Related
AT&T Moves Away From Unlimited-Data Pricing - WSJ.com
I read this on Wall Street Journal...
AT&T Inc. is abandoning unlimited-pricing plans for new wireless subscribers to email and Internet services on smartphones, kicking off an important and long-awaited shift in how carriers bill their customers.
The change, which takes effect next week, could lower the cost of service for the vast majority of AT&T's users but potentially raise rates significantly for heavy data consumers.
With the move, AT&T's second price cut for wireless plans in six months, the company appears to be trading a hit to short-term revenue for greater control of its network and more power to price accordingly as wireless-data usage grows.
AT&T said Wednesday it will eliminate its $30 unlimited data plan for new smartphone subscribers starting June 7, when Apple Inc. is expected to announce its latest iPhone. The plan will be replaced by new offerings costing $15 an month for 200 megabytes of data traffic or $25 a month for 2 gigabytes. AT&T says 98% of its customers use less than those amounts. Users who exceed 2 gigabytes of usage will pay $10 a month for each additional gigabyte.
The new plans will lower the cost of an entry-level voice and data plan for smartphones by $15, to $54.99. Existing users will have the option of sticking with their current plans indefinitely, even if they switch phones, AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel said.
AT&T is also dropping the $30 unlimited-data option for new buyers of Apple's wireless-enabled iPad and replacing it with the $25 a month 2-gigabyte plan. IPad users currently paying for unlimited data will be able to keep doing so.
"The new plans appear well designed to reduce undue network stresses, as they will sweep AT&T's heaviest users into higher priced plans, or, perhaps more likely, will curtail their profligate usage," said Craig Moffett, an analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein.
Executives at AT&T and Verizon Wireless, a joint venture of Verizon Communications Inc. and Vodafone Group PLC, have said this year that consumers are going to have to start paying for the amount of data they use as devices become more sophisticated and traffic explodes.
The question now is whether other carriers will follow suit. A spokesman for Verizon Wireless declined to comment, but Verizon Wireless Chief Executive Lowell McAdam indicated in an interview with The Wall Street Journal last month that he, too, is looking at pricing based on use.
"The old model of one price plan per device is going to fall away," Mr. McAdam said, adding that he expects carriers to take an approach that targets a "bucket of megabytes."
Sprint Nextel Corp. wasn't immediately available to comment.
AT&T is scrambling to improve its network in New York and San Francisco, two cities where the crush of data use from the iPhone has hurt call quality. The company believes heavy data use by a small number of subscribers is hurting network quality. Ralph de la Vega, chief executive of AT&T's wireless and consumer units, has said 3% of the company's subscribers account for 40% of its data traffic.
The difficulties are a key concern for Apple, an important partner for AT&T, still the exclusive carrier for the iPhone in the Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs, speaking at the All Things Digital conference Tuesday evening, said the carrier has made progress but has more to do.
"They're doing pretty good in some ways, and in others they could do better," Mr. Jobs said. "I wish they were improving faster... [but] I'm convinced that any other network, had you put the iPhone on it, would have had the same problems."
In January, AT&T and Verizon cut the price of their unlimited voice plans by 30% in part to pull more subscribers into data plans. Growing data revenue at AT&T has offset the erosion of voice plans. The company said the new data plans would only have a minor impact on revenue and said they don't affect its announced financial projections for the year.
Analyst Philip Cusick at Macquarie Securities says AT&T may see lower growth in data revenue in the short term as a result of the new changes, but will gain leverage over the heaviest data users, improving its ability to manage its network and charge for capacity. Tiered plans may also pull more customers into data plans, he said.
Separately, AT&T said it would allow iPhone users to use their devices as modems beginning June 7, a practice called tethering, for an extra $20 a month.
—Roger Cheng contributed to this article.
This is exactly why Tmobile is looking better and better to me. I don't want to have to worry about going over a limit of my usage
I hope all carriers don't jump on board this.. I'm planing on getting an Evo with Sprint and would be pissed of they did a bait and switch on me..
Wow I feel bad for all the people who bought ipad 3gs.
Talk about bait and switch, $10 a month over 2 gigs.
I did over 3 gigs (3.4ish) just a couple months ago on my HTC touch pro 2, so it seems I'm done with ATT.
Gives me a reason to finally switch to verizon anyway.
im glad the 10$ family data plan is still here
th3b055 said:
I hope all carriers don't jump on board this.. I'm planing on getting an Evo with Sprint and would be pissed of they did a bait and switch on me..
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They can't.
If you're ALREADY in your contract on the previous plans they can't change them on you without your consent, if they do you get a instant out on your contract..but they wont. Just get's annoying because now if you want to add tethering after the 7th they WILL switch you to the new plans.
Heh with T-Mobile's "Unlimited Plan" (which I use) it's actually 10gb which isn't bad and I've only gone over it once because I was tethering and doing instant play on Netflix. This will probably move people from AT&T to dying Sprint because of this and Sprint is getting the Evo 4G.
ohwut said:
Just get's annoying because now if you want to add tethering after the 7th they WILL switch you to the new plans.
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You're on XDA and you think you need to add tethering to your plan to tether?
/boggle
Hey guys,
I am not sure if any of you are aware but I started a petition on groubal.com about AT&T capping upload speeds on the Atrix 4G. I got arounf $259 signatures already and phonedog.com has published an article about it today.
http://www.groubal.com/att-misleading-their-customers-about-4g-and-capping-upload-speeds/
http://www.phonedog.com/2011/03/01/...-the-lack-of-hsupa-on-their-android-handsets/
I encourage everyone to file claims with the FCC and the BBB...This crap needs to stop !
I'm guessing you don't follow law. ATT is well within their legal right to cap upload speeds. With that new pesky law separating wired and wireless internet they have the power. Plus not to be a downer but do you think ATT is really going to uncap their upload speeds because of an online petition?
On top of all that, limiting the upload speed on the average user, does not affect them at all. And with that cap in place, it will yield faster download speeds for everyone.
The amount of entitlement some people think they deserve never ceases to amaze me.
Amazing.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
Whatever...I am entitled to it because I pay for it ! You guys are missing the point and I am glad I do not think the way both of you do. AT&T should cap speeds for eveybody and not do any kind of favoritism.
"I'm guessing you don't follow law" dumbest thing I have heard in a long time..Consumers are protected by law as well.
