How does T-Mobile manage data on its network?
We engineer our network to provide consistent high-speed data service, but at times and at locations where the number of customers using the network exceeds available network resources, customers will experience reduced data speeds. To provide the best possible experience for the most possible customers on their
How is data prioritized on the network?
We prioritize network data by plan and brand to deliver a range of customer choice points at great values. Data for customers on most
Where the network is lightly loaded in relation to available capacity, a customer whose data is prioritized higher than other traffic will notice little, if any, effect from having higher priority. This will be the case in the vast majority of times and locations. Customers may notice reduced speeds in comparison to customers with a higher priority during network congestion. At times and at locations where the network is heavily loaded in relation to available capacity, these customers will likely see significant reductions in data speeds, especially if they are engaged in data-intensive activities. Customers should be aware that these practices may occasionally result in speeds below those typically experienced on our 5G or 4G networks, including a greater likelihood of reduced speeds in the lower end of the speed ranges. Depending on the extent of network congestion, these customers may notice more frequent impacts to some video streaming, file downloads, and other high-bandwidth activities.
Additionally,
What is a Heavy Data User?
To provide the best possible experience and minimize capacity issues and degradation in network performance for the most possible customers, we manage significant high-speed data usage on the vast majority of our plans through prioritization. Heavy Data Users (as defined by a customer’s rate plan) will have their data usage prioritized below the data usage (including tethering) of other customers at times and at locations where there are competing customer demands for network resources. This may result in slower data speeds. At the start of the next bill cycle, the customer's usage status is reset, and this data traffic is no longer prioritized below other traffic. Customers who use data in violation of their Rate Plan terms or
For most
What can I expect if I choose a rate plan WITHOUT unlimited data?
To deliver a range of customer choices,
Customers on some limited high-speed plans may still have extremely high data usage and be Heavy Data Users under certain circumstances, including if their plan enables access to significant amounts of data that does not count against their high-speed data allotment. Certain features, such as Music Freedom and some Binge On content on qualifying rate plans, data used by certain
What do I need to know about video optimization?
Video optimization occurs only for data streams that are identified by our packet-core network as video or where the video provider has chosen to establish protocols to self-optimize its video. Some videos, like those consumed via VPN, Apple Private Relay, or while tethering, may be difficult to identify as video and therefore cannot be optimized. The streaming video optimization process applies to content identified as video, regardless of the content itself or the website that provides it. While many changes to streaming video files are likely to be indiscernible, the optimization process may impact the appearance of the streaming video as displayed on a user's device. In some instances, video optimization may also identify and treat downloads of video files as if they were video streams. However,
Video streaming optimization, when connected to the cellular network, delivers a SD-quality (up to 2.5 Mbps) video experience instead of a higher resolution version (e.g. HD, typically 1080p or Ultra HD, max 4K), which is better suited for larger screens. Video optimization is not applied when a device is using
Customers can choose plans where SD-quality video optimization is always enabled, or may choose to activate and enable a feature or plan where video streams at speeds that provide up to UHD video capability (max 4K), in the United States. Some of our customers are on data plans that include video optimization as a customer-controlled feature called "Binge On," which customers may choose to disable and re-enable at any time. Some video providers may choose to self-optimize their video content or opt-out of the Binge On program (see listing). The Binge On optimization technology is not applied to the video services of these providers and high-speed data consumption will continue as if Binge On were not enabled.
Additional information, including technical criteria for content provider participation in the Binge On program or video file download protocol, is found here. Customers who have plans that are no longer for sale may have different video features available and should check www.my
How does T-Mobile manage tethering?
Some high-speed smartphone data plans include a data allotment for Smartphone Mobile HotSpot (tethering). While we permit tethering pursuant to the terms, conditions, and allotments of your data plan, significant tethering usage can affect on-device network performance for all customers. To ensure the best possible on-device experience, and to minimize capacity issues and degradation in network performance, we prioritize on-device data (except that of our currently offered mobile internet plans 30GB or higher, our Project 10Million and some other education-focused mobile internet plans, home broadband, and Heavy Data Users, as described above) over tethering data at times and at locations where there are competing customer demands for network resources, which may result in slower tethering speeds.
Some plans may include maximum speeds for tethering services. Many of our current plans include a set amount of high-speed tethering, after which tethering usage continues at a maximum of 600kbps (3G speeds). The
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