The Federal Communications Commission hit AT&T with one of its biggest fines in history today: Ma Bell has to fork over a hefty $100 million for allegedly slowing internet speeds for folks with unlimited data plans.
Apparently, the FCC found out that AT&T throttled net speeds for people who used up a particular amount of data, slowing the internet speeds way down.
The nation’s second biggest wireless carrier has been questioned before about what it means by “unlimited.” Last year, the Federal Trade Commission made similar accusations against AT&T as the FCC did today.
In a statement, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said: “Broadband providers must be upfront and transparent about the services they provide. The FCC will not stand idly by while consumers are deceived by misleading marketing materials and insufficient disclosure.”
Aaaaand suddenly that $100 parking ticket you got last week doesn’t seem so bad.
Updated (6/17/15, 2:06 p.m. EST). AT&T’s statement below. Also, here’s an FCC filing they made earlier this year.
“We will vigorously dispute the FCC’s assertions. The FCC has specifically identified this practice as a legitimate and reasonable way to manage network resources for the benefit of all customers, and has known for years that all of the major carriers use it. We have been fully transparent with our customers, providing notice in multiple ways and going well beyond the FCC’s disclosure requirements.”
[FCC via Washington Post]