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Unlimited Plan throttled and punishment for overage

Yes, I have read the fine print, previous entries, and understand that even with my grandfathered "Unlimited" broadband plan, Verizon will throttle back my speed when I go over 5gb.

Here is what angers me. Being a loyal VZW customer for over 9 years, with 5 phone lines and a broadband package, I am getting punished for my overage. Last month I went over my 5gb on the 13th. My billing cycle date is the 22nd, which is when usage is reset. Common sense would dictate that the speed gets reset too. No, VZW stated that my speed is throttled back for 4 weeks from the date of going over. So I have to wait until November 10th to have my speed back up which is over half way through my billing cycle. I emailed the NW regional President and her assistant replied, that they do not do anything about it. It's the way it is.

Does anyone know any ideas to be able to track usage in real time? Does usage change depending on what internet browser used? Is there a minimum speed to be considered broadband?

I am even more frustrated since I found this out after upgrading to MIFI. If I happen to go over my "unlimited" 5gb plan again, I might get punished even longer and never get back up to speed.

P.S. Do they throttle the data plans for smartphones too?

Thanks,

Comments

unknown

You can download and install the free NetMeter software.

toots2022

I know the feeling about going over your usage. My problem is that when I connect to VZM Manager the usage box is suppose to come up and tell you where you are at, mine will not show the web page so I don't know unless I log into the Verizon Wireless home page. I have no problem there, except it it very inconvenient sometimes, and you are using your usage to get on Verizon.

I have a suggestion for Verizon - When a customer is getting close to being over, Verizon can send an email to let them know and then the customer has an option to buy and extra 1G or what ever they think they need, for a small extra one time fee for the billing cycle. So that way the customer will not get a big surprise at the end of the billing cycle (mine was $107.00 extra).

They do not have a larger plan then the 5G for the broadband device. Now a days people are on the internet a lot more then previous years. Some people are working 2nd jobs from there computers at home besides just enjoy internet entertainment. It would just make since to have an extra 1G available if needed - this would be like an ala-cart option.

Just a thought!!!!!!

ibanez737

funkyd71 wrote:
Yes, I have read the fine print, previous entries, and understand that even with my grandfathered "Unlimited" broadband plan, Verizon will throttle back my speed when I go over 5gb.

Here is what angers me. Being a loyal VZW customer for over 9 years, with 5 phone lines and a broadband package, I am getting punished for my overage. Last month I went over my 5gb on the 13th. My billing cycle date is the 22nd, which is when usage is reset. Common sense would dictate that the speed gets reset too. No, VZW stated that my speed is throttled back for 4 weeks from the date of going over. So I have to wait until November 10th to have my speed back up which is over half way through my billing cycle. I emailed the NW regional President and her assistant replied, that they do not do anything about it. It's the way it is.

Does anyone know any ideas to be able to track usage in real time? Does usage change depending on what internet browser used? Is there a minimum speed to be considered broadband?

I am even more frustrated since I found this out after upgrading to MIFI. If I happen to go over my "unlimited" 5gb plan again, I might get punished even longer and never get back up to speed.

P.S. Do they throttle the data plans for smartphones too?

Thanks,

Unfortunately, that is pretty much the way it is. When the unlimited plans originally came out, no one was even coming close to 5GBs of usage, so it was really a nonissue. With the way the internet and media has evolved, obviously speeds and 5GB is a whole different ball game. They can throttle your usage for the amount of time they listed and they can keep doing it. Now that you know, all you can do is stay below 5GB. Also, there are new plans/pricing for MiFi's, so you could get 10GB of usage for $80 and not have to worry as much, or you can even lower to $50 a month for 5GB and save some money.

Smartphones are not throttled and are truly unlimited. I know many people in my circle of family and friends that use more than 5GB on a regular basis.

rcurl

toots2022 wrote:
My problem is that when I connect to VZM Manager the usage box is suppose to come up and tell you where you are at, mine will not show the web page so I don't know unless I log into the Verizon Wireless home page.

Open VZAccess manager, click on OPTIONS>Preferences and then check the box "Display my usage information on connection"

toots2022 wrote:

I have a suggestion for Verizon - When a customer is getting close to being over, Verizon can send an email to let them know and then the customer has an option to buy and extra 1G or what ever they think they need, for a small extra one time fee for the billing cycle. So that way the customer will not get a big surprise at the end of the billing cycle (mine was $107.00 extra).

Verizon already sends emails when you have used 25%, 50%, 75%, and 94% of your monthly allocation. Just look for the emails with "Important Information Regarding your Verizon Wireless Account" on the Subject line.

-Rick

jkse

I am new to the throttling thing. I hadn't realized that they were doing it until recently when they slowed my speed down to 85kbps! You can even check your email at that speed. When we called the tech support they sent us a new MIFI because that was the only reason they could come up with for what was wrong. After we went through all the set up business and the speed was the same the tech support person admitted that we were being penalized for using too much of our unlimited data. We were told it would reset at the beginning of the new billing cycle. From the above posts it appears I will have a long wait to get our speed back.

Is there anything that can be done to get the speed back sooner?

