AT&T Starts Throttling 'Top 5%' of iPhone Data Users

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Posted December 7, 2011 at 7:08pm by iClarified

AT&T has started throttling the 'top 5%' of iPhone data users, according to a new report from TiPb.

TiPb reader David, who previously got the infamous SMS nasty-gram, just received it again and since then can't seem to get download speeds any faster than an EDGE-like 150Kbps. His friends and co-workers are still getting full speed, ruling out a tower problem.

"I called AT&T because I thought it was an issue with them and I did a trouble shooting session on the phone. After finishing they asked if I received any text from them and I replied "yes" and told them which one and that's when AT&T told me "problem solved". I asked how do I go from 14mbps to straight EDGE, bypassing 7.2mbps, and they couldn't reply"

AT&T Starts Throttling 'Top 5%' of iPhone Data Users

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Comments (16)

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sirhc - December 18, 2011 at 5:49am

I have been throttled after 2gb i asked them where they get their 5% data from and i was told " its just the way it is and if i dont want to be throttled, i need to switch to a tiered plan"

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Ron - December 15, 2011 at 5:29pm

I just received the top 5% email and SMS @ 5.13GB on the unlimited plan.

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Greg Flores - December 8, 2011 at 5:52pm

I think this is straight bullshit I pay way too much money to AT&T so they could make my iPhone 4s slow as hell Seriously this needs to change

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azurite - December 8, 2011 at 3:11pm

What really sucks here is the math... 5% of top users does not clearly define a limit. Every cycle lowers the threshold of what amount of data puts you into the 5%. What happens if the Unlimited users are eventually "trained" (forced) to use less and less data because the 5% keeps getting lower and lower? Eventually, those on the 2GB plan become the 5%. I'd like to see all the Unlimited users stop using data for a month and force limited plans to be throttled. Then we'd really see the sh1t hit the fan.

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azurite - December 8, 2011 at 3:24pm

On the flip side of that idea, I wonder what would happen if Unlimited users took turns using exorbitant amounts of data each month, raising the 5% threshold for everyone else. Hmm...

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Locutus - December 8, 2011 at 12:42am

How much data are you unlimited data plan people using? You all knew AT&T was trying rein in customers who were abusing the unlimited service. AT&T isn't trying to screw anyone, they're trying make it so that their 3G networks aren't being over burdened by excessive traffic. Again, I know you all knew this. Quit complaining about it and start using wifi little more. It really is that simple.

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bonez - December 8, 2011 at 1:12am

i paid for unlimited 3g data goddamnit I'm gonna use unlimited 3g data

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Chet - December 7, 2011 at 10:12pm

ALONG is an adverb or a preposition. You at least know how to use those words that do exhibit your intelligence.

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Nate Hawkins - December 7, 2011 at 8:53pm

Most people these days are on the go. And at my night job I'm on Netflix, HBO Go, Slingbox and and Sundays the NFL Sunday Ticket. One month I hit 20gb LLS.

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ih8f - December 7, 2011 at 10:36pm

Shouldn't you be WORKING at your night JOB, instead of watching movies? Stop victimizing your employer.

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Greg - December 7, 2011 at 8:37pm

Time to Occupy AT&T. We are the 95%.

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alejandro - December 7, 2011 at 8:19pm

I'm an unlimited data costumer I got the same message and att reduce my speed from 30mbps (lte) to .15 mbps... WTF screws att

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Nick - December 7, 2011 at 7:57pm

This is just another way to screw over the people that still have unlimited data, because lets face it, the people who don't have unlimited will never use the amount data that us unlimited users use. I remember the days when companies strived to make the consumer happy, not anymore, it's all about the money which means companies could care less about the consumer.

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iamse7en - December 7, 2011 at 8:19pm

It's not because they only care about money, it's because there is no real competition. Due to government regulations and barriers to entry, it's an oligopoly, or in some areas, a monopoly. When you don't have competition, consumers get screwed. They're always worried about money. Of course they're trying to get as profitable as possible, no matter the circumstances... get the government out of the business, and then more companies can spawn and we'll get competition that forces these lousy companies to serve the consumer.

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Khan - December 7, 2011 at 7:44pm

ATT sent me an email and SMS regarding this. So far I used 5 gig this month. I have unlimited data and they want to get me.

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BustAGroove - December 7, 2011 at 7:12pm

I got my "in top $5" SMS text the other day. Yeah, thorttling should be a ramping down in phases, not slamming on the brakes.

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