I understand the misleading aspect of your argument (when I bought the phone some reps told me things I knew were false), but a petition will probably net you nothing but frustration.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA App
It does not hurt to try....
2kgt said:
The amount of entitlement some people think they deserve never ceases to amaze me.
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Spot-on with the comment. It's why we're falling so far behind... "I was a victim because I didn't read my mortgage contract" ... always looking to play victim.
If someone doesn't like the upload cap, go to another provider.
zizo79 said:
Consumers are protected by law as well.
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You don't have to be rude.
I was merely pointing out that with the new law change, ATT has the right to cap their upload speeds. But since you insist on being that way. Good luck with your ignorant and petty petition which will inevitably go no where.
Peace
zizo79 said:
Whatever...I am entitled to it because I pay for it ! You guys are missing the point and I am glad I do not think the way both of you do. AT&T should cap speeds for eveybody and not do any kind of favoritism.
"I'm guessing you don't follow law" dumbest thing I have heard in a long time..Consumers are protected by law as well.
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You clearly have no understanding of the law. You signed a contract and one of the terms of the contract is that ATT may regulate network speeds as they deem necessary to maintain a healthy network.
They can put a term in there to whatever affect they wish, and if you sign it, you're obligated to it. The ONLY terms they're forbidden to include are those which violate a local\federal\state law, like if they were to impose a $50 late payment fee, that would be against the law. But if they state that they can, at their discretion, limit\throttle\suspend your network access if they determine you're abusing it, it was your CHOICE to sign up for such service, and YOU must comply, otherwise it's YOU who violated the contract, not them.
File a complaint with the FCC and hire an attorney if you don't believe me. Or simply READ your contract rather than spouting unfounded garbage
I do not feel like a victim of any sort...Good luck with your 130-150 kbps speeds.
colbur87 said:
You don't have to be rude.
I was merely pointing out that with the new law change, ATT has the right to cap their upload speeds. But since you insist on being that way. Good luck with your ignorant and petty petition which will inevitably go no where.
Peace
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Good response, anyone who argues that they have a "legal right" to take whatever data they want "because I pay for it" is clearly delusional. It's just immature and so incorrect.
bella92108 said:
You clearly have no understanding of the law. You signed a contract and one of the terms of the contract is that ATT may regulate network speeds as they deem necessary to maintain a healthy network.
They can put a term in there to whatever affect they wish, and if you sign it, you're obligated to it. The ONLY terms they're forbidden to include are those which violate a local\federal\state law, like if they were to impose a $50 late payment fee, that would be against the law. But if they state that they can, at their discretion, limit\throttle\suspend your network access if they determine you're abusing it, it was your CHOICE to sign up for such service, and YOU must comply, otherwise it's YOU who violated the contract, not them.
File a complaint with the FCC and hire an attorney if you don't believe me. Or simply READ your contract rather than spouting unfounded garbage
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Hey OP you got me thinking of signatures now...
/sign this post
zizo79 said:
I do not feel like a victim of any sort...Good luck with your 130-150 kbps speeds.
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130-150kbps speeds? That's random.
bella92108 said:
You clearly have no understanding of the law. You signed a contract and one of the terms of the contract is that ATT may regulate network speeds as they deem necessary to maintain a healthy network.
They can put a term in there to whatever affect they wish, and if you sign it, you're obligated to it. The ONLY terms they're forbidden to include are those which violate a local\federal\state law, like if they were to impose a $50 late payment fee, that would be against the law. But if they state that they can, at their discretion, limit\throttle\suspend your network access if they determine you're abusing it, it was your CHOICE to sign up for such service, and YOU must comply, otherwise it's YOU who violated the contract, not them.
File a complaint with the FCC and hire an attorney if you don't believe me. Or simply READ your contract rather than spouting unfounded garbage
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It will really nice if you point me in their contract where they can do as they wish with their network...lol
colbur87 said:
Hey OP you got me thinking of signatures now...
/sign this post
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Can we sign a petition against self-entitlement petitions? hehe
The universal response in front of the grocery store to "Sir will you sign a petition for _______ cause?" is "Oh, I'm not a registered voter in THIS county" ... sometimes it's better to burry head in sand. hehe
zizo79 said:
It will really nice if you point me in their contract where they can do as they wish with their network...lol
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6.1 What Are The General Terms That Apply To All Data And Messaging Plans? Print this section | Print this page
AT&T provides wireless data and messaging Services, including but not limited to, features that may be used with Data Services and wireless content and applications ("Data Services"). The absolute capacity of the wireless data network is limited. Accordingly, Data Services are only provided for prescribed purposes and pricing for Data Services is device dependent and based on the transmit and receive capacity of each device.
On Data Services with a monthly megabyte (MB) or gigabyte (GB) allowance, once you exceed your monthly allowance you will be automatically charged for overage as specified in the applicable rate plan information. All data allowances, including overages, must be used in the billing period in which the allowance is provided or they will be forfeited.
A pricing plan designated for one type of device may not be used with another device. Compatible data-enabled wireless device required. An Activation Fee may apply for each data line.
The consumer data plan does not allow access to corporate email, company intranet sites, and other business applications. Access to corporate email, company intranet sites, and/or other business applications requires an applicable Enterprise Data plan. Enterprise Email requires an eligible data plan and Device. Terms may vary depending on selected Enterprise Email solution.
AT&T RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TERMINATE YOUR DATA SERVICES WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, UPON EXPIRATION OR TERMINATION OF YOUR WIRELESS CUSTOMER AGREEMENT.
See related links | See all legal
it amazes me to see that you all are not seeing the picture of this petition. Its not to complain about something in the contract. What we are fighting for is the reason WHY our phones are limited in upload speeds when the Iphones have a much higher cap. They are on the same network, same data plans, and yet they have better upload and download. I don't know about you all but when Im paying for a service I expect to get the same treatment as everyone else paying for that same service.
bella92108 said:
6.1 What Are The General Terms That Apply To All Data And Messaging Plans? Print this section | Print this page
AT&T provides wireless data and messaging Services, including but not limited to, features that may be used with Data Services and wireless content and applications ("Data Services"). The absolute capacity of the wireless data network is limited. Accordingly, Data Services are only provided for prescribed purposes and pricing for Data Services is device dependent and based on the transmit and receive capacity of each device.
On Data Services with a monthly megabyte (MB) or gigabyte (GB) allowance, once you exceed your monthly allowance you will be automatically charged for overage as specified in the applicable rate plan information. All data allowances, including overages, must be used in the billing period in which the allowance is provided or they will be forfeited.
