We're screwed. 2GB is the threshold for so called "network optimization/throttling"

[JimmyHat]

2GB puts you in the top 5%. Really? I average 3GB to 6GB each month and don't do anything out of the ordinary. Pandora, some Netflix, podcasts, gps and casual browsing.

As of now, this only applies to 3G plans. Once we all upgrade to 4G, then we will be under the VZW data microscope.

Read and weep.

Network Optimization

 

[drkryn]

Netflix is what uses up the most data. The 2gb plan is not meant for people that will be streaming movies. This is why they offer higher data plans.

 

[Nodzarf]

2gb is considered top 5%? I say that's bull dung.

 

[SeekerOfTheWay]

I thought that cap was for 3G devices only, not 4G. So it won't effect is right?

 

[SeekerOfTheWay]

Netflix is what uses up the most data. The 2gb plan is not meant for people that will be streaming movies. This is why they offer higher data plans.

I don't use Netflix or stream TV or movies. No tethering. I am usually at 5-6GB a month.

The same usage habits on my BlackBerry consumed under 1GB/month.

I can't believe 2Gb is considered a lot of data.

 

[IOWA]

I don't use Netflix or stream TV or movies. No tethering. I am usually at 5-6GB a month.

The same usage habits on my BlackBerry consumed under 1GB/month.

I can't believe 2Gb is considered a lot of data.

No Netflix here but I do tether my tablets, I run 5 to 6 gigs consistently

 

[jerry42570]

I guess we always knew that this was where they were headed when they changed over to tiered data plans. I myself generally just barely exceed 2GB per month. Sounds like they are trying to stay away from throttling, which is good.

 

[JimmyHat]

VZW says that 4G plans are not subject to the throttling "at this time". Once enough people gravitate to 4G, then they will clamp down on that plan.

Saying 2GB is excessive is not only a play for money, it's a slap in the face to the customers that have voluntarily payed the VZW tax over the years. Sprint is not an option for me.

It's funny how if we use 6GB of data on a grandfathered unlimited plan that we are bogging down the network and classified as "data hogs"

But let us use that same 6GB of data on a new tiered 2GB plan, pay upcharge on 4GB, now their network is not congested. Come on VZW, were using the same amount of data.

 

[Nodzarf]

I use my phone as it was intended to be used since I've been with Verizon. Granted my incredible is only 3g but I'm not going to be looking for wifi connections to be in this bull crap 95% group that don't use the 3g service. If I wanted to keep data usage down using wifi I would get a tablet and a dumb phone. I agree with the above post about if we all had tiered data and were getting gouged every month with the high prices for plans there wouldn't be an issue about throttling data hogs. 2g you've got to be kidding.

 

[IOWA]

I use my phone as it was intended to be used since I've been with Verizon. Granted my incredible is only 3g but I'm not going to be looking for wifi connections to be in this bull crap 95% group that don't use the 3g service. If I wanted to keep data usage down using wifi I would get a tablet and a dumb phone. I agree with the above post about if we all had tiered data and were getting gouged every month with the high prices for plans there wouldn't be an issue about throttling data hogs. 2g you've got to be kidding.

It's no doubt a money grab, and I'm holding on to my Sprint unlimited plan for as long as possible. It's only a matter of time before Sprint goes to tiered data.

 

[pool_shark]

For those of you consuming so much data, why are you not using wifi instead? When I use 3G youtube buffers as well as netflix, and downloads take significantly longer than when on wifi.

As for the tethering, it's nice when I'm in a jam,, like the time the power went out, but for the most part I have no use for it.

 

[IOWA]

For those of you consuming so much data, why are you not using wifi instead? When I use 3G youtube buffers as well as netflix, and downloads take significantly longer than when on wifi.

As for the tethering, it's nice when I'm in a jam,, like the time the power went out, but for the most part I have no use for it.

Its great that you have magic access to wifi everywhere. However some of us don't. I use wifi whenever I can. My phone is on wifi 12 hours of the day most of the time. I don't use Netflix over 3g even though I can. Some of us like to stream music. Some of us need to tether occasionally.

The real question here is, why are you assuming we aren't using wifi?

