Verizon to begin throttling top five percent of data users

Beware, Verizon data hogs! Hiding behind the announcement of preorders starting for the iPhone 4 was another smaller and less publicized note. A new policy has been found on Verizon's site that states that download speeds are going to be reduced for the top five percent of data users on Verizon's network.



With the large influx of iPhone users expected to begin gobbling up data at a frenetic pace due to the size of the App Store, Verizon is launching a pre-emptive strike at possible network slowdowns by easing up the most egregious data eaters. Verizon stated that "Our proactive management of the Verizon Wireless network is designed to ensure that the remaining 95% of data customers aren't negatively affected by the inordinate data consumption of just a few users."

There's no way to tell whether you are one of the unlucky top five percent or whether you've been throttled without doing the checking on your own. With early reviews stating that Verizon's iPhone data service is slower than that on AT&T, those changing brands may not be able to tell whether they are getting regular or throttled speeds. It will most likely be more noticeable for those on other devices being throttled as they will have a better idea of the speeds they have been getting.