and that already bothers me; now they are wanting to raise it even more. Not cool at all. I think AT&T’s data here in the US is amongst the highest out of all the carriers. Raising the price would do a couple of things; 1. Make people leave iPhone, 2. Cause them to unlock and go to a different network, 3. Whenever a different carrier gets the iPhone AT&T risk the chance of loosing alot of business.
October 8th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
I unlocked & went to t-mobile I enjoy my iPhone a lot more the only thing that bites is no 3G for certain apps but oh well AT&T must be government controlled haha
October 8th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Wow. With Verizon running their Fastest Wireless network ads, threatening to slow down AT&Ts wireless network sounds suicidal. “Don’t buy iPhones from us because we’ll give you low cellular bandwidth. That’s like saying “we have too many cars on the road so let’s lower the speed limit”. If you’re gonna do it, don’t be an idiot and advertise it. Why are you helping Verizon increase it’s business? You might as well run ads for Verizon too.
October 8th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
What do they consider ‘a lot of bandwidth’ to be? I’ve currently used 278.63mb and my month ends on the 10th. Is that ‘a lot of bandwidth’? It’s twice what my wife has used, but is it ‘a lot’?
October 8th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
I wouldn’t mind if they offered tiered plans if the rates only went up for the really extreme users. They are the ones that make the data rates so high in the first place with AT&T having to expand the network like crazy. I’d take a capped plan of 1.5 or 2 GB/month if I could save ten bucks or so on every bill. I usually only use about a Gig per month. It’s the illegal tethering, torrenting, (before it was allowed) VOiP-ing crowd that make it so expensive and the network so shoddy.
October 8th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
@shollomon you hit it on the nose. It’s funny to that AT&T wants to penelised it’s custmers for something that they are offering then in the breath want to fight tooth and nail to have exclusivity with Apple. Talk about to squeezing the life out custermers pockets.
The way I see AT&T is nothing but a crack slinging dope dealer and doesn’t want others to sell the Phone and they always have their left hand held high on the ready to b*tch slaps its custermers and or crackheads.
October 8th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
@ Mike – The numbers I have heard are that an average user is using roughly 500GB/month so you are low. Honestly if you are checking your email and browsing a little bit per day you won’t use much. I stream Pandora and podcasts all of the time so that inflates the numbers that I reported in my previous post.
October 8th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
This is essentially no different than the arguments Comcast and Time Warner used when trying to justify quota throttling their internet services. All it did was create a huge stir amongst bloggers, and eventually, the FCC opened an investigation, thwarting them from continuing with their plans.
I pay too much as it is for phone/internet on my iPhone. If the prices continue to rise, I’m going to go elsewhere. The iPhone is great, but I won’t be a fanboy to the utter detriment of my wallet.
October 8th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Will I get frickin’ tethering? I’ve been trying to give AT&T more money for the same data usage for over a year and they’ll have none of it.
October 8th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
They should cap it at 1gb, charge per mb beyond that – it’ll still be unlimited for everyone, except the people abusing the network.
Works well here, and we have effectively the fastest iPhone data speeds in the world here because of that.
October 8th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Apple have lost there mind. 1). We paid more to have the iPhone.
2). Apple need to work on there 3G Network. We have to put up with lots of drop calls, some part of town use your iPhone. I can never use my iPhone at home. what’s that all about.
ATT need to work on getting they act together. No, ATT is thinking of ways to get more money out of use.
October 8th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
I have no problem with them charging more for excessive use, assuming their definition of excessive use is truly excessive. I’ve seen people use gigabytes upon gigabytes of information, and there’s no way that is even possible without using 3g as their primary network connection. I use my iphone daily, and surf the internet daily on it, and I’m going to hit about 600 megabytes this month.
I do not understand why AT&T doesn’t invest a little in compression technologies to keep bandwidth usage down. with a 320×480 display full size images designed for multimillion pixel screens is really not necessary. If it meant I could surf the internet faster, and get an even healthier 3g network I would more than support AT&T compressing some web elements.
October 8th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
A lot of the comments above are completely ignorant and single out AT&T as the villain here. In reality, they are doing what every other Internet provider (yes–even Verizon) is likely going to have to do in response to GOVERNMENT OVERREGULATION of the industry. Obama’s new FCC chairman’s “net neutrality” push will force carriers (and likely ISPs such as Comcast) away from unlimited Internet plans toward a “pay-per-byte” system because the government will leave them no other method to manage their network.
