T-Mobile reducing data caps from 3GB per month to 500MB.

stoke1863 · 11 Jan 2011 at 11:43

from bitter wallet

Our gut reaction, having been through this process several times already, is this:

• some customers pay an additional monthly amount for their 3Gb allowance, and that’s a difficult case to argue against; T-Mobile will claim it is an additional service that can be cancelled without penalty

• However, for those customers that a) have the 3Gg allowance bundled into their basic monthly tariff, and b) can demonstrate that they have regularly used more than 500Mb of data a month in the past, we think there’s probably a case to challenge T-Mobile, because this change will cause demonstrable material detriment to the customer, as outlined by Ofcom’s General Conditions and consumer law.

luckly mine is not an extra im paying for

Russinating · 11 Jan 2011 at 11:47

Same. Mine's just bundled.

stoke1863 · 11 Jan 2011 at 11:50

only problem i have is demonstrating i have used over 500mb a month in the past.

Ive had this sim since November in preperation of my Virgin contract expering.

So yesterday was the first time i have used it

Bossk128 · 11 Jan 2011 at 11:59

Still says 3Gb here at the moment ( 11:57, 11-01-11).

http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/services/uk/fairuse/?WT.mc_id=fup#fup2

It's a farce really. I haven't got my text yet but if I do I'm going to try to get out of the contract. I'm only on a contract to spread the cost of the phone, I'm not a heavy user so shifting to a PAYG sim with decent data will be better for me.

How many Android users here on TMob have received notification? Will you accept a free upgrade to web n walk if offered?

TheOtherOption · 11 Jan 2011 at 12:00

I too would have cause to complain about the difference but also haven't used over 500mb in the last two/three months that I've had the phone :/

I tallied the figures listed on the my t-mobile site and since the start of December I've used about 590mb - nearly 120mb so far in January ...

Snooble · 11 Jan 2011 at 12:17

I have just phoned. Spoke to the top guys working today. And if you purchased your phone direct from T Mobile and are using Android you will not be affected by this new clause. I threatened I'd cancel under their T&C if they lowered the cap on February. Attached a note to my account. Took the guys name/ID badge number.

But he assured me that it will only effect new customers.

Just if this helps you at all.

Russinating · 11 Jan 2011 at 12:18

Hmm, interesting. Oh well, I've just used 550MB today alone so I should get a notice if it is to affect me...

Alpherah · 11 Jan 2011 at 12:18

Think you should prepare to cancel then, as they are stating everywhere "New and existing customers"

[TW]Fox · 11 Jan 2011 at 12:23

Russinating said:
Hmm, interesting. Oh well, I've just used 550MB today alone so I should get a notice if it is to affect me...

It is people like you that are causing companies to take these stances.

Seriously, 500mb in a DAY on a mobile phone? Save that stuff for your home broadband.

If people like you didn't completely take the mick I bet we wouldnt be finding it ever more difficult to get acceptable levels of data per month.

It's not a replacement for your fixed internet connection.

I have to say the way T-Mobile are going about this does seem a lot better than Vodafone. They wont charge you for going over - just restrict you to web browsing. You basically can't download files after 500mb. It is, after all, a MOBILE PHONE, so... stop downloading files?

[TW]Fox · 11 Jan 2011 at 12:25

rG-tom said:
did you have to return the handset?

Of course not.

lsg1r · 11 Jan 2011 at 12:30

Oh well I was looking at going to t-mobile purely due to the data package, if it's going to drop down to 500megs I might as well stay put with o2....

And this line makes me laugh

If you want to download, stream and watch video clips, save that stuff for your home broadband.

last time I checked you needed to download data (ie images, html etc) to view a web page :rolleyes:

It also kind of defeats the point in having 'mobile' internet if you have to use your broadband for what is realistically one of the primary uses for the internet these days - ie youtube etc

I'll wait and see what happens as I'm waiting on mwc in February for new phones anyways plus I have an 'upgrade' available from o2.

