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Note, this applies to those with tiered data only. Unlimited data users are not part of the settlement. So nothing has changed if you have the Share Everything Plan since tethering is included
http://www.fcc.gov/document/verizon-wireless-pay-125-million-settle-investigation
VERIZON WIRELESS TO PAY $1.25 MILLION TO SETTLE INVESTIGATION INTO BLOCKING OF CONSUMERS' ACCESS TO CERTAIN MOBILE BROADBAND APPLICATIONS
Washington, D.C. – Today the FCC's Enforcement Bureau released a $1.25 million consent decree with Verizon Wireless that resolves an investigation into whether the company had fully complied with the FCC's "C Block rules," requiring licensees of C Block spectrum to allow customers to freely use the devices and applications of their choosing.
FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said "Today's action demonstrates that compliance with FCC obligations is not optional. The open device and application obligations were core conditions when Verizon purchased the C-block spectrum. The massive innovation and investment fueled by the Internet have been driven by consumer choice in both devices and applications. The steps taken today will not only protect consumer choice, but defend certainty for innovators to continue to deliver new services and apps without fear of being blocked."
Verizon Wireless offers customers its 4G LTE service on C Block spectrum. Verizon Wireless bid at auction to acquire that spectrum, understanding that it was accompanied by open device and application obligations. Specifically, licensees offering service on C Block spectrum "shall not deny, limit, or restrict the ability of their customers to use the devices and applications of their choice on the licensee's C Block network," subject to narrow exceptions.
P. Michele Ellison, Enforcement Bureau Chief, said "This case was the first of its kind in enforcing the pro-consumer open access obligations of the C Block rules. It underscores the agency's commitment to guarantee consumers the benefits of an open wireless broadband platform by providing greater consumer choice and fostering innovation."
The Bureau launched an investigation after reports suggested that Verizon Wireless had successfully requested that a major application store operator block Verizon's customers from accessing tethering applications from its online market. ("Tethering" is using a wireless phone as a modem to obtain Internet access for another device, such as a laptop computer or tablet.)
The Commission also received an informal complaint alleging that Verizon Wireless had violated the FCC's C Block rules by making such a request. At that time, Verizon Wireless's terms of service required all customers who wanted to use their phones for tethering to subscribe to the company's Mobile Broadband Connect service, at an additional charge. In response, Verizon Wireless stated that the additional fee reflected the fact that customers who tether laptops or other devices have the capability to use more data capacity than others. At the time of that response, however, Verizon Wireless required not only unlimited data plan customers, but also customers who paid for data on a usage basis, to pay the
additional fee. Verizon Wireless asserted that third-party tethering applications could enable its customers to tether without paying an additional fee.
Under the terms of today's settlement, Verizon Wireless will make a voluntary payment to the Treasury in the amount of $1.25 million, and has committed to notifying the application store operator that it no longer objects to the availability of the tethering applications to C-Block network customers in the operator's online market. Verizon Wireless has also agreed to implement a compliance plan, requiring that:
· employees will receive training on compliance with the C Block rules;
· future communications with application store operators regarding the availability of applications to Verizon Wireless customers will be reviewed in advance by legal counsel; and
· Verizon will report any instances of noncompliance with the rule at issue that might occur during the two-year term of the plan.
In addition, the company recently revised its service offerings such that consumers on usage-based pricing plans may tether, using any application, without paying an additional fee.
-FCC-
For news and information about the FCC, please visit: www.fcc.gov
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Link to this news release?
I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.
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Every blog online. lol. And maybe it's just too late in the day for my brain to think, but it doesn't say anything about not applying to unlimited customers just that they recently started the Share Everything plans which have it included. And they can't really use the reasonable network management as an excuse if the average customer only uses 2GB or less eh?
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PJNC284 wrote:
Every blog online. lol. And maybe it's just too late in the day for my brain to think, but it doesn't say anything about not applying to unlimited customers just that they recently started the Share Everything plans which have it included. And they can't really use the reasonable network management as an excuse if the average customer only uses 2GB or less eh?
Yea, I am not seeing the Unlimited plan users not being included in there anywhere, actually it includes the unlimited in addition to the tiered plans.
"
At that time, Verizon Wireless's terms of service required all customers who wanted to use their phones for tethering to subscribe to the company's Mobile Broadband Connect service, at an additional charge. In response, Verizon Wireless stated that the additional fee reflected the fact that customers who tether laptops or other devices have the capability to use more data capacity than others. At the time of that response, however, Verizon Wireless required not only unlimited data plan customers, but also customers who paid for data on a usage basis, to pay the
additional fee. "
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http://www.fcc.gov/document/verizon-wireless-pay-125-million-settle-investigation
I added the unlimited comment as news outlets have stated unlimited plans are not included. Watch for throttling to arrive really soon
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budone wrote:
http://www.fcc.gov/document/verizon-wireless-pay-125-million-settle-investigation
Thank you, budone. I usually prefer to read the original source of information then a blog/news article's interpretation when possible.
