I am aware of the policy. I am aware of AT&T's stated reasoning for that policy.
What I'm here for is:
-I contacted AT&T customer care and inquired why the policy is to throttle only unlimited users and not the mobile share users. Also why is the cut-off 5GB. In addition to the normal answers of, "because mobile share users can face overages" and "you pay a flat rate for a lower level of service" they also told me that throttling is mandated by an FCC rule. My first question is, what FCC rule is it that requires AT&T to throttle users? Also, what are the numbers and statistics that can show how unlimited users are the problem and not the mobile share users?
-Has AT&T responded to some publicly stated concerns by the head of the FCC over the practice of throttling based on type of service plan?
Additionally, I have a less serious question.
-If AT&T keeps telling me I would save money by switching to mobile share plans, why would they then justify the discrepancy in service by stating that mobile share users pay more and therefore receive better service. A 20GB mobile share plan for 4 lines actually costs less than the 4 lines of unlimited data my family has. Our current and past usage has never exceeded about 15GB. So, we are paying more money and receiving the inferior service. A family burning every bit of their 20GB allotment will never be throttled although they are paying less.
-I understand the need to throttle in order to maintain the integrity of the network. However, why wouldn't AT&T throttle unlimited users at the data limit of a comparatively expensive mobile share plan?