This is a relatively new agreement between mid-tier cell service providers and the significant partners they rely on for network tower access.
Total Wireless, which has recently become Total by Verizon, has a condition within its contract that states that a service holder might experience data issues.
This would be due to the data Deprioritization concept when a mid-tier phone user suffers slower service in favor of the mid-tier major market provider service holder.
In other words, a Verizon customer would be prioritized over any Total Wireless customers if the two were in the same area using data from the network.
What does Deprioritization mean?
Data Deprioritization temporarily slows a smartphone’s data speeds only during high-traffic times when large carriers need to free up network space for their customers.
Therefore, about the small markets provider’s contract obligations to allow this, Total wireless users will have to plan for this corrective action during the busier times of the day.
In the future, users will likely have to get used to this behavior; technology is constantly evolving and becoming more expensive to purchase and maintain. Some of the lower-income folks will be left behind.
The Difference between Throttling and Data Deprioritization
There is a definition of ‘Throttling,’ the depiction of which states that it is a synonym for restricting or bottlenecking the bandwidth and download speeds.
Another definition refers to the CPU lowering performance speeds because of Dynamic Frequency Technology in contrast to thermal throttling caused by the CPU overheating.
As mentioned, Data Deprioritization takes place on the network end of the IT infrastructure when it comes to slowing down processing speeds, which is the main difference between the two in question.
In theory, throttling protects the CPU, while Data Deprioritization is for data allocation.
When Does this Happen?
Data Deprioritization typically occurs when the networks are overloaded or bogged down with users requesting data through their network. As with all things, there is a limit to the capability of the service.
In other words, the network can handle only so many devices at once; mid-tier users will suffer performance losses for the price because the primary carriers must first service their customer base before the secondary carriers.
This can be timed almost; there are peak times in every city, possibly as unique as they are, and it takes a trained eye and mind to spot those times; work around the peak hours and live accordingly.
How can you Tell if it’s Happening Too Often?
There are simple ways to tell; most experts can spot when a service has been slowed, or performance has been affected. As for the everyday phone user, it takes time to spot when Data Deprioritization occurs.
Eventually, when a buffer or download takes longer, the mind will register it, and a person can learn to adjust accordingly. As if it is happening too often, this depends on the user themselves and what they use their phones for.
A customer that uses their phone as a primary source of entertainment will not suffer the loss of download speeds because of Data Deprioritization.
Can you Completely Ignore it?
Suppose there is a way to work around the peak times in usage, then yes. In that case, a user can just ignore the data Deprioritization. It is just a matter of using the data when the rest of the area is not active on the network.
Say peak time is noon to four in the afternoon, then again from six to ten in the evening.
If you are a night owl or morning person, these times will not affect your daily routine and said personality types would be able to ignore those peak times simply.
Otherwise, switching to the parent company is the more intelligent plan.
Final Thoughts on Total Wireless Deprioritization
There are going to be times when a network is going to be slowed, no matter what. That is the inevitability of a data network, especially if you are a mid-tier company borrowing from a primary carrier.
Keep in mind that the process of Data Deprioritization only occurs when a network is overwhelmed and the parent company needs to boost the speeds, taking away from the secondary service providers.
To keep away from this issue and avoid any data lapses in service a person can either adjust to the peak time schedules or get a service plan through a parent company, most likely one of the major nationwide carriers.