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Friday, May 6, 2016

ISP's use "zero rating" get around Net Neutrality

From Fight For The Future:

The “zero-rating” threat to Net Neutrality and the Open Internet is still very real. I’m writing today because there’s one thing we need everyone to do: file a complaint to the FCC, and demand that they do not make a decision on zero-rating behind closed doors.

First, a recap: Comcast, T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon have a new way to get around the Open Internet rules we fought for, called zero rating.[1] They're imposing data caps and fees on their customers, and then exempting certain apps and websites (e.g. the ones that they own, or that pay them big $$$) giving those sites a huge unfair advantage––and manipulating what we see and do online.

For example, in Massachusetts, Comcast is now limiting how many shows you can watch on Netflix, but exempting its own crummy Netflix clone, "XFinity Stream TV". And they’re rolling this out nationwide. [2]

Their plan was to sneak this zero-rating scam through the FCC. But we've been working to stop it, and we need your help.

Don't want to give Comcast the power to decide what sites you visit? Click here to file a complaint to the FCC!

Fight for the Future has been working behind the scenes to mobilize net neutrality allies, we've already collected 80,000 complaints, and we're planning a petition delivery outside the FCC.

When we deliver these comments to the FCC, we want to have 100,000 complaints against fast lanes ready to submit. 100,000 is the number that'll be a huge wake-up call to the FCC and the DC press.

Can you submit your complaint right now, to help us hit our goal of 100,000?

Even if you filed a complaint before, it's worth doing again, as we've made some improvements. Now, you can submit complaints against each company individually, which means the FCC can *legally require* that company to respond. This new approach means more pressure on the companies, and (in our view) more influence on the FCC's decision as well.

You don't have to be a customer of these companies to file complaints, but if you are, say so! And the more you can personalize the complaint, in your own words, the better.

File your complaint right now to defend the Open Internet.

What's at stake? Well, here's a breakdown.

1. Comcast is rolling out data caps that punish Netflix and Youtube viewers, while exempting its own jaw-droppingly terrible streaming TV service “Xfinity Stream TV” to force people to watch *that* instead. File a complaint against Comcast.

2. T-Mobile is throttling nearly every website that uses HD video, and forcing small sites to make an expensive technical arrangement with T-Mobile to get their videos working again. File a complaint against T-Mobile.

3. AT&T and Verizon are imposing data caps and charges, and then charging sites to escape them. If this takes off, small sites that can't pay will be put out of business, and big sites will start passing the costs on to you. File a complaint against AT&T and Verizon.

The worst part of all of this is, we’re hearing that the FCC could decide on this soon without consulting anyone except Comcast, AT&T, Verizon & T-Mobile themselves! That’s why we’ve included in each new complaint the demand that the FCC open up an open process, and we’ve added a way to call the FCC and demand this after you take action.


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