dautley

Want to know what Unlimited Data is? see attached msg and usage screen

Last edited by dautley; July 21st, 2012 at 01:05 AM.

AntimonyER

I have to think this is a mistake. I would call about it.

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UrsusVIIILXXXVII

I just had the exact same thing happen to me this morning. My switch to the Nexus was trying to say the least.

I called Verizon on the 27th to use an early upgrade along with a $100 discount for a 4G phone. The service rep was great. He said I would keep my unlimited data.

Two days later I receive a text saying that my order had been canceled and I need to re-order. Call customer service and, though not as friendly, the rep put my order back through. He asked if I wanted the 2Gb plan and I told him I was doing all of this to keep my unlimited. He said okay and it was processed.

I got my phone yesterday and immediately unlocked and rooted it. I went to town downloading apps and streaming like a mad man just to see the 4G speeds.

This morning I got a text saying that I was halfway through my data plan. I called customer service and spoke with a nice woman who, after listening to this long story, tried to do everything possible to return my unlimited data plan. I had the corporate plan that ran $44.99 a month. She saw that and said that plan was still in the system. Everything is back to the way it was.

I don't like to speak ill of anyone or anything but it's pretty clear that VZW is going to do anything they can to shake those grandfathered unlimited data users. Stand your ground but try to remain cordial and things may work in your favor.

dautley

I'm not even bothering with Verizon over this as I do have unlimited data and have for years, just filing reports with the FCC File Complaint | FCC.gov and FTC https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/
I would encourage anyone on unlimited data that gets these type of massages to do the same.

Last edited by dautley; July 6th, 2012 at 11:17 AM.

AntimonyER

Yeah, that was going to be my next suggestion, your 4G logo told me this text on their part was a major no-no. That was why I suggested it was a mistake, because they are violating FCC Block C.

UncleMike

I'm currently evaluating a GSM Nexus using Straight Talk. So far so good. If things continue to look good, Verizon won't have to shake me at all.

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dautley

I don't think they will actually throttle it, but we shall see, stay tuned!

euph_22

No they aren't. The Block C provisions restricts carriers ability to throttle customers bandwidth, but does allow Verizon to apply "Network Optimization". If Verizon limits a customers bandwidth constantly, thats throttling. If they only restricted it while their network is under heavy load, it's Network Optimization. May not seem like a huge distinction, but as far as the FCC is concerned it's enough.

rehpyc

I can't wait for my GSIII and use it to stream music and movies like no other simply to "stick it" to Verizon. May even download stuff I normally would on my PC and then transfer it to my PC just for the hell of it. Verizon wants to play hard ball with us, so they can can find we can throw just as hard back!

euph_22

It will sure "stick it" to the other Verizon customers in your area...
I hope they appreciate crappy bandwidth because you're burning through data for no real reason. If you're going to rack up the GB's just to hurt Verizon, please be considerate and do that at night when you're not crapping on other customers bandwidth.

Last edited by euph_22; July 6th, 2012 at 05:47 PM.

rehpyc

Oh, of course! It'll be to download large gaming videos while I sleep at night

euph_22

Well then have fun. Download a few GBs for me. If you really want to rack up the data, download aTorrent (or the torrent client of your choice), and just go nuts (being considerate of other users in your area of course).

Last edited by euph_22; July 6th, 2012 at 06:49 PM.

rehpyc

Torrents + SSL = win

AntimonyER

The message the OP does not sound like network optimization, it sounds like throttling because he exceeded an arbitrary limit. Network optimization doesn't require a warning, and should not be related what so ever to a users total usage, rather their usage in the short period of time that the network is being bogged down. If he is throttled pursuant to the message once he exceeds 5GB, it's a violation.

euph_22

No it isn't. He enters the optimized group at 50%, but that doesn't mean his bandwidth will be reduced all the time. Just when the network is under load. EXACTLY how the currently apply their network optimization on LTE. They can/will throttle you from 8-6 when most people are using their phones, but the rest of the time the don't throttle (times made up for dramatic effect).

The upshot is, Verizon is allowed to do whatever they want with speeds (as long as the don't shut off somebody's traffic) to keep the network flowing. Slowing done data hogs at peak time certainly falls in this category.

To the OP: from the text it sounds like you're on a family/group plan. If you are, and if you aren't the account holder, check with them to make sure they didn't switch you to a tiered plan. Then gather any documentation you have for your plan, bring this to Verizons attention again/repeatedly (documenting all of it), and wait. If it was a mistake I'm sure it will get cleared up soon.

Last edited by euph_22; July 7th, 2012 at 01:09 AM.

dautley

I did a new ICS leak last night and used a lot of data re-downloading a bunch of apps, no throttling so far. But as I said, if everyone who's on unlimited data and receives messages like this reports it to the FCC / FTC maybe something would be done to bring things like exorbitant prices for increasingly small data caps under control.