Edit : unless you think we can't reach that kind of usage if we used wifi. I assure you, not only is it possible to use 5gb a month in data while mobile it's going to be more common than not. Although the new bandwidth caps popping up will inhibit this growth

 

[pool_shark]

Its great that you have magic access to wifi everywhere. However some of us don't. I use wifi whenever I can. My phone is on wifi 12 hours of the day most of the time. I don't use Netflix over 3g even though I can. Some of us like to stream music. Some of us need to tether occasionally.

The real question here is, why are you assuming we aren't using wifi?

Edit : unless you think we can't reach that kind of usage if we used wifi. I assure you, not only is it possible to use 5gb a month in data while mobile it's going to be more common than not. Although the new bandwidth caps popping up will inhibit this growth

No need to be so defensive Mr. Sensitive, I was simply asking a question. Eat some chocolate and have a tissue.

When I don't have access to wifi, I don't do the same things. I have tons of music on my SDcard, when I want to hear music and I'm away from wifi that's what I listen to, it's the same with movies.
I assumed you weren't using wifi because the cap on data doesn't apply to wifi usage and therefore would not be a problem.

 

[IOWA]

No need to be so defensive Mr. Sensitive, I was simply asking a question. Eat some chocolate and have a tissue.

When I don't have access to wifi, I don't do the same things. I have tons of music on my SDcard, when I want to hear music and I'm away from wifi that's what I listen to, it's the same with movies.
I assumed you weren't using wifi because the cap on data doesn't apply to wifi usage and therefore would not be a problem.

I wasn't being defensive. I think its great you have wifi whenever you need it. I was just pointing out some of us don't, and some of us are upset at the trend in wireless technology. We can have different points of view and still be friends

Also just a life lesson I've learned. Making assumptions generally only gets you into trouble. So be careful when you assume because it can cost you dearly!

 

[Cruisr]

No need to be so defensive Mr. Sensitive, I was simply asking a question. Eat some chocolate and have a tissue.

When I don't have access to wifi, I don't do the same things. I have tons of music on my SDcard, when I want to hear music and I'm away from wifi that's what I listen to, it's the same with movies.
I assumed you weren't using wifi because the cap on data doesn't apply to wifi usage and therefore would not be a problem.

There was a time you could stream youtube or other video on 3g without all the buffering. When the 4g phones started coming out for Verizon, the 3g phones started dropping in price. The price drop ended up putting alot of new 3g phones on the grid that has dramaticaly slowed down 3g speeds in most areas.

 

[IOWA]

There was a time you could stream youtube or other video on 3g without all the buffering. When the 4g phones started coming out for Verizon, the 3g phones started dropping in price. The price drop ended up putting alot of new 3g phones on the grid that has dramaticaly slowed down 3g speeds in most areas.

Agreed on most points

 

[Jman42028]

There was a time you could stream youtube or other video on 3g without all the buffering. When the 4g phones started coming out for Verizon, the 3g phones started dropping in price. The price drop ended up putting alot of new 3g phones on the grid that has dramaticaly slowed down 3g speeds in most areas.

that is 100% true. The speeds have reduced quite a bit this last year or so everywhere, and its because of all the increased traffic. No way around it.

And yes, 5gb of monthly data DOES put you in the top 5%. I have a document in front of me, from vzw that says "95% of our data users use less than 2 GB per month"

Its the truth, 5gb is a TON of data, and watching a movie or tv show on your phone seems pretty obvious that would use more data than just audio streaming right?

 

[IOWA]

that is 100% true. The speeds have reduced quite a bit this last year or so everywhere, and its because of all the increased traffic. No way around it.

And yes, 5gb of monthly data DOES put you in the top 5%. I have a document in front of me, from vzw that says "95% of our data users use less than 2 GB per month"

Its the truth, 5gb is a TON of data, and watching a movie or tv show on your phone seems pretty obvious that would use more data than just audio streaming right?

Actually by todays standards 5GB is not a lot of data

 

[VZW_CS]

Good morning!

As data devices are becoming more popular, all carriers run into congestion issues on their network. Verizon Wireless has made the proactive decision to protect our network and our customers by implementing Network Optimization. This can help ensure high quality network performance for our entire customer base. Fact is, 95% of our data users consume 2MB or less each month, and the usage has to meet ALL of the criteria in order to be affect by Network Optimization.

