Verizon to Start Throttling LTE Data Speeds for Heavy Users
Jul 26, 2014, 1:32 pm
#1
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Verizon to Start Throttling LTE Data Speeds for Heavy Users
Originally Posted by cellular-news
[...]
Starting from October, customers on its unlimited download tariffs may find their download speeds drop sharply when they are in areas where traffic is already heavy with other users. As a result, Verizon is prioritizing traffic from customers who buy a set amount of bandwidth, over those who have the older unlimited tariffs.
It's estimated that just the top five percent of its LTE customers would be affected by the change, and that would apply to customers downloading an average of more than 4.7Gb of traffic per month. Unlike some mobile networks who impose a blanket policy onto users who exceed their "fair use" allocation, Verizon's is more selective, and only affects users when a cell site is starting to see heavy usage at the time.
Starting from October, customers on its unlimited download tariffs may find their download speeds drop sharply when they are in areas where traffic is already heavy with other users. As a result, Verizon is prioritizing traffic from customers who buy a set amount of bandwidth, over those who have the older unlimited tariffs.
It's estimated that just the top five percent of its LTE customers would be affected by the change, and that would apply to customers downloading an average of more than 4.7Gb of traffic per month. Unlike some mobile networks who impose a blanket policy onto users who exceed their "fair use" allocation, Verizon's is more selective, and only affects users when a cell site is starting to see heavy usage at the time.
Jul 26, 2014, 7:15 pm
#3
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I know people who burn through upwards of 50GB/month on their MiFi, and I'm perfectly happy to have them kicked off the network if it means the experience improves for everyone else.
Also, the system Verizon will use is very generous - it only applies when your usage is excessive on a specific cell, unlike most operators who just kick you off no matter where you are.
In other words - people who are using 4G as their primary source of Internet should probably start looking for cable or DSL
Jul 27, 2014, 4:20 pm
#4
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I used to be a stalwart VZW supporter, but I am now thinking about jumping ship.
I do not abuse my grandfathered unlimited, but the notion that 4.7GB is the threshold is utter ridiculousness. That is artificially low. Conveniently just below a 5GB plan I see... Set it at about 30-40GB and I think that is fair.
The first time they "optimize" me, I am taking my business elsewhere.
I do not abuse my grandfathered unlimited, but the notion that 4.7GB is the threshold is utter ridiculousness. That is artificially low. Conveniently just below a 5GB plan I see... Set it at about 30-40GB and I think that is fair.
The first time they "optimize" me, I am taking my business elsewhere.
Jul 27, 2014, 4:40 pm
#5
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Where do you plan on going? Every operator has their limit set to around 5GB. If you want more data, pay for it. Even on those that have "unlimited" like T-Mobile and Sprint, you'll find yourself throttled over 5GB. There isn't an operator who wants a customer who feels 5GB is not enough without paying extra for it.
40-50GB of 4G on mobile is insane, and way above what is considered normal usage, most likely this means a lot of streaming video. I do a LOT on my device, with over 1000 emails a week, a lot of photo uploads and a ton of social, and I reach around 3GB/month.
Verizon will gladly sell you 50GB/month, and it will cost you $375 - sadly, this means either pay up, or stop misusing mobile data. I'd recommend finding WiFi a lot more.
40-50GB of 4G on mobile is insane, and way above what is considered normal usage, most likely this means a lot of streaming video. I do a LOT on my device, with over 1000 emails a week, a lot of photo uploads and a ton of social, and I reach around 3GB/month.
Verizon will gladly sell you 50GB/month, and it will cost you $375 - sadly, this means either pay up, or stop misusing mobile data. I'd recommend finding WiFi a lot more.
Jul 27, 2014, 5:27 pm
#6
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First of all, I am not the one who sold it as "unlimited" - they did. They didn't say 5GB, 10GB, 50GB... they said UNLIMITED.
Secondly, I live on the road in my business. A fast connection is my lifeblood, for both professional and personal use. I am sick of people saying "just use WiFi more". It would be great if it were that easy, but it isn't. Pervasive WiFi that is actually ubiquitous and of a decent quality is still a pipe dream.
During the day I am at client sites who have restrictive (if not prohibited) usage policies, even when I need to download large installation packages or ISOs.
At night, when in a hotel room, we all know what the WiFi is like most of the time when all you want to do is fire up the Slingbox and catch up on a show from the DVR at home, etc.
So, am I a person who consumes 500GB of LTE a month? No. Do I think 500GB a month is "fair use"? No. BUT, it sure isn't 5GB either. To question my reasonable usage beyond yours as insane is insulting.
Secondly, I live on the road in my business. A fast connection is my lifeblood, for both professional and personal use. I am sick of people saying "just use WiFi more". It would be great if it were that easy, but it isn't. Pervasive WiFi that is actually ubiquitous and of a decent quality is still a pipe dream.
