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Lawmakers demand answers after Verizon throttled firefighter data
Lawmakers have asked Federal Communications Commission chairman Ajit Pai to investigate after Verizon throttled the data of firefighters who were tackling wildfires in California. The company was criticized this month for throttling Santa Clara County Fire's unlimited data plan to the point that it made the service essentially useless, hampering the department's response to the Mendocino Complex Fire. Verizon later removed speed caps for first responders on the West Coast and in Hawaii.
Verizon lifts data speed caps for wildfire responders amid backlash
Earlier this week, Verizon came under fire for throttling a fire department's unlimited data while it was responding to the massive Mendocino Complex Fire that's ravaging California. The department was ultimately pushed into a more expensive plan in order to avoid speed caps. After the incident came to light and stoked widespread criticism of the company, Verizon said in a statement that its response was a "customer support mistake" and that it often lifts speed restrictions for emergency responders. Today in a new statement, Verizon added that it has now lifted speed cap restrictions for first responders on the West Coast and in Hawaii and is set to introduce a new plan for these types of responders soon.
Verizon data throttling hampered response to Mendocino wildfire
Santa Clara County Fire Chief Anthony Bowden has filed an addendum (PDF) as part of a lawsuit headed by 22 state attorneys general that's seeking to reinstate net neutrality regulations repealed by the FCC in December. In the addendum, Ars Technica reports, the fire chief claims that Verizon throttled an unlimited data plan to the extent that it made the service useless during efforts to fight wildfires. The move specifically affected a department vehicle used to "track, organize and prioritize routing of resources from around the state and country to sites where they are needed most."
AT&T will downgrade mobile video streams by default next year
We have officially entered a world in which carriers think they're doing us a favor by throttling video streams. AT&T today announced a new "feature" called Stream Saver that'll automatically downgrade whatever video you're streaming to standard definition 480p, or "DVD quality." In early 2017, AT&T will turn Stream Saver on for all customers by default, though you'll be able to opt-out of it through your account settings.
Verizon to start throttling data on unlimited LTE plans
Out of the many trappings US carriers have in common, throttling speeds for heavy data users is certainly one of them. So, accordingly, it's not surprising for Verizon to confirm reports that it will soon start slowing things down for more customers. According to Droid Life, Verizon has admitted that, beginning in October, people with an unlimited 4G LTE data plan will see reduced speeds should they fall in the network's top five percent of internet users, among other things. More specifically, this is part of a plan Verizon is calling "Network Optimization," which means throttled speeds for anyone who consumes more than 4.7GB of data per month, is enrolled on an unlimited data plan, has fulfilled a two-year contract but is still with the carrier, and attempts to "use data on a cell site that is experiencing high demand." Chances are most of you won't be affected by this, but it's definitely not good news for others who may be.
Boost Mobile to start throttling data speeds in late January
Boost Mobile announced today that starting on or around January 20th it will begin throttling data speeds for its "Monthly Unlimited" customers who exceed 2.5GB of data use. Once this threshold is broken, the company will reduce users' download speeds to a snail-like 256kbps until they enter a new billing cycle. Earlier this year, Boost's sister carrier Virgin started throttling its customers under identical terms. Both companies operate on Sprint's network which currently offers "true" unlimited data to its postpaid subscribers. Boost claims that this change will affect a small percentage of its customers, but perhaps it should consider adopting a new campaign slogan when these changes go live. How about "Restricted: It's the new unlimited"?
MetroPCS raises unlimited LTE data plan to $70, starts throttling others
Enjoying those quick, all-you-can-browse speeds on your LG Connect 4G? Well, it looks like soon you'll have to shell out a bit more cash to hold onto that beloved unlimited service. Earlier today, MetroPCS laid out the scheme to hike the pricing on its no-limits LTE offering, adding an extra $10 to the monthly fee. As for the others, the new $60 plan will now see a "soft" cap at 5GB of LTE data, while the lesser $50 and $40 deals are set at 2.5GB and 250MB, respectively. MetroPCS says you shouldn't worry, though, and that things "like Facebook, web surfing, etc., should continue to be solid." Good thing "solid" is unambiguous, right?
