U.S. mobile carriers asked to explain tests showing they throttle particular video providers

18 November 2018 by Steve Blum
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Three U.S. senate democrats are calling out the four major mobile carriers on their throttling and prioritisation policies. Senators Edward Markey (D – Massachusetts), Richard Blumenthal (D – Connecticut), and Ron Wyden (D – Oregon) sent joint letters to the CEOs of AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon, asking them to explain results from an Internet traffic testing app that indicate they’re deliberating slowing some traffic down…

We write to express our concern that mobile carriers may be inappropriately throttling and prioritizing internet traffic from common mobile apps without the knowledge of their customers. Through the use of the app Wehe, researchers recently identified numerous instances of cellular providers throttling video and communications services.’ Such practices would violate the principles of net neutrality and unfairly treat consumers who are unaware that their carriers are selecting which services receive faster or slower treatment…In light of this study, we write to ask you about your policies regarding the treatment of internet traffic.

The companies are not obligated to respond and, given that the U.S. senate will remain in the control of republicans, the threat of a hearing or other compulsory action isn’t readily apparent. But it could be embarrassing, and it’s a good bet that the three senators will make the most of that opportunity, should it arise.

On the other hand, if they do respond, it’ll be interesting to see what they say. And particularly interesting if AT&T CEO Randall Stephenson cops to throttling the three video services – YouTube, Netflix, and NBC Sports – that the letter calls out. His chief staff lobbyist in Sacramento, Bill Devine, claimed that AT&T does not “degrade Internet traffic” during hearings on senate bill 822 – California’s net neutrality law – earlier this year. He didn’t stick to the truth in other respects; the question now is whether his boss will try to bluff it out too.