Verizon throttled CA firefighters’ data while they were firefighting

Verizon throttled the data of the Santa Clara County Fire Department while it was fighting the still ongoing Mendocino Complex Fire, the largest wildfire in California’s history. The throttling – or slowing down – service to the firefighters, which has a so-called “unlimited” data plan, was detailed in court documents as part of an appeal to reinstate the FCC’s net neutrality rules. Verizon stopped throttling the first responders after the department upgraded their plan.

Verizon first tried to blame the throttling on a “customer support mistake,” but eventually accepted responsibility after Santa Clara officials rejected that excuse.

Last year, the Republican majority FCC eliminated bright-line rules to prevent blocking, favoritism on the Internet – and throttling. The regulators eliminated essential safeguards that ensure fair Internet access to all users, clearing the way for abuses like those suffered by the Santa Clara firefighters.

California is one of 29 states seeking a state-level solution after the Republican-controlled FCC eliminated essential safeguards that ensure fair Internet access to all users.

CWA opposed the FCC’s decision to abolish rules that have helped maintain a free and open Internet for all Americans, and supports the three bright-line, common sense rules of no blocking, no throttling, and no favorable treatment to some websites and applications over others.

Links:

Verizon throttled fire department’s “unlimited” data during Calif. wildfire (Ars Technica, Aug. 21, 2018)

CWA: FCC vote will damage free and open Internet (Speed Matters, Dec. 14, 2017)

CA lawmakers push net neutrality bill (Speed Matters, July 9, 2018)

Democrats work to save net neutrality (Speed Matters, Jan. 19, 2018)