FCC to discuss zero-rating and net neutrality violations with AT&T, Comcast and T-Mobile

Dec18

by Sindy Cator on December 18, 2015 at 5:28 am

Posted In: Around the Web, AT&T, comcast, fcc, net neutrality, t-mobile, Tom Wheeler, Zero-Rating

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently wrote to AT&T, Comcast and T-Mobile, asking them to a meeting to understand whether their programs to exempt certain online services from customers’ data caps are in violation of net neutrality principles. On the surface, it sounds like those carriers are offering users a sweet deal; for example, you could stream Netflix and HBO on T-Mobile’s Binge On service without having them chew your monthly data allowance. The trouble is that such programs, known as ‘zero-rating’ services, favor participating companies’ offerings over others and making it difficult for competitors to reach audiences. They…