FCC: T-Mobile can no longer lie about throttled data cap speeds

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t-mobile
What, me worry? Photo: T-Mobile
Photo: T-Mobile

T-Mobile has tried to make a reputation for itself lately as the most honest wireless carrier around… but the FCC just had to rap the so-called Uncarrier’s knuckles for lying to its customers about how fast their data connections were after they passed their monthly data caps.

Here’s the deal. When T-Mobile’s customers have exceeded their monthly “unlimited” data caps, they don’t get cut off entirely. Instead, their connections are throttled to just 128Kbps or 64Kbps, depending on their plan.

That’s not what got the FCC upset. What got the FCC upset was the fact that T-Mobile wasn’t allowing customers to see just how slow their throttled connections were. In fact, even after being throttled, speedtest apps would report that T-Mobile’s connection was working at full speed, because T-Mobile had actually built a system that made speedtesting apps and sites exempt from the throttling.

But that’s all changed. T-Mobile and the FCC have just announced a new agreement that will allow customers to know exactly how badly their speeds have been throttled.

“As part of the agreement, T-Mobile will send text messages to customers that will enable them to more easily get accurate speed information, place direct links to accurate speed tests on customer handsets, and revamp its website disclosures to provide clearer information about the speeds customers actually experience,” The FCC .

T-Mobile has 60 days to implement the agreement, sending text messages to any customers who hit their monthly data cap. Sounds “fair” to me: if T-Mobile is going to throttle supposedly “unlimited” customers, they should at least be transparent about it. What do you think?

Via: Ars Technica

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