topic Re: Unlimited streaming data in Get Support

Unlimited streaming data

taylor7787 — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 08:22:55 GMT

Reading through recent threads I noticed people say they are not as interested in unlimited data but would rather higher caps. I am often in the states and notice that some carriers offer unlimited audio streaming data, meaning that if you are using your phone for streaming music with spotify/google play that will not count toward your data cap. I do not recall seeing this in canada as of yet. Does anyone know if this is available with any carriers?

Re: Unlimited streaming data

mattdxb — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 14:59:59 GMT

I believe it was offered on certain carriers but for a specific music service at one point. The CRTC decided that giving preferential treatment to certain types of traffic is a no-no.

I may be wrong but I'm pretty sure what the carriers in the US were doing the same thing. That they were doing this for specific services like Spotify but not necessarily doing it for everyone else. Now, if they did it for all types of audio services regardless.... I don't know if that will happen. I suppose that would still fall under net neutrality

Re: Unlimited streaming data

xCameron94x — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 15:32:11 GMT

What @mattdxb said is correct. It would go against net neutrality. I think it was Videotron, who offered unlimited music streaming, that was quickly taken away by the CRTC

I think T mobile in the states did the same thing, but unlimited data for Pokemon go one year ago. Not sure what came out of that

Re: Unlimited streaming data

Michael77 — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 16:12:15 GMT

I agree.

Re: Unlimited streaming data

MoreYummy — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 16:24:21 GMT

Bell used to have something like this too.

Re: Unlimited streaming data

mtfolks — Sat, 07 Oct 2017 17:39:21 GMT

Yup. That should be a no go if you're a fan of net neutrality. Providers shouldn't be playing favourites with what they will and will not count towards data caps.

Re: Unlimited streaming data

photosbydan — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 17:13:31 GMT

Net neutrality is great, and it isn't fair for carriers to pick and choose what services they want to allow more of.

That said, overall data allowances must be increased in the future. With Spotify, Youtube, Instagram, and so on... it's quite easy to burn through data quickly.

Re: Unlimited streaming data

stonechucker — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 18:11:48 GMT

@photosbydan

There is no reason to increase data limits, let alone go to unlimited on cellular services. Streaming services in many cases, have the ability to download content for a period of time, so you don’t need to always stream your media. In fact, Spotify is one such service.

i strea, via WiFi at home, and use offline mode in Spotify when doing activities when I don’t have access to WiFi.

Get a Home internet package of a reasonable price, speed, and most of them now have unlimited download. In Ontario, don’t even look at Bell, way too expensive for garbage, if you can’t get above ADSL 5 service.

i pay about $100 for communication and entertainment services per month. Unlimited cellular data if it were available would be a waste of at least $60/month at usable speeds.

i had unlimited, but highly throttled cellular data when I was with Wind. I never want to rely on that data for anything.

Re: Unlimited streaming data

stonechucker — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 18:20:42 GMT

In the case of Videotron, I recall looking at their plans, and the unlimited music streaming was open to about 30 different services, including all the big ones. No data usage usage, on top of 4 or 6 GB plans.

Fido and Rogers have offered multiple month and/or years for apps such as Spotify, MLB, NHL, and other services also, if you buy certain packages / combos / etc... Totally a form of anti-neutrality.

The communication companies in Canada, and the rest of the world need to understand that the internet is more a required service, rather than a luxury now.

Re: Unlimited streaming data

photosbydan — Mon, 09 Oct 2017 18:35:46 GMT

I agree with you, data doesn't need to be unlimited.

You're right, you can download spotify music on wifi, if you have the foresight to do so. I'm not aware of other services like youtube, instagram, facebook, or other data heavy apps downloading content. I even use a lot of data with google maps!

I too had Wind, and agree the throttled data was absolutely terrible and unreliable. I'd just like to see some higher data plans (at a higher cost, naturally) that'll offer say 6, 8, or 10gb a month.

