Today, the Federal Communications Commission voted on circulation to approve a Notice of Inquiry to examine the impact of data caps imposed by internet service providers on consumers. Many broadband providers impose limits on the amount of data subscribers can download a month – even subscribers to supposedly “unlimited plans.” Subscribers who exceed their data cap may incur significant charges, have their speeds throttled, or even lose access entirely until their new billing cycle begins.
The following can be attributed to Harold Feld, Senior Vice President at Public Knowledge:
“Data caps remain one of the most mysterious – and abusable – limits for consumers using broadband. Providers offer multiple ‘unlimited’ plans with different limits, and different punishments for exceeding those limits. But despite the widespread use of data caps for both mobile and wireline broadband, we have virtually no way to know how these impact people.
“As we can see in the hurricane devastation zones, people depend on connectivity for their safety. In our post-pandemic world, that includes widespread use of video calling, streaming safety instructions from local officials, relying on real-time applications to reach safety, and other bandwidth-intensive uses. Even in our daily lives, people increasingly use video calling and video streaming as part of their professional and personal lives. Are bandwidth caps preventing people from using the applications they need? How widespread are bandwidth caps? How much extra do consumers pay to use services they already pay for? Right now, we have no way to know.
“The FCC has both the authority and the responsibility to investigate these questions whether or not broadband is a Title II telecommunications service or Title I information service. We applaud Chairwoman Rosenworcel’s determination to launch this important inquiry in the face of partisan and industry opposition, and look forward to the light it will shed on how data caps impact our digital lives.”
Members of the media may contact Communications Director Shiva Stella with inquiries, interview requests, or to join the Public Knowledge press list at shiva@publicknowledge.org or 405-249-9435.