Gizmodo has a good analysis on this today at http://tr.im/B7YQ .
If you have complaints, instead of chewing out AT&T, send your rants to: The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave Washington, DC
…Where the real perpetrator of this offense lives.
October 8th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Oh and I too would be fine with a cheaper, limited data plan. It would also encourage more wifi usage. I only use wifi if I’m doing bandwidth heavy things on my phone. But the extra draw on my battery that wifi imposes, and the fact that most wifi connections are protected means I’d rather just use 3g to do light browsing. Encouraging wifi usage would probably help a lot.
October 8th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
I think Deiter has it right, and in this sense its exactly the same as your cable modem.
There are .00002% of the userbase that are abusive.
The normal iPhone user is not abusive. Check your ATT bill each month. If you have anywhere near 5 or 6 gig this is aimed at you.
With 5 phones on our corporate plan we TOTAL .75gig per month, including the guy that is too lazy to turn on Wifi, so he streams music 24/7 at his desk on 3G.
Anyone who breaks 4gig is tethering or slingboxing. No way around it.
If the price would come down for 99.999 percent of normal users, I would have no problem.
October 8th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
I’m in a abusive relationship with AT&T
October 8th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
@Victor:
Wifi imposes LESS draw on your battery than 3G.
The power draw of the 3G transmitter is way higher than the WIFI transmitter. Wifi only has to go 100 feet. 3G has to go miles.
October 8th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
icebike- maybe it’s just because I use more data when I use wifi, but I find that when I use wifi it kills my battery pretty quick. I assume that’s because I’m consuming more bandwidth, not necessarily the transmitter efficiency.
October 8th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
As much as I love my iPhone, if the rates go up, I’ll probably ditch it. I pay for unlimited usage for a reason. Rather than AT&T improving their network and product, they take it out on the very people who are their bread and butter. What happens to your bottom line when all of those unhappy iPhone users leave for other networks Mr. de la Vega?
October 8th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
The high data users are probably from the people who are tethering for free (hack or jailbreak) since AT&T doesn’t offer the service.
Don’t raise the top unless you lower the bottom. No fair to get extra from the over-users if you still over-profit from the under users.
Drop the price $10 for the lower 30% of users and raise it $10 for the top 30% of users. But paying for tethering should waive that fee….
October 8th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
@Outsidethebox:
Way to play into the carrier FUD!!
That is exactly the fear tactic they are using to prevent NN from passing. EVEN if it were true, it would not affect 99% of the users. Only the 1% that pull 10 times the average bandwidth.
I’m fine with that. Bring it on! What are you afraid of?
Billing by the byte would be such a book-keeping nightmare that the carriers would choose simple tier billing, with overage charges. I’m fine with that too.
October 8th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
I get spotty 3G service in a downtown metropolitan setting… me pay more? I don’t think so. I want the service I’m currently paying for now before I fork over more cash a month.
October 8th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
I think you guys are misunderstanding the message.
AT&T has recognized that 2% of their iphone users are using 90% of their bandwidth. This causes problems for the remaining 98% of the users, including me! I am sure the 2% are tethering PCs/laptops to their phones which is against the AT&T TOS.
I fully support AT&T pissing off 2% of their customers in order to make 98% of their customer’s happier.
We must also understand that AT&T 3G bandwidth isn’t necessarily limited by their network design but with technology. Their is only so much bandwidth they can support from a single radio. This cannot be resolved by simply adding more radios as this creates scalloped zones.
(Who am I? How dare I defend AT&T the evil empire? Well, I am not an AT&T employes and i have no relationship to AT&T other than being a customer. I have however worked for 3 telecommunications companies 2 of them ranking in the US fortune100 and performed some level of wireless network design).
October 8th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
@al #12 – There is no way in hell that the average user is using 500GB/ month on a cell phone. I think that you meant to say 500mb.
October 8th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
I have used 500 mb is that alot ? In one month btw I watch alot of porn on my phone sorry
October 8th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
@scottz:
Well said.
