So I got home today and checked my mailbox. Inside was a love letter from sprint complaining about how I'm using "an unusual amount of roaming data" over the past 6 months and how I should adjust my usage habits to comply with their limits.
Wanna know what my AVERAGE roaming data use was over the past 6 months? I did, too, so I went to the Sprint website and looked it up.
Over the past 12 months, my average ON-network data use was 329MB/month.
Over the same period, my average ROAMING data use was 87MB/month. My highest amount of roaming data was in November at 529MB. In December I had 363MB. I haven't exceeded 300MB any other time in the past 12 months, and most likely no other time in the past 10 years with Sprint!
Somehow, in their minds, I am "in violation of the terms and conditions by consistently exceeding the roaming limits" of my contract.
I hardly ever roam, and I get nailed right away. Other people here use several GB of roaming data, and do it for months and months with nary a peep from Sprint.
WTF?
I been with Sprint about two years and use roaming data every month, I'd say around 200 to 300 megs typically. That's weird they singled you out like that.
I roam like 5gbs a month for 3 months I'm still here no letter.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using Tapatalk
Dalmus said:
Wanna know what my AVERAGE roaming data use was over the past 6 months? I did, too, so I went to the Sprint website and looked it up.
Over the past 12 months, my average ON-network data use was 329MB/month.
Over the same period, my average ROAMING data use was 87MB/month. My highest amount of roaming data was in November at 529MB. In December I had 363MB. I haven't exceeded 300MB any other time in the past 12 months, and most likely no other time in the past 10 years with Sprint!
WTF?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I first got my SGS2 in October, I remember having tons of problems staying on network over the 4 miles I travel during the day (home - work - etc) and would almost constantly be roaming data. I initiated a chat online just to verify that my plan included unlimited data roaming so I didn't end up with a crazy bill. Towards the end of the chat, the rep said something to the effect of "Unlimited, as long as you don't exceed 20% of your total data usage". To which I replied that they need to work on the data coverage (sparse 3g, no 4g) in this market area for that to even be possible. Unfortunately I didn't have the log sent to me.
I've been exceeding this threshold ever month since and I haven't received any nasty-grams. Hopefully I won't because my off network is 80%. Sorry I can't answer your WTF....I'm still scratching my head on how 20% = unlimited.
speedracersdead said:
When I first got my SGS2 in October, I remember having tons of problems staying on network over the 4 miles I travel during the day (home - work - etc) and would almost constantly be roaming data. I initiated a chat online just to verify that my plan included unlimited data roaming so I didn't end up with a crazy bill. Towards the end of the chat, the rep said something to the effect of "Unlimited, as long as you don't exceed 20% of your total data usage". To which I replied that they need to work on the data coverage (sparse 3g, no 4g) in this market area for that to even be possible. Unfortunately I didn't have the log sent to me.
I've been exceeding this threshold ever month since and I haven't received any nasty-grams. Hopefully I won't because my off network is 80%. Sorry I can't answer your WTF....I'm still scratching my head on how 20% = unlimited.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now THAT is interesting... if 20% of total data usage is really their bar, then that explains the letter. Although if that's the case, that means I'm being penalized for spending the majority of my time on wifi.
Month: On-Network / Roaming
Oct: 845,774KB / 37,814KB = 4%
Nov: 1,067,868KB / 529,707KB = 50%
Dec: 342,044KB / 363,405KB = 106%
Jan: 235,102KB / 78,215KB = 33%
However, as you can see, I am in NO way what you would consider a data hog. I spend the vast majority of my time on wifi at work and at home.
I just got a reply back from customer service, and after parsing the bad English, they claim I exceeded the limits in Nov - Jan. I clearly did not exceed 300MB in January.
I think I may have to initiate on online chat... I will still likely have to parse the bad English (or at the very least ask the question 4 different ways so they understand), but at least I should get an answer on how they actual determine me to be a roaming abuser.
I manage a store in Cleveland.
If you look closely in the plan booklet (yea I know, its the small print ) it states that for roaming you are "limited to 300 MB/mo. or a majority of kilobytes".
Even though your not using much data in roaming, your probably using a majority of your data in roaming.
I didn't read through all of the details in your post to see if this is the case, but this is something that I have seen in the past so I figured I'd post the info.
Dalmus said:
Although if that's the case, that means I'm being penalized for spending the majority of my time on wifi.
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Click to collapse
No. Wi-fi is not counted towards the data usage in question. On-Network, obviously, is Sprint data usage. Roaming data usage is only counted if the data used is being pulled from a Sprint roaming partner, usually Verizon (though in some areas it may be another carrier). The reason they are strict about roaming data is because they have to pay the partner for the usage, and so try to minimize the cost by having the option to cancel contracts if roaming usage is excessive.
Using wi-fi, be it at home or in a coffee shop, hospital, etc., does not use any cellular data and does not count towards any data usage on Sprint's end. When the usage is calculated, they look to make sure that:
a) You have not exceeded 300MB of roaming data, and
b) If you have not exceeded 300MB of roaming data, that your roaming data does not exceed your on-network data.
Personally, I don't know how often they calculate data or how they determine if a person needs a letter. I live in a spotty coverage area, but am careful not to use data if I'm roaming, because Sprint is the lesser evil where I am.
speedracersdead said:
....I'm still scratching my head on how 20% = unlimited.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nowhere does it say "unlimited roaming", it says "free roaming" (which isn't free for them) and "unlimited Sprint Network data".
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
darthstewie said:
No. Wi-fi is not counted towards the data usage in question. On-Network, obviously, is Sprint data usage. Roaming data usage is only counted if the data used is being pulled from a Sprint roaming partner, usually Verizon (though in some areas it may be another carrier). The reason they are strict about roaming data is because they have to pay the partner for the usage, and so try to minimize the cost by having the option to cancel contracts if roaming usage is excessive.
Using wi-fi, be it at home or in a coffee shop, hospital, etc., does not use any cellular data and does not count towards any data usage on Sprint's end. When the usage is calculated, they look to make sure that:
a) You have not exceeded 300MB of roaming data, and
b) If you have not exceeded 300MB of roaming data, that your roaming data does not exceed your on-network data.
Personally, I don't know how often they calculate data or how they determine if a person needs a letter. I live in a spotty coverage area, but am careful not to use data if I'm roaming, because Sprint is the lesser evil where I am.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read for clarity, not just the verbiage, before you go into such a long winded reply. He was saying he's being penalized, because his WiFi usage, keeps his on-network data usage down, causing him to exceed more than 20%.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
Thanks for the info, guys. I do know that they have the "300MB or majority of KB" in their fine print. I'm just annoyed that I got singled out with such a low usage level, when there are clearly others costing them far more money.
Here is the relevant part of the transcript from my chat session. (I did edit out portions where he told me helpful things like "let me show you how to track your data usage" in response to the first statement by my below).
You: Okay. I understand that I did indeed exceed the 300MB usage over the course of two months. However, an email response from
customer service also claimed I exceeded the 300MB cap in January. According to the Sprint.com website, by usage was only 76MB.
Raymond D: I am happy to assist you by locating that information.
You: I want to know if there is a ratio of "on network" to "roaming" that I need to maintain. For example, if my roaming usage is only 10% of ALL my data usage, but still exceeds 300MB, am I safe?
Raymond D: Yes, you are safe in this case.
Raymond D: Also, we will notify you in case you exceeds your limit in future.
Raymond D: Will that be fine with you?
You: I don't mind being alerted. I was offended that I was threatened with account termination when I use far less 3G than the average Sprint smartphone user.
Raymond D: This was for the connection card plan.
Raymond D: However with phone data plan unlimited data roaming is included.
You: Are you saying that I received the warning letter in error?
