FCC Complaint Filed against Verizon about Tethering Applications - Droid Forum

administrator · #1 06-06-2011, 11:13 PM

FCC Complaint Filed against Verizon about Tethering Applications

The consumer group Free Press has filed a complaint with the FCC saying that Verizon is violating open access provisions by banning third-party tethering apps.

So I've known for a little while that applications such as PDAnet and other tethering apps have been removed from the Android Market for Verizon customers. When you look at the applications on the new phones, it becomes quite obvious as to why this happened. All you have to do is look at the mobile hotspot application on the Droid X for instance. It's there so you can tether via cable or via Wifi. But guess what? You gotta pay 20 bucks a month or more for 2GB of data per month. It's just another way for Verizon to make money off their customers.

While I understand the carriers want to make money, it's never made sense to me that I pay 30 something dollars extra for an unlimited data plan on said phone, and then want to charge even more just to hook your laptop up to that device. If you pay for unlimited data, why the restriction on that data only being through the phone? I can possibly see that they don't want to overload the network but the common sense in me says that it's just to make an extra buck.

So anyway, enough of my rant. Here is the nuts and bolts about the issue:

First of all we know that Android 2.3 users have reported to us that they aren't able to use those third party apps at all, for tethering. When they try to use the app, they get a message from Verizon saying that if they want to tether, they need to subscribe to the service for 20 dollars per month and user Verizon's tethering application.

So after this, we see those applications disappearing from the Android Market even though you can still get them on the Amazon app market. While I can see why, it's clear that Verizon has much more power as to what goes on the Market then we thought, given that Google was strongly voicing about keeping the market open to all who qualified to put an app up.

So Free Press has filed a complaint with the FCC about the issue on June 6th. Their description of the complaint explains that Verizon has violated the rules that govern the licenses for its LTE network. Licensees of the C Block of the upper 700 MHz block, over which Verizon runs its LTE network, may not “deny, limit, or restrict” the ability of their customers to use the applications or devices of the customers’ choosing.A full PDF copy of the raw complaint is available as an attachment to this post. While this may seem like good news, my concern is that if the FCC rules against the complaintant, you can say goodbye to free tethering forever. It seems to me though that the complaint makes a lot of valid points. What will happen from this point remains to be seen but you'll either be able to tether for free or you'll be paying 20 bucks per month.

Lets hope that Free Press will win on this one.

FEEL FREE TO DISCUSS RIGHT HERE!!

cooly · #2 06-07-2011, 08:43 AM

That's awesome guys. Can we start a petition or anything to support this? This double charging needs to be stopped!

administrator · #3 06-07-2011, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooly

That's awesome guys. Can we start a petition or anything to support this? This double charging needs to be stopped!

I agree that in a way this could be good but my concern is that to make up for any lost revenue, they jack up the price of their current data plans or something else. This is a wait and see thing. I agree that tethering fees suck, but I would just hold back to see what happens. I'm a bit nervous about this no matter which side wins.

cooly · #4 06-07-2011, 12:17 PM

They are double charging for a single data connection. It's wrong.

compwrench · #5 06-07-2011, 01:40 PM

The only time I have actually thought about tethering was Sunday, a storm came through and we lost electricity, unfortunately the towers must have lost power as well because all I could get on my Droid 1 was a 1x connection. Internet was painfully slow on the phone while looking for a place to buy a hotplate to finish cooking our dinner. I had just bought a generator the day before. I figured hooking it up to my laptop would have been more painful. As far as how I have been charged, I have been paying for the unlimited service and the most I have ever used was 500 meg, most months it is less than 100, most closer to 50. I am leery of getting a lesser plan because if you go over that's when they bend you over.

Redleg · #6 06-08-2011, 08:21 AM

This will probably be the nail in the coffin on unlimited data. There havve been rumours of them going to a tiered data plan and this would probably help push it along.

administrator · #7 06-08-2011, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redleg

This will probably be the nail in the coffin on unlimited data. There havve been rumours of them going to a tiered data plan and this would probably help push it along.

Which would suck because the unilimited data plan is a pretty good deal. I'm just not getting it when they say unlimited but then put caps on the usage. I guess it's their rules and we must play by them unless we want to end up with a 10 thousand dollar bill in the mailbox one day.

compwrench · #8 06-08-2011, 02:10 PM

I am part of my wife's family plan that she got to force her Folks to carry a phone. Theirs are just plain and we don't use the minutes up like we used to when we delivered 48 states. I think it's the minimum family plan. 2 years ago I decided I wanted a smart phone so I got one described as one that wasn't. Then around Droid time I used my wife's new every two to get my Droid. I sold the fake smart phone I got for $10 less than I paid, she kept her Envy Orange that she was still in love with and we were all happy. I have thought about going 4G with Sprint because I'm pretty sure their network is real good here around Charlotte and my Sister has one in TX and loves it but I cant get it for the $40 I currently spend with Verizon so I will be patient and wait for Moto...HURRY UP!!!

cooly · #9 06-25-2011, 10:28 PM

The big idea pushing the 4g is streaming. Such as netflix, if Verizon limits data plans, it will kill that idea. We all know how Verizon rapes ya for going over your minutes! I can just imagine the fees if you go over you data allowance.
If Verizon changes my plan, I, and the 4 phones on my plan, will be leaving Verizon!!!!!! There are way to many other cell companies out there! I have been a loyal customer since 94, and have brought a lot of friends and family to Verizon. Looking back, Verizon charges for EVERYTHING!!! THERE ARE NO PERKS OR FREEBIES, EVERYTHING! Unlimited data for $30 isn't terrible, and I use the hell out of mine!
Verizon is what it is today because of loyal customers!! It's time they gave us a **** break. They should leave the data unlimited, if they don't, I should not be the only customer bailing out!

Redleg · #10 07-07-2011, 08:13 AM

Verizon just announced no unlimited Data for new customers. Probably get the rest of us at renewal....