WHY A NEW FEE FOR MOBILE HOTSPOT ON LIMITED DATA PLANS? IS IT LEGAL?

[bob979]

Yesterday I got a new Droid Maxx from Verizon store to replace my previous android phone.  I specifically asked about using the new phone as a mobile hotspot with the same app that I had on my previous Samsung phone.  I did NOT change my contract in any way.  I have an age 65+ plan and 2 phones for my wife and me, with 4 GB of data limit on my phone.  The sales rep said that the new phone would work exactly like the old one but when I installed the hotspot app from play store it could not be activated unless I agree to an additional $20/month fee.  I did NOT have this fee before, so what the sales rep said turns out to be wrong.  I get the same requirement with every hotspot app, including the one that is pre-installed on the phone.  This also appears to be a violation of the consent agreement of 2012 where Verizon paid a fine of $1.25 million to the FCC AND agreed not to charge for hotspot connection of additional devices on contracts with capped data plans.  Can anyone explain how this is legal under the consent agreement?  or how it is fair on a capped data plan?  I'd really like to hear from Verizon!  The bottom line from the sales rep is that it is above his pay grade.  I'm hoping that someone in the "right" pay grade will reply to this!  So far it looks like the FCC would have to be my next stop...

[#2]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-57485518-94/what-verizons-fcc-tethering-settlement-means-to-you-faq...

You mean this agreement?

Good Luck

[jroeder]

This is a customer-to-customer forum and so someone in the "right pay grade" will not respond or even see the post

With that said, it is not a new charge. If you are on the share everything plan you do not get charged for the hotspot, if you are on a Nationwide plan you do get charged for the hotspot. Since you are on the Nationwide 65 Plus plan, you will be assessed the charge to use the hotspot.

You are more than welcome to file a complaint with the FCC however look into this thread first:https://community.verizonwireless.com/message/1021500#1021500

[Tidbits]

Grandfathering works both ways. Under the NEW terms you get tethering included, but if you are under the old terms then you you have to pay the fees for tethering.

[bob979]

Yes, that is the one - and I have a limited plan - 4GB cap...

[bob979]

I'm going to try it...I have a plan with a 4 GB CAP and the way I read it, they have to let the tethering apps work without additional fees.  A benefit of being retired...I have time to pursue it. 

[bob979]

That may be what Verizon says...We'll see about FCC...It may be wasted time but the weather is not good enough for golf.

[Tidbits]

FCC has already stated the clause isn't retro active. If it was then unlimited data plans would be allowed to tether...

[#9 · Accepted solution]

bob979 wrote:

I'm going to try it...I have a plan with a 4 GB CAP and the way I read it, they have to let the tethering apps work without additional fees.  A benefit of being retired...I have time to pursue it. 

The FCC approved Verizon plans of offering free tethering to only Share Everything users. If the FCC had an issue with Verizon continuing to charge non Share Everything users a fee for tethering they would have said so. So honestly save your time and effort a complaint will get exactly nowhere. How many people do you think have already complained about his issue. Verizon still charges so obviously nothing has been done. By the way there are non Verizon tethering apps on the Google Play Store that will work without you paying a fee. Also the only 4 GB plan for 65+ is one that includes the hotspot. So maybe you're just doing something wrong when trying to use the feature. The only plans they have without hotspot are 2 GB, 5 GB and 10 GB.