I doubt its anywhere NEAR 2% of iPhone users. Probably closer to .02%.
October 8th, 2009 at 3:44 pm
I think I used 1GB in 6 months. 90%+ of my bandwidth utilization is over wi-fi (not included in above number).
October 8th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Im all for it too. I use an AVERAGE 500mb TOPS. Bill $20 for that GB, its still less than the $30 for “unlimited” that Ill never touch as is.
Charge the 1GB or under people $20, 2-3GB the same $30 and the abusers at 4+GB more! All fine by me.
EVEN IF we still all mostly have to pay $30, and you get better reliability and speeds from curbing the true abusers, youre STILL getting more for your money although not much cheaper, true?
October 8th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
I don’t understand why AT&T’s getting their panties in a wad over data usage. Us iPhone users are being charged exactly the same as everyone else with smart-/ dataphones – $30/unlimited data (of course it’s not unlimited, it’s 5G/mo), and $20/unlimited texting (single user). Just because there are more users on iPhones than other smart-/ dataphones shouldn’t mean we’re discriminated against by increased charges. It’s ridiculous they’d consider doing so. If that be the case, hope they’re prepared to stranglehold all other smart-/ dataphone users as well.
October 8th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
F AT&T, if they do this, I’ll “unlock” and go to Tmobile
October 8th, 2009 at 3:52 pm
The only people AT&T should blame is themselves. They knew what they was getting themselves into when they sign that contact with Apple. Now, they want to take it out on there customers. Give us a break already AT&T. Stop trying to milk more money out from your customers. You guys need to work things out with Apple not with your customers….
October 8th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
I don’t think that AT&T should be the primary blame for this.
In the case of website viewing on the iPhone, or any other mobile phone for that matter, shouldn’t some of the issue be placed on web designers as well? During my web design class, I was told that while it wasn’t enforced by law, web designers should create their website to accomodate for a wide range of devices, ranging from desktop with large 17+” screens to small mobile devices, such as cell phones. Look at TiPB for example. Viewing this website (mobile version) the webpage will load much faster when compared to the desktop version of TiPB webpage.
October 8th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
On the surface, that seems fair, but when AT&T 1) REQUIRES a data plan to own the phone, and 2) REQUIRES that that plan be an unlimited plan charging more or rationing that feature AFTER THE FACT is not acceptable.
The iPhone is expensive enough as it is. The call quality on it is sketchy enough as it is. The connectivity quality is sketchy enough as it is. I don’t need AT&T shoving me back down to EDGE or not allowing me on the Internet at all or charging me more for my already very expensive data plan just because I’m an iPhone user.
this just juscks…
October 8th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
The only reason the iPhone uses more data is because the web isn’t hampered by their bull.
October 8th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
I’d have no problem paying per usage. As stated in some previous posts, if I don’t consume a lot (depending on what is deemed a lot), I should pay less for data usage. I currently use about 400 megs of data every billing cycle. If someone uses more than 2 gig a month, they should pay more.
October 8th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
@adrian hahahahaha nice one anyways this is probably a dumb idea from a noob but apple should just build them some towers & strictly have a iPhone network
October 8th, 2009 at 4:10 pm
How about a price break for light users, AT&T! More carrot, less stick..
October 8th, 2009 at 4:12 pm
This wouldn’t happen if AT@T would allow tethering and charge for it so it can be regulated.
October 8th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
I’d be all for a $20 first gb and pay per use after.. that would stop the people that are abusing.. and for all that are upset.. you have to realize the iphone is a 3 year thing.. its getting bigger and stronger every single year.. at some point, these types of problems were going to occur.. on Verizon, or any other carrier, we’d be hearing the same thing.. I’d love for anyone here to go over for Verizon for a month, use 10gb of internet, and tell me what your bill is.. then, try to get away with it for three years.. lol.
October 8th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
I pay an a$$load every month for the crappiest service I’ve ever had. I rely on Wi-Fi for damn near all my data use because I hardly ever have service anywhere but in my car when I’m driving around! I can barely get a signal in my house! And I live in a large city in California- I’m not up in the hills somewhere. My Verizon-customer friends ALWAYS have service when I don’t. Which is ridiculous! AT&T is a BILLION dollar corporation that needs to start investing in their **** network and stop trying to milk their customers dry.
