6 ms·

> Of course, it would be nice if they spelled out all of this in their advertising and product literature (and if this was still the case with their current pla

> Of course, it would be nice if they spelled out all of this in their advertising and product literature (and if this was still the case with their current plans). Which is ultimately the problem here. They didn't spell this out or make explicit this practice. I agree with you, it makes sense, and I find it acceptable...but they definitely should have made it obvious and well documented.

67726e 10y ago
Exactly. As an unlimited customer who has used, at times, upwards of 60GB / month this was never made clear and their representatives have absolutely lied about. When I signed up I was skeptical as any so I spent a good bit of time grilling them, and this was never mentioned anywhere. I've never heard of it in any advertisement nor seen any disclaimer. I've received no warning about their activity. I switched over about four years ago and have been wholeheartedly recommending it as a good carrier, but things like this severely diminish T-Mobile's luster in my mind.
- maxerickson 10y ago
  They now have On all plans, during congestion the top 3% of data users (>26GB/mo.) may notice reduced speeds until next bill cycle. Video typically streams on smartphone/tablet at DVD quality (480p). Tethering at Max 3G speeds. in the small print. I wish they would just not say "Unlimited" if there is going to be a disclaimer, but the current situation is at least fairly clear.
  - 67726e 10y ago
    TFA said they got busted in 2015, so that's likely as a result of this. They never had any sort of disclaimer like this when I signed up around 2012.
    - maxerickson 10y ago
      Just to be clear, I wasn't trying to cast doubt on your other comment, I just recalled reading that disclaimer and thought it was worth mentioning that they have the specific small print now.
  - CountSessine 10y ago
    I wish they would just not say "Unlimited" if there is going to be a disclaimer, but the current situation is at least fairly clear. Marketing and sales is the root of all evil. I'll go out on a limb here and say that 'unlimited' in the case of data/telecom services should be a controlled and regulated word, much like 'organic' and 'natural' are in food.
    - bravura 10y ago
      I believe it already is regulated. You can't falsely advertise. The only reason that "natural" and "organic" are regulated terms is because they are nebulous. But "unlimited data" is not nebulous, it's clear cut. IANAL
      - maxerickson 10y ago
        There's obvious limits. 1 month multiplied by the maximum speed of the technology, the actual capacity of the network, the fact that they throttle heavy users, etc.
        afandian 10y ago
        Then you don't use the word.
        ambrice 10y ago
        Which word do you use? "The Data Plan Limited By Maximum Speeds, Current Network Capacity, and Amount of Time in a Given Month" doesn't fit on the pamphlet. Do we really need to go full lawyer on everything? I think people understand that "Unlimited Data" doesn't mean infinite speed.
        maxerickson 10y ago
        Given the disclaimer I posted, you could advertise "25 GB of high speed"... And if such a small number hurts them in the feels, they could make their network better so that they could say a bigger number.
marincounty 10y ago
The MBA's think they are out smarting their customers. Maybe customers will run towards the simple truth? Although, I'm still shocked when I hear people are still paying $70/month for cell/data coverage. I only know of one company that attempts to tell the truth, and not bury it in pages of TOS, but I haven't jumped in yet.

67726e 10y ago

Exactly. As an unlimited customer who has used, at times, upwards of 60GB / month this was never made clear and their representatives have absolutely lied about. When I signed up I was skeptical as any so I spent a good bit of time grilling them, and this was never mentioned anywhere. I've never heard of it in any advertisement nor seen any disclaimer. I've received no warning about their activity. I switched over about four years ago and have been wholeheartedly recommending it as a good carrier, but things like this severely diminish T-Mobile's luster in my mind.

maxerickson 10y ago
They now have On all plans, during congestion the top 3% of data users (>26GB/mo.) may notice reduced speeds until next bill cycle. Video typically streams on smartphone/tablet at DVD quality (480p). Tethering at Max 3G speeds. in the small print. I wish they would just not say "Unlimited" if there is going to be a disclaimer, but the current situation is at least fairly clear.
- 67726e 10y ago
  TFA said they got busted in 2015, so that's likely as a result of this. They never had any sort of disclaimer like this when I signed up around 2012.
  - maxerickson 10y ago
    Just to be clear, I wasn't trying to cast doubt on your other comment, I just recalled reading that disclaimer and thought it was worth mentioning that they have the specific small print now.
- CountSessine 10y ago
  I wish they would just not say "Unlimited" if there is going to be a disclaimer, but the current situation is at least fairly clear. Marketing and sales is the root of all evil. I'll go out on a limb here and say that 'unlimited' in the case of data/telecom services should be a controlled and regulated word, much like 'organic' and 'natural' are in food.
  - bravura 10y ago
    I believe it already is regulated. You can't falsely advertise. The only reason that "natural" and "organic" are regulated terms is because they are nebulous. But "unlimited data" is not nebulous, it's clear cut. IANAL
    - maxerickson 10y ago
      There's obvious limits. 1 month multiplied by the maximum speed of the technology, the actual capacity of the network, the fact that they throttle heavy users, etc.
      - afandian 10y ago
        Then you don't use the word.
        ambrice 10y ago
        Which word do you use? "The Data Plan Limited By Maximum Speeds, Current Network Capacity, and Amount of Time in a Given Month" doesn't fit on the pamphlet. Do we really need to go full lawyer on everything? I think people understand that "Unlimited Data" doesn't mean infinite speed.
        maxerickson 10y ago
        Given the disclaimer I posted, you could advertise "25 GB of high speed"... And if such a small number hurts them in the feels, they could make their network better so that they could say a bigger number.

marincounty 10y ago

The MBA's think they are out smarting their customers. Maybe customers will run towards the simple truth? Although, I'm still shocked when I hear people are still paying $70/month for cell/data coverage. I only know of one company that attempts to tell the truth, and not bury it in pages of TOS, but I haven't jumped in yet.