Virgin Mobile targets March 23rd to throttle data, take candy from children
It's been a long time coming, but after much backpedaling, Virgin Mobile is throwing down the gauntlet -- it'll begin throttling data speeds come March 23rd. Like expected, each month that a user exceeds 2.5GB of data usage, he or she will have their downloads capped at 256Kbps for the remainder of the billing cycle. Data hungry users will receive a text message once the governor kicks in, and for those who simply can't stand to be held back, Virgin Mobile will allow subscribers to begin a new month of billing at the drop of a hat -- talk about unbridled generosity. Looking to dig deeper? You'll find a complete rundown of the new contractual terms just after the break.[Candy photo via Shutterstock]
Virgin Mobile announces LG Optimus Slider, sneakily postpones data throttling until 2012
Virgin Mobile was originally intending to celebrate the new month by flipping the switch on throttled data, but it decided to push those plans back and announce a couple new phones instead. The prepaid carrier announced the upcoming launch of the LG Optimus Slider (note: it's not the Optimus Note) and the HTC Wildfire S in October and, in the same press release, nonchalantly mentioned that it would delay reducing throughput speeds for heavy users until sometime next year. No word on why this came about, but we'll take good news whenever we can get it. The LG Optimus Slider is an Android 2.3 device with a 3.2-inch HVGA display, a 3.2MP camera and 1,500mAh battery, and will be available online beginning October 16th for $200 and in Sprint stores October 30th. The HTC Wildfire S will show up in silver at Best Buy and in white at Radio Shack starting October 23rd, and can be yours for $200 as well. We can imagine which announcement you're most excited for. Check out both press releases in their glory after the break.
T-Mobile: overages on 200MB data plan in, throttling out
Bad news T-Mobile fans: AllThingsD just confirmed that throttling on the 200MB plan is going the way of the dodo, with the carrier opting to charge overage fees instead. Under the new entry-level plan, those exceeding their monthly allotment will face a $0.10 overage per megabyte, until their penalties reach $30 -- the capped surcharge. The switchover won't happen until midnight tomorrow (the 13th), so those of you seeking to get grandfathered into the throttled plan better hop to it. Or you could just splurge on a pricier data plan, just like Little Magenta would want you to...
T-Mobile to begin charging overage on its 200MB plans on August 14th?
Say it isn't so! T-Mobile, flooded by larger-than-expected demand on data, may be just a matter of days away from making a polarizing change to its 200MB internet plans. As the feature currently stands, going over your limit results in a throttling of broadband speeds, forcing your browser to surf and download at a ridiculously slow pace. The rumored adjustment to the plan, however, would take away the option completely and replace it with usage charges. Each additional MB used, according to the leaked docs, will tack an extra dime onto your monthly bill. Fortunately, the overage is capped at $30 -- preventing several potential panic attacks at the mailbox -- and only affects the lower plan; additionally, anyone currently on the 200MB plan will be grandfathered, thus retaining their unlimited (albeit throttled) internet. Those on the 2GB plan can breathe easily for now, but there's no telling when the policy will spread like wildfire throughout the remainder of T-Mobile's data offerings. The change, slated to take place on August 14th, has yet to be officially confirmed by Bellevue. Meanwhile, we continue to watch as our options for limitless internet slowly fade away into the darkness.
Sprint's Virgin Mobile brand to test throttling while Sprint pokes fun at throttlers (video)
Alanis Morrisette couldn't have possibly thought up something this ironic to put in her hit song. On the same day Sprint launches an ad campaign trashing T-Mobile's "unlimited" plan for throttling its data speeds, the Now Network announced that it intends to begin throttling Virgin Mobile's broadband sometime in October. Those who use larger amounts of data on the prepaid brand will experience the briskness of 256kbps as soon as they hit a monthly threshold of 2.5GB. This won't affect postpaid customers on Sprint for the time being, but it's hitting a little too close to home. After all, the company -- always playing the role of consumer advocate -- is now at least experimenting with the idea of employing the same practices it's currently trashing its competitors for. Those who're taking full advantage of Dan Hesse's spoils are safe for now, but the question remains: who'll throttle the throttlers? Check out the vid and press release in all their irony-dripping glory after the break. [Thanks, John]
Dutch net neutrality first in EU, mobile operators side-eye KPN
KPN may have shot itself in the foot, but the Dutch parliament certainly helped pull the trigger. Following a very public brag earlier this year that the operator was using deep packet inspection to throttle service and charge users for unintended network usage comes a massive industry buzz kill in the form of mobile net neutrality legislation. Pending approval by the Senate, wireless network operators in the Netherlands will no longer be able to shiv customers for using that nifty rival messaging, or VoIP service of their choice -- Skype and Whatsapp, for starters. The country's telcos put on their lobbying best to whine the usual lines about higher consumer prices, and shaky quality assurance, but the Dutch government called that bluff. Though the ruling bans traffic discrimination, it doesn't preclude tricksier tiered data pricing -- sneaky little carriers. While this win is a first for Europe, OG credit goes to Chile for paving the way. Not yet banned in the Netherlands? Amazing airports, tulips, and cheese wheels. [Image credit via Arbor Media]
Holland's net neutrality act threatens to disrupt mobile carriers' pricing schemes
