Bottomless soda refills. They're a beautiful thing, right? (Assume, for a moment, that you love soda and have no concerns for your health.) That first glass is perfect. You return to the fountain dispenser and fill up the second one with no problem. And the third. And the fourth.
When you go back for the fifth (you're extraordinarily thirsty), however, the fountain seems to be blasting soda into your cup a little slower than before. Even slower on the sixth. By the seventh glass, that sweet fizzy goodness is barely dribbling into the glass. Is it even worth it anymore?
While the above scenario may sound absurd (and perhaps it is), this may be what's happening to you or your business with today's unlimited wireless data plans. Cellular Specialist Tom Huegel recently compiled some information on our two largest wireless suppliers
on LinkedIn. According to Tom:
AT&T (two unlimited plans): “Unlimited and More” ($70 a month) and “Unlimited and More Premium” ($80 a month). How can there be more than unlimited ?!
Verizon (three unlimited plans): “Verizon Go Unlimited” ($75), “Verizon Beyond Unlimited” ($85 a month) and “Verizon AboveUnlimited” ($95 a month). Where is “above” unlimited anyway?
The article goes on to point out that none of the plans are truly unlimited--in the way that you'd want them to be. Once a heavy data user passes a certain threshold, the carrier can lower your data speeds, causing headache after headache if you're trying to conduct business on the go. Much like that seventh glass of soda, is it even worth it to keep trying?
If your unlimited data plan isn't really unlimited, is there anything you can do about it?
Maybe. The author here recommends using various tools online to record your data speed and then, well, complaining about it.
"If you think you're being throttled unfairly, complain to your ISP: call, email, go see them at their office. The key is to use the data from the tests to prove your case. You might get lucky and get an upgrade to a better plan at no extra cost. This happened to me when I told them my speed was slower and my monthly price higher than introductory offers despite being a paying customer for 20 years. Happily, the woman doubled my speed for free."
And if all else fails, you could always just stop after the second Diet Coke.