Verizon Wireless was scheduled to begin throttling certain LTE users today as part of an expanded "network optimization" program, but it has decided not to follow through with the controversial plan after criticism from Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler.

Since 2011, Verizon has throttled 3G users who have unlimited data plans when they connect to congested cell sites if they fall within the top five percent of data users. That's 4.7GB or more per month. In July, Verizon announced plans to extend this policy to 4G users with grandfathered unlimited data plans starting in October. But Verizon pulled the plug today, announcing its decision in a statement to Ars and other media outlets.

"Verizon is committed to providing its customers with an unparalleled mobile network experience," the company said. "At a time of ever-increasing mobile broadband data usage, we not only take pride in the way we manage our network resources, but also take seriously our responsibility to deliver exceptional mobile service to every customer. We’ve greatly valued the ongoing dialogue over the past several months concerning network optimization and have decided not to move forward with the planned implementation of network optimization for 4G LTE customers on unlimited plans. Exceptional network service will always be our priority, and we remain committed to working closely with industry stakeholders to manage broadband issues so that American consumers get the world-class mobile service they expect and value."

Verizon will presumably continue throttling 3G users. There is "no change" in the 3G policy, a Verizon spokesperson told Ars.

All major carriers throttle certain users when cell sites get too congested, but Wheeler and consumer advocates objected to how carriers choose which customers to throttle. The fact that Verizon was throttling only unlimited data users showed that it was trying to boost its profits rather than implementing a reasonable network management strategy, Wheeler said. Verizon no longer offers unlimited data and wants subscribers to switch to more expensive plans with financial penalties for using too much data.

As we noted earlier this week, carriers are willing to let customers use far more than 4.7GB of data per month without being throttled, as long as they're on limited plans that require them to pay overage charges.

Wheeler praised Verizon's announcement. "I salute Verizon Wireless’s decision. This is a responsible action and I commend Verizon’s leadership on this issue," he said in a statement sent to media.