Verizon Responds to FCC's Concern Over Throttling LTE Unlimited Data Plan Users

Verizon Wireless has responded to the FCC over the carrier's plan to throttle 4G Unlimited LTE data plans. Verizon first announced its plans to throttle the top 5% of 4G LTE unlimited data customers last week. However, once announced, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler voiced his concerns over Verizon's plan.

According to the letter (via The Verge) written by Kathleen Grillo, the company's SVP of Federal Regulatory Affairs, Verizon assures the FCC that it is doing no wrong in throttling customers. It notes that other carriers like AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile have already implemented some form of throttling. "This practice has been widely accepted with little or no controversy," writes Grillo.

"We are providing this notice several months in advance to be open and transparent with our customers about network management practices that could affect their service."


Verizon takes it a step further and says its competitors throttle even if the cell site is not congested, whereas Verizon has "tailored" practices that ensure customers only get throttled where network congestion is an issue.

Verizon even takes a shot at T-Mobile CEO John Legere and says the "Uncarrier" service provider throttles "regardless of whether customers are at a location experiencing congestion."

In response to Chairman Wheeler's reference to C Block Rules regarding Verizon's obligation to not limit, deny or restrict the customer from utilizing that spectrum, Verizon states that their "customers continue to be free to go where they want on the internet and to use the applications, services, and devices of their choice."

We'll keep you updated on whether or not the FCC decides to respond or take action, but until the FCC clearly defines and outlines what "unlimited data" means, we see no end to these arguments.