Verizon Warns Unlimited 4G LTE Customers Of Plans To Throttle Top 5 Percent
Verizon Wireless has a message for data hogs subscribed to its unlimited 4G LTE service, and to paraphrase, it goes something like this: 'Slow your roll, or we'll slow it for you.' To be more specific, starting in October of this year, Verizon will begin throttling the data connections of users who fall within the top 5 percent of data users subscribed to an unlimited plan using a 4G LTE device.
This is essentially the same policy Verizon rolled out to its 3G subscribers three years ago. Now that more people are hopping onto 4G LTE networks, Verizon is trying to make sure that a relative few don't ruin experience for the masses.
"We understand that our customers rely on their smartphones and tablets every day. Our network optimization policy provides the best path to ensure a continued great wireless experience for all of our customers on the best and largest wireless network in the U.S.," said Mike Haberman, vice president – technology, for Verizon Wireless.
Those who end up with a throttled connection may experience slower data speeds when using high bandwidth applications, such as streaming high-definition content or during real-time, online gaming sessions. To minimize the impact, this will only occur when connecting to a cell site when it is experiencing heavy demand, Verizon says.
What are your thoughts on this policy? Should Verizon throttle the top 5 percent so that the rest of its users experience smooth data connections, or does this breach the promise of unlimited data?
This is essentially the same policy Verizon rolled out to its 3G subscribers three years ago. Now that more people are hopping onto 4G LTE networks, Verizon is trying to make sure that a relative few don't ruin experience for the masses.
"We understand that our customers rely on their smartphones and tablets every day. Our network optimization policy provides the best path to ensure a continued great wireless experience for all of our customers on the best and largest wireless network in the U.S.," said Mike Haberman, vice president – technology, for Verizon Wireless.
Those who end up with a throttled connection may experience slower data speeds when using high bandwidth applications, such as streaming high-definition content or during real-time, online gaming sessions. To minimize the impact, this will only occur when connecting to a cell site when it is experiencing heavy demand, Verizon says.
What are your thoughts on this policy? Should Verizon throttle the top 5 percent so that the rest of its users experience smooth data connections, or does this breach the promise of unlimited data?
