Does ST really cancel your service for overuse of data??

[silentjudge]

Re: TOS.... Unlocked vs TMO and ATT phones.... Have a hunch they can better monitor the TMO/ATT phones types of usage better than an unlocked phone? So if they figure out that you usage type is in violation, they likely flag the account and monitor the actual aggregate usage more closely than other accounts? What do you guys think?

No. They monitor it from the network side, not from your phone.

Sent from my LG Nitro HD

[Loansharkie]

So... Just to clarify; even if the ATT/TMO phone has native ATT/TMO software it does not allow monitoring of specific types of usage on their end? They only monitor total usage whether the phone is locked/unlocked? So to bottom line it you're relatively safe doing what ever you want as long as you keep aggregate usage under the 100/2 rule of thumb with TMO possibly a little higher?

No. They monitor it from the network side, not from your phone.

Sent from my LG Nitro HD

[arp734]

ST isn't shady, imo. If you want shady, look at At&T. I love ST.

While true, Straight Talk loves to operate on AT&T's network. You know, the same network iphone users are flocking to rather than have slower web speeds on Straight Talk using T-Mobile.

That would actually be nice to see. On my LG Optimus Q, all I do is browse the web, facebook, weather app, email and so forth and all I usually use in a month is half a gig. I don't use youtube or pandora or anything like that with it, so it fits my needs perfectly along with the unlimited calling and texting, not that I use a ton of that with it either.

Forgot to mention that I get a good strong Sprint 3G signal with exceptional call quality in and around Portland, Oregon. It's alot of phone and service for the price in my opinion.

Then wouldn't it be wiser to stick with service on the Sprint network? Like Virgin Mobile's Beyond Talk plans.

Both the examples you used above are "UNLIMITED" - 1. Fast speeds up until a specific cap (stated or not) then throttled to slow speeds. 2. Slow data network in which it's harder to reach a huge amount of data usage is still an "UNLIMITED" plan, whether you're able to use a lot of gigs or not.

Data usually comes in these options:
1. Unlimited fast speeds then throttled to slow speeds (ex: T-Mobile states how much 4G data you will get before being throttled to 2G on their plans; Simple Mobile throttles on their $60 3G speed plan without stating a cap but is known to be 2GB.) Virgin Mobile & Boost also fall on this category if they are already enforcing throttling as Sprint them to do.
2. Unlimited data without throttling - currently only offered on Sprint's network both on their slow EVDO and their Wimax 4G. Reigional carrier Metro PCS is also truly unlimited. AT&T Go Phone offers unlimited data for feature phones, Verizon prepaid offers unlimited 3G Evdo data but at a huge cost for smartphones.
3. Specified amount of data and then the user is being charged additional amount above that cap. This is currently what Verizon postpaid and AT&T postpaid do. Additional data charges are pretty high once the specified cap is used up.
4. Specified hard cap in which ONLY data is shutoff once the amount is reached. There are many that operate in this fashion and it allows the consumer to use a specified amount of data however they like - Air Voice, H20, Red Pocket, Jolt, AT&T Go Phone for smartphones, Page Plus, etc.

The problem here is that Net10/Straight Talk are the only ones advertising UNLIMITED that is in fact not anything close to what options 1 & 2 mentioned above are, they are simply shutting off ALL the services after 100 additional MB's passed the warning phone call.
The warning isn't really a warning, it's just a message that we are about to shutdown all your services and throw you out in a few more MB's and not allow you to keep your #.
If Net10/Straight Talk wouldn't advertise a specified cap but would only suspend data when they feel you are abusing their terms and conditions then this whole case wouldn't be much of an issue.
But instead of suspending only the data until the next bililng cycle (the way Simple Mobile used to do) - they are in fact throwing people off, banning them, and setting their # off into a recycling pool preventing a number portability initiation. THIS IS JUST WRONG AND SOMETHING MUST BE DONE ABOUT IT!

Then you need to do YOUR part and write letters to your states BBB, the FCC and your states Governor and Attorney General.

I agree with DannyNY's position on their practices, out of principle. I mean, what ST does isn't even close to on-the-level, IMO. My personal solution though is to treat ST's $45 plan as unlimited voice, text, and 2MB of data, instead of total unlimited anything. At $45/month, compared to other mainstream plans, it is still a steal. And since I am not a huge tetherer/power user, 2MB should be enough for my iphone needs.

While I am personally fine just adopting this mindset and enjoying ST service, I would prefer that they offer this upfront for what it really is. IMO, it would still be a good deal, and they wouldn't come off as shady.

If you use 2 megabytes a month in data on your iphone, then what's the point to having the data consumption device at all?

