Tethering apps must be allowed, FCC tells Verizon

[techbeck]

Verizon is not allowed to block the use of tethering apps, the FCC told the company Tuesday, reports GigaOm. Verizon has settled with the FCC in the dispute over tethering apps, which allow customers to use their smartphone's data plans without paying for special tethering services through Verizon. Verizon has offered a $1.25 million payment to the US Treasury as a result.

As smartphones shot up in popularity, customers began experimenting with linking their data connection to computers and other devices to allow them to connect to the Internet. Most often, this was done using tethering apps on the Android store. While the free-loving app store often let tethering apps through for purchase, they were often quickly deleted or blocked by the carrier.

Verizon specifically blocked tethering apps in order to get customers to pay an extra $20 per month to use their data plan to connect other devices via their smartphone. According to FCC (and every customer, ever), this was kind of a ripoff.

The FCC concedes that Verizon may charge $20 per month for customers who retain grandfathered unlimited data plans. But for all the rest with a concrete data limit, it's a plain-faced money grab, and the $20 per month charge needs to end. So boldly sally forth, would-be Verizon plan tetherers, and tether freely. Just watch those overage charges.

http://arstechnica.c...-tells-verizon/

[thealexweb]

A win for net neutrality here

[HSoft]

If I'm reading this right, my verizon monthly charge will soon increase by $20 whether I tether or not? That's worse than just being forced to pay the $20 a month to allow tethering. Nice job there FCC....you've probably just screwed more customers than you campaigned for.

Edit: Just read up on this elsewhere and had it clarified. If you are still on unlimited you can be charged the $20 extra if you tether. Basically, this is an empty ruling since under the new plans you get to use wifi hotspot for free (you're limited to a cap anyway) but under the older unlimited plans they can still charge the $20. Nothing changes.

[still1]

"Verizon has offered a $1.25 million payment to the US Treasury as a result."

Is this a bribe or a settlement for the issue?

seems like smartphone consumers have a win here. hope they do the same with ATT and other major carriers.

[techbeck]

Was pretty dumb for Verizon to charge anyway really. Data is being used no matter what. Why should they care what device is using it. Not going to affect them any and if people go above their limit, then more money for them.

[still1]

Was pretty dumb for Verizon to charge anyway really. Data is being used no matter what. Why should they care what device is using it. Not going to affect them any and if people go above their limit, then more money for them.

greed!!! they want the overage and the tethering money

[jdlarson83]

good, now verizon, push the damn update to my HTC Trophy WP7 that allows Personal Hotspot

[still1]

the whole reason Verizon is under fire is because of this..

http://googlepublicpolicy.blogspot.com/2008/04/cone-of-silence-finally-lifts-on.html