Consumer advocates attack Verizon for limiting third-party tethering
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Now, the Free Press, a consumer advocacy group, has filed a formal complaint with the FCC. When Verizon bought the 700 MHz spectrum in 2008, they agreed to certain open access provisions. And the Free Press claims that Verizon's crackdown on wireless tethering is in direct violation of those spectrum purchase provisions:
"Because users download tethering applications for the express purpose of connecting additional devices to their data connections, Verizon’s actions also limit and restrict the ability of users to connect the devices of their choice to the LTE network."
GigaOM appropriately pointed out the real joke here: Google, who is complicit in restricting access to third-party apps, was the very company that demanded the open access restrictions in the first place. At the time, Google was also bidding for the spectrum, so there was obviously more at play than Google's supposed mission of openness. But the transition might also be indicative of Google's serious ideological shift over time, i.e. Android's growing restrictions.
source: Free Press via GigaOM
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19 Comments
1. Knicknevin posted on 06 Jun 2011, 14:06 3
I want to use my 'Unlimited' (5GB) however I want to use it!
18. tuminatr posted on 07 Jun 2011, 00:32 0
verizon does not have a limit to the browsing of the phone, tethering if you pay for it has 2gb for $20
2. Droid_X_Doug posted on 06 Jun 2011, 14:19 1
But VZW doesn't want you to use your unlimited data plan however you want to use it. In their mind, the 'unlimited' portion of your data plan was for using the handset which you purchased to use the plan.... And, since they control access to their network, if you don't play by their rules, they can say no thank you to your business.
Think things are bad now? Just wait until AT&T-Mobile merge. Then you will have one less alternative when VZW and AT&T-Mobile decide to rape you.
5. bluechrism (unregistered) posted on 06 Jun 2011, 14:45 0
Agreed, but data is data. If there is 5GB data available to me and i whittle it away by hooking my laptop to my phone and watch a netflix move, download a full linux distribution and do a spot of realtime gaming, then i should be allowed to, knowing that for the rest of the month I won't be able to do a thing. And as it all goes through my phone that should be fine, even if the phone isn't the ultimate thing that's consuming the data.
Ultimately, what it comes down to is Verizon has a data network for peoples houses for PC's and laptops to use and they don't want you to think you could ever just pay them for one pot of data and use it for all you devices. Many countries cell networks allow tethering, but then again, do those networks have what would be seen as competing technologies like landline or internet services.
9. remixfa posted on 06 Jun 2011, 17:30 0
easy answer..
Root it and use Googles on free Wifi Tether..
Carriers can only control UNrooted devices.
27. Muttley (unregistered) posted on 07 Jun 2011, 10:46 0
....or DON'T root & just install the PdaNet app & tether wired or wireless until your blue in the face.
http://junefabrics.com/android/index.php
3. WirelessCon posted on 06 Jun 2011, 14:27 0
Advocacy through lawsuits or passing new laws is the only way to destroy tethering restrictions.
We should make it happen state by state.
4. trin posted on 06 Jun 2011, 14:38 1
The consumer will lose when it's all said and done. Companies will either lift the restriction and charge more or switch to an any device, tiered data usage model which will result in us paying more.
17. Gawain posted on 06 Jun 2011, 23:41 0
On top of that, VZW's "promise" of open access meant nothing about "free services". Bunch of moronic arguments were sure to follow. The intention was to allow more open standards of the systems running on the devices and the apps they may use. Apps that bypass intended service offerings are never going to get a green light. VZW owns the network. If you want to play on it, you got to pay. No one is forcing anyone to use their service. There are a bazillion options besides VZW, up to, and still including payphones...
This will force more "creative" ideas and the consumer will get the pinch again...courtesy of some "advocacy group" supposedly out to "protect" consumers...bunch of horse sh*t...
6. B (unregistered) posted on 06 Jun 2011, 14:46 2
I hope the little carriers, boost, virgin, pcs really start to take up market share and force the big guys to loosen up (like my gf ;-) ) They have really good pricing plans but just sucky access area for now.
7. jbash posted on 06 Jun 2011, 14:58 4
2 of the 3 you named are owned by sprint the third largest network
8. ATTCallCenter (unregistered) posted on 06 Jun 2011, 15:56 0
Haha, excited about your first girlfriend? I remember when I was in forth grade
11. FORTHgradeGirlfriend (unregistered) posted on 06 Jun 2011, 18:12 0
you never called !! also its "Fourth"...maybe you should think about heading back...
12. iami (unregistered) posted on 06 Jun 2011, 18:22 0
this is what i like to see. verizon apperantly aggreed to have open access and now there charging extra for it. Hopefully these people have good lawyers and win this thing so we get free teethering. Ofcourse that will prob result in tierd data so wed be paying a lot more. In that case and by that time i hope virgin mobile gets better coverage and everyone just leaves vzw and att who charge more then double for same thing. sickning
13. iami (unregistered) posted on 06 Jun 2011, 18:32 0
ps anyone know how to root a droid x with gingerbread. I updated to gingerbread everyone kept raving bout better batery i keep gettin battery over heating now and no more wifi lol
14. droidlova (unregistered) posted on 06 Jun 2011, 21:11 1
Damn people are morons. Think a little. Why do you think ATT went to tiered pricing for their iphones?????? It wasnt because they wanted to loose customer to verizon. It was because they couldnt take the pounding of all those rooted iphones. A dude at a game was bragging about its rooted iphone and its 35 gig of data running slingbox amongst other apps. I did verify it by the way. It clearly states in the data agreements you may NOT use tethering. This aint the commercial about getting your lottery payments in one lump sum, "its my data, and I want it now".
Why do all-you-can-eat banned you if you eat too much?
Thats what sucks, that a few feel that cheating its ok as long as you dont get caught?
If I own verizon, I damn well would block those apps too.
Finally most people forget that sorry ass sprint was forced to become the cheaper carrier. You think they really want to have an unl data. They became the worst company 10 years ago and thats why they went to hell. They are still losing money and they cant keep doing this for long. I doubt they are too big to fail.
15. codymws posted on 06 Jun 2011, 21:53 0
I love Verizon, but I think I should be able to use my data however I want.
26. taco50 (banned) posted on 07 Jun 2011, 08:51 0
Unlimited on a phone is way different than on a pc. You can use way more data on a pc so you shouldn't get to use your phones unlimited plan for free tethering.
28. PIsSeD "off" H@cKeR! (unregistered) posted on 12 Aug 2011, 16:18 0
VerizonWireless assholes... you have f**ked me over for the last time! It's on muh-fukas! I WILL NOT backdown I will NOT pay $ 500.00+ for 3rd party tethering on my "UNLIMITED" service plan that I once paid for... and I will NOT rest until YOur network is shut the f**k down! I hope s**tting on your customers was worth it...f**k you, f**k your company and f**k your $...your $ cant stop me. ha ha Bye bye douchbags. :)
