Have a 3G smartphone with unlimited data with Verizon? Who cares, prepare to get throttled

Verizon, as of their latest "Data Disclosure" FAQ dated September 15th, has confirmed they will begin throttling 3G users with unlimited data plans.

The new policy means users who hit over 2GB of mobile bandwidth per month will have their connection throttled, at least in high congestion areas (looking at you NYC and San Francisco), during high congestion times of the day.

As of August, Verizon says the top 5% of subscribers used over 2GB, so it says the new policy will not affect the vast majority. Some (very) quick calculations show there will around 2 million of Verizon's 106 million subscribers affected.

Verizon does note that 4G LTE is not affected (at least for the time being) so if you have a new fast 4G device, do not fret. (That is until Verizon gets enough 4G users and implements the same throttling).

The most notable user base to get screwed is likely the new iPhone 4 owners, who were given unlimited data with the phone's launch in February as a means to keep customers away from AT&T.

Read the whole FAQ, at 9to5

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 18 Sep 2011 10:57

HxCMANIAC

I find it really hard to believe that only the top 5% of subscribers use over 2gb per month.

18.9.2011 11:40 #1

KillerBug

Originally posted by : Verizon does note that 4G LTE is not affected (at least for the time being) so if you have a new fast 4G device, do not fret. (That is until Verizon gets enough 4G users and implements the same throttling). The only problem with that is the fact that Verizon has all about 25 LTE towers nationwide, and most people with 4G phones don't live anywhere near one of them...so they get throttled...and when you are starting with post-iPhone verizon speeds, throttling is like dialup.

Makes me all the more happy that I switched to T-Mobile...4G is is in lots of cities (including my city...where neither Verizon or AT&T have 4G), and when you go over the 2GB mark the throttled speed is still way faster than Verizon 3G was. I was still worried that Verizon might soon put up lots of 4G towers in my area and that I had thrown away my unlimited plan, but now that it isn't an unlimited plan anyway, I am 100% happy that I switched.

18.9.2011 12:21 #2

DVDBack23

Originally posted by KillerBug: Makes me all the more happy that I switched to T-Mobile...4G is is in lots of cities (including my city...where neither Verizon or AT&T have 4G), and when you go over the 2GB mark the throttled speed is still way faster than Verizon 3G was. I was still worried that Verizon might soon put up lots of 4G towers in my area and that I had thrown away my unlimited plan, but now that it isn't an unlimited plan anyway, I am 100% happy that I switched. Yes, and we pay under half of what you used to pay for Verizon, if not more. Good move.

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18.9.2011 12:40 #3

Hyasuma

Originally posted by HxCMANIAC: I find it really hard to believe that only the top 5% of subscribers use over 2gb per month. i agree

18.9.2011 13:17 #4

Azuran

Originally posted by DVDBack23: Originally posted by KillerBug: Makes me all the more happy that I switched to T-Mobile...4G is is in lots of cities (including my city...where neither Verizon or AT&T have 4G), and when you go over the 2GB mark the throttled speed is still way faster than Verizon 3G was. I was still worried that Verizon might soon put up lots of 4G towers in my area and that I had thrown away my unlimited plan, but now that it isn't an unlimited plan anyway, I am 100% happy that I switched. Yes, and we pay under half of what you used to pay for Verizon, if not more. Good move. Yeah I'm glad I stuck with T-mobile when my contract was up in February.

18.9.2011 14:24 #5

phobet

I sense something in the air. Smells like...bait and switch.

18.9.2011 15:08 #6

m3incorp

However, if you do live in a city that has Verizon 4G, then there isn't another network that can touch their speeds. BTW, I don't know where you got the 25 4G towers information and the "most people with 4G phones don't live anywhere near the towers, but 4G is a available in quiet a few cities these days, to include mine. Yes I do agree Verizon is more expensive. My wife has Tmobile and she doesn't need 4G speeds, so Tmobile is the least expensive "good service" option for her. I however, do take advantage of 4G speeds, so Verizon is the answer for me. I do believe that in the future, ALL the carriers will resort to throttling.

18.9.2011 19:49 #7

1nsan3

it really dont matter were gonna get screwed by any cell company we go with. its just how much lube you bring with you. Im with At&t right now with 3 phones all on a data plan. this is the last time i am with them. when the contract is up ( or a bit early ) were done. leaving them and either going with sprint ( truly Unlimited data ) but least coverage area, or find out what other one has the best coverage in our area, dont really care about 3 g 4 g, I got 3 g around here, but the speeds between 3 g 2 g 1 g no g lol dont really make a difference, there all slow. may be fast for a "Cell Phone" but if i want to surf fast i will go home. Im not huge on freakbook, ( i have a life thank you ) so basically the best coverage for the best price is what were looking for. since all but sprint throttle your ass. so make sure where ever you go and whatever contract you sign, you always have a big enough bottle of lube with ya.

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18.9.2011 20:43 #8

KillerBug

Originally posted by m3incorp: However, if you do live in a city that has Verizon 4G, then there isn't another network that can touch their speeds. BTW, I don't know where you got the 25 4G towers information and the "most people with 4G phones don't live anywhere near the towers, but 4G is a available in quiet a few cities these days, to include mine. Yes I do agree Verizon is more expensive. My wife has Tmobile and she doesn't need 4G speeds, so Tmobile is the least expensive "good service" option for her. I however, do take advantage of 4G speeds, so Verizon is the answer for me. I do believe that in the future, ALL the carriers will resort to throttling. The funny thing is that I just checked their map again and they actually do have two towers in my city now...and my friends with verizon 4G phones still don't get 4G connectivity...ever. Obviously 2 towers isn't much coverage for a city that is 30 miles wide.

19.9.2011 02:55 #9

ZeusAV

Agree that T-Mobile is the best overall option right now. I'm on their old unlimited plan that goes up to 5GB before it gets throttled and it's way cheaper than Verizon and it's faster than Sprint.

19.9.2011 06:43 #10

buxtahuda

Originally posted by ZeusAV: Agree that T-Mobile is the best overall option right now. I'm on their old unlimited plan that goes up to 5GB before it gets throttled and it's way cheaper than Verizon and it's faster than Sprint. I'm on the same thing ^.^ I've been pretty happy with everything about T-Mobile since I joined them a couple of years ago. Every company has some terrible practices, but overall T-Mo isn't so bad. I had to give up Sprint because I couldn't keep waiting two hours on the phone just because I've had some issues or need to change out phones. And I've never liked AT&T just because they have absolutely the worst service around here and their little iPhone monopoly, and now their attempted merger with T-Mo.

19.9.2011 09:01 #11

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