You: (I do not have a connection card)
Raymond D: Your plan includes unlimited data roaming .
Raymond D: Please do not worry no additional charges will be charged.
You: So if I exceed 300,000KB of data roaming on my phone, I am *NOT* in violation of any limits as long as the majority of my 3G data is on-network?
Raymond D: Yes.
You: I just want to be clear, as the ecare representative AND the letter stated that there is a 300MB limit on data roaming, no exceptions.
Raymond D: I understand.
Raymond D: Please be assured and do not worry no additional charges will be charged.
Raymond D: Also, the letter which you receive please send the copy of the same letter to us so that we will investigate the issue for you.
You: I understand I will not be charged. And my account will not be terminated if I exceed 300MB in data roaming as long as the majority of my data usage is on-network.
Raymond D: Yes, you are correct.
You: Thank you very much for clearing this up.
Raymond D: You're welcome.
azyouthinkeyeiz said:
Nowhere does it say "unlimited roaming", it says "free roaming" (which isn't free for them) and "unlimited Sprint Network data".
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm actually one of the people here that has been knocked in the past for criticizing the 00001.prl folks. Yes, I use Roam Control with 11115.prl, but I actually only use it when Sprint's network truly fails me. The proof of that is the fact that my average roaming usage is 76MB/month over the past 12 months.
And while the chat guy said unlimited data roaming is included on my plan, I know that there is the '*' that says "while on the Sprint network.
That's why I specifically ignored "unlimited roaming" and specified "as long as the majority of data is on-network."
well at least you have something to fight back with if it should ever come down to it and you wanted to stay.
patrao_n said:
well at least you have something to fight back with if it should ever come down to it and you wanted to stay.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like to call Sprint the lesser of the evils, like another poster said.
I have land in Northern Wisconsin where Sprint is the only reliable national carrier. Verizon gets roaming voice service, but no data (not even to get notification of voice mails). Its a former Alltel service area, but Verizon had to divest it to Cellcom when they purchased Alltel. So, I'm one of the lucky few that can get "legitimate" 3G roaming without any PRL tricks when I go on vacation.
AT&T and T-Mobile don't even get voice service there. US Cellular works well, but they are even more expensive than Verizon, and not national.
I know Sprint will do what they want to do, but I don't have to go quietly if they do something I don't like.
azyouthinkeyeiz said:
Nowhere does it say "unlimited roaming", it says "free roaming" (which isn't free for them) and "unlimited Sprint Network data".
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I log into my account and check my data usage, it says Data Roaming: Current XXXXXX MB, Remaining: Unlimited. However I was informed that there was a ratio/limit to unlimited. [edit: nevermind, I see what everyone is talking about] I understand the reasoning behind the ratio in business practice, but I cannot meet the ratio based on the signals available where I live, work, and play as I am constantly roaming with no change to my PRL, etc. I use wifi at home, and roam on whatever network I get when out and about. I guess I'm going to get one of these letters when I hit 6 months with this phone (march).
speedracersdead said:
When I log into my account and check my data usage, it says Data Roaming: Current XXXXXX MB, Remaining: Unlimited. However I was informed that there was a ratio/limit to unlimited. [edit: nevermind, I see what everyone is talking about] I understand the reasoning behind the ratio in business practice, but I cannot meet the ratio based on the signals available where I live, work, and play as I am constantly roaming with no change to my PRL, etc. I use wifi at home, and roam on whatever network I get when out and about. I guess I'm going to get one of these letters when I hit 6 months with this phone (march).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Given my virtually non-existent data roaming prior to getting this phone (other than obvious spikes where I was up north), I'm forced to consider two options:
1) My Samsung Moment had a MUCH better radio, and I was able to pull in Sprint 3G data more consistently when I wasn't on WiFi (same 11115 prl I'm using now).
2) Sprint has lost a significant amount of network coverage starting around August of last year.
Neither prospect is very appealing!
How to get your issue handled:
1) find the nearest corporate store
2) go there at about 1pm
3) wait till the store is full of people waiting for help
4) walk in like you own the place and insist that you don't have to wait and it's not your problem that people are in front of you, and tell the rep he's a moron for suggesting you wait
(of course I'm kidding, but someone actually tried this in my store today. Just trying to bring some levity to the situation)
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
abhaxus said:
How to get your issue handled:
1) find the nearest corporate store
2) go there at about 1pm
3) wait till the store is full of people waiting for help
4) walk in like you own the place and insist that you don't have to wait and it's not your problem that people are in front of you, and tell the rep he's a moron for suggesting you wait
(of course I'm kidding, but someone actually tried this in my store today. Just trying to bring some levity to the situation)
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I take it you didnt like my atitude
abhaxus said:
How to get your issue handled:
1) find the nearest corporate store
2) go there at about 1pm
3) wait till the store is full of people waiting for help
4) walk in like you own the place and insist that you don't have to wait and it's not your problem that people are in front of you, and tell the rep he's a moron for suggesting you wait
(of course I'm kidding, but someone actually tried this in my store today. Just trying to bring some levity to the situation)
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like a McDonald's in the hood.
abhaxus said:
How to get your issue handled:
1) find the nearest corporate store
2) go there at about 1pm
3) wait till the store is full of people waiting for help
4) walk in like you own the place and insist that you don't have to wait and it's not your problem that people are in front of you, and tell the rep he's a moron for suggesting you wait
(of course I'm kidding, but someone actually tried this in my store today. Just trying to bring some levity to the situation)
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I cannot count how many times I've had this happen. Even had a guy call Customer Service, complain that we were rude, and wouldn't let his kid use the bathroom (even though there is a big sign that says "No Public Restroom"). He just walked into the back of the store and would not understand why that was a security measure (the office where contracts are stored is adjoining the bathroom), and then used this experience to try to get out of his contract. All the while yelling and cussing, and we did nothing but apologize and ask him to try to keep his cool. He said at one point, "I pay Sprint so much money for my cell service, I just wanted to use the bathroom. My kid had held it for 45 minutes prior to entering the store."
(How is it our fault, when there is a gas station right next door, that he just passed by?)
Uhg.. At my store we tend to kick people like that out and tell them never to come back.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
Related
Thank you for contacting Sprint regarding the roaming services and Newtwork Vision.
The plan active on your account is Everything Data Share 1500. This plan includes unlimited 3G data roaming and America Roaming option.
However, Sprint's Terms & Conditions limit domestic roaming data and voice usage:
-300 Megabyte (MB) data roaming. -5 Gigabyte (GB) in-network data. -800 minutes per month.
sent from my Galaxy S 2 from Sprint on unnamed 2.0.1
Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure that is the case for roaming usage. They won't throttle you or cut off your data but if you reach that limit you will be contacted by Sprint threatening to terminate your contract/service.
As for the 5gb limit? I don't know about that one.
Yea the 300mb was I knew but 5gb? I hate reps
sent from my Galaxy S 2 from Sprint on unnamed 2.0.1
donsh00tmesanta said:
Yea the 300mb was I knew but 5gb? I hate reps
sent from my Galaxy S 2 from Sprint on unnamed 2.0.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This was chat online? They don't know anything. For a more reliable experience, you'll have to get them on the phone.
EDIT: The 5GB cap is for hotspots, not cell phone plans. Cell Phones are unlimited data.
Email
sent from my Galaxy S 2 from Sprint on unnamed 2.0.1
Cell phone plans are not truly unlimited. Roaming is capped at 300mb or a majority of data usage in a month. On network usage is a little tricky. They will let you use A LOT, but there is a point where they'll send you a letter for excessive usage.
Attached is a copy of the letter I got from Sprint last month for roaming. I was under the impression, as it is advertised, that ALL data usage was unlimited. I sent an email to Dan Hesse's CSR team and they called me back to explain the truth. The truth being, even though it's listed as unlimited in ads and on your bill, you in fact signed TOS agreeing to this limitation.
