A new Federal Communications Commission consent decree with Verizon Communications settles a dispute about whether it is lawful for Verizon to charge a special fee for its users who want to use their Android smart phones as personal hotspots, using some of its 700 MHz spectrum.
The FCC decision concludes that tethering is a lawful end user activity, and no mobile service provider has a right to block access to mobile apps that turn an Android smart phone into a personal Wi-Fi hotspot, based on provisions relating to the acquisition by Verizon of 700 MHz spectrum.
The rules do not seem to apply to Sprint, T-Mobile USA or AT&T, though, as a practical matter, AT&T smart phone users, for example, can use their Android devices as personal hotspots, without additional charge, if they buy certain mobile data plans. Sprint continues to levy a discrete fee for the personal hotspot feature.
The FCC also said that Verizon can charge an additional tethering fee for those customers who are on an unlimited data plan.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Tethering is Lawful, No Fee Can be Levied, FCC Rules
Gary Kim was cited as a global "Power Mobile Influencer" by Forbes, ranked second in the world for coverage of the mobile business, and as a "top 10" telecom analyst. He is a member of Mensa, the international organization for people with IQs in the top two percent.
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