T-Mobile drops some overage charges in favor of bandwidth throttling
By Donald Melanson 
posted April 28th 2010 9:07PM
posted April 28th 2010 9:07PM
Well, it looks like T-Mobile has some good news and some bad news for customers using its 5GB webConnect data plan. The good news is that the carrier will no longer be charging its $0.20 per megabyte overage fee for any data used beyond the 5GB limit, thereby effectively making the 5GB plan an unlimited plan. The bad news is that in place of an overage charge, it will be implementing bandwidth throttling on any data used on top of the standard 5GB, although it's not saying exactly how much it will slow things down. Customers using T-Mobile's basic 200MB monthly plan aren't left out of the changes either -- while they won't see any bandwidth throttling, they will see their overage charges cut in half from $0.20 to $0.10 per megabyte. Both changes are apparently effective immediately.
T-Mobile makes a smart move. There used to be pretty silent on webconnect plan, but now there's a lot of noise and I can predict it'll have good sales.
It's semi-unlimited now, but just be discreet.
this is good news!
I refuse to buy a $500 smartphone that has a claimed "Unlimited" plan that has a 5GB per month limit!
It's 5GB per month thats what it is!
I hate cell operators claiming unlimited when 5GB is the cap + over charges.Stop BULLSHITTING ME.
@iPaul
Apparently you don't get the MARKETING SPEAK behind the words "Unlimited Internet". This does not state UNLIMITED BANDWIDTH. In other words you are not limited on where you can go or what you can do with it. You ARE limited on how much you can download.
It is complete garbage, I agree, but get your facts straight. It is just like "LIFETIME WARRANTY". Read the fine print. You will find out that this is really "USABLE LIFETIME".
How is 7MB a day unlimited?
@iPaul I mean 166MB a day/ 7MB an Hour unlimited.
the whole point of 4G or 3G is to d/l faster. these caps make it POINTLESS, ARGHHH!
"The 5GB Limit
Mobile Broadband carriers used to advertise unlimited internet access. That was simply false and they got in a lot of trouble for doing saying it. The limit is, and has been, 5GB (gigabytes) of date per month. If you exceed that ceiling, the charges are absolutely unconscionable. Among the leading carriers AT&T is the most expensive and Sprint is the least onerous. As such, for most people, Mobile Broadband services are not a substitute for your standard cable or DSL internet access."
http://mobile-broadband-services-review.toptenreviews.com/
@iPaul
There have been 4 of your posts in a row. Couldn't you write all your rant in 1 post?
@Goc this 5GB unlimited BS has got to stop.
That sounds pretty fair to me, must better than paying $54150125.01
The title missed "for datacards".
$40 (with qualifying calling plans; $50 without) with 5GB semi-unlimited webconnect no overage plan. It is used for USB stick, mifi unit, or embedded laptop.
I think this is a great move. Being a salesperson for another carrier, I think that this is the most FAIR way to treat data usage. It is very hard for a customer to determine their usage. It is not fair to nail them with overage charges when it is not clear to the customer on how much each "piece" of "data" is. This gives Tmob a real edge. The sales reps at Tmob can confidently sell their aircard service without the worry that their customer will come back to the store mad (or confused) about overage. Plus, it makes a good selling point. You can tell the customer that you can use the internet as much as you want, but after 5GB, you will see a decrease in speed, but dont worry, it wont cost extra. Most customers will like that they dont have to worry and you can be honest. I hope that the company that I work for NOW follows their lead. GOOD MOVE TMOBILE! FAIR IS GOOD!
Sprint Overdrive for data, $50/mo low latency 4G with no limit, available in KC later this year. T-Mobile for cell phone. My only complaint about T-Mobile is they block Skype. They also appear to block the Google Voice app from fully integrating unless you're on their top tier plan.
@Smurf How do they block Skype? Unless you're still on that old $5/month proxied plan. I have a regular EM+ with an N1 and use Google Voice fine and dandy (don't have Skype to test with; blame Verizon for their exclusive deal with them)
lucky for me, I can only attain EDGE speeds. They'll never throttle my data use!
I was hang by T-Mobile. My previous AT&T 3g plan with new iphone only charge me $80/m. My current plan with T-Mobile (N1) charges me $90 and kept getting 3g connection problem and sluggish performance. Can't wait for Sprint EVO and migrate. Hope Sprint doesn't let me down.
@cdf74dc9 You're obviously getting more with the Tmo plan, what were you on 300SMS on AT&T and on Tmo you're unlimited?
Been with Tmo over 10 years. Enough said.
Sold! I'm picking up one in a few days. I'd rather be throttled than than get hosed on "overage" charges.
I guess that's how you can get away with saying unlimited data then. These caps and limits are a travesty.