If you are ever having trouble with the regular CSRs, have a horrible experience, or feel you were wronged or not listened to, send an email to [email protected]. They have more authority and will call you to ry solve the issue.
FYI: I was using Roam Control when I visited my girlfriend on weekends because she lives in the sticks and Sprint coverage sucks.
I haven't received anything over data usage but I did get a nasty letter telling me I was violating my roaming.
I immediately called sprint and asked them why I received the letter. I was told it was due to roaming agreements. I knew it was 300mb so I made them pull my account and verify every month since the day I have been with them and I never went over 300. Maybe 290 but it isn't over 300. After that fun conversation I told them not to threaten cancelling me when I have done nothing wrong. I am within my agreement and do not appreciate being treated as such. I was then told that everyone under the new policy would receive the letter. To ignore it, and sorry for any inconvenience. My wife has yet to receive a letter, as she would fall under the "everyone" catagory.
No problems since then. Just know where you stand and if you truly are in the wrong. If not, tell them to kiss your ass until you are wrong. Then...deal with it haha
Hello. Not sure if I should post here or somewhere else, so if it is in the wrong section, feel free to move.
So, basically, I am getting kind of worried. I have been with Sprint for well over 2 years, and have enjoyed being with them. However, the recent Vision upgrades have left signal in my house completely non-existent. They recently upgraded the tower about a block away from my house, and I have not been able to get a consistent signal since. I am constantly roaming within my house. Here recently I have been needing to use my phone for its data more and more. I have read that using too much roaming data will get you kicked off of Sprint, and I am kind of worried that I am going to be kicked. I currently have 3 lines on my account. My line has used over 2.5GB of data so far this month, and 2GB of that has been roaming. The second line (my mother's) has used 600MB of data, and 500MB of it is roaming. The third line (my brother's) has used 200MB of data, and only 20MB of that is roaming (he lives elsewhere). Last month's data usage were similar in terms of data ratios, but nowhere near as much data was used (had access to WiFi most of the month) I AM NOT using a Verizon PRL, and have tried updating profiles and PRLs on all of the phones.
Hearing this, am I going to be kicked? I really don't want to be, but if I can't pull a signal in my house, I might as well switch. If they do decide to kick me, what will they do about my brother's line? I don't want to have to switch that one line to its own line and pay 2 different cell phone bills. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should do? I haven't received a letter or anything yet, but I have a feeling that it is only a matter of time.
PS: I won't be able to use an Airave, because I haven't had a consistent internet connection (hence the excessive data usage this month).
stompysan said:
Hello. Not sure if I should post here or somewhere else, so if it is in the wrong section, feel free to move.
So, basically, I am getting kind of worried. I have been with Sprint for well over 2 years, and have enjoyed being with them. However, the recent Vision upgrades have left signal in my house completely non-existent. They recently upgraded the tower about a block away from my house, and I have not been able to get a consistent signal since. I am constantly roaming within my house. Here recently I have been needing to use my phone for its data more and more. I have read that using too much roaming data will get you kicked off of Sprint, and I am kind of worried that I am going to be kicked. I currently have 3 lines on my account. My line has used over 2.5GB of data so far this month, and 2GB of that has been roaming. The second line (my mother's) has used 600MB of data, and 500MB of it is roaming. The third line (my brother's) has used 200MB of data, and only 20MB of that is roaming (he lives elsewhere). Last month's data usage were similar in terms of data ratios, but nowhere near as much data was used (had access to WiFi most of the month) I AM NOT using a Verizon PRL, and have tried updating profiles and PRLs on all of the phones.
Hearing this, am I going to be kicked? I really don't want to be, but if I can't pull a signal in my house, I might as well switch. If they do decide to kick me, what will they do about my brother's line? I don't want to have to switch that one line to its own line and pay 2 different cell phone bills. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I should do? I haven't received a letter or anything yet, but I have a feeling that it is only a matter of time.
PS: I won't be able to use an Airave, because I haven't had a consistent internet connection (hence the excessive data usage this month).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait, I must be confused. You're on sprint right? Like as in sprint in the united states? You are asking if you should be concerned about an American company asking you to leave? They're gonna say "no no, you're money is NO LONGER GOOD HERE, you're using Way Too Much data?" is this a serious question? I'm really confused. Please help.
You really think they will drop you, release you from your contract because of this? This is either a joke or just hysterical.
Let us know what mean of sprint decides to do with such a problem customer as yourself.
/sarcasm
---------- Post added at 11:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:30 PM ----------
I'm still rotflol...
In this country, if a big business earns $0.01 more than you cost them, you will remain a customer until you are no longer profitable. And trust me...data is air. And last time I checked, air was free (thus far). I honestly think you'll be just fine.
tucstwo said:
Wait, I must be confused. You're on sprint right? Like as in sprint in the united states? You are asking if you should be concerned about an American company asking you to leave? They're gonna say "no no, you're money is NO LONGER GOOD HERE, you're using Way Too Much data?" is this a serious question? I'm really confused. Please help.
You really think they will drop you, release you from your contract because of this? This is either a joke or just hysterical.
Let us know what mean of sprint decides to do with such a problem customer as yourself.
/sarcasm
---------- Post added at 11:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:30 PM ----------
I'm still rotflol...
In this country, if a big business earns $0.01 more than you cost them, you will remain a customer until you are no longer profitable. And trust me...data is air. And last time I checked, air was free (thus far). I honestly think you'll be just fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to Sprint's contract:
Off-network Roaming: The primary use of your Device must be for domestic purposes within the Sprint-owned network. Domestic means use in the 50 United States and U.S. Territories (except Guam). Sprint reserves the right, without notice, to deny, terminate, modify, disconnect or suspend service if off-network usage in a month exceeds: (1) voice: 800 min. or a majority of minutes; or (2) data: 300 megabytes or a majority of kilobytes. The display on your device may not always be on and will not indicate whether you will incur roaming charges. You can monitor usage online through My Account. Roaming is not available with single-band phones, or to customers who reside or whose primary use is outside an area covered by the Nationwide Sprint Network. Sprint may limit or terminate service if you move outside of the Sprint owned-network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hate to bump my own topic, but does anyone have any ideas?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
stompysan said:
Hate to bump my own topic, but does anyone have any ideas?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can tell you that Sprint will kick you from your contract, it happened to me. Twice!
I used just under 1GB of roaming per month over a two month period, my phone number became 'blacklisted' in their system and was turned off with no warning one day. I called support, fought for hours and was told the only option I now had was to port my number to a different carrier. I now have a Nexus on Verizon....
Even though the bill I received each month had a line that said 'Sprint 3G Roaming-- Used ###MB's of UNLIMITED' their contract does say in tiny letters that using over 300MB in a month will get you booted.
lswartzevo said:
I can tell you that Sprint will kick you from your contract, it happened to me. Twice!
I used just under 1GB of roaming per month over a two month period, my phone number became 'blacklisted' in their system and was turned off with no warning one day. I called support, fought for hours and was told the only option I now had was to port my number to a different carrier. I now have a Nexus on Verizon....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I figured, but I wanted some assurance. Did you have more than one line on the account? Do you think they will drop all of the lines on my account (the main line is mine, the one that has done the most roaming)?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Stop roaming and get them to give you a repeater... or whatever those things are called.
Mgamerz said:
Stop roaming and get them to give you a repeater... or whatever those things are called.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't have a consistent connection to the internet. Otherwise I would have gotten it a month ago.
