Data Deprioritization: Make the Most of Your Cell Service

Data deprioritization is a common practice among mobile carriers, and it occurs when congested networks slow down their customers’ data speeds. This comes into play during times of high usage, either in major metropolitan areas or during events like sports and concerts. These slower data speeds have a major impact on your ability to use your phone. Many phone processes rely on high-speed data to function. 

While this can manage congestion and ensure fair access, it raises concerns about consistent user experience and equity. This article will tell you all you need to know about data deprioritization, what it means for you, and how you can make the most of your cell phone plan. 

How Data Deprioritization Works

With the rise of cell phone usage around the country, there are many times when a network cannot support the number of devices used at once. In this instance, the network service provider will reduce the speed of some of their users. Every major network in the United States uses a tiered approach to wireless data, where different levels have different data priorities. Lower tiers receive reduced speeds first, leaving more bandwidth for higher-priority users. 

Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) inherit these practices from their parent networks. It's crucial to distinguish between data deprioritization and data throttling: while both slow down data speeds, deprioritization is temporary and situation-dependent, unlike the consistent speed reduction of throttling. Let’s dive into the details.

Three Tiers of Wireless Data

Wireless data usage can be categorized into three tiers, each offering different service quality and priority levels.

Tier One: Priority Data from Major Wireless Networks

Users at this level enjoy the best overall data experience. Priority data plans offer high speeds and reliable connectivity, even during peak usage times. Deprioritization, if it occurs, is minimal and may only happen during severe network congestion. Users often pay a premium for this level of service, but the benefits can be well worth it for those who want consistent, fast data.

Tier Two: Basic Data from Major Wireless Networks

Basic data plans from major networks are more affordable but come with the risk of deprioritization. Users may notice slower speeds during peak hours or heavy network congestion. These plans may also include data caps; once those are reached, data speeds can be throttled. The experience at this level can be satisfactory for casual users, but more demanding activities may suffer.

Tier Three: MVNO Data

Users who choose Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) often face more significant deprioritization. MVNOs lease network access from major providers, which means their data is given lower priority. Users might experience slower speeds, especially during peak times, and may face deprioritization more frequently. These plans can be a cost-effective option, but users should be prepared for potential fluctuations in data performance.

There is no best tier. Tier one is the best data speed, but it is also the most expensive. Deciding on a major wireless network versus an MVNO all comes down to how often you use your phone on mobile data and how much you value the lightning-fast data speeds from 5G networks.

Major Wireless Networks vs MVNO

Comparing major wireless networks with Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) highlights different advantages that appeal to various types of users.

Major Wireless Networks: The big three U.S. providers—Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile—offer unlimited high-speed data plans and high data priority. This high data priority level allows for smooth streaming, gaming, and downloading without interruptions. Users who consistently demand high-speed connectivity often find the higher price point of these plans worthwhile.

MVNOs: Mobile Virtual Network Operators stand out for their affordability and flexibility. These providers are often best for users who don’t need unlimited high-speed data every month. MVNOs lease network access from major providers and pass the savings on to their customers, offering budget-friendly cell phone plans. These providers also offer varying data amounts, allowing users to choose plans tailored to their specific usage needs. This flexibility makes MVNOs a great option for budget-conscious consumers and those with variable data requirements. 

People who can work with MVNO data caps and lower priority let them enjoy far more affordable cell phone plans, especially if they open a single-line account. 

Data Deprioritization vs Data Throttling

Let’s break down the difference between deprioritization and throttling. As you look for the best cell phone plan for you and compare plans, it is important to understand how data deprioritization and throttling will affect your monthly plan. 

Deprioritization

Data deprioritization occurs when a network is too “busy” to handle the current level of traffic. This happens all the time across the country, but the frequency of deprioritization is hard to quantify. You may live in an area where you see no congestion outside of big conferences and events or live in an area where certain tiers of data get slowed down every day. 