PDCLarry

jkse wrote:
I am new to the throttling thing. I hadn't realized that they were doing it until recently when they slowed my speed down to 85kbps! You can even check your email at that speed. When we called the tech support they sent us a new MIFI because that was the only reason they could come up with for what was wrong. After we went through all the set up business and the speed was the same the tech support person admitted that we were being penalized for using too much of our unlimited data. We were told it would reset at the beginning of the new billing cycle. From the above posts it appears I will have a long wait to get our speed back.

Is there anything that can be done to get the speed back sooner?

Get a MiFi from a carrier that doesn't throttle and has unlimited data (e.g., Virgin Mobile).

pawdog

Wow 85Kbps would be a throttle up for me.

gatotten

I just got stung for the 5gb overuse......also on an "Unlimited" plan. The fine print allows Verizon to "protect the web" - in this case throttling me back. After reading some of these posts, it looks like I need to make sure I am not being charged even tough my use is unlimited.

Tom Tauke wrote in one of his blogs that customers, "should go somewhere else if their not happy" I hope those who have been screwed by Verizon do just that. I live in a rural setting and am stuck switch this as my only connection. They complained about net abuse (over 5gb) and in the same sentence try to upsell for an additional $30 per month. If it was about protecting the web from data hogging they wouldn't offer an upgrade. No, it's always about money....and in this case reneging on a contract. I'll see if they will give me dial up rates until JANUARY 18TH! That's my "time out " period.

thepres69

Contact Fraud and investigations now... 888-483-7200 and ask them to remove the cap. get their name and post on here.. request a copy of the business policy that says they are limiting access after 5gig... we are working on a class action law suit for strong arm sales tactics...

lkentn

I put this response in the wrong place the first time:

We have been wireless phone customers for many years and have been very satisfied. Verizon service has fit very nicely into our full-time RVing lifestyle. We even have recommended Verizon service to many of our RVing friends over the years. A few years ago, we began using the Broadband Wireless service to put our computer on the internet. That service worked extremely well for us. A month or so ago, we switched to the new MiFi device while traveling in California and when signing up, we were informed that we still had unlimited data access which had been grandfathered in because we have been long term loyal customers. The new MiFi device seemed like a godsend to us since we have acquired a number of devices which can make use of WiFi hotspots. Our devices include a laptop computer, an ITouch, two Kindles, a Samsung Blueray player and two new Samsung LED TVs all of these devices make our motorhome a true home for us. We would be able to connect up to five devices at a time to the internet; how cool is that!

The first month we had the MiFi device, we downloaded firmware upgrades for all of our devices that required them, updated maps for our Garmin GPS, and streamed Pandora and Netflix on our new TVs. In short order, we began to notice the speed of our "Broadband" wireless service decline drastically. I called Verizon Tech Service and Customer Service to see what was going on and was referred to Verizon's Fraud Department for an explanation of what had happened to me. After speaking to these people, I was told that I had exceeded the "5 Gig" limit that was allowable to me and my speed had been throttled down for at least a month into the future. I just checked the "speed" I have now and it is .21 mbps download and .19 mbps upload speed and I don't have to tell you that is slow. I am MAD to be punished in this fashion by a company I have been so loyal to for so long. I watch Verizon commercials about the new 4G service where they are saying you can download a song in seconds and stream Netflix etc. all of the things I would love to do but am not allowed to do by Verizon. I know I have the 3G network now but do you think I am looking forward to the 4G network when I can download my 5 Gig allotment of data in less than a couple of hours. What is your plan Verizon? Don't you realize that if you do this right every home in america could have a Verizon MiFi device sitting there fullfilling all of the data needs for all of the devices in each home?

I just wish unlimited data assigned to my account really meant unlimited data!!

lkentn

I felt like a class action suit may be in the future!!

lkentn

I posted my original Verizon Community post on the RV.net Open Roads Forum complaining about my Verizon Broadband account being throttled down as punishment for going over the 5 Gig limit during my very first month of having my new MiFi. The Open Roads Forum is the largest RV forum on the internet; Verizon is the preferred carrier of almost all RVers out there because of its superior network (I don't care what AT&T says). If you wish to see what this group of people is saying about this throttling down and the 5 Gig limit on "unlimited" data accounts check it out at: http://www.rv.net/forums/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/24680014/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1.cfm ; I have the same user name on the Open Roads Forum as I do on this one.

EasyMoney47

They do have Email reminders that you set up yourself in you account that will let you know at different times as to your amount of usage

tkgavette

I live in rural South Dakota the 3g coverage from Verizon was awesome, at first. Then after the first month the throttled me. I picked their largest plan and paid the overage fees. If I'm willing to pay why punish me. I want a fast rural internet and I'm willing to pay for it.

ayounger

finally!! someone doing something worhwhile.......make it count!! I am calling!

Tidbits

Good luck with Clearwire. They throttle you. Sure they don't have a cap, but they will throttle you based on what you are using the bandwidth for. I used to have them for 2 years, and I refuse to go back. Also Sprint charges an extra $10 for their 4G devices per month for unlimited. If you don't have 4G in your area well you have a 5GB cap.

creekside2

I am having this same problem with my broadband, but we are also having a lot of dropped calls on our cellphones. We never had that problem with Altel. Does this affect the phones too?

I know two other people in different directions from town having this problem too. One is a student who had enrolled in an online course so she wouldn't have to drive 45 miles a day to class. She's now having to drive.

creekside2

I've never gotten one of these emails. So far I have not been charged an overage fee but I really don't think I am going over and am having the same problems with connection and speed.

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