New $40.00 3G plan, SLOW 3G download speed!!

**fonezfonz** · 10-25-2011, 01:42 PM

Like the title says, SLOW 3G. That's probably why when a user forces 2G mode it goes faster as it apparently switches off a throttled 3g system (the 119k limit is just too consistent) to a higher speed on 2g (which realizes more of its full if lesser potential like 140k and up).

If Simple were really honest about it, they's just remove the 3G part from its ads . I don't think anyone would have minded seeing their defunct $50 unlimited 2g data plan cut $10 or having it or having it added to their also defunct $40 talk/text only plan.

By promising "3G", then "lower rungs of 3G" and not delivering on both accounts is what has raised the hackles of users. If they'd just said unlimited gsm data or whatever I don't think all this would have happened or would have at least been less.

Leave it to Simple to mess up on data allotments /speed. Lol .

And yeah, in the $60 class, Tmo prepaid is superior.

I'd say this plan is more of an Att mvno $40 talk/text plan killer then anything else. Or good for feature phones and older smartphones (2g only type like older Blackberries, Palms/Treos, Winmo devices, original iphone, etc).

**silentjudge** · 10-25-2011, 01:58 PM

Originally Posted by AlexKidd1977

Maybe I need some clarification. I thought the other guy was talking about one of TMO's contract plans - which I know are falling in monthly price. I think T-Mobile prepaid also lacks roaming capability just the same as Simple Mobile does, right?

Heres the T-Mobile Prepaid (not Simple Mobile or other MVNOs) coverage:
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-coverage

**Ron Hughes** · 10-27-2011, 08:22 AM

I had to respond to this thread, i am having the same exact issue with very slow speeds on Simple Mobile "3G" ...

i receive 116 kilobytes p/s download speeds on their so-called 3G network. Its extremely slow, it takes me 5 minutes to download a 4mb app/file...thats RIDICULOUS.

I live in Bronx, New York...and i've called Simple Mobile, and they tried to tell me there is no throttle on my service..and that in The Bronx speeds vary and sometimes to speeds drop.. But ive never experienced true 3G on simple mobile, so they just ********ted me.

I see this issue is nationwide and not specific to a coast or region. I hope they get their act together soon or im going to boost.

Also i use a HTC G1 rooted with ADS Magpie Gingerbread.

Its amazing to see that restricting speeds to 2G only may boost things up..im going to test this out myself and post my results

i ran tests..and 2G is faster than 3G.. my 2G speeds on simple are 180kbps down/ 98kpbs up and on 3G it is 119kbps down / 138kbps up ..

Strange how my upload is faster on 3G but my download is faster on 2G ..oh well im using Edge until they fix this issue!

**silentjudge** · 10-27-2011, 07:34 PM

Basically, the $40 3G plan is really a $40 2G plan. They throttle you down to 2G and advertise it as 3G. Its just plain and simple false advertisement. This has been covered over and over.

**Conan Edogawa** · 10-28-2011, 12:51 AM

At a site that sells prepaid sims, they list the $40 a month plan as "Unlimited Nationwide Talk, Text, and 2G Data."

http://www.usasims.com/Simple_Mobile_SIM.html

**EtherealRemnant** · 10-28-2011, 02:45 AM

Guess I won't ***** so much about my 250-500kbps (usually closer to 250kbps) plan with h2o - although when I tether it seems a hell of a lot faster than speed tests so they must use traffic shaping...

Looking at T-Mobile's website, I would totally get their new 2GB "4G" speed prepaid for $60 a month or 70 a month for 5GB... if T-Mobile worked in Louisiana that is... They even have the cheapest SIM-only kit I've ever seen (6.99) that works in any T-Mobile phone (if you want 3G/4G) or any unlocked GSM phone (mostly at 2G speeds).

EDIT: ****, I could make that 100 minute prepaid with 5GB for 30 bucks work quite easily using Skype!

**Nexus101** · 10-28-2011, 10:45 AM

Slightly OT: How do u make the censoring asterisks go away? I promise I am a grown-up with all the debt and kids to prove it... please oh please is there some way to read the actual frustration of the posts in this thread??

(FWIW, I hv been thru the settings)

**lvmychryblsmrzr** · 10-28-2011, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by Nexus101

Slightly OT: How do u make the censoring asterisks go away? I promise I am a grown-up with all the debt and kids to prove it... please oh please is there some way to read the actual frustration of the posts in this thread??

(FWIW, I hv been thru the settings)

Roflmbo! Uhm, you don't
It's typed that way.

