Is T-mobile unlimited data really unlimited?
By
HuutiMoney
This blog post will provide you with the details of T-mobile unlimited data. It will provide the basics of data throttling and data deprioritization. It will provide you with the methods used for checking data balance on T-mobile. It will also provide you with information about utilizing the data efficiently.
Is T-mobile unlimited data really unlimited?
T-mobile claims that their unlimited data is truly unlimited. The data deprioritization happens only if you cross 50 GB data usage in a particular billing cycle and you are accessing a congested mobile tower.
But even if you get unlimited data, the data speed will be reduced. It is not data throttling, because in data throttling the data speed slows down for the entire billing cycle irrespective of the network conditions.
What is the T-Mobile network?
T-Mobile is the 3rd-largest wireless network provider in the USA. T-Mobile is a German telecommunication industry and it has some investments in other mobile communication industries in the United States.
T-Mobile USA has a network sharing agreement with Cingular Wireless, an American mobile operator. Due to this, T- mobile has access to some top markets in the USA.
What are the key features of T-mobile?
- Monthly installment plans are offered for T Mobile phones.
- More priority is always given to the T-Mobile subscribers on the network over Metro
- pcs subscribers. This is a prime important factor in case of network congestion.
- T mobile offers some better additional options, for example, international talk and
- data add-ons
- T mobile network providers have an excellent customer service record.
- Some extra perks are offered only for T-Mobile subscribers.
Is T-mobile GSM or CDMA?
T-mobiles is a GSM network carrier and not a CDMA network carrier. GSM stands for global system for mobile, and it is second-generation cellular technology. T-mobile is a GSM network carrier used for mobile voice and data services. The term CDMA stands for code division multiple access.
T-Mobile phone plans
There are three major plans offered by T-Mobile.
- Unlimited plans
- family plans
- prepaid plans
Unlimited plans
It is a plan which gives unlimited text and voice for the entire month. It also includes unlimited data.
T-Mobile provides three unlimited data plans:
- Essential unlimited plan
- Magenta unlimited plan
- Magenta plus unlimited plan.
| Plan | Price per line | Unlimited text and talk | Premium data | Mobile hotspot data | Unlimited Video streaming | |
| Essential | $60 | Applicable | 50GB | Unlimited at 3GB speed | Sd streaming | |
| Magenta | $70 | Applicable | 100GB | 5GB high-speed data | Sd streaming | |
| Magenta plus | $85 | Applicable | Unlimited | 40GB high-speed data | Up to 4k UHD streaming |
Cons
After reaching a certain data limit, the speed of data is affected and it is reduced.
Technically these plans are unlimited but the fact is that speed gets reduced as you go on using premium data.
Family plans
T-Mobile network providers give reasonable offers for family plans. If you add lines, then the cost per line will get reduced. For the magenta max family plan, if you add one line, the cost per line will be reduced by $15.
Prepaid plans
T-Mobile offers its prepaid plans. The range of prepaid plans is from $45 to $75 per month. You can avail 4GB of LTE data for $45 and 10GB of data for $50. At the higher end, T-mobile offers unlimited data plans for $75.
Cons of T-Mobile prepaid plans
For any T-Mobile prepaid plan, you will not get 5G access. The speed slows down during busy hours. As well as international calling is not available. You will have to pay $20 to avail of these features.
What do you mean by data Throttling?
Even if you have an unlimited data plan, there is an upper cap. If you cross it then the data gets throttled. It will slow down the data speed on your cell phone and other devices which are using the hotspot. During busy hours, priority is given to cell phone users and the data speed of hotspot devices is slowed down.
Is there any difference between data throttling and data deprioritization?
In the case of both data throttling and data deprioritization, the data speed slows down without any warning. In every unlimited plan, a data threshold is applicable. If you cross it then the data speed slows down. Every Sprint plan has a monthly data cap. But the data throttling is a temporary problem.
Data deprioritization is similar to data throttling, it also slows down the speed without warning. Usually, it happens during network congestion. Your device may show good signal strength but suddenly the signal cuts off.
The main reason behind this phenomenon is that in a particular area your device is using a mobile tower that is not owned by Sprint. Your device might be using AT&T tower. So the priority is given to the AT&T subscribers and due to it, the data speed gets reduced.
How to confirm that data is throttled?
You can run an internet speed test on your device. Then repeat the same test by changing VPN. If you change the VPN then your location will be changed. If you get more data speed by changing the VPN then it indicates that the data is throttled. You can also follow the same procedure by running a speed test on your device.
Does T-mobile throttle?
Yes, T-mobile throttles the data. If you are using a phone plan that has a data cap and if you cross it then T-mobile will throttle the data until the end of the current billing cycle. Even if you have an unlimited data plan, due to the deprioritization, the data speed is reduced.
Does T-mobile offer unlimited data?
Yes, T-mobile offers unlimited data. Data prioritization occurs only if you cross your monthly data cap. Even if you have an unlimited data plan, there is an upper cap. If you cross it then T-mobile will throttle your data. It will slow down the data speed on your cell phone and other devices using the hotspot.
What happens after reaching the data cap?
At some locations, if you are accessing a congested mobile tower, your data speed slows down. According to the T-mobile’s policy, more priority is given to the subscribers who haven’t crossed the data cap. This will be continued till the end of the current billing cycle. At the start of the next billing cycle, the data usage resets.
How much slower will be the data speed?
The factor by which your data speed slows down depends on the location. It also depends on the number of other subscribers using the network at the same time. The data usage by mobile hotspots will also be affected.