Call sprint tell them the problem and have them send you an airave. They should send u 1 for free.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
I would consider it a blessing to be released from my wireless contract. That would be awesome
Esteway.619 said:
Call sprint tell them the problem and have them send you an airave. They should send u 1 for free.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See
StompySan said:
Don't have a consistent connection to the internet. Otherwise I would have gotten it a month ago.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EDIT: Should clarify. Don't have a consistent ethernet connection.
stompysan said:
See
EDIT: Should clarify. Don't have a consistent ethernet connection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also did not have a high speed internet connection at home so was unable to go the airave route.
I had two lines, the first (secondary line) was dropped about a year before my primary line was canceled.
Sorry to dig up an old thread, but do you think they would drop me for using say..........171 GB of 4G?
Anyone know if they kick you off quicker for exceeding data or minutes while roaming on verizon?
all our phones constantly roam at home (sprint signal is unusable at home). So far one user is at 2500 minutes roaming and 3.5 gigs roaming data.
hey guys i have been on the gnex previously gs3 for about 4 days and just now noticing horrible data speeds on sprint had to revert to flashing vzw prl's. they continue to send me refurb gnex's and they all the same issue and the only option they give me for a device is a lg viper which is still running gb so i consider this a downgrade. what can be done for sprint to offer me a better more reasonable device, i continue to call with the same outcome called account services aka "the retention department" contact tech support with no luck they tell me to take it to a service center in which case i don't have time with my current schedule to physically bring it in to the store does anyone going thought something similar have a positive outcome in the situation.
Get some screen shots of your data speeds over the course of a day so you have some supporting information. Speedtest.net is the app I use. If you have a different device that you can show comparison with, do that as well. Get in touch with Sprint's retention department and let them know that you are still having problems with data speeds and can document it. If they still refuse to provide a new device, tell them that you would like to be released from your contract due to failure to provide the specified speeds. They are obligated to provide at least the specified lowest speed. Two things you should keep in mind. 1) Your data speeds are going to have to be below Sprint's minimum specs consistently for this to work. 2) Stay calm and polite with the people you are talking with. They are usually willing to try and help, especially when a customer is considering leaving due to dissatisfaction. Even if they aren't willing to do what's necessary to keep your business, at least you'll be free to take it elsewhere. They will request that the phone be returned, but if it's defective anyway, no big deal. Hope this helps and you can get it sorted out soon.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Pierceye said:
Get some screen shots of your data speeds over the course of a day so you have some supporting information. Speedtest.net is the app I use. If you have a different device that you can show comparison with, do that as well. Get in touch with Sprint's retention department and let them know that you are still having problems with data speeds and can document it. If they still refuse to provide a new device, tell them that you would like to be released from your contract due to failure to provide the specified speeds. They are obligated to provide at least the specified lowest speed. Two things you should keep in mind. 1) Your data speeds are going to have to be below Sprint's minimum specs consistently for this to work. 2) Stay calm and polite with the people you are talking with. They are usually willing to try and help, especially when a customer is considering leaving due to dissatisfaction. Even if they aren't willing to do what's necessary to keep your business, at least you'll be free to take it elsewhere. They will request that the phone be returned, but if it's defective anyway, no big deal. Hope this helps and you can get it sorted out soon.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks buddy i have called retention several times but look for a way out of contract seems like the best option my d.l speeds are consistantly below 100 kb/s however my uploads are about 400 so that part i am worried about and what do they say i am supposed to get on 3g? i will save some s.s. on computer once they are needed.
Bfitz26 said:
thanks buddy i have called retention several times but look for a way out of contract seems like the best option my d.l speeds are consistantly below 100 kb/s however my uploads are about 400 so that part i am worried about and what do they say i am supposed to get on 3g? i will save some s.s. on computer once they are needed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure what Sprint is guaranteeing for minimum on 3G, but if you check out your contract details online, they should be specified. My strong suspicion is that 100kb/s will be short of that minimum by a pretty significant amount. Good luck, and keep us posted.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Pierceye said:
Not sure what Sprint is guaranteeing for minimum on 3G, but if you check out your contract details online, they should be specified. My strong suspicion is that 100kb/s will be short of that minimum by a pretty significant amount. Good luck, and keep us posted.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i will keep you posted. i have asked several time that i can have a copy of my contact mailed to me or email or what not and all they have is a brief over view of contract policies not the full blown contract and that i should have it however i never recieved anything in the first place or anything mailed to me for that matter, isn't this technically a way out of contract even though i started my contract over the phone.seems like a resonable conplain if they can't provide me with a contract as any contract i have ever had the "supplier" of services should have a copy of the "terms"
Bfitz26 said:
i will keep you posted. i have asked several time that i can have a copy of my contact mailed to me or email or what not and all they have is a brief over view of contract policies not the full blown contract and that i should have it however i never recieved anything in the first place or anything mailed to me for that matter, isn't this technically a way out of contract even though i started my contract over the phone.seems like a resonable conplain if they can't provide me with a contract as any contract i have ever had the "supplier" of services should have a copy of the "terms"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before you go that route, try logging in to your Sprint account and see if your contract is in there in a digital format. I agree that they should be able to send you a copy of the complete contract, rather than an abbreviated one, but I think you'll be coming from a stronger position with the data speed issue.
You're on Sprint, whatever it is, it's normal. I'm serious, no bars where Verizon gets full 4G, normal.
With friends' phones I've never really gotten anything better than 100kbps down, especially away from a window.
So I may just argue for a contract release....
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
jimmyco2008 said:
You're on Sprint, whatever it is, it's normal. I'm serious, no bars where Verizon gets full 4G, normal.
With friends' phones I've never really gotten anything better than 100kbps down, especially away from a window.
So I may just argue for a contract release....
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
been trying to argue and they keep telling me to take it to a service center and have it "fixed" which isn't going to solve the problem they are going to factory reset my phone and say ok it works fine now. and back to square one.
And people wonder why they're the only major carrier with unlimited, unthrottled data. Any other way and they'd go bankrupt.
Throw in words like "lawsuit" if you can finally get your hands on the contract and prove that 100kbps down is basically illegal. You'll be set loose faster than...something fast lol
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
jimmyco2008 said:
And people wonder why they're the only major carrier with unlimited, unthrottled data. Any other way and they'd go bankrupt.
Throw in words like "lawsuit" if you can finally get your hands on the contract and prove that 100kbps down is basically illegal. You'll be set loose faster than...something fast lol
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Their not the only unlimited, unthrottled data carrier. T-mobile has unlimited, unthrottled data as well. I get 6 to 9mpbs down on my GNEX on t-mobile. I know that isn't as fast and Verizon, or maybe not as fast as some people with T-Mobile, but day to day stuff it is fast enough.
Prod1702 said:
Their not the only unlimited, unthrottled data carrier. T-mobile has unlimited, unthrottled data as well. I get 6 to 9mpbs down on my GNEX on t-mobile. I know that isn't as fast and Verizon, or maybe not as fast as some people with T-Mobile, but day to day stuff it is fast enough.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they were the one of the only "unlimited" for a long time until recently tmobile, but in my opinion i would much rather have a decent internet connection than have unlimited bull**** where i am waiting for years for one freaking web page to load it is a never ending battle with these guys i just want out, hell i have been with sprint for over 7 years and nothing will budge wtf!!
T-Mobile's only "unlimited" until you hit your cap, at which time they throw you into EDGE jail.
deadwolfbones said:
T-Mobile's only "unlimited" until you hit your cap, at which time they throw you into EDGE jail.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They just introduced the truly unlimited plan, a couple of months ago. I hit 20 gigs thanks to to YouTube in 720.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app
Bfitz26 said:
thanks buddy i have called retention several times but look for a way out of contract seems like the best option my d.l speeds are consistantly below 100 kb/s however my uploads are about 400 so that part i am worried about and what do they say i am supposed to get on 3g? i will save some s.s. on computer once they are needed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds about right for Sprint 3G speeds in a non-network vision upgraded area. Sprint does not guarantee speeds unfortunately. There is nothing wrong with your phone. Your best chance for faster speeds on Sprint will be if you are in an area that will be upgraded to Network Vision soon. I can consistently get over 1Mbps on 3G where I had less than 100kbps before...that is of course if I choose to turn off 4G.
