AT&T has been the subject of data throttling for the past year. In 2014, FTC filed a complaint in federal court against the network for throttling, AT&T replied but a judge soon dismissed the latter’s claim earlier this year. The case isn’t over yet but AT&T has done some changes already albeit quietly.
Unlimited data plans aren’t really unlimited. AT&T is believed to be throttling data speeds on 4G LTE unlimited plans once a subscriber has reached the 5GB data cap. This becomes frustrating for any consumer who is expecting unlimited and reliable data connection all the time. Problem is, AT&T has failed to deliver the promise and did not fully disclose speed would be throttled according to an FTC complaint.
As for AT&T, the company seems to have had a change of heart. The policy now reads:
As a result of AT&T’s network management process, customers on a 3G or 4G smartphone or on a 4G LTE smartphone with an unlimited data plan who have exceeded 3 gigabytes (3G/4G) or 5 gigabytes (4G LTE) of data in a billing period may experience reduced speeds when using data services at times and in areas that are experiencing network congestion. All such customers can still use unlimited data without incurring overage charges, and their speeds will be restored with the start of the next billing cycle.
In summary, people may experience reduced speeds ONLY in areas with network congestion once unlimited data plan have exceeded the 3GB mark on a 3G or 4G smartphone. When the 5GB mark is reached, those using 4G/LTE may also experience reduced speed.
The statement has been changed a bit, ensuring that reduced speed will only be experience in congested areas. This means, full speed can still be experienced whenever and wherever possible. Now, this seems to be good news for loyal AT&T subscribers. There wasn’t any formal announcement made by AT&T but at least the company made it clear that reduced speed will only be experienced in congested areas. Let’s see if AT&T consumers will be happy with the change.
VIA: DROIDLIFE
SOURCE: AT&T
