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Ask HN: Verizon unlimited data plans getting customer calls?

6 points by sockgrant 12y ago

I just got a "customer happiness" call from Verizon. They told me that in the next 90 days they are rolling out new policies to their towers -- the top 5% of data users are going to be throttled during peak times -- and I'm being called because I may be a high data user. The representative then wanted to get me to sign a new 2 year contract so I could move to their "SLTE" network (he said LTE was like 4 highway lanes, and SLTE is like 8.....). Here's the thing, I'm pretty sure I was called because I still have my old unlimited data plan. The rep promised me they would keep my unlimited data plan if I signed a new contract, but I don't really believe him. A few questions: 1) Anyone else out there get a call like this? 2) Legally, are they allowed to throttle unlimited data users? 3) Is SLTE real or a gimmick? 4) Is Verizon trying to trick me into dropping my unlimited data plan? btw, I was told there are users doing 100gb - 400gb a month, so there's no way I'll be in the top 5%.

wmf 12y ago
2) The FCC is investigating this issue, but I suspect Verizon's throttling will be allowed. 3) XLTE is LTE with double the spectrum. All else being equal, more spectrum is faster. 4) Yes, obviously.
- sockgrant 12y ago
  Thanks for the info about 2 and 3. For 4, he "promised" me multiple times that they would keep unlimited data in my new contract. He said they just wanted me moved to the new network. Messed up, if they're actually trying to trick me. I asked if I could record the call and he said no, he'd have to hangup if I did.
  - chrisbennet 12y ago
    But they may be recording the call "for quality purposes". Sure sounds like they are lying to you. Why not let them send you the contract to look over though?
    - chrisBob 12y ago
      In most states as long as someone is legally recording then anyone may do so. If they told you that they are recording for quality purposes then you can record it too.
      - sockgrant 12y ago
        Sure. But they also have the right to hangup (which is what the rep said he'd do). I believe the law is that you have to notify the other party that you are recording, otherwise it can't be used in court.
        crazypyro 12y ago
        Varies by state in US.
    - sockgrant 12y ago
      Yeah, exactly :| I had asked him to send the contract over, he said he'd send the contract but that they don't put the plan (e.g. "unlimited data") in the contract. Sure sounds shady and worthy of better business bureau.
      - chrisbennet 12y ago
        The Better Business Bureau is more of a protection racket than a consumer protection agency. You should contact the office of your state's Attorney General. Those folks are a consumer protection agency.
- tehwebguy 12y ago
  For 2) I would guess that it wasn't unlimited LTE when the contract was signed, but probably EDGE or 3G, no? I believe that is the justification behind the trotting.
  - wmf 12y ago
    Yeah, throttled LTE may still be faster than unthrottled EV-DO. Verizon just released their official rationale: http://arstechnica.com/business/2014/08/verizon-we-throttle-unlimited-data-to-provide-an-incentive-to-limit-usage/ http://arstechnica.com/business/2014/08/verizon-we-throttle-...
2close4comfort 12y ago
But even without XLTE there will be less congestion on the LTE network so in larger markets you could see better performance anyway. Plus who's to say that they won't throttle people with tiered plans once unlimited is gone, it wont be hard to do it again with the groundwork already there.
chrisBob 12y ago
What do you do that uses so much data? I am on an unlimited data plan, and use about 300MB over cell, and another 1GB over WiFi.
- sockgrant 12y ago
  I have tethering. I'm a remote employee and I work from coffee shops, other cities, etc. so I use my tethering connection for work (software) when I can't get wifi.
  - chrisBob 12y ago
    Tethering makes sense. It seems that may people use that much data directly on their phones and that is what I have trouble imagining.
    - crazypyro 12y ago
      Videos and music (especially podcasts, one of the ones I listen to is regularly over 300mb per episode with multiple weekly episodes) take up a lot for some people.
- sjs382 12y ago
  I use about 2-3GB/month. Sometimes I notice that my podcasts haven't synced when I'm at the car, and make them sync for my ride.
JoshGlazebrook 12y ago
I'm very interested in more details on this call. Could you shoot me an email with all the details you have on exactly what they told you? I've been monitoring HowardForums (a nerdy wireless forum) and a few other forums where this kind of stuff is discussed and haven't heard of anyone receiving a call. Could you possibly shoot me an email with all the info you have? Check my HN bio for the email. Thanks.