A pricing plan designated for one type of device may not be used with another device. Compatible data-enabled wireless device required. An Activation Fee may apply for each data line.
The consumer data plan does not allow access to corporate email, company intranet sites, and other business applications. Access to corporate email, company intranet sites, and/or other business applications requires an applicable Enterprise Data plan. Enterprise Email requires an eligible data plan and Device. Terms may vary depending on selected Enterprise Email solution.
AT&T RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TERMINATE YOUR DATA SERVICES WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, UPON EXPIRATION OR TERMINATION OF YOUR WIRELESS CUSTOMER AGREEMENT.
See related links | See all legal
Click to expand...
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Boom.. very nice bella. I think this thread can be closed now...
zizo79 said:
It will really nice if you point me in their contract where they can do as they wish with their network...lol
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Click to collapse
Oh also this term:
6.11.1 What Are the General Terms that Apply to All DataConnect Plans?
We may, at our discretion, suspend your account if we believe your data usage is excessive, unusual or is better suited to another rate plan. If you are on a data plan that does not include a monthly MB/GB allowance and additional data usage rates, you agree that AT&T has the right to impose additional charges if you use more than 5 GB in a month; provided that, prior to the imposition of any additional charges, AT&T shall provide you with notice and you shall have the right to terminate your Data Service.
http://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/h04zw/fcc_opens_comment_period_for_att_takeover_of/" target="_blank
Looks like the FCC wants to listen to the public for once...
Thoughts?
I am a T-Mobile USA Customer. My contract ends right about the time when the merger should be complete. I personally have mixed thoughts about this merger, mainly because of how much AT&T charges for their plans. I am currently in one of the old 1500 minutes family plan + unlimited mobile to mobile + unlimited nights and weekends + unlimited data + unlimited messaging for $99.99 monthly (this plan doesnt exist anymore)
Honestly, as long as I get to keep my plans as it is and have access to the latest phones at a discounted rate like i am now, I'll be happy.
I can't wait for the merger to go through
The thread is a bit flaky here is the posting from the PDF:
I personally think we ALL NEED TO EMAIL AND MOBARD COMMENTS ABOUT THIS TO THE FCC !!!
IF not then we get what we get---
Here is the public notice:
PUBLIC NOTICE
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
445 TWELFTH STREET, S.W.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554 DA 11-799
News media information 202/418-0500 Fax-On-Demand 202/418-2830 Internet: http://www.fcc.gov ftp.fcc.gov
Released: April 28, 2011
AT&T INC. AND DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG SEEK FCC CONSENT TO THE TRANSFER OF
CONTROL OF THE LICENSES AND AUTHORIZATIONS HELD BY T-MOBILE USA, INC.
AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES TO AT&T INC.
WT Docket No. 11-65
PLEADING CYCLE ESTABLISHED
Petitions To Deny Due: May 31, 2011
Oppositions Due: June 10, 2011
Replies Due: June 20, 2011
I. INTRODUCTION
AT&T Inc. (“AT&T”) and Deutsche Telekom AG (“Deutsche Telekom”) have filed applications
pursuant to sections 214 and 310(d) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended,1 seeking
Commission consent to the transfer of control of the licenses and authorizations held by T-Mobile USA,
Inc. (“T-Mobile USA”) and its wholly-owned, majority-owned, and controlled subsidiaries to AT&T
(AT&T, Deutsche Telekom, and T-Mobile USA are collectively referred to as the “Applicants”).
Specifically, AT&T has agreed to acquire from Deutsche Telekom all of the stock of T-Mobile USA,
subject to obtaining all necessary regulatory approvals.
II. SECTION 310(d) APPLICATIONS
Parts 22, 24, 27, and 101 – Wireless Radio Services Applications
The following applications for consent to the transfer of control of licenses held by certain
subsidiaries of T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom to AT&T have been assigned the file numbers
listed below.
File No. Licensee Lead Call Sign
00046693832 T-Mobile License LLC KNLF202
0004673673 Cook Inlet GSM IV PCS Holdings, LLC KNLF504
0004673727 Powertel Memphis Licenses, Inc. KNLF255
0004673730 SunCom Wireless License Company, LLC KNKN557
0004673732 T-Mobile Puerto Rico LLC KNLF249
1 47 U.S.C. §§ 214, 310(d).
2 This application is the lead application for the wireless radio services.
2
File No. Licensee Lead Call Sign
0004673735 T-Mobile West Corporation KNLF227
0004673737 VoiceStream Pittsburgh, L.P. KNLF242
0004673739 WALLC License, LLC WPNL499
0004675960 CookInlet/VS GSM VII PCS, LLC WQCS389
0004703157 Iowa Wireless Services Holding Corporation KNLG769
Parts 24 and 27 – Wireless Radio Services Applications – De Facto Transfer and Spectrum
Manager Leasing Arrangements
The following applications for consent to the transfer of control of spectrum leasing arrangements
held by certain subsidiaries of T-Mobile USA from Deutsche Telekom to AT&T have been assigned the
file numbers listed below:
File No. Lessee Lead Lease ID
Number
6013CWSL11 T-Mobile License LLC L000008117
6014CWSL11 T-Mobile License LLC L000008120
6015ALSL11 Iowa Wireless Services Holding Corporation L000001014
6016CWSL11 Iowa Wireless Services Holding Corporation L000001109
0004698766 Iowa Wireless Services Holding Corporation L000007750
III. SECTION 214 AUTHORIZATIONS
The following application for consent to the transfer of control of international section 214
authorizations held by T-Mobile USA and certain of its subsidiaries from Deutsche Telekom to AT&T
have been assigned the file numbers listed below.
File No. Authorization Holder Authorization Number
ITC-T/C-20110421-00109 Iowa Wireless Services Holding
Corporation
ITC-214-20020513-00251
ITC-T/C-20110421-00110 T-Mobile Puerto Rico LLC ITC-214-20070626-00246
ITC-T/C-20110421-00111 T-Mobile USA, Inc. ITC-214-20061004-00452
ITC-T/C-20110421-00112 T-Mobile USA, Inc. ITC-214-19960930-00473
IV. EX PARTE STATUS OF THIS PROCEEDING
Pursuant to section 1.1200(a) of the Commission’s rules,3 the Commission may adopt modified or
more stringent ex parte procedures in particular proceedings if the public interest so requires.4 We have
3 47 C.F.R. § 1.1200(a).