Coverage; Where Your Device Will Work; Service Speeds
Our coverage maps are available at our authorized retail locations and on our website. The specific network coverage you get will depend on the radio transmissions your Device can pick up and Services you’ve chosen. Our coverage maps provide high level estimates of our coverage areas when using Services outdoors under optimal conditions. Coverage isn’t available everywhere. Coverage and Service speeds are not guaranteed. Coverage is subject to change without notice. Service speeds may depend on the Service purchased. Actual speeds will vary. Estimating wireless coverage, signal strength, and Service speed is not an exact science. There are gaps in coverage within our estimated coverage areas that-along with other factors both within and beyond our control (for example, network problems, network or internet congestion, software, signal strength, your Device, structures, buildings, weather, geography, topography, server speeds of the websites you access, actions of third parties, etc.)—may result in dropped and blocked connections, slower Service speeds, or otherwise impact the quality of Service. Services that rely on location information, such as E911 and GPS navigation, depend on your Device’s ability to acquire satellite signals (typically not available indoors) and network coverage. While your Device is receiving a software update, you may be unable to use your Device in any manner until the software update is complete.
They allegedly got rid of throttling, but I still see "5GB of full speed data" on their site.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app
So I received a letter today.....
Dear Laharl,
In November 2012 we contacted you to make sure that you were aware of the terms of your voice plan.
As a reminder, the roaming terms and conditions for Sprint roaming-included plans are:
Not available with single-band phones, or to the customers residing outside an area covered by the Nationwide Sprint Network.
Sprint may terminate service if (1) more than 800 minutes, (2) a majority of minutes, or (3) a majority of data kilobytes in a given month are used while roaming.
As part of our last communication with you, we also pointed out that your level of voice roaming use violated the terms of our roaming-included service plans.
Our intent in contacting you previously to give you an opportunity to change your usage habits to be in line with the terms of your plan
Because your overall usage continues to exceed off network roaming limits in violation of your voice plan we regret to inform you that your wireless service will be terminated effective on July 9th 2013.
We understand that switching to another wireless carrier may be inconvenient, which is why we are giving you until July 9, 2013 to make the transition easier.
In addition, we will waive any applicable Early Termination Fee and monthly recurring charges for your voice plan on your last month's bill.
Please note that you will be responsible for all other charges reflected on your invoice for your account.
You may transfer or port your existing wireless number to another carrier. If you choose this option, you will need to initiate the transfer of your number with the new carrier of your choice before July 9,2013 because the number will no longer be available as of that date.
If you have any questions regarding your final bill, the adjustments we made to your account or transferring your number, please call Sprint Customer care, 7am to 7pm CT.
Sincerely,
Sprint.
So I called them and asked and they said that because I use 200 to 300 roaming minutes which is more than the 150 to 200 sprint minutes I use they are going to terminate the line even though I am also paying for 4 other lines and when I spoke with a rep they basicly said that I should be thankful that they are just removing the one line and not all 5.
If I didn't use 15gb a month on my main lines I would leave for AT&T which has 4G in my town.
;42260890 said:
So I called them and asked and they said that because I use 200 to 300 roaming minutes which is more than the 150 to 200 sprint minutes I use they are going to terminate the line even though I am also paying for 4 other lines and when I spoke with a rep they basicly said that I should be thankful that they are just removing the one line and not all 5.
If I didn't use 15gb a month on my main lines I would leave for AT&T which has 4G in my town.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sounds like you need to elevate. 300 roaming minutes is not excessive. Point out how much business you do with sprint, and that if they terminate that one line you will take all your lines to another carrier.
Sent from my GNote2 using Tapatalk 2
So this is what that line used last month and they said we had almost 375 AM off network minutes
Anytime Minutes Shared 1,129 --
Any Mobile, Anytime Unlimited 6,575 --
Text Unlimited 7,761 --
Night & Weekend Unlimited 3,297 --
Picture Mail Unlimited 619 --
Sprint 3G Data Unlimited 493,279kb --
Sprint 3G Data Roaming See Terms 69,258kb -- Limit per Terms is 300MB (67.6348MB used)
Sprint 4G Data Unlimited 0 - (I'm Paying the 10.00 Premium Data since 2010 and still no 4g)
I talked for almost 2 hours to a rep who would not budge and said that even though they are forcing me out on July 9th they will pay the Early Termination Fee's (the contract runs out July First so there are none) and that I can not use the Device upgrade on the line either because if i do I will have to pay the fee for the line getting disconnected because I would not have the device for 6months.
I love how 3 years of paying for 4g without ever getting any 4g doesn't factor in at all. Nice. Big companies suck. I doubt AT&T or Verizon will turn out to be loving angels of mercy, but yeah I'd be pissed myself. ALL lines would go. Maybe only to a Sprint reseller like Boost though, so I could keep using my same devices.
The root problem though is universal and is simply market forces and the extreme difference between you and any bezillion dollar international company. They don't have to care, so they don't care.
There is only one way individuals (in a way) can bring a grievance to a big company and make them answer for it, and that's class-action lawsuits. And gee whaddya know? The last few years big companies have added "You agree you can't class action us. Or even sue us at all. Just non binding arbitration and only individually." right into their terms of service! Amazing eh? What a great gig it is to be a big company!
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
That does not sound excessive at all.
Hopefully you didn't use the 00001 prl.
However that being said, there are folks who would LOVE to be in your shoes right now.
<Laharl> said:
... Sprint 3G Data Roaming See Terms 69,258kb -- Limit per Terms is 300MB (67.6348MB used) ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I forgot the the "limit" on the 3G roaming, but I've had months where I had no 4G used, because it wasn't available, had 3G roaming, and no issue. But I did have GB of data transfer on roaming, no issues.
I believe they have like a 500MB limit on international data roaming. Plus, I could have sworn, at least on the within the USA, you unlimited roaming voice and data, overall.
I found this for Family Everything plans
Voice/Data Usage Limitation: Sprint reserves the right, without notice, to limit throughput speeds, and to deny, terminate, modify, disconnect or suspend service if off-network usage in a month exceeds: (1) voice: 800 min. or a majority of minutes; or (2) data: 300 megabytes or a majority of kilobytes. For 3G/4G Mobile Broadband Plans, monthly off-network allowance varies by plan. 100MB plan allwance: 25MB/Mo.; 300MB or 3GB plan allowance: 100MB/mo.; 6GB and 12GB plan allowance: 300MB/mo. Additional off-network data: 25c/MB. Unlimited features are while on the Sprint network. Prohibited network use rules apply. See in-store materials or sprint.com/termsandconditions for specific prohibited uses.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And based on the numbers you gave, you're not exceeding. You used approximately 69MB out of 300MB. So, I'm assuming it has to be voice or text where you're exceeding. The bill should break it down. If not, I would make them give you a break down, and do it for the last six months. The later should show a pattern. And if it does end up being true, then I would look at the coverage area and compared it to where that one is used on a regular basis. I'm thinking the phone frequents a big Sprint dead zone. Not sure how much ground you have to argue in that regard. But it the pattern shows it was just the two months, I would definitely argue they're being draconian over a situation that rarely occurs.
;42260890 said:
So I received a letter today.....
Dear Laharl,
In November 2012 we contacted you to make sure that you were aware of the terms of your voice plan.
As a reminder, the roaming terms and conditions for Sprint roaming-included plans are:
Not available with single-band phones, or to the customers residing outside an area covered by the Nationwide Sprint Network.
