The only issue I have with 3G watchdog is it measures data from your phone not the carrier's towers. The towers may send packets you don't receive which is added to your data. It is a good way to estimate however.
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Throttling! Coming soon to a VM (USA) phone near you
- Thread starter joeycmb
- Start date
The only issue I have with 3G watchdog is it measures data from your phone not the carrier's towers. The towers may send packets you don't receive which is added to your data. It is a good way to estimate however.
Got a message from VM saying that they are going to start throttling data speed after 2.5GB of dat starting in March. My question for you guys is, I get terrible speeds already. I'm lucky to get 512kb/s. Now if I go over the 2.5GB cap will it start slowing down my already terrible speeds, or slow down the maxiumum download limit VM has in place ( which I would never reach in the first place)?
marc12868
Android Expert
It will slow down your speeds to 256kbps or less and that's if you reach the 2.5 gb cap... Personally I use maybe a gig a month probably less since I use wifi when I'm at home, plus I'm lucky to even get 256kbps...
Moved a couple of posts from the Optimus V forum here, apologies if it breaks the flow of conversation a little.
benslgdroid
rockstar
Just picked it up.
They have to do something with those old systems. It's cheaper to use them than tear them all down now that there going lte.
frdmspoplr
Well-Known Member
I don't really support companies doing stuff like this, but you really can't blame them in this instance. You know there's people out there abusing the system with their hotspot capabilities. For the most part, most of us probably don't use that much data with such slow speeds. I thought it was kinda funny, I rarely ever hit 256 kbps anyway, so I wouldn't notice even if I did get throttled. I'm just glad they're not like Verizon/ATT, charging am obscene amount for a small amount of data.
marc12868
Android Expert
The thing about it is that the more bandwidth that is used the more it costs, or they could just not do anything about and let people use a bunch of data and let the bandwidth be sucked up til its really slow... Its the same way it works if you have internet at your house and have a bunch of different devices hooked uptown it and downloading the bandwidth is going toslowway down making the speeds for each slow as hell..
They did this with the MIfI portable hotspot too. Connect up to five devices, but go over on data and we'll cut your speed so low you won't even try to use it. My $150 useless MIfi sits in the kitchen junk drawer these days. I guess its time to find an app that blocks apps from using 3G.
they will just limit your speeds to 250kbps or less once over 2.5G, and since I don't even get that on a good day, I wont notice a thing
Pretty much. I get 200kbps on a typical day. I've had my speeds rise up to as far as 1.25mbps, but those were rare occasions.
I hear WiMax coverage sucks or is nonexistent in many areas. I'd say it's as wash as long as they don't invest in extending WiMax coverage.
I think they had/have a contract with Clearwire for WiMax. Personally I think Sprint should extend LTE coverage to prepaid within 2 years and put more $$$ into making it universal. Clearwire can go ahead and foot the cost of getting rid of WiMax--that's their problem!
It's more cost-effective for Sprint to maintain one network for all!There's a placeholder for it; has been there as long as I can remember:
Just nothing in there yet:
Can't wait to see how accurate it is considering I still can't even get my messaging history half the time & when I can it's 3 days or so behind.
It was foreseen given that Sprint is doing everything it can to keep unlimited on its main money maker plans.
I would love it if VM switched their plans to something like 2.5GB cap but give us LTE phones in the future - or let us use any sprint phone we want if we pay full price.
I would love it if VM switched their plans to something like 2.5GB cap but give us LTE phones in the future - or let us use any sprint phone we want if we pay full price.
The idea of support of all Sprint's phones is very intriguing.
marc12868
Android Expert
Technically speaking it wouldn't be all that hard... They could flash their VM firmware with their bloatware and be done pretty much... Will it ever happen probably not... :/ It would be cool, but I highly doubt it...
marc12868
Android Expert
I think they're doing it by email... I haven't got anything either so... Whatever... Its not even march yet...
marc12868
Android Expert
IKR! Technically speaking all VM phones are Sprint phones since VM is owned by sprint... I really don't see why they don't do that... They would get lots more people and make more money! And we would get BA phones
srslyguise
Newbie
Yep. Got mine over a txt message a few days ago. Not too happy about it but I doubt I go over 2GB monthly anyways even with the occasional tether. If you're using their 3G speeds as your main internet source I feel really bad for you.
marc12868
Android Expert
No kidding... I couldn't live without my highspeed comcast internet... But I still haven't even got a text from them about data throttling yet... Maybe i'm exempt!
lol i wish Although it doesn't really matter to me sense the only time I use 3g is at work during breaks pretty much...
RobertsDF
Newbie
The only way this will affect you is if download 100MB + files multiple times a month and watch a LOT of "HD" videos on youtube mobile. Obviously tethering as well, though only if going to websites that have videos and stuff like that. Thethering and general intrrnet browsing will still be fine.
I usually get 1.5-2.0mbps so getting down to 256kbps(0.25mbps) is quite the downgrade.
I usually get 1.5-2.0mbps so getting down to 256kbps(0.25mbps) is quite the downgrade.