4 On February 1, 2011, the Commission adopted a Report and Order amending and revising the Commission’s rules
on ex parte presentations. Amendment of the Commission’s Ex Parte Rules and Other Procedural Rules, GC
Docket No. 10-43, Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 11-11 (rel. Feb. 2, 2011).
The revised rules are awaiting publication in the Federal Register, and are not yet effective.
3
previously announced that this proceeding will be governed by permit-but-disclose ex parte procedures
that are applicable to non-restricted proceedings under section 1.1206 of the Commission’s rules.5
Parties making oral ex parte presentations are directed to the Commission’s statement
reemphasizing the public’s responsibility in permit-but-disclose proceedings and are reminded that
memoranda summarizing the presentation must contain the presentation’s substance and not merely list the
subjects discussed.6 More than a one- or two-sentence description of the views and arguments presented is
generally required.7 Other rules pertaining to oral and written presentations are set forth in section
1.1206(b) as well.8 We urge parties to use the Electronic Comment Filing System (“ECFS”) to file ex
parte submissions.9
V. REQUESTS FOR EX PARTE MEETINGS
All requests for meetings with Commission staff regarding this Docket should be made online,
using the link at http://www.fcc.gov/transaction/att-tmobile_exparte-meeting-request/. Those
who lack Internet access may direct their requests to Morasha Younger, Spectrum and Competition
Policy Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, 202.418.1203.
VI. GENERAL INFORMATION
The transfer of control applications referenced herein have been found, upon initial review, to be
acceptable for filing. The Commission reserves the right to return any application if, upon further
examination, it is determined to be defective and not in conformance with the Commission’s rules or
policies. Final action on these applications will not be taken earlier than thirty-one days following the
date of this Public Notice.10
Interested parties must file petitions to deny no later than May 31, 2011. Persons and entities that
file petitions to deny become parties to the proceeding. They may participate fully in the proceeding,
including seeking access to any confidential information that may be filed under a protective order,
seeking reconsideration of decisions, and filing appeals of a final decision to the courts. Oppositions to
such pleadings must be filed no later than June 10, 2011. Replies to such pleadings must be filed no later
than June 20, 2011. All filings concerning matters referenced in this Public Notice should refer to DA
11-799 and WT Docket No. 11-65, as well as the specific file numbers of the individual applications or
other matters to which the filings pertain.
To allow the Commission to consider fully all substantive issues regarding the Applications in
as timely and efficient a manner as possible, petitioners and commenters should raise all issues in
5 47 C.F.R. § 1.1206; see Commission Opens Docket for Proposed Transfer of Control of T-Mobile USA, Inc. and
Its Subsidiaries From Deutsche Telekom AG to AT&T Inc., WT Docket No. 11-65, Public Notice, DA 11-673 (rel.
Apr. 14, 2011); Commission Announces That the Applications Proposing the Transfer of Control of the Licenses
and Authorizations Held by T-Mobile USA, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries From Deutsche Telekom AG to AT&T Inc.
Have Been Filed and Permit-But-Disclose Ex Parte Procedures Now Apply, WT Docket No. 11-65, Public Notice,
DA 11-722 (rel. Apr. 22, 2011).
6 See Commission Emphasizes the Public’s Responsibilities in Permit-But-Disclose Proceedings, Public Notice, 15
FCC Rcd 19945 (2000).
7 See 47 C.F.R. § 1.1206(b)(2).
8 Id. § 1.1206(b).
9 See discussion infra Part VI.
10 See 47 U.S.C. § 309(b).
4
their initial filings. New issues may not be raised in responses or replies.11 A party or interested
person seeking to raise a new issue after the pleading cycle has closed must show good cause why it
was not possible for it to have raised the issue previously. Submissions after the pleading cycle has
closed that seek to raise new issues based on new facts or newly discovered facts should be filed
within 15 days after such facts are discovered. Absent such a showing of good cause, any issues not
timely raised may be disregarded by the Commission.
Under the Commission’s current procedures for the submission of filings and other documents,12
submissions in this matter may be filed electronically (i.e., through ECFS) or by hand delivery to the
Commission.
· If filed by ECFS,13 comments shall be sent as an electronic file via the Internet to
http://www.fcc.gov/e-file/ecfs.html. In completing the transmittal screen, commenters should
include their full name, U.S. Postal Service mailing address, and the applicable docket number.
Parties may also submit an electronic comment by Internet e-mail.
· If filed by paper, the original and four copies of each filing must be filed by hand or messenger
delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or overnight U.S. Postal Service mail.
All hand-delivered or messenger-delivered paper filings for the Commission’s Secretary must be
delivered to FCC Headquarters at 445 12th Street, S.W., Room TW-A325, Washington, D.C.
20554. The filing hours at this location are 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. All hand deliveries must be
held together with rubber bands or fasteners. Any envelopes must be disposed of before entering
the building. Commercial overnight mail (other than U.S. Postal Service Express Mail and
Priority Mail) must be sent to 9300 East Hampton Drive, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. U.S.
Postal Service first-class, Express, and Priority mail should be addressed to 445 12th Street, S.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20554. All filings must be addressed to the Commission’s Secretary, Office of
the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission.
One copy of each pleading must be delivered electronically, by e-mail or facsimile, or if delivered
as paper copy, by hand or messenger delivery, by commercial overnight courier, or by first-class or
overnight U.S. Postal Service mail (according to the procedures set forth above for paper filings), to:
(1) the Commission’s duplicating contractor, Best Copy and Printing, Inc., at [email protected] or
(202) 488-5563 (facsimile); (2) Kathy Harris, Mobility Division, Wireless Telecommunications Bureau
(WTB), at [email protected] or (202) 418-7447 (facsimile); (3) Kate Matraves, Spectrum and
Competition Policy Division, WTB, at [email protected] or (202) 418-7447 (facsimile);
(4) Jim Bird, Office of General Counsel, at [email protected] or (202) 418-1234 (facsimile); and
(5) David Krech, Policy Division, International Bureau, at [email protected] or (202) 418-2824
(facsimile). Any submission that is e-mailed to Best Copy and Printing, Kathy Harris, Kate Matraves, Jim
Bird, and David Krech should include in the subject line of the e-mail: (1) WT Docket No. 11-65; (2) the
name of the submitting party; and (3) a brief description or title identifying the type of document being
submitted (e.g., WT Docket No. 11-65, Widget Corp., Notice of Ex Parte Communication).
