Regulator Complaint: TMobile throttling data to pressure people on retired plans

Hi everyone,

I know this might not be the most down-to-earth legal issue compared to the usual questions here, but I wanted to ask what an ordinary consumer can actually do if a carrier seems to be throttling data in a way that feels deceptive.

I’m on one of T-Mobile’s older “unlimited data” plans that they’ve since retired. Over the past few years, my speeds have dropped sharply after a few dozen gigabytes of use, even though I’m still being billed for “unlimited 5G.” Customer service claims it’s an Apple problem (I have an iPhone 16), but the slowdown happens consistently regardless of location or congestion.

I’m aware that telecom giants have been caught throttling before. The FTC’s case against AT&T in 2014 and the Electronic Frontier Foundation’s tests on T-Mobile’s old “Binge On” program come to mind. Given that background, I’m wondering:

• Is there any legal recourse for a consumer in this situation, like small claims court, a class action, or a complaint to the FTC or FCC?
• Are there any consumer protection statutes or state laws that cover misleading use of the word “unlimited”?
• And if this post isn’t right for this subreddit, are there better places (like a consumer rights or telecom-related sub) where I could ask?

I’d like to know what tools exist when a major company quietly undermines the service you’re paying for. Thanks in advance for any insight or direction.

Location: Washington, DC