Re: Unlimited streaming data

Kaiyo — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 00:35:12 GMT

If they can have unlimited data with calling/text etc in the US for $40 (with family plan, 4 users at $40/ea) there's no reason why that can't happen here. I mean Bell, Rogers, Telus wireless carriers are the most profitable compared to other developed country.

@stonechucker why wouldn't you want unlimited data an option (or even the only option)? would be better for everyone if the price is reasonable.

Re: Unlimited streaming data

stonechucker — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 00:50:18 GMT

@taylor7787 Even Google Maps can download areas for offline navigation.

For me, video on a small screen isn’t worth streaming via cellular data. I have 4GB / 30day average, and I simply don’t use it. I’m a month in, and have barely used 1.5 GB or my 12 GB total.

Maybe I’m not a huge mobile data user, but I just can’t justify the costs of cellular data, versus a home internet package with unlimited downloads at a reasonable speed and price.

I’m also not the target audience for the plans in the US, where much like in Canada, family plans get you better prices, the more services you have. Why should I pay $70 for a T-Mobile plan for unlimited service, when I would never use it?

Re: Unlimited streaming data

Kaiyo — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 00:54:55 GMT

@stonechucker I'm saying to offer the option of it. It doesn't harm you in anyway if they offer it. No carrier offers unlimited data in Canada except for Freedom but at capped speeds after your allotment.

Re: Unlimited streaming data

stonechucker — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 00:55:28 GMT

@Kaiyo, that’s the problem... the price wouldn’t be reasonable. Look at the folks who have come to Public Mobile with their spouse, boyfriend and girlfriend, small families, etc....

Using your example, an individual would be paying through the nose for an unlimited plan, couples less so, but only until you get to 4 devices, are the costs reasonable. I know people who still don’t use data, both my parents for instance, so if I was to signup them, myself and my sister on the unlimited packages, we’d be wasting money.

Re: Unlimited streaming data

stonechucker — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 00:57:10 GMT

Unlimited, but capped to a limit for full speed, then throttled is not unlimited data.

Re: Unlimited streaming data

Kaiyo — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 01:02:51 GMT

@stonechucker It's just like home internet it used to have data caps. Now, a couple years ago they started to have plans with unlmited data at a fairly reasonal price with the speed you get. We should be demanding unlimited data at a reasonal price, it would also bring down the price of the plans with data cap. But instead the big three instead increases the price every year, when the prices should be going down.

Even though it's throttle it's unlimited. If you use it 24/7 and you don't get cut off or get charged extra, it's unlimited, sure it's (a lot) slower (and Freedom has frequencies that also don't penetrate walls as well) it is still unlimited.

Re: Unlimited streaming data

stonechucker — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 01:05:35 GMT

I found this link on the Sprint website, showing what the 4 major national wireless companies are charging in the US, and the specific restrictions they impose.

As you will see, these plans are not unlimited. This is exactly what would happen in Canada, if the Big 3 started this here.

https://www.sprint.com/en/shop/plans/unlimited-cell-phone-plan.html?INTNAV=TopNav:Shop:UnlimitedPlans

Re: Unlimited streaming data

stonechucker — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 01:08:00 GMT

No @Kaiyo, throttled is not unlimited. You can not download content at the same speed, as your non-throttled data. This is a restriction, a limit. Not unlimited.

Re: Unlimited streaming data

Kaiyo — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 01:10:42 GMT

@stonechucker

What do you mean? it is unlimited

"Unlimited video at standard definition (typically 480p) by default, but high definition streaming can be toggled on.

Unlimited high-speed data for everything else."

sprint is just saying "video at standard definition (typically 480p) by default, but high definition streaming can be toggled on." to make themself look better.

Edit:
regarding throttle, it's unlimited data, the speed is the limit, the data is still unlimited.

Re: Unlimited streaming data

stonechucker — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 02:21:04 GMT

Apples and oranges dude. Unlimited applies to both speed and data in a fair and reasonable world.

You limit the speed, you can not get the same amount of data. It’s a simple concept. I learned this in grade 2.

Edit: Autocorrect struck again. Added NOT to second sentence to correct my statement.