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Verizon Backs Off Plan to Throttle Unlimited LTE Users

As noted earlier today, Verizon was scheduled to begin throttling unlimited LTE customers, the top 5% of users finding their speed dialed back if they're operating on a congested tower. This afternoon Verizon announced they'd be backing away from this policy. The company issued a statement to the media insisting they've "greatly valued the ongoing dialogue" on the subject the last few months, and will not be proceeding as scheduled because the company is dedicated to "exceptional network service."

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The full statement:
quote:
Verizon is committed to providing its customers with an unparalleled mobile network experience. At a time of ever-increasing mobile broadband data usage, we not only take pride in the way we manage our network resources, but also take seriously our responsibility to deliver exceptional mobile service to every customer.

We've greatly valued the ongoing dialogue over the past several months concerning network optimization and we've decided not to move forward with the planned implementation of network optimization for 4G LTE customers on unlimited plans. Exceptional network service will always be our priority and we remain committed to working closely with industry stakeholders to manage broadband issues so that American consumers get the world-class mobile service they expect and value.
There's two things at play here. One, Verizon has thus far refused to seriously compete with T-Mobile and others on price, because they claim they offer a high-end network. That message doesn't work as well if the headlines are focused on network congestion (real or otherwise). Two, the company is wary of FCC boss Tom Wheeler's recent inquiries about whether or not Verizon is using network congestion as an excuse to push grandfathered unlimited users to more expensive tiers, and would likely prefer it if the agency didn't crack down on such practices.
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bcltoys
join:2008-07-21

bcltoys

Member

???????

I still don't trust them,they are up to something.

Camelot One
MVM
join:2001-11-21
Bloomington, IN

Camelot One

MVM

Re: ???????

Agreed. I suspect we will see an even stronger push to get the remaining unlimited users on the new plans.
ke4pym
Premium Member
join:2004-07-24
Charlotte, NC

ke4pym

Premium Member

Re: ???????

said by Camelot One:

Agreed. I suspect we will see an even stronger push to get the remaining unlimited users on the new plans.

Meh, they do and I go back to a flip phone. I'm actually looking forward to a cheaper bill and less hastle in life.
78036364 (banned)
join:2014-05-06
USA

78036364 (banned)

Member

Re: ???????

Until they stop selling them or they stop working.

Brian_M
join:2004-06-19
Manchester, GA

1 recommendation

Brian_M to ke4pym

Member

to ke4pym
Heck, I never LEFT the flip-phone... just can't justify the plan pricing (I pay ~$10/month and buy a new-in-box/old stock top tier phone for $30 every other year). Over worried? Spend $100 and stock up (I've seen lots of 5 for that price).

I'd honestly just drop the cell phone completely, but I'm married and have been vetoed on this decision. *shrug* Not like I use the damn thing, I could just as well be hauling around a block of wood.

Pirate515
Premium Member
join:2001-01-22
Brooklyn, NY

Pirate515

Premium Member

Re: ???????

said by Brian_M:

Over worried? Spend $100 and stock up.

Good idea, but flip phones will just ultimately useless. Now that most major carriers have LTE, next step will be VoLTE. Once VoLTE is there, they will begin push for LTE-only handsets. After that, all 2G/3G spectrum that flip phones work on will get refarmed for LTE. So even if you do have a stockpile of flip phones, eventually you will be SOL with them. Won't happen overnight, but in 5-10 years I suspect all phone call will be going over LTE. And AFAIK, most if not all LTE handsets are smartphones.
Ammler
Premium Member
join:2005-04-19
Pittsburgh, PA

Ammler

Premium Member

Re: ???????

They are useless now. I just replaced my 3G Moto Barrage with an LG Exalt. Come to find out the Exalt does not even have a 3G radio in it. Sending picture messages over 1X has become horribly slow. And if the tower is congested, forget about it. My wife had also replaced a 3G flip with a smaller LG, same lack of 3G radio.

djrobx
Premium Member
join:2000-05-31
Reno, NV

djrobx to Camelot One

Premium Member

to Camelot One

Agreed. I suspect we will see an even stronger push to get the remaining unlimited users on the new plans.

Does Verizon really need to push any harder?

Not giving upgrade subsidies out to unlimited users is pretty harsh as it is. According to the paperwork when I upgraded my last phone, AT&T chipped in $450 towards my next phone since I was eligible. The real number is probably less, but it's still $18.75 per month of "value" over the 2 year contract that Verizon unlimited customers have already lost.

ybgrsfd
join:2013-08-21
united state

ybgrsfd

Member

Re: ???????