As far as the term "data hogs" go, is it fair to offer things like netflix, HBO GO, and even your own video streaming apps like NFL Network, V Vcast, and Verizon Video, and bundled Block Buster Video, then impose very low caps for these apps at very high prices? In this day and age I certainly don't consider using 5, 10, or even 15GB a month a data hog, even though I average 2 to 3GB.

Last edited by dautley; July 7th, 2012 at 04:47 PM.

JnEricsonx

Amen. I mean, seriously, I know there's been a few times when I was waiting for something somewhere, saw that 4g symbol go on, and proceeded to load up Netflix for a hour, 90 minutes, whatever. You have to realize that if people have access to said services, they'd like to be able to use them without literally counting the minutes they're on the internet.

euph_22

Do you have a better term for people who use far more data then the average user?

And again, Verizon has every right to throttle whoever they want add needed during peak times, as far as the FCC is concerned.

Let me simplify things a bit. Lets say a tower has 100mpbs of total bandwidth, and 10 costumers are on it. The traffic will be limited one way or another. I don't have a problem with Verizon saying that if you use far more data then most everyone else, your bandwidth gets cut first.

rehpyc

Look at it this way. If different people are paying for 2, 4. 6, 8, and unlimited gb of data, is it fair to treat any of them differently when they surpass a certain amount of data? If you pay for 4gb and start getting throttled at 2.. would you find it fair to have a 4gb plan still, or would you cut down to 2gb? In this manner, you can't treat those with unlimited data plans differently.

Optid

How did you get your screenshots to be this big?

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yourfriendmat

Maybe I'm delusional (highly possible), but I think it's crazy that streaming services like Amazon or Netflix haven't partnered with (i.e. thrown money at) companies like Verizon to make their services not count toward the quota. "Exclusively on Verizon, unlimited Netflix streaming regardless of your data plan!" I feel like content deals like this could actually benefit the customer. Then again, it sounds and awful lot like cable TV, so I don't know.

I know these aren't the only services people use data for on their phones/tablets, but Verizon would be compensated for the bandwidth use, and both the content providers and Verizon would likely get new subscribers.

Anyway, I'm interested to hear what happens when you get to "100%". Keep us updated.

dautley

With unlimited data you can't get to 100% they can only threaten you at a ridiculously low threshold. I havn't gotten throttled yet but if they have some guy paying for say 20GB of data under the new share everything plan they had better throttle his data at the same threshold they throttle unlimited!

I did talk to a Verizon rep about the message I got and after you strip all the fluff away he basically suggested if I dropped my unlimited plan for a share anything plan and get 10 or 15GB a month, then maybe I wouldn't get the messages until my limit was reached. What a load of bull cocky!
Almost forgot to add, I haven't seen one message since the first one.

T.M.M.L

Lol,

While I do get the context of what your saying, and agree in spirit, you do know that this fictional guy would never get throttled. If anything, VZW would do everything in their power to increase his speed. He would be a potential cash cow for overage charges.

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dautley

My latest Unlimited Data update from just now

dautley

If you look at the usage Pic it clearly says unlimited data, I'm the account owner and have had unlimited data for around five years on phones going back to my Blackberry days.

dautley

Well, I'm in the middle of downloading the 1.79GB "The Dark Knight Rises" and just got a at 90% PM from Verizon. I guess buying that game makes you data hog by Verizon's standards.
I would use Wi-Fi but being at the edge of my ISP's DSL service area, it would take 4 or more hours at the speeds I get here.

Last edited by dautley; July 21st, 2012 at 07:22 PM.

euph_22

Then none of what i said applies, since i was saying what to do if you were on a family plan and weren't the account owner.

dautley

But whats happening is Verizon is trying to use this tactic to get as many unlimited data customers on the new paid data plans and don't seem to care if they run afoul of the FCC /FTC to do it.

dautley

Oh and by the way, "The Dark Knight Rises" on the Bionic with ICS is awesome!

euph_22

Have you noticed that nobody else has gotten these messages? It's an error in their system, not a deliberate attempt to drive people off unlimited.

dautley

It is because of a system a system error, I even figured out what it was for them. A while back they bundled several services together for a low price so I'm trying it out. Among them are usage controls. It seems the system sets a default of 5GB for data though the place the user sets it is blank and there is no way for it to be removed.
While it doesn't effect your data or data speed it does send out those annoying messages even if message notifications are turned off.
Anyway, the Verizon rep is passing this up the chain as a bug in their system.

Last edited by dautley; July 22nd, 2012 at 11:41 AM.

AntimonyER

Thanks for clarifying the problem for us, dautley!

jamor

Yea I'm at 5.5 Gigs already and still getting the same speeds - no throttling or weird Verizon messages.