T-Mobile set 1GB G1 3G cap: threaten throttling for heavy users

[DesignDawg]

Does TMobile keep up with this on their site like they do minutes? At any time, you can log on and see how many minutes you've used, or you can type in a little code on your phone and it will text you your minutes (what is that #MIN# or something?) Do they do this with data plans as well?

[New World]

Does TMobile keep up with this on their site like they do minutes? At any time, you can log on and see how many minutes you've used, or you can type in a little code on your phone and it will text you your minutes (what is that #MIN# or something?) Do they do this with data plans as well?

I'll check right now...hang on

EDIT: OK, I didn't see that option among the others

[kaziko]

I highly doubt they will keep track of that. Or even limit the amount transfered. At least I haven't been informed of throttling or caps here at my store, and I just spoke with our Eastern United states Rep and got all the details about some things I've seen on here as far as rumors are going. be sure to check your sources when hearing information, and recheck the source's words if you're sure its a valid text, sometimes companies will say things that are directed in an entirely different demeener

[divestoclimb]

Washingtonpost.com just posted a blog about this issue. Here's my response:

If they really have these capacity issues, I think they should do something analogous to a voice plan:
- advertise that you're paying a monthly rate for 1 GB of data (NOT "unlimited")
- make it really easy to track your data usage via the phone AND via a web portal (a la how dialing #MIN# on a tmo phone will tell you your minutes used this billing cycle)
- send a warning text message to a user who is approaching their monthly cap
- either throttle the user down, or set a per-MB fee for exceeding the cap. Ideally, *let the customer choose* which penalty to accept when they sign up (then they can choose whether money or performance matters more to them).

With the exception of giving choice in the last one, anything less than this I would consider sub-par customer service on the part of the carrier. If they implemented that last item I'd consider that going above and beyond.

Note that I only think they should do this if they really, seriously have an issue with not enough bandwidth for everybody.

[Jorsher]

dives, as said above, it can legitimately be called unlimited data because they are NOT limiting your data. After you pass 1gb your speed *might* be throttled to 50kbps. You can still use data after the 1gb mark, so it is unlimited.

They obviously weren't calling the speeds unlimited, because it's always limited. The data IS unlimited.

[Jorsher]

I highly doubt they will keep track of that. Or even limit the amount transfered. At least I haven't been informed of throttling or caps here at my store, and I just spoke with our Eastern United states Rep and got all the details about some things I've seen on here as far as rumors are going. be sure to check your sources when hearing information, and recheck the source's words if you're sure its a valid text, sometimes companies will say things that are directed in an entirely different demeener

They already keep track of it for charging by-the-kb fees for people without data services. It would be extremely simple to add a couple lines of code if (usage > 1gb) {speedcap = 50kbps} of course that's generic english but you get the point.

[kaziko]

Right, but the speeds of the unlimited data plans aren't monitored. When I log into a customer account and check usage it will almost always give me a 999999 when it comes to data which means it is unlimited usage and not watched over like the foresaid rumors have stated

[DesignDawg]

When it gets down to it, at the end of the day, this little piece of fine print has been the #1 go to for naysayers and fanboys who want to see Android fail (why people don't want competition, I'll never know). It my eyes, a good PR move would be for TMobile to simply CHANGE the contract to a more standard number (3 or 5 GB - they all have limits, I think), OR simply rely on a "details subject to change" kind of a line instead of specifically relying on the wording of the 1 GB thing. I doubt they have/had any plans to limit speeds, so I would think, had they know so many people would be making so much hay off this little piece of fine print, they wouldn't have gone there. It's never too late.

[New World]

^ I gotta agree. Maybe one of the head honchos should talk to T-mobile.

I mean it wouldn't hurt to let them know and see what happens.

[DesignDawg]

IT'S DONE! They've already changed it! They heard us, and they've changed their wording to...drumroll...EXACTLY what we've been saying:

To provide the best network experience for all of our customers we may temporarily reduce data throughput for a small fraction of customers who use a disproportionate amount of bandwidth. Your data session, plan, or service may be suspended, terminated, or restricted for significant roaming or if you use your service in a way that interferes with our network or ability to provide quality service to other users. Some devices require specific data plans; if you do not have the right plan for your device, you may not be able to use data services. Additional charges may apply.

This is via none other than www.t-mobileg1.com

I think we should probably put a front page story up about this!