They’re already given unlimited data? It just gets throttled the 2G speeds.

They can also just go to the local library or Starbucks for the WiFi if they need more.

Please go try and do anything on the internet at 2G speeds in todays world.

You can barely even use FB messenger (you need to get messenger-lite).

I only know this cuz tmobile would give you free 2g all over europe. it was JUST BARELY helpful. mostly just sms and email.

google maps was unusable etc. This only got worse over the years.

They now give you free 3G and it's bearable. 2G is insanely slow in the 2020+ world.

2G ~= 5 KB/s. That means 40 seconds just to download a properly optimized react bundle.

5MB site? 16+ minutes.

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TheDong 2 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

2G speeds isn't really full access to "the internet" for some parts of the internet.

My experience with 2G speeds is:

1. Open job application site

2. Upload resume pdf

3. Upload required picture of ID

4. Server's nginx config has a hard-coded timeout after 1 minute. Connection error

5. Try to upload again

6. Connection error

A huge number of pieces of the web have hardcoded timeouts and limits designed to stop slowloris style attacks, and if your connection is slow enough, those will prevent you from ever being able to complete some tasks.

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coryrc 2 hours ago | parent [-]

You'll need to go to the library then, if you can't manage to watch your data use and use your free phone only for important usage.

I've paid for 2GB/mo for years now. I think I ran out once.

	▲	lukevp 2 hours ago \| parent [-]
		This thread is about how a static text article loaded 500 megs in the background. How would someone prepare for that exactly? This is effectively malware as far as your bandwidth is concerned.

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lukevp 2 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

People on government assistance are just casually going to Starbucks for free wifi? They probably don’t even have a reliable way to get around. Let them eat cake?