Reddit, Mozilla Urge FCC to Act on Zero Rating, Usage Caps A group of companies including Reddit, Kickstarter, Mozilla, Etsy, Vimeo and others have sent a letter to the FCC (pdf) urging the agency to conduct a formal, transparent inquiry into broadband usage caps and "zero rating" of certain content. When the FCC passed net neutrality rules last year it failed to specifically address usage caps or zero rating, saying it would use the "general conduct" portion of the rules to address anti-competitive harm on a "case by case basis."

But a growing number of companies have been using usage caps anti-competitively as the FCC appears stuck in neutral. Both Verizon and Comcast now exempt their own streaming services from usage caps, in the hopes of giving themselves an unfair advantage in the market. AT&T has started only selling unlimited fixed and wireless plans if users subscribe to DirecTV. And while consumers generally like T-Mobile's "Binge On" program because it exempts the biggest video services, critics still say it violates neutrality because it fails to whitelist all the smaller companies, startups, or non-profits competing with said services. So far, the most we've seen from the FCC is some closed door meetings and a few letters the FCC calls an informal "information exercise." The list of companies told the FCC in their letter they'd like it if the FCC got the ball rolling with a more transparent, official inquiry into usage caps and zero rating. "Giving ISPs the power to favor some sites or services over others would let ISPs pick winners and losers online—precisely what the Open Internet rules exist to prevent," the companies wrote. "Given how many stakeholders participated in the process to make these rules, including nearly 4 million members of the public, it would be unacceptable not to seek and incorporate broad input and expertise at this critical stage," they added. A growing list of countries have recognized the slippery slope of zero rating and banned the practice entirely, including The Netherlands, Norway, Chile, Japan, and India. The FCC 's A growing list of countries have recognized the slippery slope of zero rating and banned the practice entirely, including The Netherlands, Norway, Chile, Japan, and India. The FCC 's banning of caps for seven years as a Charter condition indicates the agency recognizes the anti-competitive potential of usage caps, though the FCC may be waiting until the broadband industry's lawsuit against the rules is settled before taking more substantive action -- if it acts at all.







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Most recommended from 13 comments



buzz_4_20

join:2003-09-20

Biddeford, ME 17 recommendations buzz_4_20 Member Usage Caps / Zero Rating Without the fake limit, there's no need to Zero Rate.



Just another way to make customers part with money.

camper

just visiting this planet

Premium Member

join:2010-03-21

Bethel, CT 11 recommendations camper Premium Member Really, the only solution... ...Both Verizon and Comcast now exempt their own streaming services from usage caps, in the hopes of giving themselves an unfair advantage in the market....



For the companies that have interests in both HSI and cable TV, the only real solution is to split the companies up so that the company that provides the last mile service is independent.



This would allow that last mile company to be more focused upon supplying a quality, reasonably-priced HSI service to customers without the interference of being used to prop up a dying old-model cable TV business.

Anon25839

@comcast.net 9 recommendations Anon25839 Anon Not the same Verizon zero-rates only a Verizon product/service, and Comcast zero-rates only a Comcast product/service. T-Mobile zero-rates any company's product/service that meets the technical requirements of the Binge On program--any company can apply to participate.



See the difference?

shimonmor

Premium Member

join:2000-12-30

Sedro Woolley, WA 4 recommendations shimonmor Premium Member There is still time The FCC still has plenty of time to determine a solid and logical course of action. I would prefer that over a knee-jerk reaction which leads to shoddy legislation which creates more problems. Of course, that's assuming the FCC has the balls, the fortitude and the expertise to act in such a manner. But given their history and the fact that they are a government agency, my gut tells me the FCC will fumble this issue at the goal line. On the other hand, they did show signs of life by enacting Net Neutrality...but now the true litmus test...can they enforce it?