Is there any truly unlimited data plan?
T-mobile claims that the Magenta Max plan is truly unlimited. You can use high-speed data without data deprioritization. You will get 40GB of high-speed data and Unlimited Video streaming up to 4k UHD streaming.
Can you stop data throttling?
If you have got T-Mobile prepaid account then by using the subsequent steps you may stop the data throttling.
- Log in to the “My T-mobile account”.
- Select your current plan.
- Click on different services.
- Disable the “Bing on “ choice and then click on the “next”.
- Click on the option “submit”.
How to bypass ISP throttling?
You can bypass ISP throttling on your T-mobile by using the subsequent steps.
- Open the “settings”
- Click on the choice “wireless network”
- Open APN settings.
- Select APN kind and add “dun” at the end of the kind.
- Restart your phone device
What are the other solutions for data throttling?
To avoid the problem of data throttling, you can use the following remedies.
- Make economical use of data, keeping in mind your data cap.
- Contact customer care.
- You can also use any one of the VPN apps, it will ensure that ISP will not throttle the data.
- Upgrade to the higher plan, if you need more data.
- If you are in a data congested area, make use of open Wi-Fi.
How to check data balance on T-mobile?
You can check the data balance on T-mobile by using the following methods.
By using shortcut codes
- dial #225#, and press the call button.
- You can also dial #BAL# and press the call button.
By checking your T-Mobile account on Desktop
- Click on “View all usage details”.
- Choose the option “Data” to find your data usage.
By using the T-Mobile App
You can install the T-Mobile app available for both Android and Apple users to keep a monitor of your usage and billing details.
This gives you all the details related to minutes, texts, and data used, it also notifies you about the next billing cycle.
If you want to check the usage, follow the steps below
- Launch the app, and by using the T-Mobile ID log-in.
- Go to the “Menu” option and select “Usage and plans”
- When prompted click on “View line details” and select “Check usage”
Why do I check the data balance on T-Mobile?
When you have only 20% of the data balance remaining or When you use 80% and 100 % of your data on T-Mobile you do get free messages from the service provider at each threshold which helps you keep track and not pay a huge amount on the extra data usage.
These messages are helpful as the speed declines or in some cases, the service completely stops in case of complete data usage.
You can also check the T-Mobile balance at your end to monitor the utilization. T-mobile provides various ways to get information.
You should check your data usage to find the amount of data usage, the data remaining. Minutes you have already utilized and the number of text messages left. Checking your usage details helps you understand your plan better and also helps you understand your billing cycle.
Checking the usage frequently will help you avoid extra fees and make sure you always have enough minutes and data left when needed.
How to utilize the data efficiently?
Whenever possible connect to Wi-Fi as data used over Wi-Fi doesn’t count.
The apps which consume more data and you want them to use only over Wi-Fi, could be disabled over mobile data, by going to the settings and turning off the data for it.
Some apps use the data even when you are not using your phone, install them if not important.
Edit the settings in all your social media apps so that they don’t automatically download and play media files.
Keep track of your usage by checking the data usage regularly.
If you have consumed all your data, in most of the cases your data speed will be affected.
Below are other T-Mobile articles you may be interested in:
How to check text messages on T-Mobile?
How to disable T-mobile familywhere?
How to get a printout of text messages T-Mobile?
Conclusion
This blog post explained whether unlimited data of t-mobile ids really unlimited or not. It provided information about T-mobile’s unlimited plans and the data cap associated with each plan. It also provided some effective ways to avoid the data throttling problem.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs): Is T-mobile unlimited data really unlimited?
What’s an unlimited plan?
It is a plan which gives unlimited text and voice for the entire month. It also includes unlimited data.
But after reaching a certain data limit, the speed of data is affected and it is reduced.
How can you bypass ISP throttling?
You can bypass ISP throttling on your T-mobile by using the following steps.
- Open the “settings”
- Click on the option “wireless network”
- Open APN settings.
- Select APN type and add “dun” at the end of the type.
- Restart your phone device
What do you mean by data throttling?
Even if you have an unlimited data plan, there is an upper cap. If you cross it then the data gets throttled. It will slow down the data speed on your cell phone and other devices which are using the hotspot. During busy hours, priority is given to cell phone users and the data speed of hotspot devices is slowed down.
How can you check that the data is throttled?
You can run an internet speed test on your device. Then repeat the same test by changing VPN. If you change the VPN then your location will be changed. If you get more data speed by changing the VPN then it indicates that the data is throttled. You can also follow the same procedure by running a speed test on your device.
How to check data balance on T-mobile?
You can check the data balance on T-mobile by using the following methods.
By using shortcut codes
- dial #225#, and press the call button.
- You can also dial #BAL# and press the call button.
By checking your T-Mobile account on Desktop
- Click on “View all usage details”.
- Choose the option “Data” to find your data usage.
Does tethering use my mobile data allotment?
Yes, when you give internet to another device from your T-Mobile, it will be counted as your data utilization.
How do I check my T- Mobile bill?
Just go to dial pad and call #225# to get the bill information on your screen
References:
WHAT TO DO IF T-MOBILE IS THROTTLING YOUR DATA
Best 6 Ways to Bypass T-Mobile Throttling Issue
T-Mobile won’t throttle unlimited data until you use 50GB
David Lumb
September 20, 2017
How To View Your T-Mobile Data Usage
By William Stanton February 27, 2021,
How to check how much mobile data you’re using, By Alex Choros, 17 February 2021