During the day I am at client sites who have restrictive (if not prohibited) usage policies, even when I need to download large installation packages or ISOs.
At night, when in a hotel room, we all know what the WiFi is like most of the time when all you want to do is fire up the Slingbox and catch up on a show from the DVR at home, etc.
So, am I a person who consumes 500GB of LTE a month? No. Do I think 500GB a month is "fair use"? No. BUT, it sure isn't 5GB either. To question my reasonable usage beyond yours as insane is insulting.
Jul 27, 2014, 5:38 pm
#7
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At night, when in a hotel room, we all know what the WiFi is like most of the time when all you want to do is fire up the Slingbox and catch up on a show from the DVR at home, etc.
So, am I a person who consumes 500GB of LTE a month? No. Do I think 500GB a month is "fair use"? No. BUT, it sure isn't 5GB either. To question my reasonable usage beyond yours as insane is insulting.
So, am I a person who consumes 500GB of LTE a month? No. Do I think 500GB a month is "fair use"? No. BUT, it sure isn't 5GB either. To question my reasonable usage beyond yours as insane is insulting.
If, like you say, you use this for business, then just accept the fact that more data means more money. And sadly for you, the terms are not changing - they are not going to cut you off, you still get unlimited data, you just don't get it at the full speed.
Also, reading is hard - I said "40-50GB of 4G on mobile is insane" - I did not comment on your individual usage, so don't twist my words. I stick by the fact that relying on a personal (5GB) account expecting 40-50GB is insane. It is not what the networks are designed for. This might change in the future, but the current state of networks (and the economy behind them) doesn't account for people being able to pump that much data through a $70/month plan.
Jul 27, 2014, 5:51 pm
#8
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What part of them billing it as UNLIMITED is so difficult for you to understand? They chose that marketing, now they want to alter it because it isn't as profitable as it once was.
That is the equivalent of an "all you can eat buffet" place not bringing out more food. Good business model to have if everyone just eats one plate. If you don't want to lure customers on that marketing, then don't use it. It is that simple.
This brainwashing that the carriers have transitioned to has clearly worked on you. Data consumption for even the "pedestrian" tasks is only going to increase year over year and they want to rape their customers on it. When did the 5GB figure become the arbitrary acceptable number???
Furthermore, if you are so judicious in your use of your 3GB of data a month, what do you care what other customers use if you have WiFi everywhere??
That is the equivalent of an "all you can eat buffet" place not bringing out more food. Good business model to have if everyone just eats one plate. If you don't want to lure customers on that marketing, then don't use it. It is that simple.
This brainwashing that the carriers have transitioned to has clearly worked on you. Data consumption for even the "pedestrian" tasks is only going to increase year over year and they want to rape their customers on it. When did the 5GB figure become the arbitrary acceptable number???
Furthermore, if you are so judicious in your use of your 3GB of data a month, what do you care what other customers use if you have WiFi everywhere??
Jul 27, 2014, 11:36 pm
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Jul 28, 2014, 6:19 am
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Jul 28, 2014, 6:20 am
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Jul 28, 2014, 7:42 am
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...I live on the road in my business. A fast connection is my lifeblood, for both professional and personal use. I am sick of people saying "just use WiFi more". It would be great if it were that easy, but it isn't. Pervasive WiFi that is actually ubiquitous and of a decent quality is still a pipe dream.
During the day I am at client sites who have restrictive (if not prohibited) usage policies, even when I need to download large installation packages or ISOs.
At night, when in a hotel room, we all know what the WiFi is like most of the time when all you want to do is fire up the Slingbox and catch up on a show from the DVR at home, etc....
During the day I am at client sites who have restrictive (if not prohibited) usage policies, even when I need to download large installation packages or ISOs.
At night, when in a hotel room, we all know what the WiFi is like most of the time when all you want to do is fire up the Slingbox and catch up on a show from the DVR at home, etc....
Jul 28, 2014, 8:10 am
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Used to be grandfathered until my father, not realizing, changed the whole family to shared data. So no horse anymore in the game. But didn't VZW make such a big deal that unlike AT&T, they specifically won't do this?
Jul 28, 2014, 8:20 am
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would apply to customers downloading an average of more than 4.7Gb of traffic per month
The throttling will only apply if the cell is congested, but it appears that the throttling will be applied based on the customers' usage pattern, not based on how much of the current congestion is attributable to their accounts.
Jul 28, 2014, 8:43 am
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That's not what the linked article reports:
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The throttling will only apply if the cell is congested, but it appears that the throttling will be applied based on the customers' usage pattern, not based on how much of the current congestion is attributable to their accounts.
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The throttling will only apply if the cell is congested, but it appears that the throttling will be applied based on the customers' usage pattern, not based on how much of the current congestion is attributable to their accounts.