It isn’t OUR fault that they failed to plan ahead or make smart decisions about the iPhone. They let their lust for bottom-line dollars override their need to spend the money to be prepared for the onslaught. Now they expect US to pay for their greedy mistakes and errors in judgement? They can kiss my a$$.
October 8th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
I am a HEAVY user, not afraid to say. when I signed up for UNLIMITED data usage that’s what i expect.
October 8th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
@Corrina
Why are you still with AT&T.. switch.. you’ll free up some bandwidth for others. lol. I hate when folks complain about a bed thats uncomfortable, when they are the ones that made it.. if you knew, when you bought your phone, that it had horrible coverage, or you knew within the first 30 days.. you should have taken the phone back, and switched to another network.. The iphone isn’t the end all of phones.. get something that works for you, and stop complaining. When you have options.
October 8th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
if att/vz/comcast and time warner could have their way they would charge per bit.
October 8th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
@Blink
You say you signed up for unlimited use, but when you signed their TOS, did you read the part about no tethering?.. Ohh wait, you only read/signed up for whats important to you.. great.
October 8th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
@d. allen
why are you so worried about other opinions? its almost like you get offended for some reason. Hilarious
October 8th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
@Blink
I’m not worried about your opinion.. I’m worried about your judgment.. you state that you signed up for unlimited.. you did.. but you are blatantly not following the rules that you also signed.. Whats hilarious is that you don’t get it, and that you think there isn’t a price to pay for the ignorance that you show.. problem is, not only will you pay.. but everyone else on this site will probably have to. Yes, thats makes me worry.. or maybe.. I’m just having a bad day.. either way.. do what you want.. just know there is consequence.
October 8th, 2009 at 4:50 pm
@d.allen – Last time I checked this was a country where I am able to complain about anything I wish. You don’t have to agree with me, or like anything that I’ve said, but I have every right to say it.
There are reasons why I have an iPhone and why I continue to have one. There are reasons why I haven’t cancelled my contract and moved to another carrier. Do I need to explain them to you? Of course not.
I’ve had AT&T as a carrier for many years, and was perfectly happy with them until I bought an iPhone. I have given them a LOT of my hard-earned money over the years and I think that if I wish to demand better service, and criticize them as my service provider, I will do exactly that. Regardless of how it irritates you.
October 8th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
@Corrina
Sounds like the phone is your problem, and not the carrier.. but what do I know.. and yes, you are free to complain.. but far to often, thats all people do.. voice your opinion by your actions is all I suggested.. if you want to continue to get slammed with a high bill and a crappy phone, just so you have something to complain about.. be my guest.
October 8th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
@d.allen – Feel better now?
October 8th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
So… if AT&T makes a substantial change to the user agreement to add surcharges that weren’t present when I originally signed my two-year contract… does that mean I am free to take my business elsewhere? Or does AT&T get to unilaterally fk with the agreement at will? I imagine not.
October 8th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
when they change your rate plans, in contract you can break that contract with out an etf. so if they feel all iphone owners need now to to pay 45/mo you can terminate your contract. without an etf. i think with the first month of it going live. after that you accept the change.
October 8th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
The person blaming this on Obama is truly a nutcase.
AT&T wanted this device and at the same time they applaud the new customers but get angry that we use our data plans.
Makes no sense
October 8th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
I’d pay an extra 10 bucks a month if the coverage was a bit better (it’s not bad in Miami most of the time) and I was actually able to get the 7.2mbps the 3GS can handle!
October 8th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
I dont see the huge whining going on. You didnt sign up for unlimited, theres a soft cap if you read the terms of the contract anyways. And if youre using tethering without paying for it youre breaking the Terms of Service so you have no grounds to complain anyways.
This will affect less than 1% of users, so I dont get all the complaining.
@Justin
Im in Miami too and were in the first set of cities to get 7.2 so itll be soon!
October 8th, 2009 at 6:49 pm
Typical AT&T its the users who are creating this issue not the fact that they didn’t plan their network properly. I only use a 200 – 300 meg each month on average. Not because I wouldn’t like to use more but because I have a life and the 3G service is really spotty and not all that fast when you use it for a while. I’ve done speed tests and yes it can burst to a nice speed still its always around 700K at best for Long Island, New York. So please tell me how your average IPhone user is eating up all of the bandwidth. Again it sounds like bad planning or just plain profiteering on their part.
