Here’s the latest on what they are offering: [Read more…] about Wireless Carriers Aid Japan Relief Effort
Wireless Expense Management Blog
Verizon is Throttling Data Users
So what Verizon was calling “unlimited lightning fast 4G” is not exactly so unlimited anymore. The wireless carrier is now throttling the top 5% of their data subscribers based on usage.
That is, any Verizon smart-phone user who uses an “extraordinary amount of data” will see a slowdown in their data-transfer speeds for the remainder of the month and the next billing cycle”. Yikes. And we thought Verizon was going to compete with “those other carriers” who offer limited data plans.
To add fuel to the fire, Verizon did not announce this to their millions of subscribers via press release, email or text message. Instead, the news ended up being leaked by a blogger who stumbled across a well-hidden PDF disclaimer on Verizon’s website. [Read more…] about Verizon is Throttling Data Users
Loophole Means Unlimited Data for AT&T iPhones
Hey ATT Business users: a loophole means unlimited data for AT&T iPhone due to billing issue class action lawsuit.
It has been recently reported that AT&T is overcharging for data and a pending federal class action lawsuit claims that “AT&T’s bills systematically overstate the amount of data used on each data transaction involving an iPhone or iPad account,”. The plantiff actually ran their own study by purchasing a phone, disabling all data functions and still were billed data charges by ATT. The suit charges AT&T with five counts including unjust enrichment, unfair business practices and violating the federal law that prohibits “unjust and unreasonable” telecommunication charges.
The suit claims that AT&T overcharged users data anywhere from 7-300% more than actual usage. And while on a 50KB download speed, this data usage could be as small as 53.5 KB (7% over), it could also be billed as much as 600KB (300% over). The claim also states that AT&T is billing not only higher than accurate overage charges, but that they are also billing for phantom usage (e.g. billed for usage that never occurred) This is especially concerning to business users when one looks at the aggregate usage of data over many users. Here are all the details on the lawsuit.
In a related article in the Huffington Post, a spokesman for AT&T defended the company. “We have only recently learned of the complaint, but I can tell you that we intend to defend ourselves vigorously. Transparent and accurate billing is a top priority for AT&T,” he said. The link to those details are here: Huffington post reports .
One important loophole to this issue is that AT&T is now offering unlimited data plans to existing users. A yahoo news article explains:
“AT&T has allowed subscribers who have had an unlimited data plan in the past to switch back. That includes anyone who had an iPhone before June, when the limited plans took effect”.
AT&T spokesman Mark Siegel wouldn’t confirm the option to return to an unlimited plan. “We handle customers and their situations individually, and we’re not going to discuss specifics,” he said.
AT&T has always allowed iPhone and smart-phone users with unlimited-data plans to keep them when upgrading directly to a new device, but it is the ability to return to an unlimited plan after going limited that is the carrier trade secret they want to keep under cover.
Protect your wireless rights; make sure, like the carrier, you get your unfair share.
Sprint’s Newly REQUIRED $10 Monthly Premium Data Add-on
Sprint had recently announced that it will be including at $10 monthly premium add-on to 4G phones. Not a great feature, but perhaps understandable for the carriers to recoup some of their increased network costs for 4G (I know, I know..like 49.3 million subscribers at $56 per subscriber per month totaling well over $2.7 BILLION PER MONTH isn’t enough to help cover costs?!).
However, effective January 30th, Sprint has squeaked in that it is going to add this premium data add-on to every smartphone that is newly activated or swapped – 4G or not. This “premium” add-on is now required for all smartphone devices (Blackberry, Android, Windows Mobile, Palm, Instinct family of devices, etc.). This, of course, was not announced with a press release, but announced quietly from their business support group:
Now I can see how adding a plan to recoup some costs is reasonable BUT, this is ridiculous. First, to add this fee in its very clandestine manner is not only unethical, but also inconsistent with existing business contracts. We have customers who are already seeing this on their JANUARY bills without any previous notice.
Second, this is not an incidental charge, it is $10 per line! This is over 25% of many of our business users’ total net cost per phone per month…certainly not chump change by any means. Unless you are managing your bills and continuing to optimize would you even see this charge much less would you even think it was a new and (in our opinion) erroneous, inaccurate, overzealous one. This premium add on data plan would increase Sprint revenues by $493 MILLION per MONTH, just by an “oh by the way, we are increasing your rates” plan.
But look what Sprint says you get in return for your hard earned $10 per month: “What does this feature do? Delivers a rich wireless experience by bringing the full function of mobile “applications” and “programs” to life:”. Wow…we don’t want to miss a (mandatory) rich wireless experience!
PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS! Here’s what to do:
- Consult your contract. If it isn’t listed as a contracted charge, take action.
- Contact your carrier representative and get a credit back (PER PHONE, don’t forget)
- Tell the carrier you KNOW there is a $0 Premium Data Add-on and have that added to the account instead of the feature for the $10 charge.
- If properly done, you should get a message like this:, “This is not applicable to XXXX customer at this time. Currently, their contractual rates apply as is.”
Good luck and protect your wireless rights: right plan, right price, right result!
New Website Updates for Sprint Business Users
Yesterday, Sprint rolled out new My Sprint business features on their website. Please see below for more information:
