Data Cap?

[FelixDominguez]

Regarding data. I am seeing some info from previous answers that there is no data cap, per se. That we as ST users are able to use programs on the phone that are native to it. However most phones now come with some sort of streaming music service, YouTube, etc already on the phone itself. Then I see other information that says we cannot stream anything.

So which is it?

I am concerned about going over any sort of limit I may have if I use anything like that. I do not want to get my phone shut off and lose my number.

[Stephanie_ST]

Hi FelixDominguez. My name is StraightTalk Stephanie and I will be addressing your question. Please refer to the online Terms and Conditions about the data usage and restrictions on the phone. Thanks!

[FelixDominguez]

That does not really answer my question, thank you.

I am seeing all over the internet that people are being shut off at 2GB/month. Even if they are not tethering, etc. Many people.

All I am dong is looking for a straight answer, from Straight Talk.

[jaydens-daddy]

This was my issue, also. It went ignored. I don't do a lot with my phone since at home and work I'm on WiFi (working mostly at work, but if I want to stream music, I have their WiFi). The only time I would use any data service is like most people, when I'm not at home. Even then, 90% of the time it would be just for looking at web pages. I would only be streaming music while in the car to and from work, a total of about 30 minutes a day, five days a week. I think this would be sufficient, since with T-Mobile I was able to do this two days in a row and not break my 200MB/month limit in just two days... so less than 100MB/day, which seems like the average of what people are saying is the ST data "cap". However, I would like a straight answer from Straight Talk regarding this, as would many. I'm willing to pay $45/month to keep my own phone and make and receive calls and texts, but saying data is unlimited if it isn't doesn't seem like good business practice. I can understand if they chose to throttle the data speeds when a person reaches a certain amount in a month (if ST can do that themselves), or give us a solid or even approximate number. Saying it's unlimited when so many people have had problems, or saying, "yeah, it's unlimited but only if you use WiFi" is not good for business and could put this company out, I think, eventually. There should be a policy implemented under "fair use" that most ever other company uses where it states if a customer is clearly using way more of the service than anyone else, they can be suspended. For example, if John browses the web and streams music for 2 hours each day, but Alex is keeping his connection on for 10+hours each day, Alex seems to be the one that would be using more than his fair share. I think the majority of us would be more like John, using the data capabilities only when needed and not in excess. I for one have WiFi at home and most everywhere I go, just not in my car. If I did, I wouldn't need a data plan. I don't browse the web while I'm driving, so what's the point in having a data plan if I can only use WiFi? For that, I'll just get Skype credits to make and receive phone calls, or maybe just get a landline phone from Time Warner or Verizon or something.

With that being said, I think as long as it's within the devices capabilities it should be allowed, since it is "Unlimited" data. If you're using your phone as a wireless access point for others, that shouldn't be allowed, even if it is able to be done with native applications. I'm not looking to be able to stream Netflix or Pandora for 16 hours each day, I just want to be able to hear new music in the car because my current playlist is boring me now, and I want to find new music I like.

A question: Does this policy of shutting off customers after a certain unspoken limit apply to those that have bought their own phone through Straight Talk directly?

Dear Straight Talk:
If you plan on limiting peoples' "unlimited" data connection, please inform us, your paying customers, as to how much data is considered "unlimited", instead of directing us to the clearly useless Terms of Service. Also, if by "Unlimited" you mean via WiFi only, please update your marketing scheme to include this clearly on the front of your reload cards, on your website, and in other advertising material in clear, plain writing, not hidden within the Terms of Service found on the back of the cards. AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon do this with their data plans.

Sincerely,
A Disheartened Future Customer

Edit: On the T-Mobile home page right now, it says on an ad that they have Unlimited Data starting at $49.99/month, and in a smaller, yet still readable text, it says "Up to 2GB of high-speed data." That tells me that it's not truly unlimited, but at least tells us that up front. I know when I decide to sign up I have the option of paying more for more data, all of which have an upper limit (up to 10GB. I would NEVER need that much in one month.) So I assume from ST for $45/month we get UP TO 2GB data... maybe 100MB/day? Maybe, just maybe, and don't everyone attack me, ST have different tiers of data, in $5 intervals for more data, if needed. I wouldn't need it; according to AT&T data calculator (http://www.att.com/standalone/data-calculator/), I'd only use approximately 1.3 GB of data each month, and that's only because I couldn't type in exact numbers, so I over estimated. Hope someone sees this and understands our peril.