It depends on how much data you are using at a time. If you don't abuse it you should be cool

If someone is a data hog and has been for many years on their home computer(s), tablet(s), wifi streaming device(s) and they see "UNLIMITED" on a cellular service plan they are considered "abusive" if they continue with their NORMAL web usages? Even if they never tether? They see UNLIMITED in bold font on the $45 service card. When they get their service terminated who's fault is it? They've been using their cell service as they NORMALLY have for years. Why should that persons service literately be terminiated at the snap of a finger and had their phone service terminated, and at times their phones ESN blacklisted? That doesn't make any sense to me. Why should the phone be shunned? What did the phone do that was so wrong, besides functioning properly?

Yes I'm in NYC. Using Straight Talk micro sim card on iPhone 4 and a new BlackBerry on Simple Mobile's $60 unlimited plan. Porting the BlackBerry over to T-Mobile in 2 weeks to see if the data speeds are different.
Have used around 600 MB's on the Straight Talk for the whole month.
Up to 1200 MB's on Simple Mobile so far in only 2 weeks of use (I been using it for most of my music streaming) and haven't had any issues. Only problem with Simple Mobile is that their speeds are slower than T-Mobile from what I can assess so far. Straight Talk on the other hand is the same speeds that AT&T postpaid is giving for the iPhone from several tests that I've ran with people who have AT&T.

Simple Mobile has a unwritten data cap as well. Speeds have been reported around 119kbps. Since im not a Simple Mobile customer im not sure if that's the normal speed or the capped speed. You will ALWAYS have faster speeds on the big 4 networks using their services, instead of a MVNO like Simple Mobile who piggybacks on T-Mobile.

That is one of the best features of an ATT iphone on Straight Talk - you get the same data speeds ATT iphone customers get at the crazy discount monthly rate, which is awesome. I was on T-Mobile on a 4g android phone for a while, and speeds were good, but I've been wanting an iphone forever. Thought about doing an unlocked on TMO but never bit because of being restricted to Edge speeds. The ST plan is perfect for me - get the iphone with legit iphone speeds, and save money.

And even better news....legit iphone data caps! Hope you don't get your service totally terminated for using your data hungry device. EDGE speeds? OH NO HOW HORRIBLE!!!!!

ST isn't shady, imo. If you want shady, look at At&T. I love ST.

You say AT&T is shady. Straight Talk loves to use the congested AT&T network. So Straight Talk isn't shady because it loves to use AT&T's network? Their both shady. AT&T for double charging and America Movil for unwritten business practices.

I don't think ST is unreasonable as far as data usage goes, 2GB is per month is prefectly fine. What is ridiculous is that they terminate your number/service instead of just cutting off data... that's absurd. If you go over the cap they should cut your data off untill your next billing cycle not terminate you account. I've had the service since 03/12 and I've only used ~350MB data, and since I'm mostly connected to wifi I'll rarely go over 1GB, but i have to constantly keep checking my phone for rogue apps that might eat up my data plan in fear of losing my number. I find that ridiculous.

What phone do you have? If you have an android and run 2.2 or above you can use a Task Manager, or simply just uninstall the app, i know how annoying it can be.

Like buying gas, advertising cheaper gas then find out the price is when you get a car wash. WTF, I hate false or misleading advertising. This ST deal should say includes 2GB data, not unlimited. Yep, unlimited Internet, I get it, data is added up with the same math, 2GB total is 2 GB, that is still the cut off whether you are streaming music, watching YouTube, or surfing the net..you will get there quicker with certain activities obviously..

The problem is that it's advertising UNLIMITED data and they terminate service with a threatening call. THAT'S the problem. If it said 2GB OF WEB then there would be a GREAT deal LESS of complaining on these forums.

You can be cut off with fewer than two gigabytes if they determine that you are violating the Terms and Conditions. Each of the carriers has that provision in its Terms and Conditions. Even Sprint will cut you off if you break the rules.

Sources? I know Sprint is dropping it's top 5% of data hogs because they actually USE their UNLIMITED EVERYTHING plans. But that is expected after selling themselves like a $2 prostitute and letting MVNO's harvest their network. But under 2 gigs and terminate services? I'd like proof.

That is what cutting you off means. Your line is cancelled. In the case of Straight Talk, they do not have to give you any warning. The warning is a courtesy.

This means they can terminate your service with or without reason and/or with or without notice. It's in ALL wireless service agreements. Take them to small claims if you've done nothing wrong. Like really wrong.

