Verizon Communications : “Network management” on Verizon Unlimited explained

'Network management' on Verizon Unlimited explained

Since the introduction of Verizon Unlimited, there has been some confusion about what the network experience is like once you use 22 GB.

To help clear things up, we put together this explainer with some common questions we've received.

Does Verizon throttle speeds on Verizon Unlimited?

By definition, when speeds are 'throttled,' they are set by the carrier to a set maximum speed, like 2G or 3G speeds. Verizon does NOT do this at any point when you're surfing the web, streaming video or music and checking email on your phone with Verizon Unlimited.

The only time your speed is slowed in this manner is when you are using an internet device or mobile hotspot and have already used 10GB of data in the current billing cycle.

So what happens when I reach 22 GB of data?

When you reach 22 GB of data, your data may be prioritized behind other customers' traffic during times of network congestion.

Translation: when your phone is connected to a busy cell site, you may temporarily experience some slower speeds. This only happens when that specific cell site is busy-once congestion clears up, you get the same great speeds you are used to having with Verizon Unlimited.

What if I choose the prepaid unlimited data plan instead?

On prepaid unlimited, you get the same great 4G LTE speeds you get on Verizon Unlimited, though your data may be prioritized behind other customers' traffic during times of network congestion.

Again - this means you may temporarily experience some slower speeds, but only when that cell site is busy.

Why does Verizon do this?

We manage the network this way to ensure everyone can get a great experience on our network. Our network is a shared resource, and while we've built incredible capacity into our network, we need to ensure that heavy data users do not tarnish the experience for anyone.

Does this affect a lot of customers?

More than 97% of customers don't use 22 GB in a month. If you live in an area that doesn't have network congestion and happen to exceed 22GB, you will not experience a change in speeds, no matter how much data you use.