Copies of the application and any subsequently-filed documents in this matter may be obtained
from Best Copy and Printing, Inc. in person at 445 12th Street, S.W., Room CY-B402, Washington, D.C.
20554, via telephone at (202) 488-5300, via facsimile at (202) 488-5563, or via e-mail at
11 See 47 C.F.R. §1.45(c).
12 See FCC Announces Change in Filing Location for Paper Documents, Public Notice, 24 FCC Rcd 14312 (2009).
13 See Electronic Filing of Documents in Rulemaking Proceedings, GC Docket No. 97-113, Report and Order, 13
FCC Rcd 11322 (1998).
5
[email protected]. The application and any associated documents are also available for public
inspection and copying during normal reference room hours at the following Commission office: FCC
Reference Information Center, 445 12th Street, S.W., Room CY-A257, Washington, D.C. 20554. The
application is also available electronically through ECFS, which may be accessed on the Commission’s
Internet website at http://www.fcc.gov. In addition, the applications are available electronically through
ULS, which may be accessed on the Commission’s Internet website. Additional information regarding
the proposed transaction will be available on the FCC’s Office of General Counsel’s AT&T/T-Mobile
website, http://www.fcc.gov/transaction/att-tmobile.html, which will contain an unofficial listing and
electronic copies of materials in this matter.
To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print,
electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to [email protected] or call the Consumer and Governmental
Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice) or (202) 418-0432 (TTY). Contact the FCC to request
reasonable accommodations for filing comments (accessible format documents, sign language
interpreters, CART, etc.) by e-mail: [email protected]; phone: (202) 418-0530; or TTY: (202) 418-0432.
For further information, send an email to AT&[email protected]
-FCC
I've been a T-Mobile customer for seven or eight years now and have never regretted a moment of it. These people have always gone above and beyond to make me feel like I was worth something to them as a customer and a person. I haven't had to contact them often, but when I did, I always knew I would hang up the phone with a smile on my face. T-Mobile US has one of the best customer service departments in the world in terms of customer satisfaction. If I were planning to commit suicide, I would probably call T-Mobile, since I know they would be able to talk me down.
On the flip side of this is AT&T, with whom I've had some of the worst customer service and just service in general in all of my life. I started out with my first cellular device through Cingular Wireless. I wouldn't say they were the best service (they were far from it), but most of my friends and family were on the network and it was in the early days of the talk for free within the network deals. AT&T came along a few years later and ruined any creditability Cingular Wireless had provided me. When the networks in my area finally were updated to EDGE through AT&T, I immediately began having problems with dropped calls and spastic data rates. Calling to complain about this service garnered me a generic response from them along the lines of "What do you want me to do about it?" The customer should not be the one who suggests that the cellular connection to the tower needs to be reset.
After a full year of waiting out my contract and the remainder of my patience with them, I began searching for an alternative solution. I narrowed down my list to All-Tel and T-Mobile for their outstanding customer service. T-Mobile won me over, since, at the time, I was using my HP iPAQ hw6945 (HTC Sable), and needed a GSM network. Since that day, I have constantly raved about their phenomenal customer service, support and network speed. I was also blown away by their astonishingly competitive pricing.
I am currently paying the same $50 for service that I was when I signed up initially. I have a plan consisting of 1000 minutes a month (I can't think of a time when I would ever need more than that), unlimited text, and unlimited data ($30+$10+$10). This data plan also includes tethering for free. I haven't been under a contract with them since the first year I was with them, as it was required. I have never been hassled about updating my terms of service, or anything of the sort. It has been one completely happy ride other than the spotty 3G coverage which has been growing rapidly.
With all of this considered, I must say that I am completely shocked and appalled that the company is being sold off to the only other GSM network in the country with a national footprint: AT&T. Though the transaction isn't completely finalized yet, I see no reason why the FCC would oppose this as they also let Verizon's "Net Neutrality" rules pass, even though they were completely one-sided.
Other than customer service from AT&T (or lack thereof, rather), this also presents yet another problem for the customers of T-Mobile: 4G. We will now be set to move into AT&T's field of using LTE instead of HSPA+ or WiMax for our 4G coverage. For those of you who don't already know, LTE is not the happy trail to the Internet you may think.
The LTE standard was designed with carriers in mind, not consumers. This means that the format allows carriers to control the content they show you. You will begin seeing tiered data plans with access to partial content coming as soon as the networks expand. For example, if you decide to get the cheapest data plan, you will not only be limited in maximum data caps, but also certain things like YouTube may be filtered out of your service because you would have to pay extra for it. AT&T and Verizon have already come out and said that this will happen with services like Skype and YouTube. WiMax does not allow any of this as it was intended to be an open format set up with end users in mind. HSPA+ simply doesn't support the concept.
Am I the only one concerned here? I think if this does go through, I'll be booking it over the Sprint. I am not fond of CDMA networks, but it's FAR better than the alternative.
Sources:
Lots of good LTE vs. WiMax links in this thread
AT&T/T-Mobile US acquisition details
Sprint welcomes you wimax all the way unless u live in a basement then ur screwed
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA Premium App
I have been a T-Mobile customer since the release of the Samsung Vibrant (so about 7 months or so). I have gone from that device to the G2 to the Mytouch 4G and now own a Nexus S, while not on contract, I still enjoy T-Mobile, the price is great and I do not need a contract. AT&T is promising that no one with a contract will have to change their contract, but what about me? I am one of those people that dislike a long term commitment, especially since I cannot see myself using a device longer than a year. I also cannot afford to be tied to a contract, I enjoy the service it's fast and very reliable. AT&T would make me either get a 2 year contract or take a hike, which is ridiculous. The idea that every single T-Mobile subscriber will go to AT&T and form THE biggest number of subscribers is ludicrous. I doubt people will be willing to pay the price that AT&T has for this "super network" mostly due to the fact that their service is downright dreadful, and extremely expensive, plus the majority, if not all devices that T-Mobile users own... most likely are not going to be compatible with the new Network, meaning we will also need new devices.
In all I think this shouldn't happen, it would also be unfair to the competition and to me and several other people, who rely on this great, cost friendly service. I hope this doesn't happen because if this does, I seriously don't know which network to turn to, their prices are just that great.
