Is unlimited data plan actually unlimited?

[khunny7]

I'm using Unlimited internet for phones for $10.00
I wonder if it is actually unlimited, as I've been using tethering.
I've used a lot, so I would be in trouble if it is not.

 

[IOWA]

Nope

 

[khunny7]

I already used 4GB in 4 days.
I'm worried.

 

[jfritzs2]

I already used 4GB in 4 days.
I'm worried.

I bet the unlimited on the Even More Plus plans are similar, and I believe that its unlimited, on my billing statement it says that there is a 250GB limit, and there may very well be, you probably have to read the fine print, but still I know that I never get close to that, I tether quite a bit, I browse, and I use the market and youtube pretty frequently, and still I only use 1,247.3254 Megabytes. So like 1.3 Gigabytes for the month, so then again I guess that isn't comparable for you, but don't tether for everything unless you have to, that'll save you a lot of data. Also apparently, not that I've put it to the test, Opera Mobile 5 Beta is an browsing app that claims that it saves data usage and is good for plans with limited data plans. Give that a try for regular browsing from your phone, that'll save a bit, but hey every bit helps. Good Luck!

 

[IOWA]

5gb is the norm for wireless caps....

 

[shawn1224]

I believe its a 10 GB cap and then they throttle you down to Edge.

 

[jfritzs2]

I don't know if you are talking about a different plan than me, but my billing summary definitely said once 3GB of 250GB.

 

[dabbill]

You will probably never hit the limit with t-mobile. They monitor their data kinda weird. I tether with my myTouch all the time. I even used bit-torrent for a few legal files. (linux ISO's) Totaling like 8GBs. T-Mobile said i used like 200megs on my bill.

 

[khunny7]

If I can get 250GB limit, I would use that plan.
Is there anyway that I can find out what my limit is?
Thank you everyone for replies.

If I go to My T-Mobile, it says as if I got unlimited data.

Data: 4,273.6 / Unlimited Megabytes

Service Used Included Remaining Pay Per Use
Data 4273 Unlimited Unlimited $0.00
* Usage for active or recently ended calls or data sessions may not be displayed. For billing, data is rounded up to the nearest MB.

 

[larryccf]

i've been watching my data download on my acct at tmo's web, and past two month's i've hit 5.8 & 6.1 GB - while my plan sez unlimited (i'm running 3G on a MT3G), if anything i suspect the limit is minimum 10GB

 

[the iZach]

Well here in the uk their fair usage policy says 3GB but i dont know for the US.

 

[jdmfa5]

As of right now, T-Mobile doesn't have a data cap. There are rumors that they might slow the data down if you're a "high" usage customer. My advice is for you to call Care and find out and have them note your account of what they told you.

 

[Grazuncle]

I did read recently, to check it out ; for the same reasons

to paraphrase.. it will never be turned off but may be 'reduced' in throughput.... if overused.


suits me for my use anyway. I always use wireless when possible not just for speed

 

[Talderon]

Like all carriers, "Unlimited" data plans are unlimited in the practical sense. Most people will not reach any radical usage, but there is always a small percentage that will push that to the limit.

That being said, almost ALL wireless carriers will have a monitoring cap on accounts with unlimited data to check bandwidth utilization and distribution. Cell towers only have so much and if someone is using more than their fair share, they will limit that user in order to keep the effects to other users to a min.

I can't say what the cap is, but if you use more data during off-peak times than on-peak, then they won't be as hard as if you are using it mostly on-peak. Don't think they won't resort to throttling you if you abuse this. It has happened in the past and will happen again in the future. They log and keep EVERYTHING!! I used to data-mine every scrap of data that came off the cell tower switches (I have worked for every major Mobile Carrier in the US at one point or another) and trust me, they capture it all. With the raw logs, you're not going to fool them.

It all comes down to being smart about it in the end. Use what you need, and don't over do it.

 

[chrisinsocalif]

I am reading the T-mobile's term and conditions
Under #29. Additional Terms for Data Plans

2. Protective Measures
To provide a good experience for the majority of our customers and minimize capacity issues and degradation in network performance, we may take measures including temporarily reducing data throughput for a subset of customers who use a disproportionate amount of bandwidth; if your total usage exceeds 5GB (amount is subject to change; please periodically check T-Mobile.com for updates) during a billing cycle, we may reduce your data speed for the remainder of that billing cycle. We may also suspend, terminate, or restrict your data session, Plan, or service if you use your Data Plan in a manner that interferes with other customers’ service, our ability to allocate network capacity among customers, or that otherwise may degrade service quality for other customers.

 

[Talderon]

I am reading the T-mobile's term and conditions
Under #29. Additional Terms for Data Plans

You have to remember that bandwidth is limited in that each cell tower only has so much. When you are on a cell tower and using a TON of bandwidth, it effects everyone on that tower.

Cell Data is not meant to be used as a primary means of data, unlike Cable or DSL. Mobile sites are supposed to be smaller and more efficient than desktop sites, so overall, your data usage is supposed to be less. With smart phone getting more powerful, they are working to accommodate this, but no matter what they do, they are not set up for your mobile to be used as the primary data source. Those users that tether and then download massive files and utilize more of the bandwidth than it's designed for are going to be the primary targets.

 

[larryccf]

Talderon - curious to ask a couple questions, since you've worked in the industry - I'm tethering my Mytouch to my laptop in the evenings

a) what are considered the "peak" times?

b) i've noticed my download speed slow down, often having to hit the link twice, three or even four times - I'm a "fred Flintstone" of things computer / data / telecommunication, but it seems the little computer screen icons at the bottom right of my screen light up like the laptop is communicating to the network but then they go dark and the new webpage doesn't load - it occurs regularly. I've noticed when it does, my radio signal strength has dropped to -89 dBm (learned to check that from another post) - problem doesn't seem to occur when i'm showing signal strength of -63 dBm, but what's strange is when this occurs, i'm in the same spot in my family room - never understood how the signal strength could vary like that

any insights to offer??


tks in advance

 

[chrisinsocalif]

a) what are considered the "peak" times?

Peak times are usually around business hours when activity is at their highest, but the exact times differ for each carrier.

 

[Talderon]

Talderon - curious to ask a couple questions, since you've worked in the industry - I'm tethering my Mytouch to my laptop in the evenings

a) what are considered the "peak" times?

tks in advance

It really depends on where you are in the US.

I live in Seattle and Peak is 6am to 9am and then again at 2:30pm to 10pm (although, tapers off after 8:30pm, but still busy until 10pm). Across the nation, (local time) this is pretty on-par for peak.

We do see things pick up a little from 11am to 12:30pm for lunch time, but not too bad.

Of course, these are based on trending data that I have pulled off the Web2Go servers that I support.

If you are in a larger metro area, you are going to get more crowded on the towers during those peak times. Depending on the Tower, it will have anything from a T1 to an OC3 (ore more) connected to it (although, most T1 towers are getting upgraded), so there is a finite amount of bandwidth available.

Until the carriers get caught up and start putting out for more bandwidth, they are going to be watching data consumption more closely in areas where they have less to give.

You live out in the boonies where you and maybe a handful of others use data, not going to be as much of an issue as if you are in a metro area where they are trying to cram as much as they can in what they have.

Too many variables go into figuring this out, but overall, they are trying to make it so that the less than 1% that hog as much as they can don't ruin it for those that use a "fair" allocation.

Hope this helps out.

Thanks,