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Is the $25 beyond talk plan really unlimited?

dEris said:
I think you might have CricKet mistaken for this issue. CricKet says "unlimited" but once you reach your 1GB cap, they throttle your internet to almost 56k speed until the next bill cycle. Heh, so lame.
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I have Cricket, and I think the cap is 5GB. I've been using it for over a year and have only been throttled back once that I noticed. It's perfectly fine unless you watch a lot of videos but I don't think it's meant to be a primary ISP for users who consume a lot of media. It's designed like VM for low/moderate mobile, contract-free users. Edit: they've now tiered their plans to 2.5/5/7.5 GB
 
If VM starts seeing overloaded towers/saturation on particular towers, they'll be able to pinpoint the ones abusing the network (data hogs).

VM will eventually cap the unlimited data plans on their phones, just like they did on the "unlimited broadband2go usb $40 device). That got capped to 2.5GB.

There truly is no such thing as "unlimited". There IS an invisible cap there.
 
greg4android said:
If VM starts seeing overloaded towers/saturation on particular towers, they'll be able to pinpoint the ones abusing the network (data hogs).

VM will eventually cap the unlimited data plans on their phones, just like they did on the "unlimited broadband2go usb $40 device). That got capped to 2.5GB.

There truly is no such thing as "unlimited". There IS an invisible cap there.
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Maybe there really isnt an "unlimited" plan BUT there should be IF you advertise "unlimited". Cmon guys truth in advertising here. Why should you be legally allowed to advertise something that isnt true at all? If you tell me unlimited it should be unlimited with no cap or just be truthful and say 5gb or 10gb or whatever limit on data and let me decide if that fits my needs. How can some of you guys call it abuse or data hogs if the plan says right there "UNLIMITED"? If you say its unlimited and its really not your lying to attract new customers which happens all the time but it aint cool.
 
Obviously, you haven't followed the saga with their "unlimited 3g data with their broadband2go USB MC760 device".

First unlimited. then 5 gb, then 2.5gb.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS UNLIMITED ! ! ! !

So, go ahead, and "GO CRAZY WITH ANDROID" as Virgin says in their commercials, and see if your ass doesn't get throttled to dial-up speeds! LOLOLOLOL


keale18 said:
Maybe there really isnt an "unlimited" plan BUT there should be IF you advertise "unlimited". Cmon guys truth in advertising here. Why should you be legally allowed to advertise something that isnt true at all? If you tell me unlimited it should be unlimited with no cap or just be truthful and say 5gb or 10gb or whatever limit on data and let me decide if that fits my needs. How can some of you guys call it abuse or data hogs if the plan says right there "UNLIMITED"? If you say its unlimited and its really not your lying to attract new customers which happens all the time but it aint cool.
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greg4android said:
Obviously, you haven't followed the saga with their "unlimited 3g data with their broadband2go USB MC760 device".

First unlimited. then 5 gb, then 2.5gb.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS UNLIMITED ! ! ! !

So, go ahead, and "GO CRAZY WITH ANDROID" as Virgin says in their commercials, and see if your ass doesn't get throttled to dial-up speeds! LOLOLOLOL
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Thats not the point. Would you be a little pissed if you bought a car that they advertised at a really cheap price equipped with a 350HP V8 but they gave you the 250HP V6? Would you let that slide? Should they be allowed to call it unlimited when the decide to cap it at 1gb? or .5gb? At what point to you call BS?

All in all the Virgin plan is a very good value for what it is and most people would still buy the plan if it was clearly stated theres a cap on data theres no need to lie.
 
greg4android said:
Obviously, you haven't followed the saga with their "unlimited 3g data with their broadband2go USB MC760 device".

First unlimited. then 5 gb, then 2.5gb.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS UNLIMITED ! ! ! !

So, go ahead, and "GO CRAZY WITH ANDROID" as Virgin says in their commercials, and see if your ass doesn't get throttled to dial-up speeds! LOLOLOLOL
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It actually gets throttled to 256k so it's about 4 times faster than dial up. I still get your point though, right now it's either 5 or 10GBs that throttling starts.

Also, you can still use pdanet to tether so even if wifi tethering goes people can still use usb tethering. On top of that if you use custom roms it should still work.(at least I think it should since it is a software block on an update.)
 
Bad comparison you made. What's your point?

its also a month to month service, so they can change their terms when ever they want (as they did with the broadband2go USB device).

