throttling

If you've only got a 1 or 2GB plan, adding a data-saving app like Onavo Extend might be a step in the right direction. You may remember my post about Onavo Count, an app for calculating your data usage, which is very similar to this one. The big difference between the two is that Extend takes saving data a step further by using its servers to compress data you request before it gets sent to you.

This app does come with a couple of caveats, though. First, it's not ideal for large file downloads, as it will reduce … Read more

Slowly but surely, wireless carriers are admitting that data throttling is unavoidable. First it was the national providers like AT&T and Verizon Wireless, and now even the smaller prepaid carriers are following the crowd.

Today, just as it increased the monthly cost of its unlimited plan by $10, MetroPCS also announced that it would begin throttling the data speeds of its cheaper plans. The latter change was more of a footnote on MetroPCS's data plans Web page, but a carrier spokesman confirmed the move in an interview with Fierce Wireless.

The carrier's premium unlimited plan now … Read more

AT&T has taken a lot of heat over the past few months for slowing down service for its heaviest data users on its unlimited plans. But what about Verizon Wireless, which also still offers unlimited data to its older smartphone customers?

In this edition of Ask Maggie, I explain how Verizon Wireless implements its network management policy to ensure that its wireless data network isn't overwhelmed by unlimited data plan users gone wild. I also offer another reader some advice on which Android smartphone to buy from Verizon.

Does Verizon throttle unlimited data service, too?

Dear Maggie, … Read more

AT&T has clarified its "throttling" policy for its unlimited data customers who the company says use too much bandwidth. But many users are still confused and angry.

In this Ask Maggie, I explain why the new policy--though still annoying and not customer-friendly--is actually a better deal than what unlimited data subscribers had been getting. Also in this edition of Ask Maggie, I explain why Verizon and Sprint may still not be the best carriers if you plan on taking your phone on your travels with you.

AT&T's throttling mess

Dear Maggie, I am … Read more

Under growing pressure from subscribers to clarify when their access speeds are likely to get throttled, AT&T finally offered a clear-cut answer on Thursday. Before hitting the "send" button, however, the company didn't need a Nostradamus to know that blowback was right around the bend.

In a morning announcement explaining the circumstances surrounding when it would reduce access speeds for customers who use its unlimited data plan, AT&T said its decision would affect only the top 5 percent of bandwidth users. The specifics were as follows:

BARCELONA, Spain--App developers and consumer advocates are unhappy with news this week that AT&T may be considering a plan that would allow data-heavy service providers to pay upfront for the bandwidth their customers may use.

Earlier this week, AT&T's CTO John Donovan told The Wall Street Journal at the Mobile World Congress here that the carrier is considering a kind of toll-free calling for mobile data. The idea is that mobile-app providers whose services consume a lot of data, such as video streaming, could buy 1-800-like service from AT&T so that their users … Read more

A man who became dissatisfied with AT&T throttling data speeds on his iPhone has won a case against the carrier in small claims court.

The Associated Press reports that iPhone owner Matt Spaccarelli, who filed a complaint against AT&T after it began slowing down his data speeds, was awarded $850 earlier today.

Spaccarelli made the claim that AT&T purposely slowed down data speeds, despite the fact that he was subscribed to an "unlimited data" plan. This slowdown came after he had used 1.5GB to 2GB of data inside of one billing … Read more

You're streaming the entire series of "The Sopranos" on your smartphone. It's the final episode. The screen suddenly goes black! Is it the show or is AT&T throttling your data?

The cellular company has made good on its warning to slow the speeds for the top 5 percent of data users. Impacted users are ones who have unlimited data plans. Smartphone owners with tiered plans aren't subject to the throttling.

Customers have mixed reviews on the policy. Some are outraged at having their data slowed. Some are concerned about the drag that heavy … Read more

AT&T is trying to help customers understand why its data network is overtaxed but its throttling policy isn't winning them over.

The carrier's data traffic has doubled each year since 2007, according to John Donovan, a senior executive VP for AT&T technology and network operations. Over the past five years, data traffic has grown by 20,000 percent.

And who's the main culprit? The smartphone, of course. The iPhone likely factors into that equation quite heavily since it debuted in 2007.

"The growth is now driven primarily by smartphones," Donovan said … Read more