FCC Levies Toughest Fine Ever For AT&T'S Alleged 'Throttling'
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- One hundred million dollars.
That's the fine the Federal Communications Commission says it will impose on AT&T Mobility for misleading consumers.
It is the largest fine ever proposed in FCC history, and results from the FCC's belief that AT&T told consumers they would have an unlimited ability to send and receive data, including video, but then 'slowed down' the Internet speed after customers reached a certain level.
It's called throttling.
"Unlimited means unlimited," Travis LeBlanc, FCC Enforcement Bureau chief said in a statement. "The Commission is committed to holding accountable those broadband providers who fail to be fully transparent about data limits."
The FCC says it has received thousands of complaints about AT&T over the past several years.
AT&T says it will vigorously dispute the fine, noting, "The FCC has specifically identified this practice as a legitimate and reasonable way to manage network resources."
"We have been fully transparent with our customers, providing notice in multiple ways and going well beyond the FCC's disclosure requirements."
The FCC has already sued AT&T in federal court, saying the company should refund customers who were offered unlimited data packages but ended up with slower data speeds.
That case is still in federal court.
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