Re: TOS.... Unlocked vs TMO and ATT phones.... Have a hunch they can better monitor the TMO/ATT phones types of usage better than an unlocked phone? So if they figure out that your usage type is in violation, they likely flag the account and monitor the actual aggregate usage more closely than other accounts? What do you guys think?

If you have Straight Talk and/or Net10 your data, voice, and text are all monitored by their computer systems. When you pay your monthly bill the info they have from the prior month gets reset. Then when you use a lot of minutes, texts or data it trips an alert in their systems to send you a text, call you or just plain cut yo butt off.



Tis better to be throttled than cut off. At least your still gettin some, right?

[DannyNY]

Re: TOS.... Unlocked vs TMO and ATT phones.... Have a hunch they can better monitor the TMO/ATT phones types of usage better than an unlocked phone? So if they figure out that your usage type is in violation, they likely flag the account and monitor the actual aggregate usage more closely than other accounts? What do you guys think?

It shouldn't make a difference on what brand the phone is.
You can be using an iPhone bought in Europe or an Android from Europe that have the AT&T bands for 3G - when you use a lot of data they will still shut you off (that is if you're using the AT&T sim).
Perhaps the T-Mobile sims are really unlimited but with a throttle - that would be perfectly acceptable as it's an industry standard practice.

Straight Talk is guilty of:
1. Advertising unlimited on their AT&T sims when in fact there is a hard cap rendering the marketing of the plan as a complete deceptive lie.
2. When this cap is reached, they shut off ALL services and refuse to keep you as a customer along with throwing your # away.

These must change...we should all start fililng FCC complaints to start.

[efparri]

While true, Straight Talk loves to operate on AT&T's network. You know, the same network iphone users are flocking to rather than have slower web speeds on Straight Talk using T-Mobile.



Then wouldn't it be wiser to stick with service on the Sprint network? Like Virgin Mobile's Beyond Talk plans.




Then you need to do YOUR part and write letters to your states BBB, the FCC and your states Governor and Attorney General.



If you use 2 megabytes a month in data on your iphone, then what's the point to having the data consumption device at all?




If someone is a data hog and has been for many years on their home computer(s), tablet(s), wifi streaming device(s) and they see "UNLIMITED" on a cellular service plan they are considered "abusive" if they continue with their NORMAL web usages? Even if they never tether? They see UNLIMITED in bold font on the $45 service card. When they get their service terminated who's fault is it? They've been using their cell service as they NORMALLY have for years. Why should that persons service literately be terminiated at the snap of a finger and had their phone service terminated, and at times their phones ESN blacklisted? That doesn't make any sense to me. Why should the phone be shunned? What did the phone do that was so wrong, besides functioning properly?




Simple Mobile has a unwritten data cap as well. Speeds have been reported around 119kbps. Since im not a Simple Mobile customer im not sure if that's the normal speed or the capped speed. You will ALWAYS have faster speeds on the big 4 networks using their services, instead of a MVNO like Simple Mobile who piggybacks on T-Mobile.



And even better news....legit iphone data caps! Hope you don't get your service totally terminated for using your data hungry device. EDGE speeds? OH NO HOW HORRIBLE!!!!!



You say AT&T is shady. Straight Talk loves to use the congested AT&T network. So Straight Talk isn't shady because it loves to use AT&T's network? Their both shady. AT&T for double charging and America Movil for unwritten business practices.




What phone do you have? If you have an android and run 2.2 or above you can use a Task Manager, or simply just uninstall the app, i know how annoying it can be.



The problem is that it's advertising UNLIMITED data and they terminate service with a threatening call. THAT'S the problem. If it said 2GB OF WEB then there would be a GREAT deal LESS of complaining on these forums.




Sources? I know Sprint is dropping it's top 5% of data hogs because they actually USE their UNLIMITED EVERYTHING plans. But that is expected after selling themselves like a $2 prostitute and letting MVNO's harvest their network. But under 2 gigs and terminate services? I'd like proof.



This means they can terminate your service with or without reason and/or with or without notice. It's in ALL wireless service agreements. Take them to small claims if you've done nothing wrong. Like really wrong.



If you have Straight Talk and/or Net10 your data, voice, and text are all monitored by their computer systems. When you pay your monthly bill the info they have from the prior month gets reset. Then when you use a lot of minutes, texts or data it trips an alert in their systems to send you a text, call you or just plain cut yo butt off.



Tis better to be throttled than cut off. At least your still gettin some, right?

If no one is canceled for using fewer than two gigabytes, why does one have to watch daily usage? Otherwise one could use 1.9 gigabytes in one day and have no fear if one used no more data during that thirty day period.

