It's been years since AT&T last peddled an unlimited data plan. Those with enough insight to keep the plans they had before the telecom pulled the plug in 2012 have seen their "investment" wither away thanks to strict throttling policies and other restrictions.
If you happen to fall into this category, today brings good news. AT&T has increased the throttling limit for grandfathered unlimited data users to 22GB. Once this threshold is passed, a user's line will become subject to what AT&T calls "network management practices" that could result in reduced data speeds and increased latency.
AT&T adds that speed reductions will only occur when a customer is using a device at times and in areas of high network traffic. As a courtesy, AT&T will inform customers when their data usage reaches 16.5GB (75 percent of their available 22GB of high-speed data).
If you think AT&T has increased its high-speed data limit from 5GB to 22GB out of the kindness of its heart, think again. The carrier has been trying to coax customers off their legacy unlimited plans through various means for years. As a result, they've fielded lawsuits from both the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission.
The FCC earlier this summer said it is planning to fine the carrier $100 million as a result of throttling practices. The lawsuit with the FTC, waged last October, is still ongoing.