Today I called Verizon Customer service about a data problem I was having. I noticed over the past 2 days my network connection was slow. Netflix would buffer constantly and pandora would play for 10 seconds and then buffer for 20. I spoke to the first representative around 11:50 AM. She informed me that I was in fact being "Network Optimized" because I was a little over 3gb. She told me my only options to keep from being "throttled" was to upgrade to a 4g phone or go to a tiered data plan. I said that that tiered data was out of the questions because I was currently at an unlimited plan. She then said she could early upgrade me but I would have to pay the price point price of the Galaxy Nexus, $299. She also offered me $10 off each line for 2 months (total of $60). I told her that was also unacceptable because I was basically being told I had to spend more money to use the service I had already. She said she would talk to her supervisor who was in a meeting and call me back at 2:00 PM EST.
At 4:00 PM EST I had not received a call from Verizon so I called back in. I spoke with a CS Rep named Anthony who confirmed all the same things I already knew about data throttling (in the 3 1/2 hours between calls I read up on the situation online). After pleading my same case to Anthony he told me he could do nothing and I asked to speak to his supervisor, he side stepped this originally and told me he (supervisor) would not be able to do anything either. I asked again to speak to his supervisor and he obliged. After holding for about 10 minutes I was speaking with a Supervisor by the name of Brent. I plead the same exact case and explained to Brent that this was basically extortion by Verizon to force me into either spending money or giving up my unlimited data. He offered me a $30 discount on a 4G device. I declined the offer because $30 is nothing. If I went to my full upgrade date, 4/10/12 I would get $50 off. I asked to speak to Management... the next step in the chain. He took my information and we decided a good time for management would be 4:30 PM EST on March 8th. Today is March 7th.
I write this so others can see the path and hopefully see some resolution to the situation. I equated what verizon is doing to me as if my power company called me and said that I had to pay the same amount but I would only get half the amount of power. Or if my cable company called me and said that, Yes you have unlimited data but we are going to slow down your connection to 25% of what it can do and that I still have to pay the same. These practices would not be tolerated with your utilities, but for some reason it seems acceptable for my cellular connection. I'm on business a lot and need my data to be snappy and effective, which it has been in the past. I have used a lot of data this month (3gb) but have used more before and have never been throttled. I have read the TOS (Terms of Service) that I signed for our 2 year upgrade last time and see nothing in it in reference to "Network Optimization". With nothing in the TOS about Network Optimization or Data Throttling Verizon is violating their own TOS by reducing the bandwidth of my connection.
All I am asking is that either Verizon honor our original agreement and release my account from a throttled down connection, or upgrade me to a 4G phone (Galaxy Nexus) for free. I only ask the latter due to the fact that the original CS told me that if the released the hold on the data that the system would automatically re-apply it till the end of the current monthly service period. I will keep you all posted after the call with management tomorrow at 4:30.
They are honoring the original agreement. it has been in the TOS for a few years they MAY throttle. Then early last year I and all users received notice of the 3G optimization plan. So it is nothing new.
It's based on the tower your on really. If it's congested, it will throttle the heavy users, meaning those that use more than 2gb. Only carrier left with truly unlimited data is sprint. I think if this is being forced on to us, tmobiles version is best. It's unlimited but you are only throttled to 3g when you pass a certain amount of 4g data.
Not pointing fingers or anything, but I don't think vzw appreciates those who use their unlimited data as a replacement for mobile broadband, and I think that's expecting too much out of a service to be honest. Also, 299 is the upgrade price for a nexus, and if you are not eligible for upgrade, I'm surprised they offered that to you. Get a 4g phone if you want fast internet, you can keep your unlimited if you upgrade.
If a rep and a supervisor told you the same thing, what makes you think the next level up will change anything? Don't be surprised if the person you speak to just says no and hangs up.
That is incorrect. T-Mobile throttles you to 100kbps or less(depending on network congestion).
Sprint also throttles 3G(5gb), and Sprint towers 4G won't, but the Clearwire ones do.
Haha, you're right. Went to go read the fine print which says 2g speed.
Verizon 4G is "truly" unlimited if you have the unlimited plan, and if you have that unlimited plan you can get unlimited tethering as well 😛
According to the TOS provided on the website there is no mention of throttling. Verizon is in definition violating their own TOS. My contract with them is specific and to the point and never agreed to throttling. Just because they decide to do it a year and a half later is beyond the scope of the contract. This is a very slippery slope for Verizon.
John Sims
Sent from my Droid X
http://m-support.verizonwireless.com/information/data_disclosure.html
I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.
Thats not true... I pulled this from Verizon Policies located at http://support.verizonwireless.com/information/broadband.html
Verizon Wireless uses the following mechanisms to manage network resources. Both are implemented in a way that is content and user neutral.
You all are missing the point. I understand Verizon's policies towards data throttling. My main contention is that Verizon implemented these changes after my new contract period started. Therefore due to ethical business practices I should not be held in the new policies till my new contract period starts. When you sign a contract with a company the only way a company can change that contract and the policies involved therein, both parties must agree to the changes and either an addendum to the original contract or a new contract must be drafted.
John Sims
Sent from my Droid X
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