As a T Mobile customer with an "unlimited" internet plan, I'm more than a little disappointed to have come across this amendment to their so-called "fair use" policy:
From 1st February 2011 we will be aligning our fair use policies so our mobile internet service will have fair use of 500MB.
Of course, "aligning", that explains everything. Although aligning with what is unclear.
Let's face it, 500MB is no real allowance at all, and doesn't allow for any type of higher bandwidth activity - streaming music or videos in particular. Which seems a little strange to me as they sold me a phone with a youtube video app built in . In typically "matey" style, they continue:
So remember our Mobile Broadband and internet on your phone service is best used for browsing which means looking at your favorite websites like Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, BBC News and more, checking your email and looking for information, but not watching videos or downloading files.
"Best used" seems to be a nice way of saying "only used". Because "when you go over the fair use amount ... you won’t be able to download, stream and watch video clips".
It also seems that some of their customer are confused about what the internet is supposed to be used for:
Browsing means looking at websites and checking email, but not watching videos, downloading files or playing games .
The cheek of some customers! Using the the internet to do what they like ! I'm surprised T Mobile haven't acted sooner.
Not content with enforcing a tiny "fair use" limit on an "unlimited" internet plan, they even have this little gem to share:
If you want to download, stream and watch video clips, save that stuff for your home broadband.
Thanks for the lifestyle advice. I can think of some alternate advice that starts "if you want to retain your customers..."
Comments
what a joke!
The last time I checked, "unlimited" didn't translate to a limited 500mb service! In the words of dictionary.com, "unlimited" is defined as follows:
I think T-Mobile need to go back to school..
Very restrained Andy, What an
Very restrained Andy,
What an absolute joke.
It's like they think that pretending a ridiculous and backward policy like this is reasonable is enough to pull the wool over people's eyes. The sad thing is, it probably is.
They can't call it a change, it's an 'alignment'. I will never buy a T-mobile product based on this, if they want to be a bunch of weasels they can con someone else.
T-Mobile want you to pay out seperately for a mobile, a 3g plan for your laptop, home broadband and a home phone. Any attempt to combine these services, which would from a human progress point of view seem sensible and a good idea, and you're practically considered a thief.
Dodgy marketing
It's yet another form of dodgy bait and switch marketing - offering one thing - 'unlimited' and then taking it away. I'm on T-mobile, but fortunately only pay for a limited data plan - so at least I get what I pay for.
It's interesting that companies that deliberately misdescribe goods or services can be more easily found out on the internet - hopefully they will begin to realise the brand damage (and loss of sales) this can cause, and start being more honest - even if it is for money rather than moral reasons.
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