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Comment by yardie | Hacker News Reader

Where are these unlimited LTE plans the author speaks of? I haven't seen any except for from a few lucky folks who are grandfathered into truly unlimited data plans.

Typing this from my home wifi which tops out at 1.8Gbps connected to a unlimited 100Mbps ISP data connection. 14 wired and wireless devices are currently connected. Try that with any current wireless plan.

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Feels more like we're going backwards here in the UK. I was on an unlimited LTE plan for £17 per month for a couple of years.

Last year, out of the blue, they told me they were capping it at 2GB.

After much argument they agreed to raise it to 4GB plus unlimited calls/sms for £14, which is enough for me but not really the same.

I gave up a grandfathered unlimited AT&T plan to take my phone number to T-Mobile, because I'd rather have unlimited* (with the asterisk) data that I can use abroad as well. Unlimited AT&T isn't worth the occasional, accidental $200 charge for checking the news in El Salvador or wherever.

There are caveats even for the grandfathered folks.

T-Mobile is offering unlimited LTE if you upgrade to their "T-Mobile ONE" plan, which starts at $110/month for two lines, $100 if you set up automatic payments.

The fine print also mentions that speeds will "reduce" when you hit 30GB, but doesn't say if that means you're kicked down to 4G like they used to do, or they just throttle your LTE bandwidth.

They aren't reduced when you hit 30Gb. They are temporarily reduced when you hit 30Gbs and you are in a congested area so others can get full speed. If you aren't in a congested area your speed isn't reduced.

Tops out at 1.8Gbps??

802.11ac is capable of 1800Mbps. Which is only possible if you have a single device using all 3-4 antennas, no interference or competing devices on the same spectrum. I regularly get 800Mbps from my 2015 MBP.

It is theoretically possible to go that fast. I've never done it.

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