Once again, even though advertised as "unlimited", there is some point where its considered "abuse", and i'm sure red-flagged somewhere in the network operations.

there have been numerous companies that have back away from "unlimited" Care for me to detail the list?

keale18 said:
Thats not the point. Would you be a little pissed if you bought a car that they advertised at a really cheap price equipped with a 350HP V8 but they gave you the 250HP V6? Would you let that slide? Should they be allowed to call it unlimited when the decide to cap it at 1gb? or .5gb? At what point to you call BS?

All in all the Virgin plan is a very good value for what it is and most people would still buy the plan if it was clearly stated theres a cap on data theres no need to lie.
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greg4android said:
Bad comparison you made. What's your point?

its also a month to month service, so they can change their terms when ever they want (as they did with the broadband2go USB device).

Once again, even though advertised as "unlimited", there is some point where its considered "abuse", and i'm sure red-flagged somewhere in the network operations.

there have been numerous companies that have back away from "unlimited" Care for me to detail the list?
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Point still stands. Dont advertise "unlimited" if its not true. You keep bringing up the term abuse when there cant be any abuse if its "unlimited". Sure they can change the terms AFTER my pre paid month is up. Look the point here is just say what it is $XX up to XGB. These companies put out these unlimited plans to attract new customers but when they got em they go oooops theres too much traffic....DUH! The list of companies that backed off unlimited plans is irrelevant to the point can you say bait and switch. Theres no advanced quantum physics here where you advertise an unlimited plan theres people out there thats gonna take advantage of that and use it as their primary ISP.
 
Go ahead and gobble up 15-20GB a month, and see what happens !!!

not really bait and switch because its a no contract, month to month phone and unlimited ACCESS is not the same as unlimited USE.

A cell phone device data plan is NOT designed to be a primary ISP.

however, the people that MILK IT TO THE MAX will end up getting the "unlimited" plan cancelled for everyone.

(Just watch, the Optimus "unlimited" plan will eventually end up just like the BroadBand2Go program, capped at 2.5GB....If you don't think they'll eventually do with the Optimus, you can't see trends then)

even advertising it as "unlimited"....Mobile Broadband is NOT a finite resource, it has limits (especially on a single line T-1 served tower)

SimplyMobility using SPRINT failed at "unlimited" - Customers using 40+GB a month. current status - 5GB cap.

DataJack using T-Mobile failed at "unlimited" - Current 5GB using SPRINT.

Millenicom using Sprint Unlimited - $70 - currently capped at 50GB.

AT&T - currently capped at 2GB (no more unlimited).


Sprint - Optimus S - disabled tethering due to excessive use.

Coming next - Optimus V - no tethering.

(BELOW ISP's unrelated as it pertains to wired but shows trends in usage).

Charter - was unlimited - lowest plan capped at 100GB - highest usage 500GB(60mbps plan).

Comcast - 250GB (previously unlimited).

AT&T DSL = unlimited (fixing to go to usage based w/100GB cap).


F*$&#*G, gees, shall I go on?


keale18 said:
Point still stands. Dont advertise "unlimited" if its not true. You keep bringing up the term abuse when there cant be any abuse if its "unlimited". Sure they can change the terms AFTER my pre paid month is up. Look the point here is just say what it is $XX up to XGB. These companies put out these unlimited plans to attract new customers but when they got em they go oooops theres too much traffic....DUH! The list of companies that backed off unlimited plans is irrelevant to the point can you say bait and switch. Theres no advanced quantum physics here where you advertise an unlimited plan theres people out there thats gonna take advantage of that and use it as their primary ISP.
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Look up "unlimited" in Virgin Mobile's Terms of Service (TOS).


"unlimited access to Downloads and the mobile Internet (but not unlimited downloaded content)"

the Key is "unlimited access". Meaning you can use the 3G portion of your phone any time.. no restrictions on WHEN you can use it, so unlimited in this aspect would mean "access the network anytime"...

the stipulation of course is "NO UNLIMITED DOWNLOADING (or streaming).

So, it IS actually unlimited access, but not unlimited USE.....




keale18 said:
Point still stands. Dont advertise "unlimited" if its not true. You keep bringing up the term abuse when there cant be any abuse if its "unlimited". Sure they can change the terms AFTER my pre paid month is up. Look the point here is just say what it is $XX up to XGB. These companies put out these unlimited plans to attract new customers but when they got em they go oooops theres too much traffic....DUH! The list of companies that backed off unlimited plans is irrelevant to the point can you say bait and switch. Theres no advanced quantum physics here where you advertise an unlimited plan theres people out there thats gonna take advantage of that and use it as their primary ISP.
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The only thing they are putting a limit on is the 3G speed. They have said there is unlimited internet access, which they are still allowing even after the throttling.
 