I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.
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No problem. Added to original post
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Funny how Verizon diligently enforces the terms of its agreements on it's customers, but the government had force them to play by the rules of the C-Block auction.
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Not true. Unlimited plans are included. The actual ruling was regarding c-block rules and restriction of applications. Nothing to do with unlimited vs. tiered.
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I wonder if this means the built in "Mobile Hotspot" feature/application that is built into the Android OS will also be enabled without the "subscription" for tiered data users. The apps are already back in the Market for download and I have a copy of PDANet from my days at Sprint, but it would be nice and convient to just use the built in functionality without having to download an app or switch to "Pay more for Less" also known as Share Everything as both my lines have double data.
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Well when I try to use Verizon mobile hotspot I get a message I need to call some number to activate it. And yes I have a 4G device.
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But which smartphone data plan do you have, Brian68?
I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.
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Ann154 wrote:
But which smartphone data plan do you have, Brian68?
2 GB for $30.
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As far as I know now, you will have to change that plan to one that includes the mobile hotspot feature or switch to the share everything plan.
If things are changed because of this Tethering decision, then you might not need to change anything. You can wait and see if things are different.
I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.
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Ann154 wrote:
As far as I know now, you will have to change that plan to one that includes the mobile hotspot feature or switch to the share everything plan.
If things are changed because of this Tethering decision, then you might not need to change anything. You can wait and see if things are different.
Sorry but the FCC statement CLEARLY states Verizon has to provide free tethering and can't force you to change plans.
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Brian68 wrote:
Ann154 wrote:
As far as I know now, you will have to change that plan to one that includes the mobile hotspot feature or switch to the share everything plan.
If things are changed because of this Tethering decision, then you might not need to change anything. You can wait and see if things are different.
Sorry but the FCC statement CLEARLY states Verizon has to provide free tethering and can't force you to change plans.
If so, then this will certainly start a countdown for ANYONE still with unlimited data who is out of contract.
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Don't think that's what the FCC ruling is about. The C Block rule says Verizon "shall not deny, limit, or restrict the ability of their customers to use the devices and applications of their choice on the licensee's C Block network". Doesn't mean they have to allow those on unlimited plans to tether to their hearts content for free. By putting the apps back in the market, they're complying with the ruling and going to use the "reasonable network management" as a reason not to change their TOS in regards to tethering.
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Here is the full decree. I have not read it yet
Order and Consent Decree, Verizon Wireless to Pay $1.25 Million | FCC.gov
Some notes after reading it. It looks like there is a 60 day window for this to occur.
The other important piece which I spoke of earlier in the thread is below.
One thing I notice is the comment, "
Verizon Wireless customers on usage-based plans who subscribe to Mobile Broadband Connect
for tethering may terminate their subscription to that service without penalty."
That tells me to get free tethering, ya must switch to the Share Everything plans....
So..... nothing new except the penalty
Other Actions
. Verizon Wireless commits that it will notify, or has notified, the
Application Store Operator that it no longer objects to the availability of the eleven tethering
Applications described in paragraph 4 to Verizon Wireless C-Block Network customers in the
Application Store. On June 28, 2012, Verizon Wireless modified its pricing plans to allow
customers on usage-based plans to tether their devices without paying an additional fee, while
customers on unlimited usage plans must continue to pay an additional fee to tether their devices.
Verizon Wireless customers on usage-based plans who subscribe to Mobile Broadband Connect
for tethering may terminate their subscription to that service without penalty.
15.
Message was edited by: budone
Message was edited by: budone
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Wonder what hand at&t is going to get Dealt with they basically did the same:
http://www.androidcentral.com/verizon-and-att-blocking-tethering-apps-android-market
http://www.androidcentral.com/verizon-pay-125-million-blocking-tethering-apps-c-block-devices
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AT&T may be safe since it's looks like only the upper c block is subject to the additional rules. AT&T has the lower part of the 700MHz spectrum. http://money.cnn.com/2012/07/31/technology/verizon-tethering-apps/index.htm
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Hey thanks PJ for the clarification i wasn't sure on it. It look like when i first seen it that at&t might pulled in the deal as well. That's a Chunk a Change to be Given away.! And i feel in long run we's are the one's that will have to end up pay for it. b