[HarryNutz]

I agree with almost 100% of what you said... makes no sense to say "Unlimited web, text and data" but then toss in Terms and Conditions that completely contradict the whole "unlimited" claim.

Edit: And Im suprised that a company can even use the word "unlimited" when in fact it isn't, especially without noting as you mentioned with T-Mobile saying theirs is 2GB. Wouldnt something like this fall under "false advertisement"? And what exactly is the purpose of saying "Unlimited" but then not be or even saying 2GB"? Do all these companies see us strictly stupid moneybags who have no common sense?

Look at most of your typical home internet companies, they never use the word unlimited but most do have a limit... but considering the typical CAP is around 250GB, even a majority of your diehard data fans would never come close to such a number that 250 is a good respectable cap. I download a ton of stuff and have never once even come close to my cap... anyway what Im getting at is there just is no reason for companies to be so darned disrespectful to its customers or future customers with trying to pull the wool over our eyes.

[duketate]

So Stephanie_ST,

Are you going to provide an answer?

There is something fishy going on with ST - for some reason I am unable to access any web based services, except when WiFi is simultaneously present along with phone service.

What is ST doing?

[Stephanie_ST]

Hi duketate. We offer unlimited talk, text, and web as long as the customer abides by our Terms and Conditions. Please refer to the relevant section of our Terms and Conditions:

“Straight Talk reserves the right to limit or reduce data throughput speeds or the amount of data transferred, and to deny or terminate Service, without notice, to anyone Straight Talk believes is using the Straight Talk Unlimited Talk, Text and Mobile Web Access Plan in any manner prohibited above or whose usage, in Straight Talk’s sole discretion, adversely impacts the Carrier’s network or customer service levels. Straight Talk will presume you are engaging in a prohibited use in violation of these Terms and Conditions if in Straight Talk’s sole opinion, you are placing an abnormally high number of calls, or repeatedly placing calls of unusually long duration, or if your talk, text or Mobile Web usage is harmful or disruptive to the Carrier’s network or services. If we determine, at our sole discretion, that you are using an unlimited service in violation of the Straight Talk Terms and Conditions of Service, or in any other manner that we deem to be unreasonable or excessive, then we may terminate individual calls, terminate or reduce the speed of data connection throughput, Mobile Web Access or terminate your service, decline to renew your service, or offer you a different service plan with no unlimited usage component. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Straight Talk reserves the right to deny service, deactivate or cancel existing service, terminate data connections and/or reduce data throughput speeds, to anyone for any reason at any time, in Straight Talk’s sole discretion.”

Thank you!

[Phormify]

Eventually either a massive class action lawsuit, or Congressional action will result in all mobile providers being required to drop the "unlimited" language unless it is truly unlimited. This is like a gas station offering unlimited gas for $30, but when you pull up to the pump there is a legal document telling you unlimited really means only as much as the pump will dispense in 2 minutes.

I'm not picking on Straight Talk here because they all do it. Verizon and AT&T both say unlimited but it either means 2GB or it means they will start slowing down your connection after a certain period. As far as I know, Sprint is the one and only company that offers a truly unlimited amount of data with no caps and no throttling... but of course that requires you to be a Sprint customer which in many areas means a max of 3G speeds and limited coverage.

The whole practice of saying "unlimited" where there are MASSIVE limits is just shady. It is almost as if these companies don't understand what the word even means.

[UncleN00b]

Then Stephanie_ST, if Straight Talk exercises any of these "at their sole discretion" actions and actually throttles or terminates a customer's service, doesn't Straight Talk have to tell the customer specifically the reason they did that to them even after the fact or even if the customer asks?

[UncleN00b]

Because it feels like these terms are worded such that they can throttle, limit, or revoke your service and they don't have to tell you why even if you ask. I don't understand how that is legal.

That's like "Sure, I will mow your lawn, but by accepting this arrangement you also understand I reserve the right to terminate my lawn mowing service at any time without notice for any reason I see fit and I don't have to tell you why either."