This deal to me, who is a tmobile usa customer is some BS. First of all if this deal goes through, and I am forced by AT&T to upgrade b/c tmobile cell towers are turned off or changed to a different frequency, i will be screwed b/c there is no way in hell i would be able to pay for an at&t plan or even worst will be forced to stay with my current phone but probably only receive edge signal instead of 3g/4g signal. The whole reason i left Verizon and went to Tmobile is b/c its significantly cheaper than Verizon and also cheaper than AT&T and the service is good.
Second AT&T claims that this merger will stimulate the economy but how would it when tmobile employees will be layed off b/c a lot of employees at tmobile will have the same jobs as AT&T employees, so instead of AT&T paying 2 people to do 1 job, they will most likely lay off the Tmobile employees. how is laying off employees going to stimulate and help grow economy in USA.
Third if the FCC allow this deal to go through then we in the USA will be left with one GSM carrier, forming a monopoly in the GSM field in the USA, so that means AT&T will be able to up the price of plans, phones and etc., b/c they are the only GSM carrier left and for all of us who only won't GSM phones we will be screwed b/c we won't have any other option but to pay what AT&T says b/c they have a monopoly. Also I think the FCC should take into account that the reason why phone prices/plans are the way they are is b/c there are 4 major carriers, by reducing it to 3, that means less competition, and when there is less competition the customers feel the pain of that. I don't think they want to force people to decide which to choose between "Food" or "having a cellphone" b/c as it is, our economy here in the States is in harsh times, people are losing jobs and for the people who have jobs, wages aren't going up, so if a cell phone company raises prices, then people will be screwed b/c of this harsh economy and will be forced to have to make cut backs to save money and one of those just might be having a cell phone.
I hope FCC that no one but at&t will benefit from this deal and not consumers.
For anyone that wants to read an article that looks at it from both points of view check this link out: http://thisismynext.com/2011/04/26/att-t-mobile-usa-case-merger/
the person who wrote article, wrote it beautifully and looks at a lot of details about the merger.
just posed to stop merger
I switched to T-Mo to get away from att, their expensive plans and bad service (customer service and radio reception).
Too bad the form needs you to identify yourself publicly.
NOTE: The filing you are making is a public filing.
Any information that you submit will be available to the general public.
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I have been with AT&T since Novemeber 3, 1995 when I bought my first phone at Best Buy. I still have the receipt. I was still in college at the time. Back then customer service was very good. You could switch your plan any month with no contract extensions. You could get a discount on a phone every year. And your contract was only 1 year with each phone purchase.
Then cingular came. I had heard of rollover minutes and was excited to have them. Then, after accumulating about 8000 rollover minutes I wanted to lower my plan, since I obvously was paying for more than I needed. Cingular wanted me to extend my contract for 2 years, and lose almost all of my rollover minutes. Instead, I kept my existing plan and filed a complaint at bbb.org. Then cingular contacted me. They ended up letting me lower my plan and keep all the rollover minutes and I did not need to extend my contract. But, I should not have needed to do this. Cingular support was horrible.
I had stuck with them, because I like my phone number. Now there is number portability, so this is not an issue.
Since then Cingular became AT&T again. AT&T coverage used to always be the best in some areas that I would vacation and was great where I lived. I have been considering switching to T-Mobile for a long time, but I get bored with my phone and ugrade after 18 months, which extends my contact for 2 years. Now the fees to break the contract early are $350, minus $10 for every month you are with them, with a sudden drop to $0 after 2 full years. This is alot more than it used to be.
I am locked with AT&T for a little more than a year. They no longer have an unlimited data plan, unless you are grandfathered in. There is now only a $10 text message plan or pay as you go. Not sure why they can't just count a text as 1 minute, or even 2 minutes. Not that any carrier does that, but effectively the prepaid plans give you that.
I had not cared much about my bill for the last 3 years, because I have been able to expense it to work and get reimbursed. That is potentially changing. If not for the pending merger, I would consider paying to prematurely cancel and switch to AT&T. I never understood why carriers didn't offer to pay the cancellation fee to get new users and bill something monthly or tack it onto the new cancelation fee or require more time based on the amount paid.
Not having competition is only going to give AT&T no reason to lower their prices or work harder for the consumers.
But this merger will not stimulate or hurt the economy. No one will not have a cell phone as a result of this. Paying 2 people to do the same thing makes no sense. Employing someone simply for the sake of giving someone a job does not help the economy or anyone in the long term. It just creates complacency. The stimulating factor is that if the person let go has talent, then that talent will eventually be consumed by another company in potentially a whole new industry that does not exist. It really sucks to be that person initially though. If call centers were already operating at full capacity, then they will still need the full amount of staff. In malls, there will be just 1 store instead of 2. Landlords will be collecting less rent. Total tower usage is not going to go down. So, the same number of workers to maintain them will be needed. I suspect towers will be outfitted to handle all frequencies of AT&T and T-Mobile, so this will require additional workers. It is really going to just be a shifting around of who has a job and who doesn't, but the net will be virtually no change.
In the end though consumer choice is really being hurt. I am normally all about the free market taking care of itself, but we know this does not work in monopoly or near monopoly situations.
Because this will hurt consumers and it effectively becomes a monopoly, I am against this merger.
Im a jobless man, have a three year old phone (though Im a tech-loving guy and desperately want to upgrade my device) and use internet (google voice and skype) for making calls. However I needed a phone number to put on my job application forms and to recieve calls from the employers. I couldnt afford the post-paid packages of any network so I thought about prepaid. After alot of research, I found that T-mobile has the most affordable prepaid package ($10 for 30 minutes valid for 3 months). So Im using this cheapest available plan now. Im really afraid that if I dont get a job and this great company is taken over by AT&T , what would happen to me and many others like me. Im married, have children and cant afford paying big phone bills. GOD help us.
PixoNova said:
I can't wait for the merger to go through
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+1 ... I also am hoping it will happen. Canned T-Mobile and now am exclusively AT&T. AT&T needs the bandwidth to advance their 4G/LTE network. Let T-Mobile be gobbled up with ferocity!
Just posted stop the Merger!
MartyLK said:
+1 ... I also am hoping it will happen. Canned T-Mobile and now am exclusively AT&T. AT&T needs the bandwidth to advance their 4G/LTE network. Let T-Mobile be gobbled up with ferocity!
