There’s been a bit of a brouhaha the last couple of weeks regarding Verizon’s Network Optimization program. After Verizon confirmed that it planned to slow the speeds of 4G LTE customers that meet certain criteria, the FCC Chairman described the effort as “disturbing.” Now it appears that Verizon’s response to the FCC has leaked.
The Verge claims to have gotten hold of a copy of Verizon’s response to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler’s reaction to Network Optimization. In the letter, Verizon reportedly explains that the throttling will only occur “under very limited circumstances” and that speeds will return to normal when a particular cell site is no longer under heavy load.
Verizon goes on to point out that the unlimited data customers that may be affected by its Network Optimization currently have “no incentive not to” consume mammoth amounts of data. The big red carrier points out that it’s warning these heavy users months in advance of the 4G Network Optimization kick-off.
Finally, Verizon says that the other big three U.S. carriers already throttle data speeds for one reason or another and that they’ve done so “with little or no controversy.” Ol’ Red goes on to describe those throttling practices as “less tailored,” specifically calling out T-Mobile’s ability to slow a customer’s speeds regardless of whether or not they’re connected to a congested cell site.
Overall it sounds like Verizon makes many of the same arguments that others have made regarding its Network Optimization so far: that unlimited 4G data customers will have to meet a very specific set of criteria before their speeds are throttled. Whether this letter is enough to calm the FCC and its Chairman remains to be seen, but it’ll definitely be interesting to see how the agency reacts.
How do you feel about Verizon’s Network Optimization policy?
Via The Verge
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