15. DISPUTE RESOLUTION: You agree that you will first contact us with any dispute and provide a written description of the nature of the dispute, all relevant documents and other information concerning the dispute and your proposed resolution before taking any legal action. If we are unable to reach a resolution of your dispute within 60 days of your notice to us, you agree that instead of filing a lawsuit or small claims action in a court of law, you will submit the dispute to binding arbitration as set forth in this provision.

BINDING ARBITRATION: PLEASE READ THIS SECTION CAREFULLY AS IT AFFECTS RIGHTS THAT YOU MAY OTHERWISE HAVE. IT PROVIDES FOR RESOLUTION OF ALL DISPUTES AND CLAIMS (INCLUDING ONES THAT ALREADY ARE THE SUBJECT OF LITIGATION), EXCEPT FOR CLAIMS CONCERNING THE UNAUTHORIZED RESALE, EXPORT, ALTERATION, AND/OR TAMPERING OF YOUR STRAIGHT TALK PHONE, ITS SOFTWARE, THE SERVICE AND/OR PIN NUMBERS, THROUGH ARBITRATION INSTEAD OF SUING IN COURT IN THE EVENT THE PARTIES ARE UNABLE TO RESOLVE A DISPUTE OR CLAIM. ARBITRATION IS BINDING AND SUBJECT TO ONLY A VERY LIMITED REVIEW BY A COURT. THIS ARBITRATION CLAUSE SHALL SURVIVE TERMINATION OF STRAIGHT TALK’S AGREEMENT WITH YOU. This provision is intended to encompass all disputes or claims arising out of your relationship with Straight Talk, arising out of or relating to the Service or any equipment used in connection with the Service (whether based in contract, tort, statute, fraud, misrepresentation or any other legal theory). Nothing contained in this arbitration provision shall preclude Straight Talk from bringing claims concerning the unauthorized resale, export, alteration, and/or tampering of your Straight Talk phone, its software, the Service and/or PIN numbers in state or federal court. References to you and Straight Talk include, where applicable, our respective subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors in interest, successors, and assigns. All claims will be resolved by binding arbitration where permitted by law. You must first present any claim or dispute to Straight Talk by contacting Customer Care to allow an opportunity to resolve the dispute prior to initiating arbitration. The arbitration of any dispute or claim shall be conducted in accordance with the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") under the Wireless Industry Arbitration Rules ("WIA Rules"), as modified by this agreement. You and Straight Talk agree that use of the Service evidences a transaction in interstate commerce and this arbitration provision will be interpreted and enforced in accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act and federal arbitration law. All issues are for the arbitrator to decide, including the scope of this arbitration clause, but the arbitrator is bound by the terms of this agreement. You and Straight Talk agree that any arbitration will be conducted on an individual basis and not on a consolidated, class wide or representative basis. Further, you agree that the arbitrator may not consolidate proceedings or more than one person’s claims, and may not otherwise preside over any form of a representative or class proceeding. If the preclusion of consolidated, class wide or representative proceedings is found to be unenforceable, then this entire arbitration clause shall be null and void. All fees and expenses of arbitration will be divided between you and Straight Talk in accordance with the WIA Rules, except that Straight Talk will reimburse you for the amount of the filing fee in the event you prevail in the arbitration. Each party will bear the expenses of its own counsel, experts, witnesses, and preparation and presentation of evidence. If for any reason this arbitration provision is deemed inapplicable or invalid, or to the extent this arbitration provision allows for litigation of disputes in court, you waive to the fullest extent permitted by law, (i) the right to a trial by jury and (ii) any claims for punitive or exemplary damages. Unless Straight Talk and you agree otherwise, the location of any arbitration shall be Miami, Florida. Except where prohibited by law, Straight Talk and you agree that no arbitrator has the authority to award punitive damages or any other damages not measured by the prevailing party’s actual damages. Neither you nor Straight Talk shall disclose the existence, contents, or results of any arbitration except to the extent required by law. Judgment on the award rendered may be entered by any court having jurisdiction.

[DannyNY]

Simple Mobile has a unwritten data cap as well. Speeds have been reported around 119kbps. Since im not a Simple Mobile customer im not sure if that's the normal speed or the capped speed. You will ALWAYS have faster speeds on the big 4 networks using their services, instead of a MVNO like Simple Mobile who piggybacks on T-Mobile.

I have a line with Simple Mobile and the issue we are talking about is "Unlimited" that is really limited and not whether speeds are throttled on an advertised unlimited plan (because whether throttled or not it's still unlimited)

An unwritten data cap? NO, but an unwritten data throttle - YES!

