It looks like T-mobile might have learned a few things from At&t’s iPhone 3G launch now that they have revealed the full details of their 3G ‘unlimited Internet’ usage, specifically the G1. While At&t’s 3G network is suffering from overcrowding due to a far greater success than expected for the iPhone 3G, T-mobile will be putting a 1GB data usage limit, at which time download speeds will be reduced to a measly 50 kbps. Also added to the fine print is a roaming clause which gives T-mobile the ability suspend or terminate your service for significant roaming or if you use your service in a way that interferes with their network.
**3G coverage is available only in certain markets. See coverage map for details. Data: If your total data usage in any billing cycle is more than 1GB, your data throughput for the remainder of that cycle may be reduced to 50 kbps or less. Your data session, plan, or service may be suspended, terminated, or restricted for significant roaming or if you use your service in a way that interferes with our network or ability to provide quality service to other users. Some devices require specific data plans; if you do not have the right plan for your device, you may not be able to use data services. Some downloads, such as movies, music, and games, not included. Domestic use only.
With only 27 markets launching T-mobile’s 3G service, it doesn’t look like there should be much of a problem soaking in some 3G love. In the past few years of 3G data usage, I’ve personally never met anyone who has come near to even hitting 500MB of data transfer in a month so there is not much to worry about. T-mobile and Google also made it clear that the G1 was not intended to be tethered so breaking the 1GB limit shouldn’t be a problem for 99% of users out there.
Update 9/24: T-mobile has clarified the 1GB cap
“Our goal, when the T-Mobile G1 becomes available in October, is to provide affordable, high-speed data service allowing customers to experience the full data capabilities of the device and our 3G network. At the same time, we have a responsibility to provide the best network experience for all of our customers so we reserve the right to temporarily reduce data throughput for a small fraction of our customers who have excessive or disproportionate usage that interferes with our network performance or our ability to provide quality service to all of our customers.
We removed the 1GB soft limit from our policy statement, and we are confident that T-Mobile G1 customers will enjoy the high speed of data access over our 3G network. The specific terms for our new data plans are still being reviewed and once they are final we will be certain to share this broadly with current customers and potential new customers.”
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I’m not so sure that the 1 GB limit won’t be reached by more users. You’d be surprised how little 1 GB can be. If you just read e-mail, you’ll be fine, but start using a Slingbox, and watching some videos, and you can be up there in no time flat. At a fast data rate that HSUPA can provide, you could exceed it in about an hour. And don’t think only video could bring you over the top. Apple’s 1 GB iPod was claimed to hold 250 songs. Lets say a song is 4 minutes, and listen to 250 at iPod quality and your be up to your limit in about 16 hours. Maybe 16 hours is a lot of music to listen to in a day, but this is a month, or 30 minutes a day.
No, this is bad. bad. 5 GB is fine, 1 GB is a very bad trend.