It's not that bad. I just bought a nice used Galaxy S4 on ebay, looks new, works like new for $200. Unlimited data still engaged

aaronwt
Premium Member
join:2004-11-07
Woodbridge, VA
Asus RT-AX89

aaronwt to djrobx

Premium Member

to djrobx
said by djrobx:

Agreed. I suspect we will see an even stronger push to get the remaining unlimited users on the new plans.

Does Verizon really need to push any harder?

Not giving upgrade subsidies out to unlimited users is pretty harsh as it is. According to the paperwork when I upgraded my last phone, AT&T chipped in $450 towards my next phone since I was eligible. The real number is probably less, but it's still $18.75 per month of "value" over the 2 year contract that Verizon unlimited customers have already lost.

You mean the $30 or $50 they give you? That is nothing. If I had to switch from my current Verizon unlimited tier to one of their normal tiers. My bill would go up over $1600 over a two year period. My bill would almost double.

So staying on unlimited is the least expensive option for me. Even if I bought a brand new unsubsidized phone for $600. I still save over $1000 every two years by staying on the unlimited plan. Although I typically buy a used phone for $200 to $300.
78036364 (banned)
join:2014-05-06
USA

78036364 (banned) to bcltoys

Member

to bcltoys
Of course now they will kill off unlimited data. So now the complainers can deal with that and the FCC can't do a damned thing. Enjoy your 2 GB with $10 per GB overage instead of unlimited with MAYBE some occasional but rare throttling after 5 GB.

IPPlanMan
Holy Cable Modem Batman
join:2000-09-20
Washington, DC

2 edits

IPPlanMan

Member

Re: ???????

I see. So this throttling was necessary to prevent congestion caused by Unlimited Data Users, even when there's plenty of capacity to nearly double/double their data plan tiers in one swoop overnight?
elefante72
join:2010-12-03
East Amherst, NY

elefante72

Member

Re: ???????

Until the fill that network. In my area the cell coverage has gone down quite a bit. When the network first lit up 3+ years ago it was 5 bars around the horn. Now I know they changed "bars" and asu for LTE doesn't need to be as high, but the network is really Sprintish these days. My mother comes to visit and she is humming along a 8Mb/s on HSPA on AT&T. She doesn't even need to bother w/ an LTE phone and loves her Nexus 4.

If I get 1-2Mb/sec on Verizon that is a good day. At major airports it's pretty much useless.

I will assume that rather than "painting" the top 5% they will simply throttle them in real time on active sectors which makes more sense. They dont even have to announce that because it's part of their ToS. I think the one month penalty box was a real bad idea...I know they are trying to coerce behavior, but think about it people on UNL have been w/ Verizon for a real long time. They should just plug up the rest of the swapping loopholes and charge some below the line fees to say activate a new phone, etc...

Realistically if they are dropping 20GB plans for a little over $100 now, in two years does it really matter? They already don't have to worry about subsidies, just some old fashion traffic shaping...
SG79
join:2009-05-27
New York, NY

SG79 to bcltoys

Member

to bcltoys
Agreed. Corporations aren't benevolent, and I doubt Verizon caved to FCC pressure without getting (or wanting) something in return. My guess is that Verizon will use this situation as a chip to force the FCC to open upcoming spectrum auctions to open bidding (vs. the special provisions that would favor smaller carriers that can't afford a bidding war with Verizon or AT&T)

If Verizon succeeds in open bidding, I fear Verizon (and AT&T) will squeeze the competition out of valuable sub 600Mhz spectrum - and consumers will lose a result (incl. Verizon customers - less viable competition, higher prices, etc).

Something is rotten in the state of State of Denmark.

spike010101
Premium Member
join:2003-11-28
Austin, TX

spike010101

Premium Member

Verizon needs to densify up their network.

As far as their LTE network goes, the 700mhz network is severely overloaded in a lot of areas, but after being on their AWS LTE network it's a noticeable improvement.

Example, on band 13 I get 1-8Mb/0.5-3Mb during the day at my house, but now I can easily pull 28/10 off band 4 in the same location.

In my opinion, they really need to follow AT&T's lead in deploying tens of thousands of small cells. On lightpoles, on top of buildings, or even new tower structures. Just anywhere will help. There are just way too many people per tower/cell site right now and AWS helps but it won't help forever.

nycnetwork
join:2000-11-12
Brooklyn, NY

1 edit

nycnetwork

Member

Re: Verizon needs to densify up their network.

The issue occurs when in an indoor environment as most UE will only attach to Band 13 do to the propagation characteristics of that low frequency band, coupled with rather sparse cell site spacing.

