Say sayonara to truly unlimited data with Virgin Mobile, the throttling starts on March 23
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Well, one of Sprint’s prepaid division appears to follow the trend that we’re seeing – unfortunately. Virgin Mobile USA has indicated today that they intend on throttling data speeds for those naughty customers that go over the 2.5GB mark within their billing cycle. Rather than enjoying those smooth 3G speeds, they’ll be hit with a molasses slow connection of 256Kbps – so yeah, that’s going to be rough for them. Still, they're able to eat as much data as they want without having to worry about overage charges.
In all seriousness, Virgin Mobile says that this new policy only affects fewer than 3 percent of its customer base. Even though it’s a small percentage, it goes to show how the carriers are really coming down hard for those who happen to take advantage of the whole unlimited data plan scheme. Well, the company said, “this is the best way for Virgin Mobile to maintain the best network experience as data usage explodes.”
If there’s just a shimmer of hope for those 3 percent of customers affected, Virgin Mobile won’t start throttling until March 23rd – so there’s still time to chomp down on as much data as possible. Meanwhile, it’ll be interesting to see whether or not Sprint will adopt a similar policy, seeing that they still currently offer truly unlimited data with its smartphones.
source: Virgin Mobile via Phonescoop
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11 Comments
1. ardent1 posted on 18 Jan 2012, 18:58 2 0
Time to switch to Tmobile's $30 a month for 5GB of 4G with the Exhibit II
6. Sniggly posted on 18 Jan 2012, 22:05 0 0
But...but...but...that's not one of those prepaid carriers that's supposed to be taking over!
2. vvelez5 posted on 18 Jan 2012, 19:27 0 0
That took long enough. I was talking to my Virgin Mobile rep about this move last year January/February.
3. jcpwn2004 posted on 18 Jan 2012, 19:27 1 0
It's funny because VM's speeds are already around 250 kb/s anyways lol. Won't be long before I leave, just waiting for details on the LG g2x for straight talk.
8. TheInfamousCJ posted on 18 Jan 2012, 22:20 0 0
I had the g2x and loved it only problem: I had 6 warranty replacements in 6 months, t mobile finally said enough is enough and sent me an htc sensation. As many issues I had with it when it worked it was way better than the sensation so much so I miss my G2x. Btw I am switching to the unlimited text 5g of 4g 100 min prepaid for t mobile. Its the best deal available on top of that it works with any t mobile phone after it is activated with a walmart provided device. and If you need more than 100 minutes talk time use bobsled, it allows u to call any land line or mobile number in the US through your data connection.
10. blaze456 posted on 19 Jan 2012, 16:29 0 0
bobsled? is that an app..please explain..cuz im gonna need more than 100 mins
4. belovedson posted on 18 Jan 2012, 21:05 0 0
you guys know that this throttling will continue to happen until the mass consumer tells the corporations "no we will not stand for this."
11. Birds posted on 22 Jan 2012, 15:59 0 0
But your average consumer uses 1.8 gigs of data and they switch to wifi most of the time. I did a survey for school for my science fair project and I found that the people in my town use cellphone data cautiously.
5. theBankRobber posted on 18 Jan 2012, 21:21 0 0
Last year they raised the prices and this year they start this crap. I know some friends and family who have been with virgin for about a year or more, and this is not setting in to well. Some use Netflix while ridding the bus to work.
7. Sniggly posted on 18 Jan 2012, 22:08 0 0
I wish the author could explain what "The Killing Joke" has to do with Virgin Mobile.
Oh wait...I think I see what you did there.
"All it takes is one bad day to reduce the sanest man alive to lunacy."
So Virgin throttling speeds is what drove the Joker crazy?
9. blaze456 posted on 19 Jan 2012, 16:28 0 0
vm wack anyway go with t mobile prepaid yes the data is capped but you have better service and way better phones