Net neutrality advocates are gaining momentum in The Hague as Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs, Maxime Verhagen, agreed to begin drafting legislation prohibiting teleco providers from blocking or charging extra for specific data traffic. Verhagen's action comes at the request of majority leaders in Netherland's Lower House, which adopted a motion to modify the Telecommunications Act in support of bit equality. The change should cause waves throughout the nation's mobile industry as Holland's largest provider, KPN, recently announced it would use deep packet inspection to monitor and selectively charge customers based on their usage. Currently, Vodafone blocks VoIP unless customers pay extra and T-Mobile has previously suggested it might follow suit. The Economic Minister is now working with officials in Brussels to ensure the legislation is compatible with the EU framework, and the proposal is expected to go before the Dutch parliament within a few weeks. Skype and WhatsApp have received particular attention, as mobile providers argue they must offset the losses caused by these apps with surcharges -- or to block them altogether. Perhaps it's not the best week to be a telco exec in the Netherlands, but users of these "controversial" apps surely have reason to smile. [Image courtesy Flickr]
Dutch telco KPN using deep packet inspection to monitor mobile customers, throttle services
KPN set off some alarms in Holland last month when it announced a plan to start charging customers separate fees for using VoIP, streaming video, and sending instant messages. But, the question remained: how exactly would it keep mobile data users honest? The answer turns out to be deep packet inspection, which examines network traffic to identify what you're sending and where it's going. It's been suspected that the secret ingredient in KNP's service-throttling sauce was DPI, but it was finally confirmed in a presentation to investors recently. In fact, Mark Fisher, the director of KPN Mobile, bragged that it was the "very first" provider to be "able to identify by deep packet inspection what is actually the destination as data packages go along." Predictably, privacy and net neutrality advocates are up in arms, with some claiming it is a violation of the Dutch Data Protection Act. We just hope someone nips this in the bud soon -- we don't need American carriers knowing about our Scottish Fold obsession. Check out the source link for an audio clip of Fisher's confession. [Thanks, Daan]
Verizon Wireless wants to throttle you (actually your data usage)
In preparation for millions of iPhone 4 users who will soon be jumping onto the Verizon Wireless network, the company has announced that they will start throttling the data throughput of customers who consume an "extraordinary amount of data." In a PDF memo on the Verizon Wireless website, the company stated that they may "reduce your data throughput speeds periodically for the remainder of your then current and immediately following billing cycle" to ensure the best performance for all users at crowded locations and times of peak demand. Verizon Wireless will only do this if you're in the top 5 percent of the company's data users. They want to make sure that the demands of the few don't ruin network performance for the many. That's not all Verizon Wireless is doing in advance of the February 10 onslaught of iPhones on their network. The company also states that they're implementing "optimization and transcoding technologies" for data transmission to let available network capacity work for the largest number of users. They're doing this through sizing video "more appropriately" for devices, using less capacity and caching less data. Verizon Wireless doesn't believe that the process will degrade the quality of text, image and video files, but does make the disclaimer that the "process may minimally impact the appearance of the file as displayed on your device." A detailed document describing the optimization techniques that Verizon Wireless is implementing can be found here.
Warning, heavy users: T-Mobile just now turning on data throttling?
T-Mobile had become the only top-tier carrier in the US to endorse data throttling over capping back in April, and at the time, we'd thought the feature was being turned on immediately -- but new communication being passed around internally has us thinking that they're just now getting around to flipping the switch. A screen up on TmoNews says that the policy will start this Saturday, October 16, after which exceeding 5GB of data usage in a month will result in "web browsing capabilities... at slower speeds... which will be determined by [the user's] device type." If it's any consolation, the same screen says that less than one percent of users will actually be affected in practice... and something tells us most of you know who you are. But hey, getting throttled is still better than getting slammed with overage, right?
T-Mobile kills the 1GB data cap, takes a more friendly approach
It looks like T-Mobile is listening folks -- and they appear to be responding. In a statement we've just received from the company, they tell us that they're killing the hard-line approach to data capping, saying instead they'll reserve the right to cap a "small fraction" of users who abuse the network. In their words:"Our goal, when the T-Mobile G1 becomes available in October, is to provide affordable, high-speed data service allowing customers to experience the full data capabilities of the device and our 3G network. At the same time, we have a responsibility to provide the best network experience for all of our customers so we reserve the right to temporarily reduce data throughput for a small fraction of our customers who have excessive or disproportionate usage that interferes with our network performance or our ability to provide quality service to all of our customers.We removed the 1GB soft limit from our policy statement, and we are confident that T-Mobile G1 customers will enjoy the high speed of data access over our 3G network. The specific terms for our new data plans are still being reviewed and once they are final we will be certain to share this broadly with current customers and potential new customers."