That clearly destroys Verizon's LTE network spectral efficiency, causing signaling storm and wasted resource block allocation. If they're smart enough (like T-Mobile), they'd be offering WiFi Calling already... It appears that their "premium brand" pride doesn't allow them to do so...
78036364 (banned)
join:2014-05-06
USA

78036364 (banned)

Member

Re: Verizon needs to densify up their network.

Starting next year Verizon is taking some of their PCS spectrum they use for 3G and refarming that for LTE.
78036364

78036364 (banned) to spike010101

Member

to spike010101
said by spike010101:

As far as their LTE network goes, the 700mhz network is severely overloaded in a lot of areas, but after being on their AWS LTE network it's a noticeable improvement.

Example, on band 13 I get 1-8Mb/0.5-3Mb during the day at my house, but now I can easily pull 28/10 off band 4 in the same location.

Next month the FCC is auctioning off AS-3 spectrum. Verizon will probably get some and that can be added nearly immediately.

In my opinion, they really need to follow AT&T's lead in deploying tens of thousands of small cells.

You do realize they are and have been dong that for well over a year.
mikeluscher159
join:2011-09-04

mikeluscher159

Member

Re: Verizon needs to densify up their network.

What do Verizon's look like? I've seen hundreds of T-Mobile's and AT&T's, and they're needed badly here on Staten Island.
78036364 (banned)
join:2014-05-06
USA

78036364 (banned)

Member

Re: Verizon needs to densify up their network.

You're not going to see them

»www.youtube.com/watch?v= ··· P93GoEWk
mikeluscher159
join:2011-09-04

mikeluscher159

Member

Re: Verizon needs to densify up their network.

Well, when's it coming? Is there any signs? Coverage here on Staten Island has long been an issue, and at this point, AT&T and T-Mobile manage to be better, as I see significantly more of there DAS systems or roof towers. I open ticket after ticket never to get an answer, and its really irritating. Its even more disappointing, as from a frequency perspective, Verizon has a much superior edge, yet my last 10 months with my Droid Maxx has been disappointing. I guess I just expected better for the price, and promises made.
78036364 (banned)
join:2014-05-06
USA

78036364 (banned)

Member

Re: Verizon needs to densify up their network.

They've already started deploying these for over a year. They deploy them where it determined to be needed most.
ke4pym
Premium Member
join:2004-07-24
Charlotte, NC

ke4pym to spike010101

Premium Member

to spike010101
said by spike010101:

Example, on band 13 I get 1-8Mb/0.5-3Mb during the day at my house, but now I can easily pull 28/10 off band 4 in the same location.

How do you know which band your phone is using?

spike010101
Premium Member
join:2003-11-28
Austin, TX

1 edit

spike010101

Premium Member

Re: Verizon needs to densify up their network.

If you're using an iPhone dial *3001#12345#*, then go to serving cell info, and it should be next to freq band indicator.

On android devices there should be some kind of app that will give you that information but it might be restricted on some locked down devices.
mikeluscher159
join:2011-09-04

1 recommendation

mikeluscher159

Member

Re: Verizon needs to densify up their network.

LTE Discovery in the play store will give you all the info you need.

Selenia
Gentoo Convert
Premium Member
join:2006-09-22
Fort Smith, AR

Selenia to spike010101

Premium Member

to spike010101
*#*#0011#*#* on an Android.
devolved
join:2012-07-11
Rapid City, SD
Ooma Telo

devolved to spike010101

Member

to spike010101
Then if you really want to know what frequency spread the band indicator is, this handy chart (scroll down the page) tells you....

»www.radio-electronics.co ··· trum.php

C6 Z06
join:2002-07-17
Lubbock, TX

C6 Z06 to spike010101

Member

to spike010101
Interesting findings. Certainly smart and successful at bandwidth optimization. How are you changing the band?

Yucca Servic
join:2012-11-27
Rio Rancho, NM

Yucca Servic

Member

Placement

Placement of antennas and electronics costs money. Building out new sites would not be viable at this time. On the other hand why is Verizon closing out site in areas that need better coverage? In other words New Mexico, we are a state in the USA.:0)

Hall
MVM
join:2000-04-28
Germantown, OH

Hall

MVM

Throttling = optimization ?

I like how they call this throttling an "optimization" of their network !

KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium Member
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK
Netgear WNDR3700v2
Zoom 5341J

1 recommendation

KrK

Premium Member

They don't take everything all at once... it's inch by inch.

The push from unlimited Internet to capped worked much the same way.

