Verizon to stop blocking tethering apps, settles with FCC

**BuffaloTF** · 07-31-2012, 02:40 PM

http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/31/v...ith-fcc-for-1/

In May of last year, our free ride came to an end. US carriers started blocking third party tethering apps in the Android Market. Not long after, the built in feature was turned off on most phones. Our fortune may be reversing, however. The FCC has ruled that Verizon violated the rules governing the C Block of LTE spectrum by preventing consumers from using any application of their choice. The end result: Big Red will have to open up its airwaves and allow customers to circumvent its $20 a month tethering plan using apps from the Play store -- so long as you're on a "usage-based pricing plan." Though it's not explicitly stated, we assume that means those of you lucky enough to be grandfathered in to the unlimited data plans are left out. In addition to unblocking apps such as PdaNet and Barnacle, Verizon must pay a $1.25 million settlement to put an end to the investigation. For a few more details of the plan put in place to ensure compliance with the ruling check out the PR after the break.

As someone who staunchly believed this was their right to block... I was way wrong.

Now don't mind me while I go download a tethering app...

**Antenna** · 07-31-2012, 03:14 PM

Silly Verizon, they are getting really ugly.

Maybe now I will cancel my $30 plan and keep using foxfi? I would really hate to end up giving up unlimited if they do some silly ATT stunt though....

**thegonagle** · 07-31-2012, 03:14 PM

Oh happy day!

I don't even believe this affects me directly, as I still have the unlimited data plan, but this is great news for many other customers (and for wireless consumers in general, since the big carriers tend to emulate each other's policies).

**Nucleartx** · 07-31-2012, 03:20 PM

I foresee an abrupt end to remaining unlimited data features...

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

**Eric The Duke** · 07-31-2012, 03:53 PM

lol, this happens after VZW starts including mobile hotspot with their share everything plan.

**newyork4me** · 07-31-2012, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by BuffaloTF

http://www.engadget.com/2012/07/31/v...ith-fcc-for-1/

As someone who staunchly believed this was their right to block... I was way wrong.

Now don't mind me while I go download a tethering app...

I'm glad it resolved this way, and I thank everyone who filed complaints (and urged others to do so) in response to this thread:

http://www.howardforums.com/showthre...ctions-already

**LTE** · 07-31-2012, 08:22 PM

Except that the unlimited data is not a "plan" but feature...
Just like the infamous sms 'feature'...

"usage-based pricing plan."

Usage based as in minute usage based "plan" technically... can't have it both ways...

If data is a "plan" now, then if they change the feature from unlimited to 2GB or similar, that would be a change to the plan then.

**Airb330** · 07-31-2012, 08:33 PM

After I see this I go and download FoxFi. Worked fine (a speedtest showed 5mbps/4mbps compared to 20/15 on the phone itself) though a little slow. Who cares, it is free. I'd only use it in emergencies, not to download movie rentals.

About 1 minute after I run a speedtest, turn off FoxFi, and return to my wifi I receive an email from Verizon touting their share everything plan. Coincidence? Perhaps...

**aneftp** · 07-31-2012, 08:35 PM

1.25 million dollar fine is like a $1 to Verizon. It's less than a slap in the hand. Verizon will keep on doing things illegal and not what they agreed previously with the FCC.

FCC and Verizon are in bed together on this matter. It's like they met with each other. FCC tells Verizon that they have been bad and tells them not to do it. Verizon says ok. FCC says they must impose a fine. Verizon comes up with a low number that they will write off anyways.

In the end this tiny fine will not stop Verizon from pushing the limits with their previously agreed FCC agreement.

Now if FCC imposes a 1.25 billion dollar fine. That would have made more sense. That sends a bigger message to Verizon to just stop it.

**Butthead007** · 07-31-2012, 09:01 PM

Originally Posted by aneftp

In the end this tiny fine will not stop Verizon from pushing the limits with their previously agreed FCC agreement.

I agree 100%.

I do have mixed thoughts on tethering. Some people truly abuse the hell out the feature while others are fine. When I say some people abuse it, I am talking 80 gigs a month. And yes, I have seen that type of usage with my own eyes. Those people need to get cable internet or fios or whatever. I spoke to a woman one day who wanted a mifi to replace her home cable internet so she could get netflix over 4g for use at home...on a 5 gig plan. I advised her to ensure her home had adequate access for the truck and forklift every month to deliver her bill.

There is not a doubt in my mind that vzw will come up with some new feature as a pay for use feature that they will charge for and try to do a jobsian 'reality distortion field' pitch to the unwashed masses. And they'll probably run afoul of the FCC again. And remember, FORD realized it was cheaper to pay out victims of the pinto fiasco rather than recall the cars. Gotta love these corporations.

Its amazing to me that these companies dont want to be dumb pipes but evolve. So they create new fees for everything. Take a look at how apple evolved from computer maker to digital lifestyle product vendor and conduit for content. Verizon and others have been trying to crack that one for years. I doubt they have the creativity or fortitude to undo the cranial rectal inversion that has plagued them for years.

**Dunbar** · 07-31-2012, 09:02 PM

According to the following article the agreement also says that Verizon can't charge people on "usage-based plans" extra for tethering using a third party app. Guess who has a 5GB "usage-based" plan?

http://www.zdnet.com/let-my-wi-fi-go...ng-7000001916/

**kreepykeith** · 07-31-2012, 09:45 PM

I wonder if this also applies to 3G devices? I have a Palm Pixi with the free 5GB/month Hotspot included with my Unlimited Data plan and I wonder if I'll be able to go over 5GB without incurring additional charges....

**newyork4me** · 07-31-2012, 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by kreepykeith

I wonder if this also applies to 3G devices? I have a Palm Pixi with the free 5GB/month Hotspot included with my Unlimited Data plan and I wonder if I'll be able to go over 5GB without incurring additional charges....

No. The device has to be able to access the C-block spectrum.

Here's the text of the order: http://www.fcc.gov/document/order-an...ay-125-million

**kreepykeith** · 07-31-2012, 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by newyork4me

No. The device has to be able to access the C-block spectrum.

Here's the text of the order: http://www.fcc.gov/document/order-an...ay-125-million

Oh well, so much for that.

**Sam73065** · 07-31-2012, 09:54 PM

Originally Posted by Nucleartx

I foresee an abrupt end to remaining unlimited data features...

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk

This does not affect unlimited data since that's not a usage based pricing plan. This will just free up those on the old tiered plans, such as 2gb/$30, to be able to tether and use the data they're paying for, however they wish.