Certain plans from major wireless networks will also allocate an amount of data on the premium tier before deprioritizing your account for the rest of the month. This gives you a pool of congestion-free data each month; you have a higher risk of slowed-down data once you use it up. This does not mean your data gets slowed down when you use up that data pool. That would be data throttling. Speaking of…

Throttling

Data throttling occurs when you are on a limited data plan and use up all your data for the month. This is completely separate from network congestion. If you’re on an MVNO plan that allocates 35 GB of high-speed data and use it all up, you may be stuck on 2G or 3G speeds for the rest of the month. This is the dramatic slowing of data, where speeds will be a lot slower than those who’ve just been deprioritized. At the beginning of the next month, you get a new data allocation and return to high speeds. 

Implications for Users

Data deprioritization plays a big role in what cell phone plan you should choose. It is something you want to avoid if possible. In a world of high-speed data, users expect smooth and quick online access, something that data deprioritization seriously interrupts. Long load times can arise during peak hours, causing frustration when streaming, gaming, or working online. Carrier network strength plays a role, and finding the provider with the strongest network in your area is a great way to avoid deprioritization. You can also entirely avoid mobile data by leveraging WiFi networks in your area. Let’s break down data deprioritization’s implications for users. 

A World of High-Speed Data

In today's digital age, high-speed data has become an essential part of our daily lives, especially with the rise of data-intensive activities on our smartphones. Streaming video content, such as movies and series on platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+, requires significant data. For instance, streaming in HD can consume up to 3 GB per hour, while streaming in 4K can use up to 7 GB per hour. Online gaming is another high-data activity, often requiring rapid data exchange for a smooth and lag-free experience.

Additionally, apps are designed to leverage the speed and reliability of 4G LTE and 5G networks, making high-speed data a necessity for optimal functionality. Social media apps, video calls, and cloud-based services all demand consistent and fast data speeds to operate seamlessly. Moreover, average download speeds in metropolitan areas are around 90 Mbps on 5G networks and 30-50 Mbps on 4G LTE networks, allowing for quick content downloads and low latency for real-time applications. We’re used to that level of data speed. Receiving deprioritized data is a big hit. 

In the United States, the average monthly data usage per smartphone user reached approximately 24 GB in 2022, which continues to rise with the increasing popularity of data-heavy applications. While the average consumption was about 24 GB, it varies significantly from person to person. Discovering how much data you need each month is a huge factor in what phone plan is best for you. From there, you can pick a cell phone plan that matches your data usage, or try to lower your monthly usage, opening avenues for more affordable cell phone plans. 

Long Load Times

Let’s compare load times between 5G (high-speed) and 3G (deprioritized) data. Here's how load times change across different activities:

Browsing the Web:

• On 5G networks, websites load almost instantaneously. High-speed data allows for smooth and rapid navigation between different sites.
• Website load times are noticeably slower on 3G networks. Users may experience several seconds or even longer delays, particularly for content-rich pages with heavy images or videos.

Scrolling Through Social Media:

• With 5G, users can quickly scroll through social media feeds, as images and videos load almost immediately. This allows for a smooth, uninterrupted experience with minimal buffering.
• On 3G, social media content may take longer to load, resulting in choppier scrolling and pauses while waiting for images and videos to buffer.

Using Maps:

• When using maps on 5G, users benefit from fast data speeds, which enable quick loading of maps, directions, and real-time traffic updates. This enhances navigation and reduces wait times for rerouting.
• Map loading times can be significantly slower on 3G networks, which may hinder navigation and cause delays in receiving traffic updates or route changes.

There are immense differences in load times between 5G and 3G data. This improvement in speed and efficiency makes 5G a desirable option for users who rely heavily on their phones for browsing, social media, and navigation.