Sprint may terminate service if (1) more than 800 minutes, (2) a majority of minutes, or (3) a majority of data kilobytes in a given month are used while roaming.
As part of our last communication with you, we also pointed out that your level of voice roaming use violated the terms of our roaming-included service plans.
Our intent in contacting you previously to give you an opportunity to change your usage habits to be in line with the terms of your plan
Because your overall usage continues to exceed off network roaming limits in violation of your voice plan we regret to inform you that your wireless service will be terminated effective on July 9th 2013.
We understand that switching to another wireless carrier may be inconvenient, which is why we are giving you until July 9, 2013 to make the transition easier.
In addition, we will waive any applicable Early Termination Fee and monthly recurring charges for your voice plan on your last month's bill.
Please note that you will be responsible for all other charges reflected on your invoice for your account.
You may transfer or port your existing wireless number to another carrier. If you choose this option, you will need to initiate the transfer of your number with the new carrier of your choice before July 9,2013 because the number will no longer be available as of that date.
If you have any questions regarding your final bill, the adjustments we made to your account or transferring your number, please call Sprint Customer care, 7am to 7pm CT.
Sincerely,
Sprint.
So I called them and asked and they said that because I use 200 to 300 roaming minutes which is more than the 150 to 200 sprint minutes I use they are going to terminate the line even though I am also paying for 4 other lines and when I spoke with a rep they basicly said that I should be thankful that they are just removing the one line and not all 5.
If I didn't use 15gb a month on my main lines I would leave for AT&T which has 4G in my town.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's crazy. I wish I would have gotten this letter. I'm trying to switch to T-Mobile.
Sent from the Great Galaxy Note 2 using Tapatalk 2
Damn.
Please tell me what you did.
I absolutely hate Sprint!
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
;42260890 said:
So I received a letter today.....
Dear Laharl,
In November 2012 we contacted you to make sure that you were aware of the terms of your voice plan.
As a reminder, the roaming terms and conditions for Sprint roaming-included plans are:
Not available with single-band phones, or to the customers residing outside an area covered by the Nationwide Sprint Network.
Sprint may terminate service if (1) more than 800 minutes, (2) a majority of minutes, or (3) a majority of data kilobytes in a given month are used while roaming.
As part of our last communication with you, we also pointed out that your level of voice roaming use violated the terms of our roaming-included service plans.
Our intent in contacting you previously to give you an opportunity to change your usage habits to be in line with the terms of your plan
Because your overall usage continues to exceed off network roaming limits in violation of your voice plan we regret to inform you that your wireless service will be terminated effective on July 9th 2013.
We understand that switching to another wireless carrier may be inconvenient, which is why we are giving you until July 9, 2013 to make the transition easier.
In addition, we will waive any applicable Early Termination Fee and monthly recurring charges for your voice plan on your last month's bill.
Please note that you will be responsible for all other charges reflected on your invoice for your account.
You may transfer or port your existing wireless number to another carrier. If you choose this option, you will need to initiate the transfer of your number with the new carrier of your choice before July 9,2013 because the number will no longer be available as of that date.
If you have any questions regarding your final bill, the adjustments we made to your account or transferring your number, please call Sprint Customer care, 7am to 7pm CT.
Sincerely,
Sprint.
So I called them and asked and they said that because I use 200 to 300 roaming minutes which is more than the 150 to 200 sprint minutes I use they are going to terminate the line even though I am also paying for 4 other lines and when I spoke with a rep they basicly said that I should be thankful that they are just removing the one line and not all 5.
If I didn't use 15gb a month on my main lines I would leave for AT&T which has 4G in my town.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I received the exact same one for my bro in laws line today. Literally exact same dates and everything. So yeah, he's done. I guess it's my fault that Sprint has no towers where he goes to school......
D
Do they black list the esn of your handsets or do they stay clean so you can sell the equipment? Id love to get booted sell my handets and move to a 4g carrier
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
So when the termination occurs will you be forever banned from sprint? Because I use the PRL 0001 and I just wanted to know
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
joe1blue said:
So when the termination occurs will you be forever banned from sprint? Because I use the PRL 0001 and I just wanted to know
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have no idea. I guess I can add a line again but loose that number. I never modified the phone at all but he works in a big warehouse and apparently it hampers his signal and that is the whole problem.
I still can't get over the rep telling me well we could have canceled all the lines but we are only canceling the one line so I should be grateful for that.
fatboypup said:
Do they black list the esn of your handsets or do they stay clean so you can sell the equipment? Id love to get booted sell my handets and move to a 4g carrier
Sent from my SPH-L900 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No the Esn isnt blacklisted because the rep said I could still use the Galaxy S3 on another line.
Compusmurf said:
Hopefully you didn't use the 00001 prl.
However that being said, there are folks who would LOVE to be in your shoes right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
according to everything I read on the forums here all they have to do is Root the phone and use the 1337 PRL and it will start roaming and in 6 months they will get the boot.
<Laharl> said:
according to everything I read on the forums here all they have to do is Root the phone and use the 1337 PRL and it will start roaming and in 6 months they will get the boot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is that what you did? Use altered PRL to force roam?
I have no signal with sprint where I live. I rooted my galaxy note 2 and forced it to roam on the verizon 3g network. Me and another phone on my plan roamed for 2 years and used over 5gb a month on each phone streaming pandora and etc trying to get sprint to drop us. first I received a letter saying that they are watching my usage then about a year later finally got the letter that they are terminating me so I took my 3 lines and programmed my phones to pageplus.
johntheman_692003 said:
I have no signal with sprint where I live. I rooted my galaxy note 2 and forced it to roam on the verizon 3g network. Me and another phone on my plan roamed for 2 years and used over 5gb a month on each phone streaming pandora and etc trying to get sprint to drop us. first I received a letter saying that they are watching my usage then about a year later finally got the letter that they are terminating me so I took my 3 lines and programmed my phones to pageplus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just curious....if you don't mind me asking... How much time did you have left on your contract when they terminated you?
Sprint service in my area has gotten terrible over the last few months (eventhough they are supposedly "upgrading" the network) and I'm starting to think about leaving, but I am only 5 months into my contract right now.
Compusmurf said:
Is that what you did? Use altered PRL to force roam?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No the phone has never been rooted at all I didn't want to take the risk of getting into trouble but apparently it didn't matter.
jprecon said:
Just curious....if you don't mind me asking... How much time did you have left on your contract when they terminated you?
Sprint service in my area has gotten terrible over the last few months (eventhough they are supposedly "upgrading" the network) and I'm starting to think about leaving, but I am only 5 months into my contract right now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Contract runs out July 1st they are terminating me July 9th.
Anyone else have unlimited data and now are getting De-prioritized (throttled) ?
I use easily 20gb a month for the past year and never had this issue
Im getting 300 + ms pings and 0.20 mbps and lower speeds
Certain times of the day ill get 30mbps but most of the time its being throttled
Apparently I'm in the top 3% of data users
Tried making an IPV4 apn but still getting throttled
any one know of a work around?
It's possible that you're in a congested cell, and not throttled. Have you tried moving geographically to see if that helps?
Throttling is implemented on the PCEF (Policy and Charging Enforcement Function), and it's a QoS policy pushed by the PCRF (Policy and Charging Rules Function) onto the PDN-Gateway. There is no workaround for unlimited users that might get throttled for network abuse, other than wait for your bill cycle reset, or use Wi-Fi. In other words, you can't "top off" an unlimited plan, at least I don't think you can.
My advice is that if you're paying for unlimited data, and you feel like you're unjustly throttled, I would call customer support. They can check your data usage and typically tell if you're flagged as a "heavy hitter" or not. If you complain loudly enough, they can (and will) remove the block, but your mileage may vary. If they resist, tell them you plan to tweet to John Legere, and they'll hook you right up.
