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Starting tomorrow Verizon is charging unreasonable rates for all new customers, i.e. only 2 GB a month for their $30 data plan and $10/gb over that. AT&T charges $35/month for 2GB. Combined with LTE/4G speeds, not to mention the growing popularity of Netflix and streaming music apps, I find it incredible that the carriers have the nerve to charge so much for so little.
The carriers claim these bandwidth quotas are based on "average" usage. So how about we fight back and help raise this average as much as possible? For now anyway, Verizon has grandfathered in existing customers with $30/mo "unlimited" data plans. I think it is the duty of every one of us with the unlimited plan to try and use as much bandwidth as possible. This will increase the averages that the carriers claim to look at when setting their quotas.
I came here asking for someone to make a "use tons of bandwidth" application that just downloads things at random and discards the data 24/7, with user-settable speed limits for upload and download speeds etc. Come to think of it though, we could just play streaming radio nonstop and it would probably seem like legitimate usage that way too. Too bad today's streaming radio apps probably don't let you open up multiple streams at once since that wouldn't really make sense under normal circumstances.
The bottom line is we as a community need to come up with a way to fight back against the greedy carriers before it's too late. 2GB a month quota is completely and utterly ridiculous when i.e. Verizon is making billions of profits each quarter. These carriers need a little help from us to realize there's more to life than being greedy and taxing customers at every possible opportunity!
I used 64 gb last month if that helps. I couldn't agree more with you about the bull**** data tiered plan. I am with Verizon for now but I can definitely see sprint gaining more customers in the next coming months.
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This is exactly why I love sprint
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that's unbelievably stupid theses carrier services are getting wayyy out of control. Charges here and there that's why i like sprint. ****ty service at times, but they really love your business.
I'm from Kansas City (Sprint WHQ), up until now I've avoided them because it seems everyone in town has worked for them multiple times, and like many big companies they do constant layoffs... But for an honest unmetered plan I'm willing to look the other way I suppose ;-)
Another reason to say FU to those carriers...come over to Sprint, unlimited means unlimited and the CEO has even gone on TV recently and said ti will stay that way.
I have a prepaid tmobile account and last month i used 7gigs of data
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Does anyone know a way to stop the data throttling that actually works?
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One can only wish.
Method that works...
The only method that I know that works is not to exceed your data allocation. Certainly would be nice if we could get around that. But I'll bet any exploit someone could come up with would quickly be foiled by TMO.
RiverCity.45 said:
The only method that I know that works is not to exceed your data allocation. Certainly would be nice if we could get around that. But I'll bet any exploit someone could come up with would quickly be foiled by TMO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is not really a way around throttling. It just suggests you deal with the data limitations of tmo, Verizon and att. Well...I disagree!
Now, the answer to your original question is, in fact, that you cannot stop tmo's throttling. However, a possible solution to this problem (at least here in the states) is to exercise some of your consumer power and leave these companies. The only major US provider not capping data is SPRINT! Or, you can deal with it by augmenting some of your data usage by using wifi more often. In reality though this is only a problem for the extreme power user. I've never had the issue myself and I use data heavy apps and tasks but I also use wifi a lot (on 5GB cap).
Well I am not willing to go to sprint because all they do is rip people off so I guess I just have to deal with the 5 gig limit.
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chadrick.7 said:
Well I am not willing to go to sprint because all they do is rip people off so I guess I just have to deal with the 5 gig limit.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
5 gig
Man, you are a heavy user...!!
The throttling is done by the hardware at each provider - so you would need to hack their systems... Nothing you can do on your phone - really, nothing!!
- mwie -
I called tmo and talked very polite to the retention lady and she put me on the prefered android unlimited data for $20 a month which has no cap I use around 6-7 gb (mostly work) and have never been throttled back
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after review... I need to call retention.. lol
From what I read over in the other thread, calling retention would help you get the $20 android preferred plan. Only problem is they still cap it after 5GB. No big deal for me since I was paying $20 for 2GB.
I already have the android preferred plan it is still throttled at 5 gigs.
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5 Gb ??
I am managing just fine with 500 Mb (Orange UK). At home and at work I am on wireless.
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chadrick.7 said:
I already have the android preferred plan it is still throttled at 5 gigs.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I called and spoke to a rep and got a full-on description of this whole deal.
First, they're not going to acknowledge the plan exists most often then not because it technically "doesn't exist". I have seen screen shots that say otherwise but it is something they can put on but it still contains a 5gb cap.
IN FACT, and he offered to send me documentation to suffice, the old plans that claimed to be 100% unlimited were also capped... the thing is, no one hardly went over 5gb. I also do not know the parameters on what or how they catch the overage, but he said they were once more liberal with the soft cap then they use to be because they indeed advertised as "unlimited".
