T-Mobile to throttle customers using unlimited data plans for peer-to-peer file sharing

In the world of wireless, words like “unlimited data” have their restrictions if you take the time to read the fine print of a carrier’s service agreement and it appears that T-Mobile is not exempt from such practices. An alleged internal memo obtained by TmoNews details how the company will address customers suspected of using its network to access peer-to-peer file sharing services.

Here’s an excerpt from the internal communication:

T-mobile has identified customers who are heavy data users and are engaged in peer-to-peer file sharing, and tethering outside of T-Mobile’s Terms and Conditions (T&C). This results in a negative data network experience for T-Mobile customers. Beginning August 17, T-Mobile will begin to address customers who are conducting activities outside of T-Mobile’s T&Cs.

T-Mobile will contact customers that it feels are in violation of its policies and will explain its terms and conditions and advise them that their data speeds may be reduced until their next billing cycle if things don’t change. When contacting a customer, T-Mobile will flag their account with a data misuse warning until their next billing cycle. If the customer’s behavior continues, T-Mobile will tag their account with a misuse throttle code and their data speeds will then be reduced.

This initiative is scheduled to start on Sunday, August 17th and applies to legacy $70 unlimited and new $80 Simple Choice plans. So if you’ve been using T-Mobile’s LTE for extracurricular activities, you’ll probably want to stop, or prepare to have your data speeds banished to the Stone Age.