Sprint to begin throttling data this summer? (update: not exactly)
By Thomas Ricker 
posted June 11th 2010 2:29PM
posted June 11th 2010 2:29PM
Update: We're hearing from a couple sources that the shot here from The Playbook is a little out of context, and actually refers to a new feature for businesses looking to restrict disproportionately high usage by employees with company data cards. That sounds a little less painful, does it not? Thanks, everyone!
Owned.
So much for 4G speeds. Unbelievable...
@benz240 Damnit Sprint! You're supposed to be better than that! I was counting on you!
I was about to get the HTC Evo too...
Horrible. I thought they would stay strong and not follow along with the dick moves introduced by other carriers. This is the first step BACKWARDS that Sprint has taken in a long time.
In the meantime, I'm am going to stream the hell out of the World Cup on 4G and send my throughput through the mofo roof. (Watch that bite me in the ass later as a high-use customer)
@MCV It'll probably only be for 3G and lesser data output when a user goes over 5GB's through those. 4G it costs significantly less so I can't see them throttling that.
@benz240
Sprint is becoming evoo
@benz240 NO WAY IN HELL, SPRINT. I'm paying an extra $10 a month for my EVO to get UNLIMITED data. Don't think about pulling this stunt...
@dcoaster
Old hag from Princess Bride: BOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!
@benz240
Thanks Sprint, this is an excellent upgrade to service. I appreciate the ability to get 1x speeds for EVDO Rev.A service.
@tklr08 This will probably only be for people who have used over 5GB of data. Don't think the sky is falling.
@dcoaster You're still get UNLIMITED data it will just be coming to you slower. :)
@tklr08
Nothing like trying to make real news out of speculation! Notice how to doc photo conveniently left out what the rest of the sentence says?
It's like if I write on article and all you see is this:
The murders will be killing------------------------------
everyone in sight.
And where the "---------------" is it could say "time in jail, providing protection to"
@dcoaster First of all, this Engadget post is flawed and is riling up people for no reason. Shame on you Engadget, your reporting is getting really sloppy! Second, all wireless services are variable rate. There is no such thing as getting MAX speed all the time over a wireless network. Users share a common resource and there are always different allocations of bandwidth. Even if Sprint were to throttle a user's bandwidth, they would probably never notice.
The key fact is that Sprint won't charge you any more for what you have payed for. There is no implicit assumption on speed. That's why the fine print of EVERY service provider states that data rates are variable and may change due to network availability.
@whySoSerious
It's a necessary step backworks (on the carriers side) because of our step forward in data.
The amount of available spectrum just cant withstand all the things we are throwing at it now.
And the idea of expanding on their spectrum is highly unlikely as well since there is no way to really buy nationwide spectrum for a reasonable cost.
Qualcomm just spent 4 billion dollars on 20Ghz of spectrum in 4 populous areas to combat the Wimax evolution in India in favor of LTE.
Thats just for 4 areas, now imagine doing that nation wide in order to expand the bandwidth available for their networks.
@benz240
Hell yeah lmfao!
@rutter9
I can tell you the completed sentence using logic.
"The functionality is added with this release and will impact customers later this summer in a future edition of the playbook."
Soon enough Verizon and Sprint will be 2GB.
@Edgeknight
Good explanation stop panicking people lol
@dcoaster It'll still be unlimited......just slower maybe.
@whySoSerious I'm sorry but how is data throttling a dick move?? So long as your still getting blazing fast 3G and 4G?? Unlimited data usage is still in play and your streaming will work just as fine..
If anything tiered plans are a dick move and since Sprint hasn't tiered a thing yet the only dick as far as carriers are concerned is still AT&T!!
Folks are losing there minds over this as if Sprint is bringing back the 2G days its comical..
@benz240 Yeah new AT&T customers who purchase Iphones or Ipads they get owned with tiered not unlimited data!!
Let's calm it down people the 3G and 4G speed will still be blazing fast on Sprint which actually works when you need it..
Unlike AT&T's pathetic network and we all know that..
@MCV
Check the last page of comments. A lot of people in the mobile industry are starting to explain that this probably doesn't mean what we think it does.
@benz240 NOOOOOOOO!!!!! I just got an EVO and I love the video chat.... well, I guess wi-do wouldn't hurt...
@dcoaster No, you're getting the wrong idea. I read this manual of the contract at the sprint store. Throttling is only for users that abuse their 4g connection, like video streaming broadcast that lasts for more then 24 hours, automated machine-to-machine streaming, and P2P file sharing. They do it because these things require a big data connection and might slow down other users' 4g connections or bring down the whole network.
