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Sent to you by Bill Boulware via Google Reader: AT&T Officially Makes
Unlimited Data Plans Not So Unlimited With New Throttling Rules via
TechCrunch by Matt Burns on 3/1/12
Welcome to the brave new world, everyone. AT&T announced today new
guidelines in regards to older so-called unlimited data plans.
Subscribers will still be able to keep these plans but they're
essentially limited to AT&T's new 3GB/5GB data plans.
Let's be clear: AT&T's unlimited plans are now officially limited.
AT&T, like most other wireless carriers, started selling unlimited data
plans several years ago to curb anxiety in regards to data usage. At
that time, mobile data was still limited to email, web browsing and the
photo messaging. Streaming media was still very rare. These unlimited
plans offered carriers' marketers and salesmen an easy tool to get
people to upgrade to smartphones. But now they're supposedly killing
the network — or so carriers would have consumers believe.
Today's change essentially caps these legacy data plans at 3GB for
HSPA+ and 5GB for LTE. Any overage will result in throttling, which as
anyone who has been throttled before will attest, essentially kills
data connectivity. Even mundane tasks as browsing the internet are
painfully slow. This cap remains in place until the end of the billing
cycle. You will still have unlimited data, but on AT&T's terms.
AT&T started throttling customers in 2011 in response to increased data
usage. However, it was always somewhat shrouded in mystery. The policy
was public, which caused misconceptions and confusion. The caps were
also set at 2GB even after AT&T rolled out new, $30 3GB data plan. This
new move by AT&T, while shaddy at best and a breach of contract at
worst, at least puts the company's policy in clear view. It even gives
tips on how to better manage data.
However, as I stated previously, throttling those on legacy products
affects those nearing their end of their AT&T contracts. AT&T should be
courting these people rather than driving them towards other carriers.
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