Throttled with lies

Question

I'm the bad guy... at least according to Verizon's throttling policy for the remaining "unlimited" (haha!) data customers utilizing 3G.  And yes, it is throttling, "network optimization" doublespeak aside; a better term might be "bottom line optimization."  I understand the desire to not end up in the same situation that ATT/Cingular did, whom I left for Verizon because their connectivity became atrocious.  This action, however, is a step backward, disrecpectful of their most active users, and demonstrates a glaring lack of vision with regards to the ever-blossoming world of mobile data connectivity.  I'm technically knowledgeable and understand that 10 million users all maxing out their connections 24/7 is unsustainable with existing architecture, I get it, but that's not what's happening.  This action is nothing more than a means of forcing the remaining "unlimited" (again hah!) data users off of these grandfathered plans and onto the new tiered rate structure and ultimately is about $$$ and not equal opportunity bandwidth allocation.  And if bandwidth is at that much of a premium, then it's Verizon's fault for not appropriately scaling up to accomodate the incredible increase in data users driven by it's own push towards smartphones for everyone and the adoption of the iphone; not the fault of users that use more data than the average person.
Verizon explains, as justification for this bandwidth throttling, that they are trying to protect the 95% of users who do not exceed 2gb/month by reigning in these "abusers" who use "inordinate" amounts of data because apparently Verizon's network is so weak that a mere 5% of its user base can completely ruin the experience of the other 95%.  But wait, this does not apply to 4G customers or anyone that's on the tiered billing plan.  So, if being an "abuser" and using "inordinate" amounts of data is OK as long as Verizon is making more money, then it's really not about bandwidth consumption is it, because those same heavy users are not being throttled... as long as Verizon makes more money.  My friend has a 4G phone that NEVER gets 4G connectivity because 3G is the best we have in our rural state, he also upgraded to this phone just prior to the elimination of the "unlimited" plans.  Yet he is not affected by the throttling.  We are both just over 7gb for our current billing cycle, my phone has been throttled and is now essentially unusable for the very things that it is marketed for; I can send texts, emails, view basic website but any sort of streaming is now out of the question for the remainder of my billing cycle?  Possible the next cycle as well?  Even many websites load painfully slowly because most sites are pretty graphic intensive in this day and age.  And so I am paying for a service that the service provider is now preventing me from utilizing as intended.  My friend, at the same level of data usage on an unlimited plan, is unaffected.  
Also, with regards to "network intelligence" not being "throttling" because it only, well, throttles in areas that are "congested" that's not accurate.  I live in a low population bedroom town, a large percentage of which, I assure you, are not avid smartphone streamers and many of whom have landline broadband connections to their homes.  I would often get 900kpbs upwards to 2mbps regularly when streaming and do so without interruption or pausing to buffer in most cases.  Since my "throttling" the other day I cannot break 300kbps and anything I stream pauses every 60 seconds to buffer as I watch my bandwidth oscillate between 50kbps and, at a rare maximum, 300 kbps.  This is not a congested area.  I go to work in a more heavily-populated town, still 300 kpbs max.  I take lunch and go into the city, the largest and most populated city in our state, still 300, actually popped up to 350 in what I would consider the most congested portion of our state.  Where's the "network intelligence" Verizon?...
7gb!  Wow, how can you possibly use that much data?!?  Is it really that hard to comprehend how someone could easily tear through that much data?  Utilizing the Netflix app alone, an app approved and available in the Market, this can be accomplished rather easily.  A rough average on an hour episode of streaming media is, ballpark, around what 300mb?  So, watching 7 one-hour episodes of a tv show streamed through Netflix would equate to around 2gb; you're now an "abuser" using "inordinate" amounts of data.  "Inordinate" apparently equating to watching two 1-hour tv shows/week streamed through your phone.  Given that the average American watches 5 hours of tv a day and spends even more time online, that usage estimate is actually conservative relative to the typical level of media consumption in the United States.
