U.K.'s T-Mobile Clamps Down on Smartphone Data - Wall Street Journal (blog)

By Ben Rooney

T-Mobile in the U.K. has slashed the amount of data customers on its network can use. Android users had an allowance of 3 GB, while other users had 1GB. That cap is slashed to 500MB from the start of next month.

Offenders who exceed their limit will find their ability to download files restricted.

T-Mobile was asked for comment but was unable to provide a spokesman. Instead in a pre-prepared statement the company said it was slashing the rate to, "ensure an improved quality of service for all of our mobile internet users."

T-Mobile's statement said: "The average mobile internet customer uses only 200MB of data each month, this will only affect a small minority of users… Customers who have a need for higher volumes of data will be encouraged to take up a separate mobile broadband plan."

The company did not say how many users would be affected by the new cap, but did say it would apply to new and existing subscribers.

Although the move brings the company in line with other U.K. providers, some European telcos are more generous. France Telecom offers subscribers unlimited data, imposing download speed restrictions over 2GB.

In Holland T-Mobile itself still offers a 1GB service to Dutch-users with a speed restriction imposed over the cap.

In Germany, Deutsche Telekom reduces speed depending on the contract, starting at 200 MB, 300 MB or 1GB. Likewise Vodafone, KPN and Telefonica's O2, all choke download speeds depending on the contract. Vodafone has a 2GB limit, KPN and O2 both have a top package of 5GB.

Slashing the data plan is an indication that T-Mobile's network is under pressure from the demand put on it by the introduction of smartphones and would suggest it is having problems.

Its website admits their network is only for low-bandwidth browsing: "So remember our Mobile Broadband and internet on your phone service is best used for browsing which means looking at your favorite websites like Facebook, Twitter, Gmail, BBC News and more, checking your email and looking for information."

The company—whose slogan is "Life's for sharing"—suggests: "If you want to download, stream and watch video clips, save that stuff for your home broadband."

So life's for sharing—just not too much.

Update @17:30

In reply to emailed questions—T-Mobile would not provide a spokesman—the company said: "Rather than being a reaction to excessive strain, it is a step to safeguard our customers' overall future experience."

Additional reporting by Ruth Bender, Anna Van Der Meulen and Archibald Preuschat