FCC Claims Verizon and AT&T are Violating Net Neutrality Laws

The Federal Communications Commission issued a report claiming Verizon Wireless and AT&T’s ‘zero-rated’ services desecrated net neutrality plans. Tom Wheeler, the Chairman of the FCC, was the main supporter of the report, published by the Commission’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau. Many people consider this policy review as one last rebellious shout before the Trump administration takes office on January 20, and Wheeler deserts his post as the head of the Government agency.

Verizon Wireless and AT&T Dismiss Allegations:

On the other hand, both Verizon Wireless and AT&T (Government cell phone service providers) have dismissed the FCC’s allegations, saying their business models only encourage competition in the market without causing any harm to the customers. Before covering all relevant details, it is essential for you to know about ‘zero-rated’ services, offered by both the Government cell phone service providers.

So, let’s gain some knowledge about zero-rated services:

In the case of wireless mobile carriers, ‘Zero-rated’ services are plans for consumers to stream content from some platforms without paying for the data they consume.

AT&T’s DirecTV Now and Verizon’s FreeBee Data 360 are subsidized data programs that offer access to certain platforms and services virtually free of data consumption charges. In the case of AT&T, the benefit to subscribers is enormous since the DirecTV catalog is immense, and the content they stream does not register on their monthly data cap. Similar is the case, but to a lesser extent with Verizon’s Go90 platform.

This Practice is Rapidly Spreading Across the Industry:

Evidently, the practice is against the Open Internet Order of 2015, which supports net neutrality above biased business practices and non-ethical competition in the consumer market. The FCC report is futile without legal action. Also, several outlets have said, the latest report by the FCC lacks purpose since the present leadership has not much time to take tangible steps against these companies and their misconduct.

See Also: T-Mobile Introduces Low Cost IoT Packs Offering Wireless Data

Bernie Sanders Supports it:

Bernie Sanders is one of many Democrats who support the FCC's report. Upon learning of the FCC policy review, a Democrat parliamentary block headed by Senator Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts (D) issued a statement supporting Commission’s conclusions on ‘zero-rated’ programs. Al Franken of Minnesota, Senators Ron Wyden of Oregon, Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut backed Markey’s official statement.

At Last:

It is too early to come to a conclusion on how this will play out. Come back to this website to stay updated in this regard.