October 8th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
they scharge us for unlimited data and they whine because we use too much?!?!?!?!? how about actually expand the coverage so there is a larger infrastructure to go around. instead of nickel and diming every iphone user.
and i hae used no more than 1 gb a month and im on ym iphone all day everyday i think some of the heavy users are just people that use the iphone to download every app song and movie instead of itunes. i use web and email all day never even reached much over 1gb a month. i do not want my rates jacked up at all but if they want to put a 5gb cap on fine but do not make me pay poor i dont mind the 30 bux a month its the same as smartphone data on any network.
this is a another reason why we need to have the iphone on every network it will lessen the load and allow everyone to be happy
October 8th, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Ron Jeremy thinks AT&T is retarded if they’re really thinking about doing this to their iPhone customers. Ron says sprints plans will start looking better if AT&T pulls this b.s. doesn’t the HTC hero come out today?
October 8th, 2009 at 7:30 pm
I’ve been happy with AT&T so far but if they pull this **** is unlock and jump out to t-mobile for this user!!!!
October 8th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
I haven’t had any problems with AT&T. I don’t use hardy any network bandwidth. I’m on wifi most of the time and the time I’m not I’m only on a 2g network. Sure some of their ideas are ****** but that’s the way it is.
October 8th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Someone at AT&T is gonna get exploded if they keep this type of **** up.
October 8th, 2009 at 8:46 pm
I think it much more likely, that he was just giving the FCC chairman a preview of his argument against net neutrality for mobile data. I think it’s a leap on PC World’s part to read anything else into it. AT&T loves forces you into unlimited data packages. Why would they reverse making everyone buy it.
October 8th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
I don’t even have 3G where I live. I’m paying just as much as the 3G people. Does this mean I can throttle my bill and pay less based on my time unable to connect to the better data network just because I decide that’s fair?
AT&T better worry less about dropped calls and more about dropped accounts.
October 8th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
@ dkaye, nah mate, your not paying the same as the other carriers. Spring is $15 for unlimited data (it is unlimited, 5GB cap for the Sprint cards), and Sprint Free text messaging. AT&T is ******** over their customers with the charges.
October 8th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
This is funny, those who say unlimited is unlimited are right, if AND ONLY IF it is the iPhone and NOT tethering. If you tether, you are in violation of the TOS and if I was AT&T I would terminate your service charge you $200.00 and blacklist the phone so all you would have was a glorified iTouch. If you don’t like it to bad, because of your selfishness and illegal activities the majority put up with poor service and network overload. Please buy a Storm 2 on Verizon and let the rest of us enjoy. As to AT&T, up my rates and I am gone. I pay the same as others yet it took months for MMS and no tethering option. Punish the abusers not the rest. Offer tiered plans, OR if you go over a fair data limit on a regular basis, your are in a different usage tier and pay $XX.XX. more.
October 8th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
ATT is way out of line with this proposal. What we need is for the FCC to pass net neutrality principles that limit ATT from doing this. If ATT cant handle the iPhone’s impact on their network then they better ****** get used to it. This is why the iPhone needs another wireless carrier, so ATT can’t just do what they want.
October 8th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
Ron Jeremy agrees 100% with this guy^ If you tether for free then you must pay to play Ron hates people that whine because they can’t continue their illicit activaties free of charge the Ron Jeremy and freinds get assreamed with no grease on their plan.
October 8th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
I’m almost always around wifi access, so I would more than welcome this.
October 8th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Ron Jeremys post above agrees with scottae316
October 8th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
AT&T Better worry about When Apple Leaves and goes to another carrier. It’s already happened Around The World!!- UK, Canada, it’s only a matter of time. Think about it. And when they Leave AT&T So will half of their customers!
October 8th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
Imposing limits on use would really suck, no matter how you look at it. Most of you say “I don’t use it much blah blah blah” what about 1 – 2 years down the road if apps get bigger and bigger etc…..
All you saying that you’re ok w it because you ate always on wifi why should you care at all if people Tethering are consuming your bandwith?