Recently they changed their language and they changed how their plans appeared to be more transparent on what their plans actually offered... most data plans were filtered into the 2gb cap territory and some ole faithfuls got "transferred" to a 5gb soft cap "unlimited" plan...
Again, the 5gb cap has always existed...
He did however tell me we could do some changes on my plan, reconfigure it and I could get a 10gb cap for the same price I'm paying now... however, it's on my lunch... and I didn't feel like dealing with it at the moment.
However, I think I'm still verizon bound in November... I'll only have to pay one ETF. To think that my loyalty all this time was based on "wording" of "unlimited everything" was complete popycock.
I've been throttled 2 out of the past 3 months. It's never happened before and I haven't changed my usage habits. It seems unlikely that I would hit 5GB without tethering or using the phone as a hotspot. I call shenanigans!
Wow, I thought we had it bad here....
I am on voda TR, I pay 5 usd a month for unlimited data.... (well technically it is unlimited). First 100mb on hspa+ (thats your 4g in the us) then it is down to 90kbs well the system usually lets 120-130 through.
Been a tmobile customer for 5 years.....would be nice if there retention team was more consistent. Seems some customers get great hookups and some dont. Guess it depends on who you are speaking with and the mood there in
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=16118758
Try this....
Sent from my Tmous Revolution HD sensation.....
I already have this plan it is still trottled at 5 gigs.
Enzopreme said:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=16118758
Try this....
Sent from my Tmous Revolution HD sensation.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App
mr2324jgf said:
I called and spoke to a rep and got a full-on description of this whole deal.
First, they're not going to acknowledge the plan exists most often then not because it technically "doesn't exist". I have seen screen shots that say otherwise but it is something they can put on but it still contains a 5gb cap.
IN FACT, and he offered to send me documentation to suffice, the old plans that claimed to be 100% unlimited were also capped... the thing is, no one hardly went over 5gb. I also do not know the parameters on what or how they catch the overage, but he said they were once more liberal with the soft cap then they use to be because they indeed advertised as "unlimited".
Recently they changed their language and they changed how their plans appeared to be more transparent on what their plans actually offered... most data plans were filtered into the 2gb cap territory and some ole faithfuls got "transferred" to a 5gb soft cap "unlimited" plan...
Again, the 5gb cap has always existed...
He did however tell me we could do some changes on my plan, reconfigure it and I could get a 10gb cap for the same price I'm paying now... however, it's on my lunch... and I didn't feel like dealing with it at the moment.
However, I think I'm still verizon bound in November... I'll only have to pay one ETF. To think that my loyalty all this time was based on "wording" of "unlimited everything" was complete popycock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i happen to work for tmobile and there is a plan that have a cap on it at one point we never had a capped i currently as a rep have a cap myself and as quoted earlier its all in who you talk too and when lately some loyalty reps are willing too help you and some aren't but no data plan absolutely does exist
ma318420 said:
i happen to work for tmobile and there is a plan that have a cap on it at one point we never had a capped i currently as a rep have a cap myself and as quoted earlier its all in who you talk too and when lately some loyalty reps are willing too help you and some aren't but no data plan absolutely does exist
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Click to collapse
We have a Tmobile call center here in wichita... meaning lots of employees... I decided to break a rule of mine and quiz some of my tmo/friends including 2 leads, a retention rep and a supervisor, and all data plans on Tmobile have been capped to some degree, even while "unlimited".
The preferred android plan can be attached but it will serve no purpose as it's a capped plan as well. Take or leave it... I have no reason to lie to anyone. Sprint is officially the only carrier with a truely unlimited data package.
mr2324jgf said:
We have a Tmobile call center here in wichita... meaning lots of employees... I decided to break a rule of mine and quiz some of my tmo/friends including 2 leads, a retention rep and a supervisor, and all data plans on Tmobile have been capped to some degree, even while "unlimited".
The preferred android plan can be attached but it will serve no purpose as it's a capped plan as well. Take or leave it... I have no reason to lie to anyone. Sprint is officially the only carrier with a truely unlimited data package.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Keeping in mind that sprint DOES cap their 3g usage at 5gb.
Only their 4g is truly unlimited, which doesn't exist in my area.
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I have unlimited $10 data plan for non smart phones. When I got my skyrocket I used it with that "non-smart phone sim card" and it worked, I even disabled the carried detection and used tethering and worked flawlessly. I updated the phone to the first leaked ICS and continued to do the same without issues. When I updated it to the second leak last month, AT&T detected it as smart phone and changed the data plan to 3GB LTE for $30. I didn't root, disable the carrier detection or add anything special, just the "stock leak ICS"
I've been having the phone for almost 6 months. Any idea what could be the reason it was detected and how to prevent that?
I don't mind paying the $30 but I use my phone to stream video, games and so many things that 3GB or even 5GB won't be enough for me.
