New Offerings From T-Mobile, Sprint Test FCC Net Neutrality Rules, CCMI Says
New T-Mobile and Sprint rate plans appear to test the limits of FCC net neutrality rules, said CCMI telecom consultant Andrew Regitsky in a Tuesday blog post. Regitsky cited new plans by T-Mobile and Sprint that charge more for better…
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data connections. For example, Sprint launched its “Unlimited Freedom” plan in mid-August, with limits on video, music and gaming streaming, he said. Later, the carrier added the “Unlimited Freedom Premium” plan, “which is $20 more a month and allows for higher quality streaming than the original offering,” he said. “What are the FCC’s options?” Regitsky asked. “If the Commission stays on its current course, it would most likely not take any formal action against T-Mobile or Sprint but instead would hold informal meetings to warn them off these plans. If those carriers persist, only then would the Commission be likely to begin a formal complaint process. Of course consumer groups can pressure the Commission to take action.” Sprint emailed in response: "The FCC's open internet decision encourages giving customers the opportunity to choose plans with different performance options. Allowing customers to select plans that have performance options tailored to different needs or different classes of applications is good for consumers, net neutrality, and mobile competition."