@MCV You have to consider that 4G is still around, but not in a broad level yet. AT&T still has only 3G. While 4G grows by the end of this year for Sprint, AT&T has yet to disclose any 4G plans, thus making iPhone catch up players. Then statements like yours will fall on deaf ears and will be stored in the "Apple fan boys many one liners" folder. Be realistic people.
Engadget needs to be a bit more careful with their reporting (a good reporter verifies his/her sources?). You're gonna get yourself into trouble talking trash - the lawyers be coming. Remember how you got so hysterical over comments attributed by you and taken out of context over some rappers headphones? I'm just saying.....
@metalshinobi
http://www.lamppostpictures.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/throttling.jpg
look at it
@rutter9 LMAO. I read your post and thought the same thing "especially the way reports are being posted on here lately without verification"
Everyone was foaming at the mouth to bash them and then this comes out:
"The Playbook is a little out of context, and actually refers to a new feature for businesses looking to restrict disproportionately high usage by employees with company data cards"
Wow calm down people its a good device with good data service for there customers. Get over it
@mademan12321 yeah but y'all still got owned.
@Engadget
Turrible reporting, just turrible.
@lamppostpictures
I hope that's legit. That's the way I understood it when I got my Evo. But I was under the impression it was unlimited 4g data, and 5gb 3g data... but only for the hotspot. Everything else, with the $10, you're completely unlimited. As long as this is true... I've never been more satisfied. We'll see I guess. So far, I'm a VERY happy camper.
@Supporting Caste
Pretty dismayed at the "jump-the-gun" reporting going on here. I haven't paid any attention to the people who say Engadget wants the EVO to fail, but this sort of thing makes me wonder.
@benz240 I have long been a proponent of this actually as "soft cap" rather than the current atrocity that is having to mortgage your house if you inadvertently go over your data plan like with AT&T.
Get say 5 gigs of data a month at maximum 4G speeds, then after that soft-cap, just slow the data rate down.
This avoids the issue where 1% of your customer base is using 50% of your bandwidth, since they are tethering it as their home internet connection and torrenting or whatever on it all day and night.
@Ducman69 Just noticed the update. Cmon Engadget!
@lamppostpictures
Well there we go. That's what a bunch of people in the mobile industry, in the later pages of this thread, were indicating that this probably referred to.
Ouch this might knock EVO users of their high horse.
@rob47
Keyword: MIGHT.
It's hard to reach the minds of fanatics...
@rob47 Is Verizon the only company that *doesn't* do this?
@leafflash Don't give them any ideas dude
@leafflash
We might as well all get used to this because it's going to be the latest trend in wallet raping from pretty much every data provider out there.
@think before you react Fanatics, will remain faithful. All other will be pissed. I'd say 10-15% are fanatics but even if they notice that 4G is starting to act like 3G speeds they will be upset too.
@leafflash AT&T doesn't throttle data they just decided to put caps on data instead.
Nothing is limiting your throughput
Correct me if I am wrong...
@rob47 You sound jelly..
@usmc2k9
I'm getting the Evo and I am a little annoyed at this.
@leafflash Verizon announced even before AT&T that they will introduce tiered data plans this year.
@rob47
First of all, there is no reason for Evo users to be knocked off their high horse. It is a kick-ass phone. Second, this looks like total speculation on Engadget's part -- no source is named, absolutely no details other than the words "data throttle" on a Sprint document. No mention of 3G, 4G, whether this is for MiFi-like devices or phones, etc. Plus we know the Evo is treated differently than the rest of the Sprint herd (only phone w/ 4G, $10 premium data add-on), and this document doesn't even mention the Evo. This whole post is a huge reach.
I'm calling BS on this, Why are engadget so quick to jump on UNVERIFIED INFORMATION when it supposedly relates to Sprint? Most of the alleged information on that so-called document is blocked out!
@usmc2k9 I'm in England I find all US mobile carriers hilarious and our own O2 it's not jelly.
But yes I am an iPhone user (did modify it to look like android though with one page of scrolling for apps not 12 slides)
@dantzig I agree completely with you on this one. I feel engadget has really be grasping for some serious straws on some of the recent sprint/EVO news just looking for dirt. Honestly its a great phone, the community and consumers love it just leave it at that and go whine about some Apple related news about the IPS screen again. Its fine to report 'real' news but to really stress this rumor which hasn't even been identfifed borders on useless. Honestly this a non even as usual nothing to see here move along.