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the whole thing about bandwidth is a bunch of baloney, AT&T have so much spectrum through there last merger, that they are not using a lot of there bandwidth. The reason why they need tmobile is b/c tmobile spectrum/radio frequencies are mostly unified on similar frequencies, so it would be most cost effective and cheaper to just by tmobile and use there network which is more unified and change it into LTE rather than using there own AT&T network; whose network refrequencies are not unified.
For AT&T to actual go LTE without using Tmobile network they would have to first unify there radio frequency then go LTE which would cost them to much money.
I am against this merger, "ma bell" is trying to buy her way to recreate the "empire"
their symbol looks like the death star for a reason
If the merge happens then that means htc sensation will be available for at&t??? If so, I cant wait for the merge to happen. Yipppeeeekayay!
mjmonsada said:
If the merge happens then that means htc sensation will be available for at&t??? If so, I cant wait for the merge to happen. Yipppeeeekayay!
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you forgot the MF
im against the "merger". att has plenty of bandwith and i dont think people with tmobile want to go from good customer service to none at all. im just glad i have verizon with a real 4g lte network and not att's 4g (which is just hspa). if anyone on tmobile is considering switching carriers, well ill just give you a glimpse into what verizons 4g is like
m356f1 said:
im against the "merger". att has plenty of bandwith and i dont think people with tmobile want to go from good customer service to none at all. im just glad i have verizon with a real 4g lte network and not att's 4g (which is just hspa). if anyone on tmobile is considering switching carriers, well ill just give you a glimpse into what verizons 4g is like
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That speed was amazing but to be fair, we won't know if Verizon LTE will remain as fast as it is now, until they have more people on LTE using there network, then lets see how fast there speeds are.
I'm thinking one will be started soon based on I believe that it's a breach of contact based on the termed "Unlimited" Data.
If you look up Unlimited you get the following definition.
1: lacking any controls : unrestricted <unlimited access>
2: boundless, infinite <unlimited possibilities>
3: not bounded by exceptions : undefined
So by AT&T controlling just Unlimited data users rate speeds, seems like a breach of contract. Anyone care to give some insight?
there was petition and i have thread somewhere.
specter07 said:
I'm thinking one will be started soon based on I believe that it's a breach of contact based on the termed "Unlimited" Data.
If you look up Unlimited you get the following definition.
1: lacking any controls : unrestricted <unlimited access>
2: boundless, infinite <unlimited possibilities>
3: not bounded by exceptions : undefined
So by AT&T controlling just Unlimited data users rate speeds, seems like a breach of contract. Anyone care to give some insight?
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specter07 said:
I'm thinking one will be started soon based on I believe that it's a breach of contact based on the termed "Unlimited" Data.
If you look up Unlimited you get the following definition.
1: lacking any controls : unrestricted <unlimited access>
2: boundless, infinite <unlimited possibilities>
3: not bounded by exceptions : undefined
So by AT&T controlling just Unlimited data users rate speeds, seems like a breach of contract. Anyone care to give some insight?
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Look up all of the terms of the contract. The dictionary definition is completely irrelevant when talking in legal terms, where any word can be defined far differently than it seems to be in the real world. Unlimited probably comes with a whole slew of stipulations and limitations laid out in the contract, including throttling "to maintain quality of service for its customers". Unless you can find somewhere where they advertised and left out an asterisk and/or the fine print, you're boned.
Yup
appdroid said:
there was petition and i have thread somewhere.
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I saw that, I signed it also. Sad thing is that it needs 20,000 people and I have number 120 something.
Here's the thing, they aren't doing anything to your "unlimited" data. They are throttling your speed not your access to the data itself. According to them you can still use as much as you want it's just at a laughable speed. This is all done to, what they hope, make you switch to the 4 gb plan.
While what they as a company are doing to us with the unlimited plan is ridiculous and shouldn't be allowed, I'm not convinced anything can be done about it other then moving companies. I for one will be taking my internet plan to another provider.
Wow, so where are you going to jump ship to. All other carriers have the same plans as At&t. Oh, and if you thinking of going to Sprint I would not their internet speeds are the worst. Just out of curiousity how much is your unlimited data plan anyway?
Sent from my HTC Flyer P510e using XDA App
don't go to sprint. We still get better internet speed with different APN while throttle compare with sprint.
the unlimited plan I signed up for was for the iphone at 30.00 per month. I get to keep that rate for an unlimited plan for the skyrocket.
And I did say internet service not phone service would be moved. I live in San Francisco so it's not like i don't have options for a new isp
Same here, I have the $30.00 a month unlimited plan.
In the legal world, words are open to interpretation unless otherwise noted. So basically going to have to look back to the unlimited plan contract and see if they have anything about restricting speeds.
As far as them not doing anything to my unlimited plan they are. They are restricting me how I use it. Before there were no restrictions on how you use your unlimited plan, now they are restricting my speed to the point where its unusable. I went from downloading 20 + mbps to 0.12 mbps and I've tried switching to HSPA+ but can't seem to get it to work. I've tired about 5 different methods that are posted here and on goggle and nothing, phone wont get a connection.
Also they are only throttling a specific group of people. Now if they did this to every data plan then it would be a different story but since it's only grandfathered unlimited data users I'm sure that would help in the Suit.
This is the one clause that pretty much protects them
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-ph...Are The Limitations On Service And Liability?
Unless prohibited by law, the following limitations of liability apply. Service may be interrupted, delayed, or otherwise limited for a variety of reasons, including environmental conditions, unavailability of radio frequency channels, system capacity, priority access by National Security and Emergency Preparedness personnel in the event of a disaster or emergency, coordination with other systems, equipment modifications and repairs, and problems with the facilities of interconnecting carriers. We may block access to certain categories of numbers (e.g., 976, 900, and international destinations) at our sole discretion.
Additional hardware, software, subscription, credit or debit card, Internet access from your compatible PC and/or special network connection may be required and you are solely responsible for arranging for or obtaining all such requirements. Some solutions may require third party products and/or services, which are subject to any applicable third party terms and conditions and may require separate purchase from and/or agreement with the third party provider. AT&T is not responsible for any consequential damages caused in any way by the preceding hardware, software or other items/requirements for which you are responsible.
Not all plans or Services are available for purchase or use in all sales channels, in all areas or with all devices. AT&T is not responsible for loss or disclosure of any sensitive information you transmit. AT&T's wireless services are not equivalent to wireline Internet. AT&T is not responsible for nonproprietary services or their effects on devices.
