So I am the 5%... REALLY AT&T ????

mdaudioguy

Today, I got this text message from AT&T:

ATT Free Msg: Your data use this month places you in the top 5% of users. Use Wi-Fi to help avoid reduced speeds. Visit www.att.com/dataplans or call 8663447584

:evil::evil::evil::evil::evil::evil::evil::evil::evil::evil::evil::evil::evil::evil::evil::evil::evil::evil::evil::evil:

Here's my data usage history from the last 6 months:

A look at my usage this month shows that I've used 2,066MB, with a week left in my billing period - slightly over my average...
I have a grandfathered unlimited data plan for $30/month.
Their current 3GB plan is $30/month.

I know that they're trying to push me out of my unlimited plan, but this is ridiculous. I could switch over and use MORE data... Do you think they offer refunds to those with a 3GB plan who only use 1GB??:rolleyes:

And REALLY, how could I be in the top 5% when I'm only on a pace to use just 2.7GB this month??

Has anyone else received this message? If so, what was the monthly usage rate that triggered it?

tonyb

It's only a matter of time before they all do it. Only so much bandwidth out there.

snow

Well i'm trying to feel sorry for you....... but 2 gb is one hell of a lot of usage IMHO I dont use anywhere even close to 1 gig on my PC let alone phone, not sure what your doing to use that much.


REGARDS SNOW

codyc1ark

snow wrote: »

Well i'm trying to feel sorry for you....... but 2 gb is one hell of a lot of usage IMHO I dont use anywhere even close to 1 gig on my PC let alone phone, not sure what your doing to use that much.

****. :twisted:

mdaudioguy

snow wrote: »

Well i'm trying to feel sorry for you....... but 2 gb is one hell of a lot of usage IMHO I dont use anywhere even close to 1 gig on my PC let alone phone, not sure what your doing to use that much.

Pretty much all I do over my AT&T data connection is stream music via Slacker or Pandora, and occasionally navigation - that probably accounts for 90% of it. Probably about an hour each way to and from work. At home, I'm always connected to wifi.

mdaudioguy

Besides, they sell 3GB for $30 and 5GB for $50, so you wouldn't think 2GB would catch their attention. And, as they push usage down, the threshold for the top 5% gets lowered, too.

sucks2beme

They want you to pay for data bandwidth, not use it.
Questions?

mdaudioguy

sucks2beme wrote: »

They want you to pay for data bandwidth, not use it.
Questions?

Yeah..., and evidently their standard response is, "We only promised you an unlimited amount. We didn't promise you how fast you'd get it..."

tonyb

mdaudioguy wrote: »

Yeah..., and evidently their standard response is, "We only promised you an unlimited amount. We didn't promise you how fast you'd get it..."

They are already using that response, mainly because of threats of lawsuits. But thats neither here nor there, just get used to paying more......or using less, which ever you prefer.

mdaudioguy

tonyb wrote: »

They are already using that response, mainly because of threats of lawsuits. But thats neither here nor there, just get used to paying more......or using less, which ever you prefer.

Probably so. I guess I'm just surprised, because I thought they were going after those remaining unlimited users that were really abusing the system. I never thought that I'd fall into that category at less usage than what they offer with probably their most popular data plan (at the same price I'm already paying, no less).

EndersShadow

What they are doing is taking an average of users in your area using bandwidth (read an article to that effect as others have had similar experiences). If you happen to be surrounded by folks that dont use any data and you use what regular folks use your screwed.

This tiered bandwidth stuff is pissing me off too, thankfully at work and at home I have wireless so I am rarely on 3G

Drenis

Gee that's a lot. I'm lucky to use 100mb of my 500mb data plan. Blackberry

mdaudioguy

EndersShadow wrote: »

What they are doing is taking an average of users in your area using bandwidth (read an article to that effect as others have had similar experiences). If you happen to be surrounded by folks that dont use any data and you use what regular folks use your screwed.

This tiered bandwidth stuff is pissing me off too, thankfully at work and at home I have wireless so I am rarely on 3G

The application of a percentage to come up with an arbitrary threshold that the user can never know beforehand seems like a shady approach to limiting usage to me. It probably works for their lawyers, though, since applying a slow down at a predetermined amount wouldn't fall within the spirit of unlimited. Of course, this doesn't either...

mdaudioguy

Drenis wrote: »

Gee that's a lot. I'm lucky to use 100mb of my 500mb data plan. Blackberry

Yeah, but I'm already paying for a lot... and they'll sell me even more than that for the same price!

EndersShadow

mdaudioguy wrote: »

The application of a percentage to come up with an arbitrary threshold that the user can never know beforehand seems like a shady approach to limiting usage to me. It probably works for their lawyers, though, since applying a slow down at a predetermined amount wouldn't fall within the spirit of unlimited. Of course, this doesn't either...