Carrier Network Strength

If you are between carriers, finding the one with the strongest network in your area is a great place to start. There are a lot of ways to discern the strength of each network in your area, including: 

• Coverage Maps: Check carriers' online maps for signal strength in your location.
• Third-Party Websites: Use sites like OpenSignal, RootMetrics, and Ookla for independent network performance comparisons.
• Ask Locals: Gather opinions from friends, family, and neighbors.
• Network Monitoring Apps: Apps like SignalCheck provide real-time data on signal strength and coverage quality.
• Free Trials: Take advantage of carriers' free trials to test network quality firsthand.
• Read Reviews: Look at online reviews from users in your area for insights into carrier performance.

WiFi Networks

WiFi is a great way to evade data deprioritization. On WiFi, you don’t have to worry about anything regarding your cell service. Also, if you can use WiFi to lower your monthly data use, you can level down your cell phone plan and start saving on your cell phone bill. Here are some ways to leverage WiFi to lower your monthly data usage: 

• Download Content on Wi-Fi: Download apps, music, movies, and other large files while connected to Wi-Fi to avoid using cellular data.
• Manage Background App Usage: Adjust settings to limit apps' background data usage, allowing them to update or sync only when connected to Wi-Fi.
• Find Free Wi-Fi: Look for free Wi-Fi hotspots in public places like cafes, libraries, and parks to stay connected without using cellular data.

Net Neutrality and Data Deprioritization

Net neutrality influences how mobile carriers implement data deprioritization. The principle of net neutrality advocates for equal treatment of all internet traffic, regardless of its source, destination, or content type. Here's how it can impact mobile data deprioritization:

1. Equal Treatment of Traffic: If net neutrality is enforced, mobile carriers must treat all data equally, meaning they should not deprioritize certain data types based on content or source.
2. Network Management: While carriers may still use data deprioritization to manage network congestion, net neutrality would likely restrict them from favoring certain content providers over others or deprioritizing users based on the content they access.
3. Transparency: Net neutrality regulations may require mobile carriers to be transparent about their data management practices, including deprioritization policies. This transparency allows users to make informed decisions about their plans and usage.
4. User Experience: Enforcing net neutrality leads to a more consistent mobile data experience for users, as data deprioritization must be applied fairly across all types of data and users.

With net neutrality in effect, all users of the same tier receive the same data slowdowns in times of high congestion. That leaves you free to examine multiple sources based on the data and user experience without worrying about unfair deprioritization in one source or another. 

That being said, it is not always easy to find where companies disclose pertinent information regarding data deprioritization. 

Where to find Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile’s Data Deprioritization and Throttling Info

Since Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are the country’s biggest and most popular wireless providers, here is a guide on how to find out about their info regarding data deprioritization and throttling:

Data deprioritization and throttling are good terms to know when you’re shopping for a cell phone plan. They heavily impact your phone usage if you’re one to constantly use data or find yourself on the move in populated spaces. Be sure to look at the small print the next time you compare cell phone plans.

And speaking of comparing cell phone plans, if you want to compare and contrast Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or any wireless carrier to over 1,200 other phone plans so you know you’re getting the service that’s right for you, then make sure to check out the REALLY compare page which allows you to look at pricing, coverage, what phone plans are available, current deals and steals, and how you can make the most of your potential phone bill.

Data Deprioritization: Key Takeaways

Data deprioritization is the practice of slowing down low-priority cell phone plans in favor of high-priority accounts in times of congestion. In practice, depending on congestion, you will not always have the highest speeds available. Before you go, here are some key takeaways about data deprioritization. 

• Three tiers of wireless data. Not all data is created equal. Your plan will determine your data priority and how much data deprioritization you experience. 
• Data deprioritization is not data throttling. Keep in mind that deprioritization is based on total congestion at a given time, and throttling is based on how much data you use. 
• Phones need high-speed data to function. Well, more or less. Many phone applications will run exceedingly slowly if you don’t have access to 4G LTE or 5G data.
• WiFI networks are fantastic ways to reduce data consumption. If you use more data than your current plan allows, leveraging WiFi is a great way to get within acceptable bounds. 

We hope this article has answered all your questions about data deprioritization! If you want some assistance comparing plans, make sure to check out the REALLY compare page.