For what it's worth, I used to work as a PCRF/PCEF systems engineer. We had a "heavy data user" policy, but in our case it was only people that went over 200 GB or something ridiculous like that. If I recall correctly, roughly 20 GB/month was more or less average for an unlimited data subscriber, although I'm sure usage patterns vary from carrier to carrier, as well as implementation details on the PCC policies. Also, I believe our policy was to remove any throttling for unlimited users, no questions asked if they called to complain.
I know T-Mobile uses NSN (Nokia) for their policy vendor, but I don't know any details about their actual policies, at least not any more.
---------- Post added at 01:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:55 PM ----------
Also, just to be clear--I don't know if T-Mobile even throttles "heavy hitter" data users. I know it's been done, but I am not a T-Mobile employee and have no idea what their current policies are.
I would think that if they did implement QoS, the policy would not be time-based. However, anything is possible, which is why I would just call customer service.
If your in a heavy cell site then you might be throttled or just congested really bad. Call 611 and ask tmo if your line is being throttled. I average about 40gb's a month for the past 6 months on unlimited LTE plan and have never been throttled yet.
TMO throttles based on the plan that you have. Recently a Reddit thread came up where the customer filed a complaint with John Legere's office and was told that all unlimited data users will be de-prioritized and eventually removed from their system if they disagreed with the policy. De-prioritization has a chance to "kick in" after the 5 gig mark for unlimited data plans, but completely dependent on the market and how busy the network actually is. At least now if you are actually de-prioritized, you can call customer service and they would be able to tell you if the account is flagged. A few years ago, users would just wonder what's wrong with their accounts.
The bad thing about being throttled is that the OOKLA app on the market will not reflect the throttling, since TMO said they will not count data when it comes to that specific speed app, as well as many of the apps that you stream music off of.
Hope this helps.
I believe the new net neutrality law disallows throttling now, unless you're in violation of the terms of agreement based on what you're using the data for.
Swizzle82 said:
I believe the new net neutrality law disallows throttling now, unless you're in violation of the terms of agreement based on what you're using the data for.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not 'throttling' if the says it's de-prioritization, right? Just a play on words really.
Sfkn2 said:
It's not 'throttling' if the says it's de-prioritization, right? Just a play on words really.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah I guess so. Gotta love verbage. I am at 29gbs of data so far this month and I'm still hitting about 75megs down and about 25 up.. Just for the ops information..
Swizzle82 said:
Yeah I guess so. Gotta love verbage. I am at 29gbs of data so far this month and I'm still hitting about 75megs down and about 25 up.. Just for the ops information..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly.
I'm on the $5 BTV data plan with TMO and regularly use about 50 gigs and still get full LTE speeds with no throttling. I love my plan, and would never even consider changing to other carriers. I mean, which other carrier gives unlimited LTE for $5 a month, right?
Sfkn2 said:
Exactly.
I'm on the $5 BTV data plan with TMO and regularly use about 50 gigs and still get full LTE speeds with no throttling. I love my plan, and would never even consider changing to other carriers. I mean, which other carrier gives unlimited LTE for $5 a month, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BTV? Ive got 4 for $100 with two lines increased to unlimited and 5gbs plus unlimited text on my tablet totalling about $160/mo. I get anywhere from 35-110megs depending on the time of day and my location. I really can't complain.
Swizzle82 said:
BTV? Ive got 4 for $100 with two lines increased to unlimited and 5gbs plus unlimited text on my tablet totalling about $160/mo. I get anywhere from 35-110megs depending on the time of day and my location. I really can't complain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BTV is basically the unlimited Android data plan that used to be $30 to new users, or $20 for current but grandfathered users - with an additional $15 discount, making it $5.
http://www.tmonews.com/2012/11/t-mo...p-migrate-customers-over-to-value-rate-plans/
I'm on a 600 minute (no overages now, so minutes don't matter) family plan with two lines for $49.99 with a $10 unlimited family texting and BTV data with a corp discount of 15% and a loyalty bonus of $10 discount per month. The bill totals out to be $90.45 after taxes with a $25/mo payment plan on the G4.
Sfkn2 said:
BTV is basically the unlimited Android data plan that used to be $30 to new users, or $20 for current but grandfathered users - with an additional $15 discount, making it $5.
http://www.tmonews.com/2012/11/t-mo...p-migrate-customers-over-to-value-rate-plans/
I'm on a 600 minute (no overages now, so minutes don't matter) family plan with two lines for $49.99 with a $10 unlimited family texting and BTV data with a corp discount of 15% and a loyalty bonus of $10 discount per month. The bill totals out to be $90.45 after taxes with a $25/mo payment plan on the G4.
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Damn yo.. How long you been with TMo? Lol. I Tried to use my work discount, but they had told me that I couldn't because I already got a discounted plan. This was a while back though, might have to try again.
Swizzle82 said:
Damn yo.. How long you been with TMo? Lol. I Tried to use my work discount, but they had told me that I couldn't because I already got a discounted plan. This was a while back though, might have to try again.
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On and off? 10 or so years. If you are interested, check out the discounted plans on howardforums.com - they have the SOC codes that you can provide to CSR to get on these plans.
Sfkn2 said:
TMO throttles based on the plan that you have. Recently a Reddit thread came up where the customer filed a complaint with John Legere's office and was told that all unlimited data users will be de-prioritized and eventually removed from their system if they disagreed with the policy. De-prioritization has a chance to "kick in" after the 5 gig mark for unlimited data plans, but completely dependent on the market and how busy the network actually is. At least now if you are actually de-prioritized, you can call customer service and they would be able to tell you if the account is flagged. A few years ago, users would just wonder what's wrong with their accounts.
The bad thing about being throttled is that the OOKLA app on the market will not reflect the throttling, since TMO said they will not count data when it comes to that specific speed app, as well as many of the apps that you stream music off of.
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Thanks for the tip about the Reddit thread. I think I found it here: http://www.reddit.com/r/tmobile/comments/342wr7/tmobile_is_now_throttling_unlimited_data/
If you put yourself into T-Mobile's shoes, how SHOULD they handle congestion? They can do what they can with existing spectrum and tower agreements, but if there IS congestion, how do you handle it?
I don't necessarily agree or disagree with the official stance, but I do understand where they're coming from. The mindset is that you, the heavy data customer, can and SHOULD accept some modest degradation in performance, especially since you're on the edge of the bell curve in data usage. If there's contention, should you suffer, or should the casual data user suffer? They choose to slightly punish the 3%, rather than the average Joes whose usage is more normal.
As I said in a previous comment, I had to deal with this when I worked as a systems engineer for a certain carrier. We put policies in place to throttle users over some ridiculously high amount, and we also sent them an SMS notification when we did so. In that case, we were looking for the REALLY heavy users, that were in the top 0.5%. The average unlimited subscriber used 10-20 GB per month, but these people were using well over 100 GB. The intent of unlimited is to avoid surprises with billing, not to provide wireless Internet service for your whole dorm or apartment complex or whatever.
Think about unlimited wireless in terms of your local all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant. Most people pay their money and eat their meal, ranging from a modest portion to a massive portion, but at some point everyone gets full. What is NOT acceptable is to sit in the restaurant from open to close, constantly gorging yourself on food. It's not an exact analogy since you can't get "full" consuming data, but you can get the idea.
Carrying the "all you can eat" restaurant analogy a little further...if you're in a buffet restaurant, and they run low on something, should they keep serving the guy that is on his twentieth portion? Or should they cut him off and let the people who have had ANY of the food eat first?
