- Apr 28, 2010
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Even though throttling doesn't affect 4g users yet, i'm assuming it will affect 4g users on unlimited data at some point in the future.
2gig is a heavy user? I am at 1.2gig for the month, and I haven't really done much of anything.....
I disagree with this. I believe the reason 4G is not throttled is because 99.9 percent of the 4G users are on tiered (metered) data plans (or, it will soon be 99.9 percent as us unlimited 4G "grandfathers" are replaced by newer 4G users). No need to throttle for such a small 4G unlimited user base. Most 4G users will be paying for what they use via tiered plans. It's the "data hogs" on legacy 3G unlimited plans that can be a problem. And 3G has a ton of those. 4G, not so much.The reason 4G is not throttled is because it has about 10 times the bandwidth.
Yeah, we here on AC are definitely the exception, as compared to the whole of the VZW customer base. I will say however, I don't use very much. I did an experiment for the last two billing cycles. As I've mentioned I'm an IT consultant. I am on a Tethered laptop every single day doing something. Sometimes more, sometimes less. Usually around an hour total. Mostly web use. For the last two months I have specifically avoided the Wifi alternatives I used to use and made it a point to always use my MHS. Results? For the last two months I have used right at 2GB (~2.01-2.3 or so). Admittedly, on occasion I have to download large files, but that didn't happen in the last two months. Personally, I find it easy to believe that the "average" VZW data user uses less then 2GB. Also admittedly, I use the phone almost exclusively for business. Seldom do I use it for pleasure (i.e. streaming movies, etc.). But, again, occasionally I do.Based upon whatever testing Verizon think they did, they somehow came up with the idea that 90% of smartphone users use 2 GB of data or less per month. Obvious, the majority of the people on AC are on the higher end of data users, so the sample here is slanted, but I am still not sure if their figures were accurate, especially regarding 4G phone users.
I am certainly not the heaviest user I know, but I still manage to use in excess of 7-8 GB per month, and even my fiance that has a Thunderbolt uses 3-4 GB, and she is not even close to a heavy user.
I disagree with this. I believe the reason 4G is not throttled is because 99.9 percent of the 4G users are on tiered (metered) data plans (or, it will soon be 99.9 percent as us unlimited 4G "grandfathers" are replaced by newer 4G users). No need to throttle for such a small 4G unlimited user base. Most 4G users will be paying for what they use via tiered plans. It's the "data hogs" on legacy 3G unlimited plans that can be a problem. And 3G has a ton of those. 4G, not so much.
-Frank
Yeah, I guess that is what I was getting at. And, since 4G is really only 5-1/2 months old (since the release of the first 4G phone), it won't be too long before the "future" of 4G users is here.Now in the future when everyone is on 4G, then yes I would say your theory will be correct, and likely we may see some "optimization" occurring.
Yeah, I guess that is what I was getting at. And, since 4G is really only 5-1/2 months old (since the release of the first 4G phone), it won't be too long before the "future" of 4G users is here.
-Frank
I mostly (95% of the time) forcefully ride the 3G band to save battery life in the TB... I think Ill need to stop doing that....
And it will be interesting to see if VZ grandfathers the Unlimited 4G data plans when they move to LTE Advanced....
Based upon history, it is possible. I'll believe it when I see it, as Verizon really wants unlimited data gone.
And even if you are riding 3G, throttling will not touch you. Literally, you cannot be throttled if you have a 4G device, regardless of what band you use.