If Verizon wants to used a tiered billing system as everyone is now, that's their perogative, however modifying plans previously labeled as "unlimited" in order to correct for a forecasting mistake made by Verizon itself is unacceptable.  Verizon, you should have allowed these plans to expire within their existing contract dates without meddling with individual users' bandwidth allocations; they would have all eventually gone away and you would have a lot fewer **bleep**-off customers.  I repeat, I have a phone that is now essentially unusable for the majority of functions that it is marketed for because of an inentional restriction against me as a customer by Verizon... yet I am expected, of course, to continue paying for the very service they are essentially blocking me from using because, while Verizon can modify the terms of any contract they see fit, I certainly cannot.  What if your cable provider, most of which utilize streaming video through digital cable boxes now, turned off your cable access for the rest of the month or only let you watch channels 1-10 because, sir, you've been watching far too much tv and it's preventing our other customers from viewing shows... mmhmm, that wouldn't upset any tv viewers now would it?
Verizon, of course, knows that other providers do this as well and that I, of course, want to continue my media consumption, and so they have the upper hand.  I, like an increasing number of people, use my phone for everything.  I have no cable, no cable broadband, no landline phone, my phone is my connection to the world, partly because that's how I prefer it, partly because I can't afford to pay several different companies for access to the same thing.  I either fold and drop $300 on a new 4G phone and renew my contract with a tiered data plan and get financially raped and have to constantly stress about how much data I've used or I incurr a new monthly fee with, say, my cable provider to avoid having to pay out the nose to Verizon for access to the SAME content.
Rant aside, the bottom line is this: Verizon is lying.  Let me say that again, Verizon is lying about the justification for this move.  It's not about equal oppotunity bandwidth, it's about Verizon realizing they can increase their revenue stream... otherwise, wouldn't those tiered folks be getting throttled as well if they "abuse" and use "inordinate" amounts of data?  Oh no, of course not, Verizon just bills them more.  This scenario is as ridiculous as charging $20/month for text messaging, which, by the way, is also data.
Here's an idea Verizon.  Why not take some of piles of money you're making by fleecing customers with "abusive," "inordinate" fees and upgrade your network to accomodate the very scenario that you as a company have been promoting, if that is in fact the real issue at the core of this.  And maybe someone in your PR department will think really hard about demonizing your users in the future for using your product in the very manner it was intended and painting us as outside the law to the bulk of your client base.  This little to do with heavy data users and everything to do with $$$ and possibly the inability of Verizon to meet the service needs of a exponentially growing smartphone market that it helped to encourage.
I have gone from highly recommending Verizon as a service provider to other folks to now being dissapointed and bitter from my experience.  All of this, of course, occurred without any notification to me or any kind of notice either on my online account management or in my electronic bill, as they also apparently stated would occurr.  More than likely this and the new tiered billing will lead to me seeking another form of connectivity and dropping my Verizon plan options to the absolute minimum across the board or switching phone providers simply because of how insultingly this has been framed, and I suspect I'm not alone... which results in less $$$ to Verizon.  Good job, guys.

Answer 1

Spot on _ BULLS EYE!!  You aren't alone. I want to validate your rant.  Verizon went out of their way to sell me the same $59.99 unlimited broadband 4 yrs ago and have now been hassling me and twisting my arm with every aggravating phone call I make to complain.  I have had the throttling removed three times.  This time they said we can't remove it but change your plan and you'll be at full speed immediately.  I am sick and tired of the lying.  They all can't even tell the same story.  Just last week I was told by more than one employee that my device must be bad because they don't throttle. 
Occupy Verizon would be good - How do you get these ****** to PAY - Are their any Attorneys out there - I know they originally sold THOUSANDS of those plans.  I'm ******!!!!!!
A Corporation that tells lies and different stories from its employees has to be held Accountable - Financially
Give me back my $59.99 per month times 48 months and its still not enough for the hell they have put me through.  My computer has been slowed to the point my mail center timed out and was unable to download important PDF Contracts.  HELLO!!! Verizon - Thats money out of MY Bottom line. Get it?   THX