Last night I got an email that I never expected to get. An email stating that I need to watch how I use my iPhone. More specifically that I need to make sure that I’m using Wi-Fi more. Who did it come from? My mobile operator. The confusing thing is that I’m tracking my 3G use via my iPhone. Thus with the numbers I was seeing on my bill I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m being shown faulty AT&T data usage. Meaning I think AT&T is putting phantom data on my bill due to the fact that I cancelled my texting plan.
This morning I was on the phone to AT&T to discuss the discrepancy. The first agent who answered the phone could not provide an explanation other than to say that AT&T was changing policy on unlimited data plans. I replied that it would be a breech of contract to do as such. Eventually she put me on with a supervisor who was much more knowledgable. The surprising thing is, none of them were aware that there is a class action suit about phantom data.
I’m told I’ll be getting a phone call my phantom data on Monday. I’m not holding my breath. However I was told how AT&T goes about determining who is nearing the 5% mark. Though they still stopped short of explaining what the 5% was. Here’s what I told… They base it on the area your account is in. They take all the data usage by people in the area, then if you start to hit the top 5% mark of that area, they’ll send out their warning.
To an extent that makes sense. However, being that I’m based of out Los Angeles, I’m pretty sure there’s no way I could be nearing the top 5% mark with their claim of 2.35 gigs of usage. Which is nearly double what my iPhone tells me I’ve used. The supervisor agreed. He also agreed that if I’m paying for unlimited data it shouldn’t matter how much I use – they shouldn’t throttle the speed. I’m surprised by that considering they’re recording the phone call.
As a departure from the Christmas music, I’m rolling with a song by Hanna Vs. The Many. It’s called Biography of Cells. Consider it an early present. Mostly because it’s not being released until January of 2012. Why did I think of the song for today? The last word in the title. Cell triggered cell phone in my mind. I realize that it has nothing to do with the content of the song lyrics. Oh well. I just know that I liked the song. Thus keep it in your mind and consider picking it up when it comes out in January.
In the meantime, if you’re a smartphone user, keep an eye on your data usage and beware of phantom items, especially if it’s faulty AT&T data usage. If you’d like to band together with a musician head on over to the upper right and sign up for my email list.