Yup, its shady but I wouldnt put it past the phone companies at this point.

rebuy

That's so 42 seconds ago.

tonyb

mdaudioguy wrote: »

The application of a percentage to come up with an arbitrary threshold that the user can never know beforehand seems like a shady approach to limiting usage to me. It probably works for their lawyers, though, since applying a slow down at a predetermined amount wouldn't fall within the spirit of unlimited. Of course, this doesn't either...

More so, it's a shady approach to charge more money. They have the world addicted to the crack, it's only normal then to raise the price of it...AND, who do you think they will send their lobbyist with hands full of cash to, to try and get more bandwidth ? You think they may want to say "no" for awhile longer to keep that stream of cash flowing in ?

nooshinjohn

anonymouse wrote: »

Switch to Sprint dude.

This....

Drenis

mdaudioguy wrote: »

Yeah, but I'm already paying for a lot... and they'll sell me even more than that for the same price!

Occasionally they offer through Rogers up here 6GB for $30/month. That's popular but I can't see using all that. Even with using my Playbook paired with my phone I doubt I'd ever get through my data plan as all data transferred over the Blackberry network is all compressed.

cnh

If you're in the top 5 percent then I'm in the bottom 10,000th of one percent. I use a track phone for family purposes only. I load about 30 dollars onto it every two months and I currently have over 400 minutes rolled over? I "never" use the internet feature because it's not necessary--I'm so "five hours ago" thank you!

cnh

cfrizz

Businesses exist to screw you over by taking as much money from you as possible and giving you as little as possible in return.

I'm with you CNH, my cell phone is off in my bag, I only use it when I'm traveling or meeting someone. I have no data plan that is what my pc at home & work are for. Oh and I have phones there as well so call one of those numbers.

I don't need, want, or have a monthly phone plan, I just bought a going out of stock Samsung for 129.00 from T-Mobile and bought an 1100 minutes for it which are good for a year. So long as I go in before the year is up and put 10 more minutes on it, I'm all set for another year.

mantis

If you have an unlimited plan , then by definition you can use all you want.

unc2701

I'm surprised that you're so high- I stream pandora over 3g @ work since they choke that (and youtube) on our network and I'm around a gig a month.

nspindel

It's not really go to matter for all that much longer anyway. iPhone 5 will come out at some point this year with 4G. Guaranteed that if you want 4G, you will need to give up your unlimited plan. And 4G really is that much better. My wife has a Verizon 4G hotspot through her work, and it flies.

Syndil

4G is only useful if 4G service is offered in your area. Otherwise having the capability on your phone does absolutely nothing for you. In the Louisville, KY area where I live, all of the providers advertise 4G phones, plans and speeds, but only VZW actually provides 4G LTE service. There are very few markets where 4G is available, and AT&T has the least 4G coverage of the big three.

http://www.att.com/network/

I second the suggestion to switch to Sprint.

Syndil

BTW yes, the AT&T page I linked you to does proclaim "The Nation's Largest 4G Network," but that is par for the course for AT&T. I call their advertising method the "big lie" method. Whatever they are proclaiming the loudest is exactly where they are weakest. They've done it in the past proclaiming to have the best sound quality and having the fewest dropped calls, which are both big lies.

heiney9

See.......how the advertising works is if there is one area of the Country AT&T has more 4G coverage than a competitor, then they say they have the best 4G coverage. It's twisted as hell, but technically a half truth and not a 100% lie.

tonyb

Isn't advertising in general....a half truth ?

heiney9

tonyb wrote: »

Isn't advertising in general....a half truth ?

Half false, actually. Like the glass is half full or half empty......

Syndil

All advertising should be taken with a grain of salt, but AT&T takes things to the extreme. Whatever they are proclaiming via their advertising, the exact opposite is usually the truth. And that's not just me talking. Remember their "fewest dropped calls" campaign? This started back when they were still Cingular in 2006 and ran through the first half of 2007. Here's an example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f23zk8CmB9E

Then this happened:

http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2007/08/ATT-ditches-few/

Following a Better Business Bureau investigation into Cingular's (now AT&T's) "fewest dropped calls" ad campaign and a protracted legal fight with Sprint over the issue, AT&T is reportedly dropping its claim, according to an employee.

Turns out, the assertion was never really true, and was based on only a small part of a larger Telephia report. As a whole, the report notes that AT&T Wireless did not have the most reliable network in places like New York, Chicago, Houston and Los Angeles, according to Broadband Reports. Recent studies from Consumer Reports and JD Power mirror these findings, and have placed Cingular/AT&T at or near the the bottom of their rankings for reliability and satisfaction.

Drenis

tonyb wrote: »

Isn't advertising in general....a half truth ?

Cue a Rage Against The Machine song.