On July 25th, 2014 Verizon Wireless announced
they would throttle the top 5% of unlimited data users on their 4G LTE
network. The FCC didn’t take to kindly to the statement that if a
customer was affected by throttling they could switch to a shared
package causing customers to pay more, but does nothing to help with
congestion regardless of the plan type. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler just
wrote a letter to Verizon Wireless President and CEO Daniel S. Mead to
get some answers. Below is a copy of the letter written and the questions Mr. Wheeler would like answered.
“Mr. Daniel S. Mead
Presidentand CEO
Verizon Wireless
One Verizon Way
Basking Ridge, NJ 07920
Dear Mr. Mead:
I am deeply troubled by your July 25, 2014 announcement that Verizon
Wireless intends to slow down some customers' data speeds on your 4G LTE
network starting in October 20 14.1 Your website explained that this
was an extension of your "Network Optimization" policy, which, according
to your website, applies only to customers with unlimited data plans.
Specifically, Verizon Wireless "manage Es] data connection speeds for a
small subset of customers - the top 5% of data users on unlimited data
plans" in places and at times when the network is experiencing high
demand.2 Verizon Wireless describes its "Network Optimization" as
"network management."3
"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. The Commission has
defined a network management practice to be reasonable "if it is
appropriate and tailored to achieving a legitimate network management
purpose, taking into account the particular network architecture and
technology of the broadband Internet access service."4 Such legitimate
network management purposes could include: ensuring network security and
integrity, including by addressing traffic that is harmful to the
network; addressing traffic that is unwanted by end users (including by
premise operators), such as by providing services or capabilities
consistent with an end user's choices regarding parental controls or
security capabilities; and reducing or mitigating the effects of
congestion on the network.5 I know of no past Commission statement that
would treat as "reasonable network management" a decision to slow
traffic to a user who has paid, after all, for "unlimited" service.
Accordingly, please provide me with responses to the following questions:
- What is your rationale for treating customers differently based on the type of data plan to which they subscribe, rather than network architecture or technological factors? In particular, please explain your statement that, "If you're on an unlimited data plan and are concerned that you are in the top 5% of data users, you can switch to a usage-based data plan as customers on usage-based plans are not impacted."6
-
Why is Verizon Wireless extending speed reductions from its 3G network to its much more efficient 4G LTE network?
- How does Verizon Wireless justify this policy consistent with its continuing obligations under the 700 MHz C Block 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 on the C Block networks; how can this conduct be justified under the Commission 's 2010 Open Internet rules, including the transparency rule that remains in effect?”