Simple Mobile throttles the $40 "3G" plan to 2G speeds of 119 kbps.
They also throttle their $60 "4G" plan to 3G speeds of 1.5-2.0 Mbps.
Also, the "4G" plan is throttled after 2GB.
Though Simple Mobile doesn't give the speeds T-Mobile does on the "4G" plan and they clearly lie on their "3G" plan speeds, they are still unlimited data.

Straight Talk can still advertise unlimited and perhaps put it in their terms & conditions that the cap is 2GB and that ONLY data services will be shut for the remainder of the month off after that cap is reached. That would be perfectly acceptable.

[sunsean]

If you use 2 megabytes a month in data on your iphone, then what's the point to having the data consumption device at all?

Sorry, it was a typo, though I thought that would have been obvious, as ST doesn't have a 2MB cap. My bad, meant 2GB.

Tis better to be throttled than cut off. At least your still gettin some, right?

Agreed, but for $45/month I am fine with it, knowing that I am a relatively light/moderate user and won't go over 2 GIGS.

[silentjudge]

So... Just to clarify; even if the ATT/TMO phone has native ATT/TMO software it does not allow monitoring of specific types of usage on their end? They only monitor total usage whether the phone is locked/unlocked? So to bottom line it you're relatively safe doing what ever you want as long as you keep aggregate usage under the 100/2 rule of thumb with TMO possibly a little higher?

It does not allow monitoring of specific types of usage. They don't have software on there that counts data usage at all. The AT&T MyAccount app or T-Mobile one as well all pull the data usage from their backend systems. It doesn't matter if the phones is locked or unlocked. Yes, you are safe as long as you keep aggregate usage at or under that. Theres no software on the phone that classifies usage or reports your usage to them. They count data by counting the data passing through their own pipes with their own backend systems, not your phone.

The only caveat is AT&T and T-mobile both have a custom tethering app (which is delete-able if your rooted) that can check with them if your allowed to tether and also report if your tethering. I don't believe it reports the amount of data used tethering. So if your going to tether, just be sure to remove that app (apk file) from the phone.

[arp734]

If no one is canceled for using fewer than two gigabytes, why does one have to watch daily usage? Otherwise one could use 1.9 gigabytes in one day and have no fear if one used no more data during that thirty day period.

It has been posted that a good daily limit is between 100 and 120 megabytes per day. And it has been stated that by following this daily guideline you should be safe from account termination. This information is in the straight talk unlimited sim thread.

Sent from my VM670

[arp734]

I have a line with Simple Mobile and the issue we are talking about is "Unlimited" that is really limited and not whether speeds are throttled on an advertised unlimited plan (because whether throttled or not it's still unlimited)

This issue has been talked about many times on many threads on this website. Talking about it in another thread is just redundant. Everyone is wasting their time and energy into posting about this topic on the site it has been talk to death. If you wanted to change then do something about it.

Sent from my VM670

[Tracfancier]

The bigger problem with Tracfone is that they try to do everything on the cheap. The more they have to monitor and the more complex the monitoring and the use of its findings, the higher their expenses. If they were running a penal system, everyone would be executed to keep their costs the lowest.

[Hellyon]

For $45 dollars a month for mobile service, I choose to be realistic. Their "unlimited" data can be 1G and I wouldn't complain. But, I can see where the data hogs are miffed when they are shut down. To those people for fail to heed the two Gig cap, switch to Sprint they are unlimited data (for now).

[efparri]

It has been posted that a good daily limit is between 100 and 120 megabytes per day. And it has been stated that by following this daily guideline you should be safe from account termination. This information is in the straight talk unlimited sim thread.

Sent from my VM670

You should have replied to the user to which I replied. If you had read his quoted message you would have seen the appropriateness of my reply to that user.

[Dust N Bones]

This issue has been talked about many times on many threads on this website. Talking about it in another thread is just redundant. Everyone is wasting their time and energy into posting about this topic on the site it has been talk to death. If you wanted to change then do something about it.

EXACTLY!!
Sometimes I feel like we're.....

[Dust N Bones]

For $45 dollars a month for mobile service, I choose to be realistic. Their "unlimited" data can be 1G and I wouldn't complain. But, I can see where the data hogs are miffed when they are shut down. To those people for fail to heed the two Gig cap, switch to Sprint they are unlimited data (for now).

This times 10!! I cannot understand how people cannot grasp this. Its been said over and over that they shouldn't advertise it as unlimited data, we all agree with that. However at $45 a month and roughly 2GB's of data per month all on AT&T's post paid network the service is major bargain. That's why most of us don't complain, we're realistic on to expect for $45 a month.