Let my Wi-Fi go: FCC rules Verizon can't charge for Wi-Fi tethering
1–10 of 146 posts
Re: Let my Wi-Fi go: FCC rules Verizon can't charge for Wi-Fi tethering
#2What about AT&T? Will the FCC force them to stop charging too, or is there some reason why it's different?
Re: Let my Wi-Fi go: FCC rules Verizon can't charge for Wi-Fi tethering
#3What about AT&T? Will the FCC force them to stop charging too, or is there some reason why it's different?
It seems like the ruling was based off of particular regulations for the 4G (LTE) spectrum. I have a feeling it would not apply to 3G spectrum.
Re: Let my Wi-Fi go: FCC rules Verizon can't charge for Wi-Fi tethering
#4What about AT&T? Will the FCC force them to stop charging too, or is there some reason why it's different?
Seems like this is thanks to the open applications rule of the 700MHz spectrum auction, Block C[1], that Google lobbied to include and then bid to ensure that it would apply. That spectrum was bought by Verizon for the contiguous 48 states.
[1]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_2008_wireless_spe...
Re: Let my Wi-Fi go: FCC rules Verizon can't charge for Wi-Fi tethering
#5What about AT&T? Will the FCC force them to stop charging too, or is there some reason why it's different?
It seems like the ruling was based off of particular regulations for the 4G (LTE) spectrum. I have a feeling it would not apply to 3G spectrum.
That's depressing. Charging for wifi tethering is ridiculous.
Re: Let my Wi-Fi go: FCC rules Verizon can't charge for Wi-Fi tethering
#6What about AT&T? Will the FCC force them to stop charging too, or is there some reason why it's different?
It seems like the ruling was based off of particular regulations for the 4G (LTE) spectrum. I have a feeling it would not apply to 3G spectrum.
Right - Thank Google for this one. This was one of the conditions Google received from the FCC in exchange for placing their bid.
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5iMbsPSv2vatAVvbz_8n0xU3M...
Re: Let my Wi-Fi go: FCC rules Verizon can't charge for Wi-Fi tethering
#7Does this mean that they can simply charge more for the base fee instead?
Re: Let my Wi-Fi go: FCC rules Verizon can't charge for Wi-Fi tethering
#8Don't all of the new Verizon "Share Everything" plans include tethering? I suppose this is only relevant for archaic data plans (pre June 2012)?
Re: Let my Wi-Fi go: FCC rules Verizon can't charge for Wi-Fi tethering
#9What about AT&T? Will the FCC force them to stop charging too, or is there some reason why it's different?
Seems like this is thanks to the open applications rule of the 700MHz spectrum auction, Block C[1], that Google lobbied to include and then bid to ensure that it would apply. That spectrum was bought by Verizon for the contiguous 48 states. [1]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_2008_wireless_spe...
I guess we can hope that competitive pressure will encourage AT&T to offer Wi-Fi tethering at no additional charge. My guess is that both carriers will raise their base rate and offer it "free".
Re: Let my Wi-Fi go: FCC rules Verizon can't charge for Wi-Fi tethering
#10Does this mean that they can simply charge more for the base fee instead?
Probably, but since tethering is probably a feature 10% of their data subscribers are interested in, they would also raise the data price on the 90% that don't need it (who are also be more likely to walk away if prices go up.)