Last week I received a notice from AT&T about my data usage. Apparently I'm in the top 5% of all users. Of course they suggested I use WI-FI to avoid slowed Internet speeds—
WAIT! WHAT?
Years ago my husband and I stood in line for over four hours to purchase our first iPhones. I remember making a ridiculous comment about how I'd never use or need all the features of the phone and even considered getting a Blackberry Curve.
Thank God that didn't happen.
My cell company used to offer Unlimited Data plans—actually they forced us to sign up for the limitless services. Bet AT&T regrets that now. But this all brings me back to my frustration.
Why on Earth would they reduce the quality of service to people who use their phones the way Apple intended? It hardly seems fair. I stream Pandora in my car during my fifty-mile commute to work. I stream Pandora at work because we aren't allowed to use our organization's network. Makes sense. No big deal. I have my phone, unlimited data, all the good stuff.
I have all my author gadgets linked to my phone . . . my multiple e-mail accounts, Facebook, Twitter, StumbleUpon, GChat, the list goes on and on. I need my iPhone for all it's worth.
But AT&T wants to punish me.
If their network can't handle me, maybe they need to fix their network. I certainly shouldn't receive "reduced Internet speeds" because I use my phone to its full potential.
Right? Right? Does anyone agree with me here? They sold me unlimited data, they advertise 3G speeds . . . why should I get anything less?
My name is Krystal Wade, I have an iPhone 4S and I'm proud to be a data hog.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Data Threats
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
22 comments
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Couldn't agree more. I remember signing up for the unlimited plan that's suddenly limited now.
ReplyDeleteCheck your internet provider at home too. The fine print on ours says we're limited to 300GB a month... With the amount of streaming we do?
Anyhu! You're definitely not alone.
I have FIOS, but I've never seen any increased charges for data. I'm going to check more now! UGH!
DeleteI'm trying to cut back on my phone, just because I hate to get to the point where I need it more than it needs me. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, prevent yourself from being an addict! :-)
DeleteI used to think I'd never get any use out of a smart phone, but I got one a week and a half ago and I can easily see myself going over my 1GB per month data limit if I'm not careful. I have to remind myself to use our wireless network when I'm at home, and to only use the phone when I need to check an e-mail and I'm not at home or at work.
ReplyDeleteThey should honor (or be made to honor) their origInal contract. You did sign a two-year contract, right?
DeleteIt is frustrating, isn't it? I noticed that here in the UK nearly all ISP's no longer provide an 'unlimited' service. You can basically have a low, medium or high user package, but they stopped using the word 'unlimited' because they just can't, or won't provide it.
ReplyDeleteTwo steps forward; One step back :-\
I say they need to correct this problem! Worldwide!
DeleteWe live in a rural area and we have this FAP (Fair Access Policy). If we over use our satellite access we are slowed to dial-up speed or charged an increased fee. I had been hearing that it would soon affect other networks as well. It is like something straight out of ATLAS SHRUGGED.
ReplyDeleteThat's nuts! You pay for one thing, but get another. Absolute insanity!
DeleteOh my favorite book was mentioned in a comment??? What what?? I so agree. This is a lie. Everything they tell us is a big monster lie. And what can we do about it? I say we all go hide in a valley with John Galt. And Neo from the Matrix. Let's stop modern society slavery once and for all! Or easier - let's go to Encardia and fight darkness. I think we have better chances at winning against deamons than against ATT. ;)
ReplyDeleteSomeone's getting excited for the release of Wilde's Fire! Me! ME! LOL. I think we would have better luck fighting daemons than AT&T, Verizon, and all the others. :(
Deletethis report says iPhone 4S Users Eat Up Far More Data Than Any Other iPhone User
ReplyDeletehttp://www.inquisitr.com/176990/iphone-4s-users-eat-up-far-more-data-than-any-other-iphone-user/
they should plan for this instead of giving customers problems.
You know that makes total sense. I never used to stream music while on Facebook and Twitter. Now I run a lot of apps simul. Interesting. Don't think I'll quit any time soon. I have unlimited. They can slow my speed all they want, but they cannot make me pay more!
DeleteWell, I don’t use an iphone so I’m not comparing apples to apples (Doh!) Where I live AT&T gets really crappy reception. My husband has it and it suck big time every time he calls me. But he complains all the time about the bill on my driod. And my service has slowed considerably lately. Could that be a result of all the added iphone users now on Verizon? Ugh. I don’t use my phone half as much as you. It’s just too frustrating with the slow response now. I need to upgrade to the 4G since they came out.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any issues with dropped calls. I love my service.
DeleteApparently you haven't seen sprint's commercial that details just this problem. They don't punish you, I have unlimited everything, and do not experience slowed anything. And that is why I use sprint. :)
ReplyDeleteSprint SUCKS in this area. That is all. ;-)
DeleteIt sucks even worse where I am... where I am roaming 100% of the time. I don't know... when I was "there", it was working just fine... lol
DeleteWe've been sprint customers for 10 years and have not had any of the problems I've heard about from other companies. Just sayin'. ;)
DeleteOur cable company recently did the same thing with our internet service. If we go over 250 gigs a month, they slow our speed and charge us extra. I constantly stream music on the desktop, or watch Netflix Instant on the PS3, so we're going over the limit left and right. It's awful, especially since we're already paying extra each month specifically for T3 speeds.
ReplyDeleteI'm so bummed though! I love, love, love my Android. I use it for everything when I'm out. Email, Facebook, Twitter, Google... everything! I also use Touch (chat) with the best friends constantly since we're in 3 different states and like to group text. The phone died today for no apparent reason. It just stopped working. *sobs* Now I have to get a new one. I shudder to think how long it's going to take to load everything I use on a new phone!
You ARE right to be upset. I hear you. We got a virus via Mcafee - a spyware we pay extra money each month for to PREVENT getting viruses. When it was concluded, over the phone, it was probably a virus, our ISP informed us it would be $100 to fix it. WTF? Okay, not the same as internet speeds, but along the same lines in the way of not providing what we pay for, or what's promised. Idiots!! I say time for a revolt. :)
ReplyDelete