-m0j0
Totally agree with you that people who are using extremely high data, typically people 100 GB and above, needs to be checked. Often times these people are using their data plans for hacked/tethering at home, which the connection is also shared with other users. A lot of times, the high data is due to downloading/torrenting.
While I'm a heavy user myself (since TMO considers anyone over 5 GB a month as heavy users), watching youtube in 1440P really eats up data very quickly. At one point in my life, I had a really crappy home internet plan and just watched Netflix off my phone nonstop. This eventually led up to about 150GB for the month.
The buffet analogy is great, but it really does show the difference between being a company and being a consumer. If the consumer's desire for the buffet is to have 100 oysters and nothing else and your company wants to stop him because he's having too much, but his sole purpose there is for the oysters - you're really telling him, "No, we don't want to service you again." This makes things sour with their customers real quick. Basically what it comes down to in the consumers eyes is, "If you can't afford to do it, then don't run the program. " De-prioritization controls the person eating 100 oysters to allow the next guy to have some oysters too, but that's not why he came to this buffet.
It's a very difficult place to be, and just like voting on taxes - no one really wins. Money has to come out from somewhere. If TMO increases their bandwidth, then there will be additional fees. We don't want to be like Sprint where they charge you an additional $10 or $15 just because you have a "smartphone." That makes absolutely no sense.
Yes sir!!! Im with you OP. I used to have unlimited 4g data in my plan for additional $30. But since last 10 months or so it's been bad. I would use roughly 30 to 40 gigs a month. Mostly youtube and netflix. Then after "de prioritization" or being in area of "data congestion" ( which in simple words means "throttling" imo ) i started getting about 20 gigs on high speed and after that i would be stuck with 0.1 to 0.2 mbps.
Called tmo a million times and they would always tell me that i might be connected to a tower where a lot others are connected. WHAT ?? WTF?? Why is it that i get connected to THAT tower 2 weeks after new cycle when i have used about 20 gigs? Why not in 1 week or after uaing about 5 or 10 gigs? I would be always in my room in the same spot all the time. It was all BS.
And the reps would always tell me that since im paying for unlimited high speed data i shouldn't be slowed down until one day when one of the reps mentioned being slow if im in the top 3%. Thats when i decided to let it go. I posted screen shots of slow speeds on on social media and ranted them and all that bad stuff just to let my anger out. That it really is UNLIMITED but its not UNLIMITED 4G. After certain usage you'll be stuck with 128KBPS speeds.
I was really upset with that. I cancelled that extra data plan. Saved me $30 a month and soon I'll be switching over to something else.
Well played tmo..
The magic number is updated quarterly. Right now if you go over 21GB in a congested area, you could be prioritized and slowed down.
Sent from my LG-E980 using XDA Free mobile app
Here is the TRUTH! T-mobile is THROTTLING and calling in DE PRIORITIZING to protect the company's ass from an FCC lawsuit. At 21 gigs data speed dies. They say it is during busy times, blah, blah blah, but the reality is, it dies. The problem is that when the unlimited HIGH SPEED DATA users changed to this plan, there were no limits and were advertised as such, "UNLIMITED LTE HIGH SPEED DATA." The ads were on TV 24/7 three years ago. T-mobile got exactly what they set out to do, sign up millions of new customers. Those that try to see T-mobile's SIDE sound like this is an innocent mistake. That T-mobile had no idea what they were doing when they created this data plan and the network would not be able to handle the load. The TRUTH is, at least in my experience, the system had NO issues. It worked unbelievable well and NOT the typical T-mobile inconsistent signal. So, here's the deal, if you purchase something that is clearly stated, "THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE GETTING, UNLIMITED LTE 4G HIGH SPEED DATA," and the company decides they don't want to do that anymore, why aren't the customers compensated? Lower the rate of the plan since 21 gigs is what you are paying for, NOT UNLIMITED. Also, ATT got sued and lost a 100 million dollar law suit for throttling its unlimited data customers. It is only a matter of time before T-mobile is in front of a judge. Bait and switch is still against the law. Calling something a NEW made up word like DE PRIORITIZING does not change the fact customers are being throttled.
The new magic number is 25GB.
Sent from my LG-E980 using XDA Free mobile app
Salvatoreascend said:
Here is the TRUTH! T-mobile is THROTTLING and calling in DE PRIORITIZING to protect the company's ass from an FCC lawsuit. At 21 gigs data speed dies. They say it is during busy times, blah, blah blah, but the reality is, it dies. The problem is that when the unlimited HIGH SPEED DATA users changed to this plan, there were no limits and were advertised as such, "UNLIMITED LTE HIGH SPEED DATA." The ads were on TV 24/7 three years ago. T-mobile got exactly what they set out to do, sign up millions of new customers. Those that try to see T-mobile's SIDE sound like this is an innocent mistake. That T-mobile had no idea what they were doing when they created this data plan and the network would not be able to handle the load. The TRUTH is, at least in my experience, the system had NO issues. It worked unbelievable well and NOT the typical T-mobile inconsistent signal. So, here's the deal, if you purchase something that is clearly stated, "THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE GETTING, UNLIMITED LTE 4G HIGH SPEED DATA," and the company decides they don't want to do that anymore, why aren't the customers compensated? Lower the rate of the plan since 21 gigs is what you are paying for, NOT UNLIMITED. Also, ATT got sued and lost a 100 million dollar law suit for throttling its unlimited data customers. It is only a matter of time before T-mobile is in front of a judge. Bait and switch is still against the law. Calling something a NEW made up word like DE PRIORITIZING does not change the fact customers are being throttled.
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Yep... soon as I hit 21 gigs I get throttled to Dial up speed. I can no longer use video chat with my wife who is overseas. I can't even stream 144p without it buffering.
I average 30-50 gigs per month. When I was on metro I had zero issues. When I switched to this unlimited plan with Tmobile, I had no issues. only 1 time have I ever gone over the 100 gig mark. That was 2 years ago in december, when I was unemployed and reformatted my computer. I used my mobile for all my downloads. the past year has been just streaming music, and videos, and google hangout video chats with my wife.
Right now I can't do anything on my data. it's so slow the speedtest says "network issues" most of the time. Although Ping is 30ms.. and this is regardless of the time of day. even 3-4-5am when the towers are hardly used. low ping (faster ping than comcast), but ridiculous slow speed. and I pay $70 per month for this BS...
I'm contacting some attorneys and seeking to file a class action for violation of net neutrality. And I'm going back to metro (same towers, but I was never throttled and had really fast 4G LTE with Metro. it was faster than my buddies sprint service in my area.
Anyone with an unlimited Tmobile plan that wants to join in a class action PM me.
cocokasper said:
Yep... soon as I hit 21 gigs I get throttled to Dial up speed. I can no longer use video chat with my wife who is overseas. I can't even stream 144p without it buffering.
I average 30-50 gigs per month. When I was on metro I had zero issues. When I switched to this unlimited plan with Tmobile, I had no issues. only 1 time have I ever gone over the 100 gig mark. That was 2 years ago in december, when I was unemployed and reformatted my computer. I used my mobile for all my downloads. the past year has been just streaming music, and videos, and google hangout video chats with my wife.
Right now I can't do anything on my data. it's so slow the speedtest says "network issues" most of the time. Although Ping is 30ms.. and this is regardless of the time of day. even 3-4-5am when the towers are hardly used. low ping (faster ping than comcast), but ridiculous slow speed. and I pay $70 per month for this BS...
I'm contacting some attorneys and seeking to file a class action for violation of net neutrality. And I'm going back to metro (same towers, but I was never throttled and had really fast 4G LTE with Metro. it was faster than my buddies sprint service in my area.
Anyone with an unlimited Tmobile plan that wants to join in a class action PM me.
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Try switching to hspa first. This seems to help me when that happens.