FCC levies its largest fine in history against AT&T

We’ve been dealing with network providers throttling data speeds for a few years, ever since the exit of unlimited data plans, and the introduction of data tiered plans. Well AT&T seems to have finally gotten a little bit of what they deserve with the latest ruling from the Federal Communications Commission.

According to the filing that was released today, the FCC is slapping AT&T with a $100 million fine for throttling data speeds to customers with unlimited data plans. This will mark the first time that the FCC has levied a fine this large against any company.

Within the report, the FCC has claimed that AT&T intentionally slowed data speeds for those who are still rocking the older unlimited data plans. These users experienced speeds that are lower than what every other customer receives which is where the violation lies.

Tom Wheeler, FCC Chairman, after experiencing a tremendous amount of heat over the whole Net Neutrality issues that have been around for the last year or so, seems to be on the side of the consumer, although this was a prepared statement.

Consumers deserve to get what they pay for. Broadband providers must be upfront and transparent about the services they provide. The FCC will not stand idly by while consumers are deceived by misleading marketing materials and insufficient disclosure.

Now, there will be an appeal by AT&T for sure, so although the $100 million fine is the largest ever levied against a company by the FCC, this number could drop. Also worth noting, the consumers that have been affected by the drop in data speeds from AT&T, will not reap any of the rewards, instead, any judgement will be nested into the U.S. Treasury.

Let us know your thoughts on the reports and fines found by the FCC, and whether this is a start of things to come for these mobile service providers who attempt to bully around the consumers.

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