Throttling of unlimited 4g

[schadenfroh]

So, as many of you likely know, Verizon will start throttling top 5% LTE data users in October that have unlimited plans:

Starting October 1, Verizon Will Include Unlimited 4G LTE Customers in “Network Optimization” | Droi...

While I applaud the marketing staff's efforts to deny that slowing the speed of LTE customers is throttling, and that the lawyers have made a very loose interpretation of what is considered "reasonable network management" to dodge FCC Block C spectrum rules (reasonable would be slowing down the folks that are, at the time of tower congestion, using the most bandwidth, rather than punishing top 5% unlimited data users who may not be using much bandwidth at the time of congestion, but have done so in the past during said billing cycle) , I figure I should prepare for the worst, since I do enjoy watching HD Netflix while traveling.

Is there anyway to sign a new 2-year contract with Verizon such that my unlimited data plan will not get throttled?  I don't want a new phone or upgrade, just a contract to ensure price stability, current plan, and no throttling.

Given I live in DC, there is plenty of congestion and I'm likely in the top 1% of data users given I push upwards of 40gb a month watching netflix (no TV, so phone gets it).

[#2]

You can't have a unlimited data line under contract. If you transfer an upgrade from an unlimited line to another line then you'll get a new contract which voids your unlimited data.

[Jfriend33]

I am not gonna argue with you about that.

While I've never had to do that due to our infrequent need to upgrade, my

family member has done it many many many times.

It does NOT remove unlimited data!

[#4]

Keep thinking that.

[Jfriend33]

Thanks for your USELESS and UNHELPFUL answer to my question.

[Tidbits]

THis is how it works.

Say you have 4 lines.

2 lines have unlimited data(A and B) and 2 lines don't(C and D)

You transfers line A over to line C to upgrade

You don't lose unlimited because of a software loophole.  If Verizon audits they can remove unlimited without reprecussions.  Line A has to agree to the new terms and it is known accepting the new terms unlimited is not an option.  Only Line A accepts the contract and terms and conditions.

So the only option is to upgrade line C and then move the phone over is the safest way to do it without losing unlimited.

[Jfriend33]

Haven't you heard of people adding a feature line just to have the ability

to transfer upgrades? They have two lines and use BOTH upgrades for

smartphones. Why is that so hard to understand.

[#8]

adding a feature line is stupid. With tax/fees it would be almost $14 a month plus the discount cost and you have a useless line. just pay full price for the phone and quit trying to be sneaky about getting an upgrade to an unlimited data line. It's stuff like this which makes me wish Verizon would just cut the nonsense and end unlimited data. Then there wouldn't be any of this circus stuff.

Let's see Galaxy S5, $199 plus $35 activation fee, 24 payments of $14 a month = about $330 total =$564. Buying the phone outright would be $600. All that hassle for $36.

[Jfriend33]

Excuse you. I never said I did that. But people do.

I only go over 4.7gbs once or twice a year if that.

Why the heck would I pay full price for a droid maxx, $599 when I can

upgrade through comcast get a $200 visa plus we got two trade up promos

from trading in old phones we weren't using. That's $100x2 plus $200x2

minus 60.

They make enough money off our $240 a month phone bill.

I am a smart honest consumer. I pay comcast every month for Internet at

home and access to their hot spots. Having unlimited, even though I don't

use it like some, gives me peace of mind. That's all.

[#10]

If you have Comcast you certainly don't need unlimited data since you have wi-fi, but whatever.

that 4.7 GB figure is for March. The average increases every month. Also the throttling is NOT automatic at 4.7 GB. Only IF a tower is congested and only WHEN a tower is congested. Why aren't people getting this yet? You can use 470 GB and never get throttled.

[Jfriend33]

I understand that perfectly. I'm not complaining. It is for peace of mind.

I just want specifics and details.

And honestly nobody can say how bad it will be until October 1st

[Jfriend33]

And actually they've changed their terms twice so far. Now if you're over

4.7 any time you're at a busy site during that billing cycle you're

probably throttled.

[#13]

As I said it's top 5% not 4.7 GB. Average data use increases by at least 3% per month. So by Oct 1st it will already be 5.6 GB.

Also

Verizon Wireless Chief Executive Daniel S. Mead told reporters in New York that the company was surprised by the FCC’s letter, because the carrier was following the same process it used in 2011 to cope with heavy traffic on its 3G network.

“I don’t think the FCC really understood what we were doing,” said Mead, adding that the policy would result in slower speeds for “a tiny minority” of users who are connected to a cellular tower during times when demand is high.

[M9]

Then we all need to use as much data as we can so as to drive the average used up. Burn through 100 GBs as quick as we can just out of spite. We are VZW's oldest & best customers, most of us have been responsible with data use, pay our bills on time & this is VSW's way of showing customer appreciation. I say burn that data boys. Let er rip.

[rcschnoor]

M9 wrote:

We are VZW's oldest & best customers

I'm sorry, there is NO correlation with unlimited data and being "VZW's oldest & best customers". There are probably just as many people without unlimited data who have been with Verizon as long or longer than you have. I have been with Verizon just as long as they have been in existence, used to have unlimited data and now have the More Everything plan. You are certainly not an "older" customer of Verizon than I am and I don't see how having unlimited data makes you a "better" customer. In fact, I am sure Verizon considers the customers who have the plans they are "currently" pushing to be "better" customers, otherwise they would want everyone to have unlimited data AND it would still be available for new customers.

[M9]

I stand by my statement. U used to be one of us. The fact that u were naive enough to fall for the share Ur wallet & more money for less of everything plans changes nothing.

[rcschnoor]

Yes, I used to be one of you. Yes, I was naive enough to want to pay LESS each and every month to the tune of ~$1000 total over the 21 months since I switched to More Everything without ANY change whatsoever in my data usage habits.

Yes, I have kept that EXTRA $1000 in MY wallet instead of Verizon's wallet, paying LESS for the exact same usage.

Simply because you stand by an incorrect statement does not make it right.

You would be "naive" to think the SAME plan is the best plan for everyone. Everyone should ALWAYS choose the best plan for their needs. I can more than TRIPLE my data usage before I would be paying the same amount I would have paid had I kept unlimited data and I can't fathom that happening anytime in the future.

[M9]

Whose plan is a valuable commodity that can now be sold mine or yours?

Sent from my HTC One max on the Verizon Wireless 4G LTE network

[rcschnoor]

?????

And how, exactly, does that make you "VZW's oldest and best customers" as you have claimed???

Possibly because you cannot support your statement with facts, you are changing the subject???

[Jfriend33]

Grow up

[rcschnoor]

I have grown up, that is why I have chosen the best plan for my needs instead of keeping a plan I didn't need to pay extra in order to keep.

I also don't spread false/misleading/exaggerated information to reinforce my arguments. If you can point to anything I have stated which is untrue(at least at the time the statement was made), I would be happy to make a correction and/or retraction. The same cannot be said for many statements made by some in this forum/thread.

[Jfriend33]

My bill would cost me at least $40 more per month. I'm not giving verizon

more of my money. I pay $240 a month for five lines and only 2 have data.

Many would argue I'm already paying too much.