[General Topics] Maroon Mushroom:
Hello everyone. This thread is to address the recent (October '11) issues of AT&T "throttling" the top 5% of data users.

update: attached screenshot to show my phone with it's previous and new data plan under the same billing cycle

What is throttling?

Throttling is when your carrier (AT&T in this case) deliberately slows your data speeds down to EDGE speeds.

Why does AT&T throttle?

AT&T's main reason why they throttle data users is simple. They want you to pay more money for data by forcing you to switch to a tiered data plan. Under a tiered data plan, they can bill you extra gigabytes of data when you go over your set amount in any given month.

AT&T's stance: they say that the top 5% of data users are "abusing" the network. According to a recent study, this is not the case at all.

So what can I do about it?

Sign a petition.

File an FCC complaint. 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322)

Unthrottle yourself

Right now, there are 2 possible ways to unthrottle yourself. Both have been tested and have worked with a small group of people I had test the 2 methods. Your results may vary. I appreciate all feedback and would like to know if either method was successful for you. These methods will most likely not work forever, as AT&T is quick to patch things like this.

Method #1: Re-provisioning your data

This is the first method I discovered in December, and have tested it with success myself.

Why it works:

When you change your data plan TYPE, your old data plan is deactivated. When it is deactivated, your data count restarts when it is reprovisioned. You are not charged for a second data plan, because you will not have the 2 data plans at the same time. It's just something simple that occurs on our backend.

How to set it up!

You are doing an "equipment change". This can be done at any AT&T retail store or on the phone (call 611 from your AT&T phone)

Give them an IMEI from a different TYPE of device. (eg. if you have an LTE Android, give them a blackberry IMEI. An HSPA+ IMEI should work too. This has not been tested w/ an iPhone IMEI as of yet.)

If you're giving them the IMEI inside of a store. Tell them you don't have the phone w/ you. Most RSCs will let you get away with it.

In their system they will see the device that cooresponds with the IMEI that you gave them and your data plan will be switched over to "support that device". The quantity of data will NOT change and will remain unlimited. (but please confirm that they aren't changing your amount of data when you do this because it's a headache to get back)

That's all there is to it! Restart your phone and dial *3282#. You should get a text back showing your old deactivated plan along with your new data plan.

If you have issues with connectivity. You may have to adjust your APN. (varies per device) OR switch the IMEI back to your phone. The point is to simply REMOVE your old data plan.

Sadly you will have to do this once a month. Also our system will sweep all active phones on the network occasionally and update the IMEIs in our backend. At that point, your data plan may get changed back to your device, or you may receive an automated text message from AT&T asking your to fix it. This should not affect your data speeds.

Method #2: Phone APN

I haven't personally tested this method, but other people have reported back with success.

Settings -> Wireless and network -> Mobile networks -> Access Point Names (APNs). OR download APN manager from the market

Create a NEW apn

For the name: AT&T HSPA+

For the APN: phone

Leave everything else blank!

APN type = internet

Now for the 2nd APN

"phone" for the APN again

MMSC: http://mmsc.cingular.com

MMS Proxy: wireless.cingular.com

MMS Port: 80

MCC: 310

MNC: 410

APN type: MMS only

This method is easy to set up and doesn't involve talking to anyone on the phone or in an AT&T store.

Please note that if you're using an LTE data plan, you may not have access to LTE speeds with either of these methods. But I'd rather have 8mb/s HSPA+ speeds than dial up! One workaround would be to re-provision your data plan under method #1 (going to a blackberry and then back to your LTE device IMEI).

DISCLAIMER: These methods are still being tested, may be patched, and your results may vary.

Even if you're able to unthrottle yourself. Please fight this BS by signing a petition and filing an FCC complaint!

Thanks and good luck!

-Maroon Mushroom