I would like to point out the following information directly from our website:


Only a small percent of customers will be affected. To be affected, you must be:

• A data customer on an unlimited data plan;
• Have a 3G Verizon Wireless device (if you have a 4G LTE device you will not be impacted); and
• Among the top 5% of data users in a given month.

Then, you will only be affected:

• When you are on the 3G network; and
• When you are connected to a congested cell site.

Thank you!

^AE
VZW_CS
Follow Us on Twitter @VZWSupport

 

[IOWA]

Good morning!

As data devices are becoming more popular, all carriers run into congestion issues on their network. Verizon Wireless has made the proactive decision to protect our network and our customers by implementing Network Optimization. This can help ensure high quality network performance for our entire customer base. Fact is, 95% of our data users consume 2MB or less each month, and the usage has to meet ALL of the criteria in order to be affect by Network Optimization.

I would like to point out the following information directly from our website:


Only a small percent of customers will be affected. To be affected, you must be:

• A data customer on an unlimited data plan;
• Have a 3G Verizon Wireless device (if you have a 4G LTE device you will not be impacted); and
• Among the top 5% of data users in a given month.

Then, you will only be affected:

• When you are on the 3G network; and
• When you are connected to a congested cell site.

Thank you!

^AE
VZW_CS
Follow Us on Twitter @VZWSupport

Now please clarify. How many of those data users are actually smartphone users. Its not really fair to lump a flip phone user with a Droid bionic user now is it?

 

[GSX]

While it stinks that they are doing this to grandfathered unlimited users, which I am, it's not a problem for me personally. I've only hit 2gb ONCE in the 13 months I've had my Droid X, and that was last month and I had to actually make a concerted effort to try to hit it. I'm usually around .5gb/month. However, for those of you who do you use a lot of data this is really crappy. VZW baits you into it by pimping all the things you can do with these phones and THEN says "but if you DO do this stuff, we'll rack your knuckles with a ruler". WTH? The only way to interpret this is it's their way of pushing you guys into the highest ($$$$) tiered data plan they can. And trust me, they will eventually. You'll get so sick of having basically a dial-up connection that many will just say "screw it, give me the 5gb plan, or the 10gb plan", swallow hard and chalk it up to how the world works.

 

[vr4]

average 4-6gb/month and havent noticed any slow downs yet. probably hopping onto 4g in the next few days though.

i am on an unlimited plan with a corporate (ford) discount. doubt that means anything though.

 

[multanii]

Of course its a play for money. Its also trying to give better service to people that do not consume that much data. Their money is just as good as yours and in fact, there are many more people who do not use that much data. 95% >5% of users.

As someone that just got a tiered data plan I find 2gig to be plenty. I wish that had an even smaller data plan. I use my phone all the time, but I also use wifi whenever possible instead of the 3g network (no 4g here). I use common sense and avoid downloading movies and other high data things when wifi is not available. I do use Pandora for several hours at a time and it hasn't been that bad on data.

Besides Sprint will eventually start throttling data one of these days. So going to them would only be a temp fix to the problem.

 

[IOWA]

Of course its a play for money. Its also trying to give better service to people that do not consume that much data. Their money is just as good as yours and in fact, there are many more people who do not use that much data. 95% >5% of users.

As someone that just got a tiered data plan I find 2gig to be plenty. I wish that had an even smaller data plan. I use my phone all the time, but I also use wifi whenever possible instead of the 3g network (no 4g here). I use common sense and avoid downloading movies and other high data things when wifi is not available. I do use Pandora for several hours at a time and it hasn't been that bad on data.

Besides Sprint will eventually start throttling data one of these days. So going to them would only be a temp fix to the problem.

The only "problem " here is lack of competition. If carriers were really so concerned about their subscribers instead of tiered data they would bill per GB at a reasonable rate.

 

[UncleMike]

I don't use Netflix or stream TV or movies. No tethering. I am usually at 5-6GB a month.

The same usage habits on my BlackBerry consumed under 1GB/month.

I can't believe 2Gb is considered a lot of data.

Actually by todays standards 5GB is not a lot of data

I can't believe anybody considers monthly data usage warranting measurement in Gigabytes to be "normal". Since I got my OG Droid around launch day, I've NEVER had more than 300MB of data usage in a single month.