Nobody likes throttling but it must be done at some point if you don’t want overcharges on your mobile data plan. T-Mobile has officially give in to the idea after being questioned about its Binge-On program. You see, earlier in January, T-Mobile was reported by EFF to be throttling and not just mobile optimizing. It was a big issue then because throttling was illegal.
This time, the mobile carrier has started to “throttle” mobile hotspot data when network is full or congested. Priority is being given to devices connected to the network instead. T-Mobile has sent out notification to subscribers explaining the change. This means those on Smartphone Mobile Hotspot will experience slow down while direct connection will be faster.
T-Mobile said people “may notice reduced data speeds with using Smartphone Mobile HotSpot” as the network begins to prioritize data on a T-Mobile smartphone over the hotspot data. T-Mobile noted: “We just made your network better again. T-Mobile device data comes first.”
There really is no mention of “throttling” but this change has the same effect–slowing down of Internet connection. That may be a bad thing for those who rely on tethering but good news for those who are directly connected. It actually makes sense because those people who are on the mobile hotspot are in a sense stealing the mobile data. It shouldn’t be a huge turnoff but instead, people are expected to be more attracted to getting their own mobile plans.
Throttling happens in reality. For one, the T-Mobile One plan offers unlimited text, calls, and 4G LTE data sans the data cap. Speed isn’t always 4G though because when it comes to video streaming, 480p streaming is turned on by default. That’s not exactly bad because you don’t always need to view hi-res videos.
T-Mobile never mentioned throttling on its website and customer page but that “improvement”, which is slowing down of tethered connection, for the benefit of direct consumers, is indeed throttling.
VIA: Ars Technica
SOURCE: T-Mobile
