Wheeler warns Verizon CEO over wireless throttling

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler found himself “deeply troubled by your [CEO Daniel Mead] July 25, 2014 announcement that Verizon Wireless intends to slow down some customers' data speeds on your 4G LTE network starting in October 20.”

Mead had justified the throttling speeds of customers with unlimited data plans on the grounds of “network management.”

But Wheeler wrote to Verizon Mead a few days later to emphasize to him that Verizon had better tread lightly on this path. Said Wheeler:

“’Reasonable network management’ concerns the technical management of your network; it is not a loophole designed to enhance your revenue streams. It is disturbing to me that Verizon Wireless would base its ‘network management’ on distinctions among its customers' data plans, rather than on network architecture or technology.”

Then, Wheeler asked Mead for three detailed explanations of its decision, including, “How does Verizon Wireless justify this policy consistent with its continuing obligations under … open platform rules, under which Verizon Wireless may not
deny, limit, or restrict the ability of end users to download and utilize applications of their choosing… “

Read the whole letter here.

Wheeler letter to Verizon CEO Daniel Mead (FCC, Jul. 30, 2014)

FCC to Verizon: Your throttling had better be about managing congestion, not cash (Gigaom, Jul. 30, 2014)