October 9th, 2009 at 1:08 am
@ Justin
care to show us proof that you were able to get a 7.2mbps connection?? That hasn’t gone live yet. To any US city, even on a beta test!! Or did you mean to say you “will” have access “when” it goes live. I am also in a city scheduled to get this upgrade (DFW) Texas. Furthermore, you will not get 7.2mbps out of a 7.2 (stated) speed more like 3.5-5.0 on average maybe higher in off peak hours.
October 9th, 2009 at 1:42 am
for everyone bitching about data costs. just a little perspective… verizon charges $45 a month for unlimited data on a smart phone.
October 9th, 2009 at 2:07 am
ATT has been against a neutral net for a long time. At least for four years. It has zero to do with who is the President. Mostly they are talking about charging twice for some Internet use. They want end users to pay for service naturally. No problems there. But if the user uses Google they want extra money. Google already pays to access the Internet and we the end users pay, but that is not enough for ATT. Here is an article from 2005 where they talk about it some: http://www.businessweek.com/@@n34h*IUQu7KtOwgA/magazine/content/05_45/b3958092.htm Here another one from last month: http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSN2550996820090925 (BTW: I hope these links work.) If this allowed to happen where will it all end?
If you think really think that ATT will give a better deal if they change from unlimited only go check ATT stores for netbooks. I have gone to ATT stores and looked at netbooks there. I have seen data plans for 50MB and 250MB. It would be extremely easy to go over limits like that. And these are for netbooks that you can buy for the same amount of money elsewhere. People have had monthly bills for thousands of dollars for going over. This what they want for us plus extra money from the other end of the line too.
October 9th, 2009 at 2:50 am
I must admit, I am one of those so-called “abusers”. I average 5-7GB a month and almost never connect to wifi. From my perspective I don’t think I’m abusing anything however. I used to pay $40/mo plus an additional $10/mo to tether on vzw. The only reason I left was for the iPhone. I’m located in Chicago suburbs and average 1200-1700Kbps download speeds. Why shouldn’t I be able to use what I pay for? AT&T is still making a sizeable profit off of me. If it came down to it, yes I would pay for tethering. Let’s be realistic though. Blackberry’s can already tether on AT&T networks. Us iPhone users should have already had this functionality so IMHO, screw the TOS. Give us what we pay for AT&T and we won’t have to be labeled “abusers”. Oh, and give it to us at no charge, since we have already been paying through the teeth for it anyway. If AT&T changes for tiered plans + tethering, that’s still fine with me. I will gladly pay for what I use. I’m sure it’d be acceptable to most iPhone users in my shared market location.
Let’s all take a look at the BIG picture. My “abusive” data usage does not effect someone in the next town over let alone another state. AT&T is still making a profit from me and an even bigger profit off of people in markets where there is NO 3G coverage even though that’s what they’re paying for. There is enough profit that there should not be these complaints. AT&T has the resources to build out the network but chooses not to. Instead they nickel and dime it’s users. And talk about implementing 4G while 3G is non-existant in too many areas. I sincerely feel sorry for the people who live in an area where the network isn’t built out to the capacity we all pay for. But this is NOT the fault of “abusive” data users. AT&T needs to get their act together and us users should stop getting upset at each-other and direct it to the real culprits.
Sidenote: I was in Wisconsin for several days with several vzw users and one t-mo user. NO-ONE had 3G or EVDO or anything of the like. However, I was pleased to have the only phone with option of being able to connect to wifi. So we’ve got that going for us as iPhone users. Additionally, I had the best signal and no dropped calls the whole trip to the Dells while several vzw users showed decent signal and tried to call out multiple times and as soon as they dialed out, the signal became non-existant and watched them all drop several calls a day.
October 9th, 2009 at 3:36 am
Ok let’s get this straight I am paying $15 a month over the 2g iPhone just because of 3g which I have yet to get anywhere near my home and AT&T is wanting to charge me even more if I go over the norm?!!! I’m sorry if they do this I will find another phone!!
October 9th, 2009 at 7:46 am
Andy, I’m sorry, you’re 81st.
And, Matt, you are a selfish, son of a ******!! You bastage!!! (like I really care)
October 9th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Another thought – if Apple/AT&T would stop being greedy and release the carrier exclusivity, it would significantly diminish network congestion brought on by an influx in data usage. Their greed has resulted in an inferior infrastructure that can’t support demand, putting the burden on consumers who are then expected to pony up for the necessary technology upgrades.