It's not too difficult for AT&T to detect when a device on a non-smartphone plan is using more than about 500KB of data per month.
Learn to ration
freeman9911 said:
I don't mind paying the $30 but I use my phone to stream video, games and so many things that 3GB or even 5GB won't be enough for me.
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Click to collapse
And people wonder why they started capping unlimited plans.
phillybits said:
And people wonder why they started capping unlimited plans.
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Click to collapse
many other carriers use unlimited data plan now..why would you need unlimited if you won't use it!! what's the point of having unlimited data plan if they don't want you to exceed 3GB or 5GB! it reminds me with home internet services when it started...sooner or later everyone will be on unlimited high speed data plans
freeman9911 said:
many other carriers use unlimited data plan now..why would you need unlimited if you won't use it!! what's the point of having unlimited data plan if they don't want you to exceed 3GB or 5GB! it reminds me with home internet services when it started...sooner or later everyone will be on unlimited high speed data plans
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya but the unlimited is for phone use not for tethering... What's the point of having smartphone unlimited if everyone is using it to tether and get internet for the whole house?? Also, do those other carriers allow tethering on their unlimited plans??
freeman9911 said:
many other carriers use unlimited data plan now..why would you need unlimited if you won't use it!! what's the point of having unlimited data plan if they don't want you to exceed 3GB or 5GB! it reminds me with home internet services when it started...sooner or later everyone will be on unlimited high speed data plans
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If they're not capping it, it's for one of two reasons.
1. The service is slow as balls, like T-Mobile's "unlimited" where you get 4G speeds for x-amount of data, and then unlimited access at the speed of molasses.
or
2. You're paying an arm and a leg for data.
I read other threads where people on LTE plans were getting Throttled and I know the solution is just changing the Apn to a Hsdpa Apn instead of LTE, but I'm not sure how to beat this one. You might try this solution but you are still going to use the 3gbs just a little slower. And for the record(To the people who feel it's right to pay twice or even 3x for internet when intending to tether,lmao)we get robbed enough by these corporations like AT&T & Verizon so if you can beat them at their own games then more power to you my friend. Just keep looking for the answer. There may be a way Good luck
Edit** I just figured out that a skyrocket is s galaxy s2(lol). Now your thread is much more amazing to me. How the hell were you on a $10 unlimited internet plan with a higher-end android? I thought the other phones used wap browsing & connected to apn that way?? Good job. Maybe you could pm me the apn config.
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Its not a matter of IF but WHEN... they run serial number sweeps an put any smartphone on correct plan. You disable carrier check, an they look at abnormal use on certain data plans.... Randal Stevenson said a few weeks ago in an interview that when consumers use too much bandwidth, he has to invest capitol into rebuilding the network. The more money the company spends, the more eager they will be to look for means to make it back i.e. raising everyone's costs... so kudos to the 2% of folks that ruin it for the people that stay within reason!
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Hey XDA-lers,
I think it's an unusual question because it's not directly related to tech... But maybe it can be answered here (hope it's the right forum?).
My girlfriend and me want to travel to USA next month for 5 weeks. We want to rent a car and drive through california, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho - typical touristic thing everybody does .
Since we need internet (for navigation and everything else), we search for a data plan. We don't need SMS or phone - only data. 5gb would be perfect.
Does anybody know a cheap plan with good coverage in this region?
I found this one:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tmobile-30-Wireless-Airtime-Card/15443357
But I think, you need to buy a phone at Walmart to get it?!
Something in this direction would be perfect!
Thank you very much!
snoK
snoK123 said:
Hey XDA-lers,
I think it's an unusual question because it's not directly related to tech... But maybe it can be answered here (hope it's the right forum?).
My girlfriend and me want to travel to USA next month for 5 weeks. We want to rent a car and drive through california, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Idaho - typical touristic thing everybody does .
Since we need internet (for navigation and everything else), we search for a data plan. We don't need SMS or phone - only data. 5gb would be perfect.
Does anybody know a cheap plan with good coverage in this region?
I found this one:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tmobile-30-Wireless-Airtime-Card/15443357
But I think, you need to buy a phone at Walmart to get it?!
Something in this direction would be perfect!
Thank you very much!
snoK
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is not what you want or need. This is merely a plan/minutes refill to an existing pre-paid account.
First you need a pre-paid SIM. Often called a "starter kit". You'll have to pick one up somewhere, like a Wal-Mart or a cell-phone store. I'd be very surprised if you couldn't find them for sale within 100 feet of baggage claim. And then you'd have to chose a plan. Most pre-paid plans that have 4G data allotments already include unlimited talk/text. Not necessary, as you say, but it might be helpful if you and your girlfriend get separated.