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**Nexus101** · 10-28-2011, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by Conan Edogawa

At a site that sells prepaid sims, they list the $40 a month plan as "Unlimited Nationwide Talk, Text, and 2G Data."

http://www.usasims.com/Simple_Mobile_SIM.html

This is an outdated vendor site... SM started effing with their rate plans near the start of the summer... any vendor that doesn't / hasn't kept up with the changes displays erroneous info like this. I would stick with SM's site for the most recent... oh wtf do i care... every time I think about this 3G plan thats slower than a 2G plan, I just wanna pay ppl to occupy their HQ until they admit the plan is bogus!!!!!! Anyone got some sticks, poster board, sharpies, and clever things to write??????????

**fonezfonz** · 10-28-2011, 12:00 PM

I'd recommend Simple Mobile dealers to just be honest about it and have another carrier as backup in case the angry SM user who finds their 3G is 2g wants to port out to someone else. I think Red Pocket was smart in having a new 2 gig plan because it's VERY clear that there is a data cap. In a similar vein , if Simple Mobile had been more clear about this plan, I'm sure there would have been a lot less frustration, anger and drama.

I'd just as well label it the unlimited talk/text/messaging/standard gsm data plan because that's a lot less inaccurate then "unlimited 3g data". lol.

**Endeavor** · 10-28-2011, 08:05 PM

I just want to add my voice to the chorus of disappointed Simple Mobile users.

I tested the service using the SpeedTest.net android app and consistently got 119 kbps on 3G. On Edge, I got 150 kbps.

So, 2G/Edge is faster than 3G? Had Simple Mobile disclosed this, I probably wouldn't have signed up, and I certainly wouldn't have purchased a 1700/2100 phone.

**Endeavor** · 10-28-2011, 08:09 PM

I don't think this site is outdated. I think this dealer is being honest, and setting expectations properly. The other offerings indicate that the site is up to date...

Originally Posted by Nexus101

This is an outdated vendor site... SM started effing with their rate plans near the start of the summer... any vendor that doesn't / hasn't kept up with the changes displays erroneous info like this. I would stick with SM's site for the most recent... oh wtf do i care... every time I think about this 3G plan thats slower than a 2G plan, I just wanna pay ppl to occupy their HQ until they admit the plan is bogus!!!!!! Anyone got some sticks, poster board, sharpies, and clever things to write??????????

**fonezfonz** · 10-29-2011, 03:12 AM

I think that prepaid dealers need to think twice about pushing unlimited plans that aren't and 3g plans that are 2g. It helps when there are carriers like Red Pocket who could easily succumb to the temptation of listing 2 gigs as "unlimited" but don't.
As prepaid users have no need to be loyal, the dealers who are straight up are actually drumming up a good long term policy for business. If someone told me I was getting unlimited 3g and got 2 gigs of 2g I'd be pissed. And wouldn't use them again. Why should anyone else feel differently?

**Nexus101** · 10-29-2011, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by fonezfonz

I'd recommend Simple Mobile dealers to just be honest about it and have another carrier as backup in case the angry SM user who finds their 3G is 2g wants to port out to someone else. I think Red Pocket was smart in having a new 2 gig plan because it's VERY clear that there is a data cap. In a similar vein , if Simple Mobile had been more clear about this plan, I'm sure there would have been a lot less frustration, anger and drama.

I'd just as well label it the unlimited talk/text/messaging/standard gsm data plan because that's a lot less inaccurate then "unlimited 3g data". lol.

I know the speed of the 3g plan is frgn slowwwwww... but in reality it is still the 3g network which has advantages over the 2g network. Namely that you can have an internet connection while in a call... which is handy from time to time, as well as other features that escape me now... but I digress.

Here's what we know:
1. We are on the 3g net, while slow, throttled, 3g net nonetheless. Throttling can be evidenced by:
2. When switching to the "2g only" net, there is a clear speed increase via any net speed testing site.
3. Numerous calls from multiple users, especially from this site, to SM have seemingly gotten us nowhere... (in my case I got the impression that it was a contracted call center with no experience at all in dealing with wireless telco issues)
4. That we are locked into the plan for at least until our next billing cycle.
5. We are mad as aytch-e-double-hockeystick (take that stupid profanity censoring asterisk bot)...
so how can we offer payback to a company that has clearly lied to us, and doesn't seem to show any remorse about it??

Anyone know, or perhaps is, an attorney that knows about what our options may be? How do we warn people, other than this thread, that if they are looking for true 3g speeds, to run screaming from this plan?

The best news is that we aren't locked into a 2 year contract or some such nonsense... like with the top tier carriers. On the other hand, with them, there is accountability.

**cmstlist** · 10-29-2011, 12:20 PM

Is there a prominent consumer advocacy columnist or journalist whose attention you could grab? There is one I always contact in Canada for cases of false advertising, but I don't know much about the USA. Maybe report it to the Consumerist blog?

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