Soft data cap (reduced speeds) after hitting data limit

[m99]

It would be nice if after hitting your data limit, your data keeps working but at reduced speeds (2G speeds ~128kbps) for basic tasks. If you need high-speed data, you can purchase an add-on just like you could already do. This is something a lot of carriers in the US are adopting and some in Canada are doing too.

[ben10nnery]

Here's part of the response from the other thread from PM:

"Firstly, we do not have the capability to perform this type of throttling."

It would probably involve a bunch of system changes, so probably not something that could happen without a radical re-tooling of the network.

[pakmode]

I really wish they would have cheaper Data AddOns available. 

[Hmm]

Seriously, 2G speeds? Kill me please. Might as well disconnect the data altogether then because that's how frustrating it is to use dial up (2G speeds) these days for anything including email checking.

[Tvisforme]

I'd say this would be an excellent idea; it was one of the good features of our Wind plans. It also should not be all that difficult to implement, if Wind can limit 3G speed after a certain point then PM should be able to as well. (Wind's cap is on their network. You are still on 3G, jsut with speed limited - it is not dropped to a 2G connection.)

As to the speed issue, I'd say that it is less frustrating to have to wait a few seconds to check email at 256KB/s (for example) then to have to wait a few days or weeks if you're completely out of data...

[CoolCanada]

This would be awesome! I hope Public Mobile reconsiders. It would bring over a TON of people.

[CoolCanada]

This would be a great idea! Someone mentioned that Public Mobile doesn't have a 2G network. That doesn't really matter. Companies can limit their data speeds regardless. Chatr caps its speeds now and offers unlimited data and so does Wind/Freedom. It would be a HUGE draw if Public Mobile did the same.

I don't know what the risk would be of people choosing lower data options if this becomes a thing but I know me and my friend when we were at Wind chose higher full speed options because of a fear that the throttled data would be so bad (I never ended up experiencing it though).