Back in February, Verizon admitted to plans of data throttling after a PDF memo was unearthed from its website. The company didn’t mention when the new policy was going to be implemented, and for months, users wondered when it’ll come to pass. Verizon decided that it’s time to put it the policy in action, and implemented data throttling just recently, announcing it without much fanfare through a Network Optimization page.
But while the prospect of data throttling sounds horrible, you don’t have anything to worry about if you’re not among the people who:
While we call it throttling for the purpose of clarity and context, Verizon claims its Network Optimization strategy is different from other carriers’ throttling policies. Verizon clarifies that “throttling” only happens on certain occasions.
“… if you’re in the top 5% of data users, your speed is reduced only when you are connected to a congested cell site. Once you are no longer connected to a congested site, your speed will return to normal. This could mean a matter of seconds or hours, depending on your location and time of day.”
- A data customer on an unlimited data plan;
- Have a 3G Verizon Wireless device (if you have a 4G LTE device you will not be impacted); and
- Among the top 5% of data users in a given month.
- When you are on the 3G network; and
- When you are connected to a congested cell site.
While we call it throttling for the purpose of clarity and context, Verizon claims its Network Optimization strategy is different from other carriers’ throttling policies. Verizon clarifies that “throttling” only happens on certain occasions.
“… if you’re in the top 5% of data users, your speed is reduced only when you are connected to a congested cell site. Once you are no longer connected to a congested site, your speed will return to normal. This could mean a matter of seconds or hours, depending on your location and time of day.”