Whatever service you go with, the actual network will be either T-Mobile or AT&T. Your phone will be a GSM phone (I'm assuming), and AT&T and T-Mo are GSM networks. So assuming your phone isn't locked to a carrier within Germany/EU, it'll work just fine on AT&T or T-Mo or their MVNOs and you don't have to buy a new phone.
I would definitely recommend using an AT&T MVNO. The American West has huge tracks of land, deserts, mountains, etc. AT&T will have plenty of dead zones, but it'll be way better than T-Mobile. For what it's worth, you can get data in T-Mobile's dead-zones because they partner with AT&T with them for coverage. But it'll be "roaming" (T-Mobile doesn't charge for roaming), and at 2G speeds. I honestly don't know if this carriers over to T-Mobile's MVNOs though.
With that in mind, there are a number of AT&T MVNOs (as well as AT&T's GoPhone). I would recommend Cricket Wireless. They have outlets everywhere. Right now you can get set up with pre-paid SIM for $.99, and then choose the $50/mo plan which gives you 4gb of high-speed data, after which you get throttled to 2G speeds. If you need more high-speed, you can purchase another GB for $10. Don't let them charge you an activation fee - you can do it yourself (unless you can't).
Unfortunately, any plan with data will be monthly and will be purchased along with talk/text. Perhaps it's possible in the EU, but you can't simply purchase 5gb data that lasts until you use it up regardless of how long it takes. Unless there's something I'm unaware of. So that means in a 5 week trip you're pretty much stuck paying for 2 months unless you go a few days without service.
Regarding data and GPS navigation though, remember that navigation requires either the map to be downloaded beforehand, or a data connection. Using Google Maps on your phone to find a restaurant, site-of-interest, or hotel within a city is one thing. Using GPS to drive from Los Angeles to the Grand Canyon is another thing. Get a rental car with GPS and make sure the maps are all pre-loaded. You won't be able to rely on a phone's GPS for this unless you get an app that allows you to purchase the maps for the states you'll be traveling through and download them to your phone before you embark (find a public hotspot for this). Google Maps allows you to download maps for off-line use, but you're rather limited in the size. For example, I can fit all of Tucson in one map, but that's it. A city like LA or Phoenix wouldn't fit. Never mind all the miles inbetween.
Any questions, I'm happy to answer as best I can. Hope you enjoy your stay. I've lived in both Arizona and Colorado for many years, and I'm sure you'll be impressed by the west half of the US.
Wow, thank you very very much for this great explanation!
Cricket Wireless sounds great, think we will get it there.
Have a nice weekend!
snoK
Hey guys. This is going to a very weird question, I live in Australia and we honestly have the crappiest data plans ever. Is there anyone who can tell me if it's possible to buy a t mobile simcard and use it in Australia indefinitely. And what sort of data/plans you guys have.
I'm a manager only a few months in, but to my understanding you would be limited to 2G speeds. Our Simple Choice NA plans offer unlimited international usage for texting and data, but I'm fairly certain that data is limited to 2G speeds as we partner with carriers out there for our customer's usage and I was recently checking as I'll be out there visiting Melbourne for a couple weeks!
Torridred04 said:
I'm a manager only a few months in, but to my understanding you would be limited to 2G speeds. Our Simple Choice NA plans offer unlimited international usage for texting and data, but I'm fairly certain that data is limited to 2G speeds as we partner with carriers out there for our customer's usage and I was recently checking as I'll be out there visiting Melbourne for a couple weeks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah fair enough, I'm not at all fussed about 4g but 3g would be a must. 2G out here is a little to slow, but how much would they cost? I'm trying to see if it would be worth doing
LiL_Assassin said:
Ah fair enough, I'm not at all fussed about 4g but 3g would be a must. 2G out here is a little to slow, but how much would they cost? I'm trying to see if it would be worth doing
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You won't be able to use it indefinitely. There is a fair use clause in the contract that says you have to have the majority of your usage be in the US. They'd eventually cancel your number.
That being said, any Simple Choice plan will work. They all include unlimited data roaming and the only difference is the domestic data allotment. You'd be able to use the $50 plan in Australia.
Any calls to an Australian number would be $0.20 per minute and texts would be free.
skusa93 said:
You won't be able to use it indefinitely. There is a fair use clause in the contract that says you have to have the majority of your usage be in the US. They'd eventually cancel your number.
That being said, any Simple Choice plan will work. They all include unlimited data roaming and the only difference is the domestic data allotment. You'd be able to use the $50 plan in Australia.
Any calls to an Australian number would be $0.20 per minute and texts would be free.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But don't I have to live in the US or use the majority of that in the US even with the simple choice? Since I can't call t mobile support. Is there an email or online chat I can send a message to, to take this further? I tried the website. But most of the options I needed, I needed to have a number first.