The FCC recently questioned AT&T and T-Mobile regarding their data policies. FCC chairman Tom Wheeler reported that the commission decided to send letters to both the mobile carriers and also to Comcast. According to The Wall Street Journal, these two carriers are among a handful of broadband providers that have drawn scrutiny for mobile data offerings. T-Mobile zero-rates content from specific cellphone providers for its Binge On video streaming service and AT&T is experimenting with sponsored data in which it pays the data charges rather than the user.
Last week Verizon has planned to launch sponsored data
service next year. Comcast’s Stream TV doesn’t count against usage caps for
Comcast users. Most people believe such models enable telecom companies to
boost favored content that is bound to run afoul on FCC’s net neutrality
guidelines. These models favor reputed media organizations, but net neutrality
backers argued that this makes it even more difficult for smaller players to compete.
The cellphone service provider might get affected due to this case.
The FCC didn’t react to the situation that might appear to
skirt net neutrality principles, but the commission is focused on keeping tabs
on mobile and cable industries to make changes in the data policies of cellphone
service providers.
TIA once again took issue with the FCC's stance following
Wheeler's remarks. "Consumers benefit when mobile operators provide new
services and offerings. U.S. mobile consumers are in the driver's seat, free to
pick the service that's right for them, thanks to the robust competitive
marketplace," said CTIA EVP Brad Gillen. "We need to promote and
facilitate new offerings and innovations for consumers if we are to lead the
world in mobile services going forward."
Finally, the U.S. appeals court heard the complete argument
earlier this month over the issue of the FCC’s net neutrality rules which may
eventually decide the issue.
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