AT&T and Verizon respond to FCC on own-brand zero-rate programs

“We were disappointed by your December 1, 2016, letter about Verizon’s free data service, FreeBee.”

That was the first line Verizon’s response to the Federal Communications Commission over concerns that Verizon’s sponsored data program, in prominent use for the company’s own go90 streaming service, and AT&T’s offer to zero-rate DIRECTV NOW streaming for its cellular service subscribers are not with the spirit of the 2015 Open Internet Order.

The order aims to ensure that entities do not have to pay for a “fast lane” to deliver content through their ISPs. But another, more generic goal — to “increase choice and lower costs for consumers” — seems to be in contest from the nation’s two biggest networks.

Both companies refused to provide traffic figures for its services and competing services on their networks. They also did not disclose how much of that streaming is being zero-rated.

Verizon continues to insist that go90’s participation in the FreeBee program to the logical fallacy that “no provider could ever participate in its own paid free data program — which can’t be the case.” At least, so says the company running a telecom and a content streaming service.

AT&T claims that the commission cannot sustain its arguments against a so-called “common carrier” telco cannot provide an affiliated content provider with the same data discount as it does to competing services. It also claims that the FCC lacks delegated authority to act against its program and that the Trump Administration will favor the carriers’ position on this issue.

The post AT&T and Verizon respond to FCC on own-brand zero-rate programs appeared first on Pocketnow.

from Pocketnow http://pocketnow.com/2016/12/19/att-and-verizon-respond-to-fcc-on-own-brand-zero-rate-programs