Tethering Complaint Filed with FCC against Verizon

[Ricky Babalu]

Oh boy this just got interesting. A complaint has been filed against Verizon for blocking tethering applications with the FCC.

Free Press Files Tethering Complaint Against Verizon | PCWorld

 

[srkmagnus]

Wow. Very interesting read and curious to see how this plays out.

 

[Droid800]

Going at it from the Net Neutrality point of view is a losing battle. Net Neutrality isn't the issue. Verizon isn't blocking what you look at on your phone, or throttling speeds based on the type of content. Net neutrality isn't about blocking access to a network; its about blocking or slowing access based on the TYPE of data being sent/received. (we're not talking the difference between tethering or data on the phone; we're talking watching YouTube videos versus visiting some mainly text websites)

 

[Dark Wizard Matoya]

Interesting indeed. I'll defiantly be watching to see how this all plays out.

 

[kirksucks]

(we're not talking the difference between tethering or data on the phone; we're talking watching YouTube videos versus visiting some mainly text websites)

sounds like a decent case against tiered data plans. you like videos and streaming media? NO SOUP FOR YOU!!!

:-$

 

[Droid800]

sounds like a decent case against tiered data plans. you like videos and streaming media? NO SOUP FOR YOU!!!

:-$

Not really. They're not stopping you from viewing it, which is what net neutrality is focused on.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[kirksucks]

I suppose, but its clearly targeting heavy users. Heavy as in, streaming content.

 

[Droid800]

I suppose, but its clearly targeting heavy users. Heavy as in, streaming content.

Net neutrality doesn't care about that though. It only cares that you have access to it, and its not being blocked. Verizon doesn't see the traffic as being of a separate type, its just charging you if you want to use more data. (one of the central tenants of net neutrality is that carriers are essentially 'content blind' when it comes to network management) A user could, quite possibly, use up their data allotment just using regular data and no heavy streaming. But they'll be treated the same way as a customer that streams heavily and uses up their allotment as well, which is the whole point of net neutrality. It does NOT mean that carriers cannot throttle data, or charge more for higher usage. It just means that what's actually being transmitted can have no bearing on those decisions.


Does that make sense?