"Trials." "Experiments." Caps, then remove them later if their is enough outcry.
Keep pushing for it in the media and press. Once the public gets used to the idea that caps are "inevitable" then impose them, and win.

It's how it always works. They take it inch by inch. If they overstep, they get a little slap on the wrist, back off for awhile and let the dust settle.... and then do it again. Eventually they win over the FCC to do whatever they wished, and hapless consumers feel they have little choice and also grudgingly end up swallowing it eventually.

You can see where we are going in the future. It's sad, really.

dslx_jeff
ISP Employee
join:2013-10-14
Northridge, CA

dslx_jeff

ISP Employee

In Summary...

"Lets hold off on this for a bit since Wheeler decided he didn't want to get hired by us but by someone else when he leaves the FCC, we can always do it once he's getting to much flak for favoritism to someone else that he won't be able to pretend to be helping the public."

buddahbless
join:2005-03-21
Premium

buddahbless

Member

Re: In Summary...

I agree....
For those who cant read between the Verizon lines... "will not be proceeding as scheduled" just means were holding back until there's less heat on the subject. THAT IS ALL.
biochemistry
Premium Member
join:2003-05-09
92361

biochemistry

Premium Member

Time

Verizon has fewer unlimited users tham AT&T and they probably lost some more just over the possibility of throttling. Every day someone else gives up unlimited. With time only a few hardcore users will remain.
78036364 (banned)
join:2014-05-06
USA

78036364 (banned)

Member

Re: Time

Yep and some give it up so they can upgrade. Unlimited data users overestimates their numbers. Less than 20% at best
BiggA
Premium Member
join:2005-11-23
Central CT

BiggA

Premium Member

They should just kill Unlimited plans

And give those stubborn holdouts a 6GB plan and a phone upgrade for their effort. Unlimited just isn't sustainable, especially without throttling.

••••••
CyberGuy
join:2006-08-21
Colbert, WA

CyberGuy

Member

Wow! I'm absolutely floored by this.

Really looking forward to picking up an XLTE capable phone to replace the Galaxy S3 now, maybe even a Note 4 at full-price! Unlimited for LIFE! =)

Suntop
Wolfrider Elf
Premium Member
join:2000-03-23
Fairfield, MT
·T-Mobile
Netgear R6400
Netgear WNR1000
Netgear WNDR3400

Suntop

Premium Member

They to throttle some of thier "unlimited users"

To those who use Straight talk Red (CDMA) they are throttled after 3.0GB of usage. They still throttle some of those who have unlimited internet they are slowed down to the speed of a 14k modem. Which for a few months I lived with until I moved to my own place to get my own internet. I am NOT worried about what Verizon does any more since I left. I got home internet and I am home most of the time so I do not care about throttling any more. But they boast the fastest network they LIE!! Which is not uncommon for big carriers in some RURAL areas like here in Montana. The cell service sucks somewhat and they are SUPPOSED to of be using the tower where Cellular One used to be using until they left (they screwed many people and Cellular One ruined MTPCS) however they have NOT done so. AT&T is supposed to of done this too but they haven't however they are faster and more reliable. They're a little expensive but not much more than when they had services separated (Voice/SMS) But now they do Unlimited talk and text for $40.00 and $20.00 for 1GB of data which is fine for me since I DO NOT use it much outside wifi. And most all of the AT&T wireless users do have better network access to the waypoint/AT&T wifi hotspots.

Suntop

LTDUNN86
@206.135.75.x

LTDUNN86

Anon

Corporate America

Unlimited is unlimited. The congestion thing is a lie to make money. The government should step in and fine these companies or possibly shut them down if this data cap thing continues. I have unlimited sprint data and never EVER have any slow down issues and I use well over 50GB a month!!! Period.
tomas67
join:2006-10-14
Villa Park, IL

tomas67

Member

Re: Corporate America

You are correct it's about more money.

aninomyse128
@71.238.138.x

aninomyse128

Anon

Re: Corporate America

In light of the govt controlling health care why not the phones

Anomoys
@71.238.138.x

Anomoys

Anon

Beware Unlimited Data Plan Owners

Verizon is on a warpath to get rid of our unlimited data plans. I recently activated my personal Hotspot on my phone. The agent conviently put me on a $50 4 GB plan. Now I am fighting to get it back and am being told they don't know if they can get it back for me. The agent never informed me she made me this change she came back on the line and told my hotspot is enabled. Like I am going to give up my $29.95 unlimited plan to pay more for less data. Sounds fair to me NOT!!!

Thanks Verizon for the inconvenience you caused me!!!!