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Verizon defends wireless data download slowdowns

Verizon Communications Inc defended its decision to slow data downloads for some customers using older unlimited data plans, telling U.S. regulators it was a "widely accepted" and lawful part of network management.

In July, Verizon said high speed wireless customers who subscribe to the company's legacy unlimited data plans might experience slower speeds starting Oct. 1. The company has a similar policy in place for customers on its slower

3G network.

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IMHO, it seems pretty sleazy to offer an "unlimited" service plan and then fail to provide it.

Back in the 1970s, the Bell System was considering a new policy, "Usage Sensitive Pricing" where the widespread use of flat rate local service would be changed to measured service. New mini-computer based AMA systems (AMARS, AMARC, CDA) would make this economically possible, even in step-by-step offices.

"In the 1980s, with the goal of universal service met and with pressure caused by increasing competition to relate charges to cost of service more closely, the trend is toward usage-sensitive rates." --Bell Engineering text.

Fortunately, these plans were never implemented on a widespread basis.

Reply to
hancock4
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What's unlimited is the volume, not the throughput. Even if they didn't throttle that artificially, it would still be inherently limited by the capacity of the network.

Reply to
Barry Margolin

If you limit the throughput, ultimately you are limiting the volume.

It's not that they don't provide infinite speed and volume, it's that they intentionally limit them. IMHO "unlimited" is false advertising, unless they add "unless you're in the top 5%" in type at least as big and prominent as the word "unlimited".

Reply to
Dave Garland

Technically, you're right. There's some huge amount of data that if you tried to download it at the limited rate, it might take so long that it's useless by the time you're done. But in realistic terms that's highly unlikely. They're not throttling by an order of magnitude, are they? It's probably at worst 50%, so you'll still be able to get all you need, you'll just have to be more patient.

It would only be eggregious, IMHO, if they throttled so much that video didn't play properly.

It's unlimited in the same sense that a salad bar is bottomless, or a buffet is all-you-can-eat. If you're not full when closing time comes, they're going to kick you out. Good luck trying to sue them for false advertising because of that.

Anyway, there's probably some clause in the actual contract that qualifies "unlimited" in such a way that this is legal.

Reply to
Barry Margolin

While that's true enough as an abstract matter, "unlimited" data plans do not promise unlimited volume at maximum throughput. They simply don't place a fixed ceiling on volume of data, with overages being subject to a higher price. Those unlimited plans have always been subject to throughput controls.

Reply to
Michael D. Sullivan

Maybe. But if I'm using the cellphone data collection to download a few Linux ISOs. I'd bet that I'd hit it.

So when does the cell phone network close? Do they advertise that, or at least have a sign on the door as you go in?

That may be. But I want to see the same clause in their advertising, at least as prominent as the claim of "unlimited". If it's limited, they shouldn't be able to deceive people by claiming otherwise.

Reply to
Dave Garland

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