Verizon has found itself under the legal menu for blocking tethering apps on Android and iOS devices. Therefore FCC has fined $1.25 million USD on it and this case appears to be forcing Verizon to adhere to Net Neutrality rules on its 700 MHz spectrum, thus the company now cannot block wireless tethering without an additional fee to its smart devices. The spectrum under investigation in this case is used to operate Verizon’s 4G LTE network.
This investigation stated that it was unlawful for Verizon to request Google to remove applications in the Google Play store that would otherwise allow users to access free tethering. The fees that Verizon charges has a $20 per month otherwise free internet access for non-Verizon devices.
The FCC spoke on how rules for this spectrum, C Block of 700 MHz spectrum, say that offering service includes that Verizon “shall note deny, limit, or restrict the ability of their customers to use devices and applications of their choice on the licensee’s C Block network.” The first questioning Verizon had on this situation took place back when Verizon still offered unlimited data plans.