Yay conglomerate domination – their way or the highway. Where’s Ralph Nader when we need him? Isn’t this the sort of thing that gets his dander up?
October 9th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Unlimited means no limit. I’m paying, I use. Can’t handle it? Don’t offer it. We are(AT&T customers) all in an abusive relationship with AT&T.
October 9th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA That’s 87 million VZW customers laughing at you. Verizon was smart not to let the iphone site unseen onto its network. They avoided all these problems and still have the largest customer base in spite of having the crappiest phones. Yeah the plans on VZ cost more but as the old saying goes “you get what you pay for” and we get excellent service and 3G just about everywhere, so what if my phone cant tell me where the f i parked my car, I’d be a freaking idiot if I needed that app.
October 9th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
ATT should have known what they were getting into w/ the iPhone, it was sold as basically a computer in your hand. To have expected anything less than an incredible amount of data use is silly. If I pay for unlimited use, then no amount of data is abuse, I paid for it. It’s not my fault ATT didnt make the necessary arrangements to handle the workload they exclusively have. I’m sure other carriers would kill for a chance at some of those annoying iPhone users paying big bucks for less than average service. if its so hard to accommodate, then let Apple out of the exclusivity w/ ATT. Quit crying, you’re making insane amounts of money from iPhone users, use some of it to beef up your crappy network.
October 9th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
@Kev: Yeah, but you don’t have the iPhone yet. That’s a deal killer. I’ve had just about every carrier, and none of them are all that.
October 9th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
mofo i have no use for a phone and/or a network that drops calls, that delivers VMs, SMS, MMS msgs hours and sometimes days after they were sent. I need an ok phone on a great network not a great phone on an ok network. I’ll admit the iPhone is the hottest phone out but as long as AT&T has it I can live without it.
Richy Rich, AT&T had no clue what they were getting into, they only saw the phone a month before it was released but had agreed to carry it at least a year before it being launched.
October 9th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
@kev, i didn’t know you worked for verizon.
both carriers are the same in coverage, if not where att drops a call verzion will drop it 500 feet further. and vice versa.
as for connection issues, why is only the att iphone on att having all these problems, att only carries 3g phones and only one is affected with call quality dropped calls, which is the iphone, so its the att network not able to handle an iphone or **** hardware in an iphone with poor performance which apple is trying to fix with tweak to the os.
October 10th, 2009 at 1:53 pm
here is also a good read about att and iphone
http://apple.slashdot.org/story/09/10/10/1628210/Why-ATampT-Should-Dump-the-iPhones-Unlimited-Data-Plan
October 10th, 2009 at 5:13 pm
I always tried to stand up for ATT and not give them a bad rap, but I think and feel that time maybe coming to an end shortly. Now from what I have read and heard over the years, Apple wanted to get into the cell business, and offered the idea of the iPhone around, nobody took them up on their offer, except ATT who really kind of sucked at the time. When the phone was released and gained popularity, it seems everyone (Apple and ATT) went to hide from different problems and complaints either about the device or service, respectivly. Now that ATT has an incrediable cash cow, they want to charge even more for their service?? Hey heres and idea, take a page out of the US gov’t book; from time to time the Gov’t improves the road ways. Try doing the same, you charge people enough. Like someone already said, you dont tell people because theres more cars on the road we are going to lower the speed, and keep people off the roads. ATT you are foolish. You should thankful for Apple, they saved you amature, small, craptastic cell opertaion. I remember when everyone would laugh asking what was ATT/ Cingular/ ATT wireless/ Apple Cell would be called today…
Make the roadway bigger, dont cap the number of vehicles on it. Oh and if its that much of a problem, tell Apple to unlock the iPhone, and let T-Mobile take some of your traffic away…oh not going to do that are you? Didnt think so…
October 22nd, 2009 at 10:44 am
I think that it would be (at least should) a violation of contract, and also just not cool if they did either. If iPhone users are using up too much bandwidth, then build more towers/servers! It’s not our responsibility or our job to limit ourselves when WE pay for UNLIMITED Internet. If you can’t handle it, then don’t provide the service.