We may, but do not have the obligation to, refuse to transmit any information through the Services and may screen and delete information prior to delivery of that information to you. There are gaps in service within the Services areas shown on coverage maps, which, by their nature, are only approximations of actual coverage.
WE DO NOT GUARANTEE YOU UNINTERRUPTED SERVICE OR COVERAGE. WE CANNOT ASSURE YOU THAT IF YOU PLACE A 911 CALL YOU WILL BE FOUND. AIRTIME AND OTHER SERVICE CHARGES APPLY TO ALL CALLS, INCLUDING INVOLUNTARILY TERMINATED CALLS. AT&T MAKES NO WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, SUITABILITY, ACCURACY, SECURITY, OR PERFORMANCE REGARDING ANY SERVICES, SOFTWARE OR GOODS, AND IN NO EVENT SHALL AT&T BE LIABLE, WHETHER OR NOT DUE TO ITS OWN NEGLIGENCE, for any:
act or omission of a third party;
mistakes, omissions, interruptions, errors, failures to transmit, delays, or defects in the Services or Software provided by or through us;
damage or injury caused by the use of Services, Software, or Device, including use in a vehicle;
claims against you by third parties;
damage or injury caused by a suspension or termination of Services or Software by AT&T; or
damage or injury caused by failure or delay in connecting a call to 911 or any other emergency service.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if your Service is interrupted for 24 or more continuous hours by a cause within our control, we will issue you, upon request, a credit equal to a pro-rata adjustment of the monthly Service fee for the time period your Service was unavailable, not to exceed the monthly Service fee. Our liability to you for Service failures is limited solely to the credit set forth above.
Unless prohibited by law, AT&T isn't liable for any indirect, special, punitive, incidental or consequential losses or damages you or any third party may suffer by use of, or inability to use, Services, Software, or Devices provided by or through AT&T, including loss of business or goodwill, revenue or profits, or claims of personal injuries.
To the full extent allowed by law, you hereby release, indemnify, and hold AT&T and its officers, directors, employees and agents harmless from and against any and all claims of any person or entity for damages of any nature arising in any way from or relating to, directly or indirectly, service provided by AT&T or any person's use thereof (including, but not limited to, vehicular damage and personal injury), INCLUDING CLAIMS ARISING IN WHOLE OR IN PART FROM THE ALLEGED NEGLIGENCE OF AT&T, or any violation by you of this Agreement. This obligation shall survive termination of your Service with AT&T. AT&T is not liable to you for changes in operation, equipment, or technology that cause your Device or Software to be rendered obsolete or require modification.
SOME STATES, INCLUDING THE STATE OF KANSAS, DON'T ALLOW DISCLAIMERS OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR LIMITS ON REMEDIES FOR BREACH. THEREFORE, THE ABOVE LIMITATIONS OR EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THIS AGREEMENT GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, AND YOU MAY HAVE OTHER RIGHTS WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.
00mred00
That protects them now, but I want to see my original contract from when I got my data plan back several years ago.
Oh I agree.. but...you renewed your contract just like I did and we became subject to those new terms. They also have a "right to change terms" in there somewhere...and it has been there for years. Unfortunately unlike credit cards, I don't think there is anything mandating they have to notify you of the changes.
At least with sprint we had the option to opt out without penalty if certain things were changed
specter07 said:
00mred00
That protects them now, but I want to see my original contract from when I got my data plan back several years ago.
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Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using XDA App
No breach of contract because you still have unlimited data. U signed a contract for unlim data usuage not speed. Take your little dictionary terms and shove em you know where. All these threads have on them anymore are people crying about data. Can you find something better to do with your lives? Probably not
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
...says the idiot who attacks people on forums because his mommy didn't love him enough.
Ok people. Enough flaming ...... agree to disagree. But that is correct they can throttle all they want. Att and vzw have fast lte. But throttleing. Sprint has unlimited and does not throttle but there speeds are so slow its like being throttled 24/7
Where can i sign the petition?
Can someone please post a link for the petition or a class action lawsuit?
Thanks
p.s i'm a newbb lol
When I get home I'll post it for you.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium
I created the thread for petition and Here it is.
super8sean said:
Can someone please post a link for the petition or a class action lawsuit?
Thanks
p.s i'm a newbb lol
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While I agree with the petition and think that AT&T are being miserly with their usage caps, that kind of petition won't get you anywhere. Class action law suits need lawyers, consumer advocates, media savvy activists, and the like. You could have a million signers to some non-binding online petition and a judge wouldn't give a crap.
A petition can help gauge interest before moving forward with a legal team, etc. I don't care much about the throttle issue but I'm definitely interested in joining a class action lawsuit against Samsung for the screen issue.
http://gizmodo.com/t-mobile-will-stop-customers-abusing-unlimited-data-1727652180
Will this mean that T-Mobile will no longer be truly unlimited? The article states that T-Mobile has software to track whether excessive data users are taking advantage of the system by modifying their devices to hide tether. So stop me if I'm wrong but being able to tell what data you view, stream, or use would be invasion of privacy. And I believe it's illegal for the carriers to monitor what data content is. So by throttling a user for so called cheating the system would mean submitting evidence that they ,the carrier, has invaded the subscribers privacy. And didn't AT&T get fined $100 by the FCC recently for throttling unlimited users due to breach of contract? Check out this article, its a good read......
http://gizmodo.com/t-mobile-will-stop-customers-abusing-unlimited-data-1727652180
That only applies to the USA. European Privacy laws dictate that providers are not allowed to see the details of data usage. Deutsche Telekom and all T-Mobile branches in Europe can not, and will not block or track users based on data usage. If they do they face an instant seize and desist from the EU high court on all assets, the charges being direct violation of EU privacy laws.
A few providers tried to ban tethering for a while a couple of years ago, but thanks to Neelie Kroes they got a hefty fine and we got a law that prevents them from limiting specific services.
Besides, do we even have unlimited 4G data plans in Europe? Low-speed 3G maybe, but not 4G.
This is mild compared to the actual level of spying that US providers do. Did you know they can even see what apps their users have installed and, if they're internet-using apps, how many times they use them? Lots of cases where users had warranty service refused because an app that required root access was running on their phones. They've even got the right to remotely remove apps from a user's phone without informing the user. It's terrifying to think that people actually tolerate such a thing...