If you use an extraordinary amount of data and fall within the top 5% of Verizon Wireless data users, we may reduce your data throughput speeds periodically for the remainder of your then current and immediately following billing cycle to ensure high quality network performance for other users at locations and times of peak demand.
While the exact number of gigabytes transferred isn’t specified, Verizon along with other carriers quietly acknowledge that anything over 5GB in one month is considered excessive. Another key change in its network management policy is the implementation of real-time compression and caching for files sent over its network, which the carrier claims will have a minimal impact on files and only affect display on devices, not actual integrity:
While we invest much effort to avoid changing text, image, and video files in the compression process and while any change to the file is likely to be indiscernible, the optimization process may minimally impact the appearance of the file as displayed on your device. For a further, more detailed explanation of these techniques, please visit www.verizonwireless.com/vzwoptimization (link currently dead).
The new policy is being enacted as the carrier begins pre-orders for the forthcoming iPhone and is seen as Verizon’s preventative measure to avoid network issues on the level of rival AT&T, which has historically suffered network issues since the launch of the original iPhone. While the policy applies to customers that sign up for a data plan from today onward, it is not known how or if users on data plans before today’s changes will be affected.
