AT&T to Throttle Data Speeds for 'Unlimited' Hogs

NEW YORK (AP) — AT&T says it's going to start limiting speeds for the 5 percent of its customers with "unlimited" data smartphone plans who clog the airwaves the most.

The company said Friday it will put the measure into effect Oct. 1.

T-Mobile USA already throttles users who go over certain limits for data consumption.

AT&T stopped signing up new customers for "unlimited" plans last year. Instead, it now lets heavy users pay extra when they go over a certain data allotment. Verizon Wireless also recently stopped signing up new customers for unlimited service.

AT&T says it will warn users who approach joining the top 5 percent, and anyone subject to the speed limits will experience them at least until the next billing cycle starts.