Unlimited 4G LTE data users on Verizon to be “optimized” this October

If you’re somehow still using a truly unlimited data plan on Verizon and rely heavily on your smartphone’s data connection then you may be in for some bad news this afternoon.

Verizon has announced that under their new “Network Optimization” plan, certain unlimited 4G LTE data subscribers will see their service speed affected depending on what they’re doing and where they’re doing it. Verizon is clear that what they will be doing is not the same as throttling. Here’s how they explain it:

The difference between our Network Optimization practices and throttling is network intelligence. With throttling, your wireless data speed is reduced for your entire cycle, 100% of the time, no matter where you are. Network Optimization is based on the theory that all customers should have the best network possible, and if you’re not causing congestion for others, even if you are using a high amount of data, your connection speed should be as good as possible. So, if you’re in the top 5% of data users, your speed is reduced only when you are connected to a cell site experiencing high demand. Once you are no longer connected to a site experiencing high demand, your speed will return to normal. This could mean a matter of seconds or hours, depending on your location and time of day.Verizonon network optimization

As for what Verizon considers the top five percent of users, you have to be using over 4.7GB of data a month — quite a bit for someone with WiFi at home, but not nearly enough for someone who uses LTE for everything. As terrible as today’s news is, we suppose it could be worse. Hopefully it won’t impact too many of you.

source: androidandme