Based off what other members are saying, but that's not stated anythere on the Virgin Mobile Website or Terms of Service.

Others members are stating this assumption off the recently history with the BroadBand2GO USB MC760 device (aka unlimited mobile broadband...however not called "unlimited" any longer).

But you're right, its unlimited "ACCESS", but not unlimited "USE".

MacFett said:
The only thing they are putting a limit on is the 3G speed. They have said there is unlimited internet access, which they are still allowing even after the throttling.
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greg4android said:
Go ahead and gobble up 15-20GB a month, and see what happens !!!

not really bait and switch because its a no contract, month to month phone and unlimited ACCESS is not the same as unlimited USE.

A cell phone device data plan is NOT designed to be a primary ISP.

however, the people that MILK IT TO THE MAX will end up getting the "unlimited" plan cancelled for everyone.

(Just watch, the Optimus "unlimited" plan will eventually end up just like the BroadBand2Go program, capped at 2.5GB....If you don't think they'll eventually do with the Optimus, you can't see trends then)

even advertising it as "unlimited"....Mobile Broadband is NOT a finite resource, it has limits (especially on a single line T-1 served tower)

SimplyMobility using SPRINT failed at "unlimited" - Customers using 40+GB a month. current status - 5GB cap.

DataJack using T-Mobile failed at "unlimited" - Current 5GB using SPRINT.

Millenicom using Sprint Unlimited - $70 - currently capped at 50GB.

AT&T - currently capped at 2GB (no more unlimited).


Sprint - Optimus S - disabled tethering due to excessive use.

Coming next - Optimus V - no tethering.

(BELOW ISP's unrelated as it pertains to wired but shows trends in usage).

Charter - was unlimited - lowest plan capped at 100GB - highest usage 500GB(60mbps plan).

Comcast - 250GB (previously unlimited).

AT&T DSL = unlimited (fixing to go to usage based w/100GB cap).


F*$&#*G, gees, shall I go on?
Click to expand...



Once again thats not the point in question. The bone to pick is the use of the term unlimited which is an outright lie. Yep I agree with you on all points of those that came before and sure they can administer their network any way they want 7 ways to sunday but dont advertise unlimited when its not. Yes it is a bait and switch if you advertise unlimited and have an invisible cap. Wheres the problem in saying up front what it really is? Where do you draw the line on dishonesty? Again would you buy a car advertised with 350HP but when you dyno the car its only putting out 250HP? Im betting you would be a little upset. This is it say what it is UP FRONT and let the consumer decide.
 
You can pick on the wording all you want . . . You can ARGUE the point all you want. it IS what IT is. Its unlimited access, NOT unlimited use.
End of discussion on my part.

keale18 said:
Once again thats not the point in question. The bone to pick is the use of the term unlimited which is an outright lie. Yep I agree with you on all points of those that came before and sure they can administer their network any way they want 7 ways to sunday but dont advertise unlimited when its not. Yes it is a bait and switch if you advertise unlimited and have an invisible cap. Wheres the problem in saying up front what it really is? Where do you draw the line on dishonesty? Again would you buy a car advertised with 350HP but when you dyno the car its only putting out 250HP? Im betting you would be a little upset. This is it say what it is UP FRONT and let the consumer decide.
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Heres a quote from an article at arstech

Part of the reason Sprint is more open to heavier data use on the 4G network is that it operates separately (and more efficiently) from the 3G network. However, the more obvious reason it hasn't capped data yet is because the company knows that's what attracts customers. The fact that Sprint knows there's some possibility of capping in the future shows that the carriers are only willing to offer the most attractive benefits for as long as it takes to suck in new customers, as evidenced by the (now prevalent) data caps on once-unlimited 3G networks.

4G data caps: not here yet, but likely to come

Oddly enough from my understanding Clear which is on the Sprint 4g network is standing firm with its unlimited access and no caps. Based on this I am considering changing my primary ISP to Clear.
 
This is totally legal, for one, even if they throttle it they are still giving unlimited data even if it's slow. Also for example in many states a lifetime warranty is defined as a period of seven years and after that the company does not by law have to honor it. I guess it's just depends on how certain terms are defined, seven years could be defined as the life of the product and unlimited is based on how much a single consumer should use. Who knows, I'm not saying it's right but it definitely is legal, sometimes those don't go hand in hand.
 
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