Without the data limit being higher t-mobile's packages aren't really that much better than anyone else now, so this merger isn't working too well

[TW]Fox · 11 Jan 2011 at 12:32

It's quite clear they are talking about file download not the act of downloading content associated with a web page.

Cosimo · 11 Jan 2011 at 12:32

Russinating said:
Hmm, interesting. Oh well, I've just used 550MB today alone so I should get a notice if it is to affect me...

It’s people like you who make providers bring in data caps. What are you downloading? Methinks you should be using broadband/Wi-Fi instead of 3G.

BaZ87 · 11 Jan 2011 at 12:33

Somebody on another forum has been told by T-mobile that this only effects web'n'walk customers, not web'n'walk Plus customers, which I believe is what Android users are given as part of their plans.

edit: or at least existing customers had included as part of their plan.

TheOtherOption · 11 Jan 2011 at 12:37

What's the point in having these "always connected" phones which come with youtube apps pre-installed then?

Also things like Spotify premium ... that's made almost redundant with this limited data package - if you're going to have to use your wifi to listen to music then you might as well use a PC client!

But yea I can see how the small number of people abusing the system has caused issues for the operators - they seriously need to think about expanding network capacity as things aren't going to get any better if they just continue to limit everyone (including new customers) on the current infrastructure!

lsg1r · 11 Jan 2011 at 12:37

[TW]Fox;18199073 said:
It's quite clear they are talking about file download not the act of downloading content associated with a web page.

I do realise that, it's just that the wording could easily be misconstrued and could lead to issues later down the line by not including files in the words.

It also doesn't say if the 'downloading' includes email attachments, I sometimes receive small files I need to look at on the go as attachments but it's technically a download by the 'file download' definition you just said.

I just think it's poorly written to be honest, it's trying to make it sound all happy and cheerful in that you can still look at facebook etc when realistically they're making it worse for people by restricting your use of the internet.

[TW]Fox · 11 Jan 2011 at 12:40

It is the least restrictive 'restriction' so far, though. Would you prefer it was implemented as it was with Vodafone where you get 500mb tough, and if you browse a single website over, here is a bill?

They need protection from people like Russinating.

I think it's probably a better idea for long term sustainability if they introduce this and I think the way they've gone about it is nowhere near as bad as it could be.

However they quite clearly should be offering people the opportunity to leave without penalty as they are varying the terms of the contract.

TheOtherOption · 11 Jan 2011 at 12:43

I think Russ was only making a point about useage by downloading so much today, to see if they will get in touch about the new FUP so he could clause out of the contract!

But yea I see the issue if people do use such huge amounts weekly even - might as well get a fixed line to do that or a mobile broadband dongle.

stoke1863 · 11 Jan 2011 at 12:43

[TW]Fox;18199011 said:
It is people like you that are causing companies to take these stances.

Seriously, 500mb in a DAY on a mobile phone? Save that stuff for your home broadband.

If people like you didn't completely take the mick I bet we wouldnt be finding it ever more difficult to get acceptable levels of data per month.

It's not a replacement for your fixed internet connection.

I have to say the way T-Mobile are going about this does seem a lot better than Vodafone. They wont charge you for going over - just restrict you to web browsing. You basically can't download files after 500mb. It is, after all, a MOBILE PHONE, so... stop downloading files?

He is doing it on purpose so the FUP is "detriment" to them so they have a get out Claus. Im doing the same

Crizzy · 11 Jan 2011 at 12:47

TheOtherOption said:
Also things like Spotify premium ... that's made almost redundant with this limited data package - if you're going to have to use your wifi to listen to music then you might as well use a PC client!

This is my main gripe. I occasionally watch something on iplayer if I find myself stuck somewhere with nothing else to do, I watch the odd few videos on youtube but nothing significant but my main use is Spotify and web browsing.

Streaming music would quickly rack up to the 500mb limit if I used it a lot, which I don't to be honest but I never want to be penalised for doing so and I like having buffer zone to ensure that this doesn't happen. Otherwise it would be a constant obsession monitoring my data usage.