Verizon officials were contrite and apologetic during a California State Assembly committee hearing that was convened Friday to examine mobile Internet throttling experienced by firefighters during recent blazes. "We all make mistakes from time to time, the true measure of leadership is how soon we admit it, own it," Rudy Reyes told the Select Committee on Natural Disaster, Response, Recovery, and Rebuilding after reading from a statement that the company released hours earlier.
In that statement, Verizon said it would be introducing a "new plan" with truly unlimited data and "priority access" for first responders nationwide. "As of yesterday, we removed all speed cap restrictions for first responders on the West Coast and in Hawaii to support current firefighting and Hurricane Lane efforts," the company said. "Further, in the event of another disaster, Verizon will lift restrictions on public safety customers, providing full network access."
The executives spoke shortly after hearing from Santa Clara County Fire Chief Tony Bowden who said that his agency had experienced similar throttling in December 2017. The Santa Clara department had tried to address it with the Verizon accounts manager at the time.
See also: Verizon stops throttling more firefighters, plans unlimited data "with no caps"
California State Assembly plans hearing on Verizon throttling of firefighters' data
Previously on SN: Verizon Throttled Fire Department's "Unlimited" Data During California Wildfire
(Score: 4, Insightful) by SomeGuy on Saturday August 25 2018, @07:44PM (4 children)
From the linked article:
"Verizon also said it "made a mistake in how we communicated with our customer about the terms of its plan." The fire department was using an "unlimited" plan that got throttled after 25GB of usage each month."
Yeeeeaaaa. A mistake. Sure. So that is what they are calling outright lies these days.
Just a thought though, somewhere along the line these agencies agreed to verizions terms, possibly knowing what they really offered buried in the fine print.
Most consumers have long since known that any claims of "unlimited" are absolute %100 bullshit. The very meaning of the word has been perverted to the point it should be changed in the dictionary.
un·lim·it·ed/ˌənˈlimidəd/
adjective
not limited or restricted in terms of number, quantity, or extent - up to 25GB.
It is good to see the government call these assholes out on it, but I'm sure it won't change anything except sign the agencies up for an even more expensive plan.
(Score: 2) by RS3 on Saturday August 25 2018, @08:57PM
We need to see more criminal investigations and penalties for this corporate game playing (LYING). I just wish I understood why the govt. doesn't crack down more.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by LoRdTAW on Saturday August 25 2018, @10:32PM (2 children)
Savvy customers know it's bullshit. Clueless people in purchasing don't know or don't care.
My take on this whole debacle? It's on the fire department's administration for not verifying what unlimited means. When you purchase something, you do your homework. You make sure what you are buying meets all of your specs and requirements. You also talk to the vendor and verify those needs and even have lawyers go over fine print if necessary.
(Score: 2) by sjames on Sunday August 26 2018, @01:59AM (1 child)
Truth in advertising is an important part of a functional market. Which common English words do you suggest we check on next to see if the apparently English language advertising is actually English?
"Unlimited" has a meaning. Limited after 25GB isn't it.
(Score: 2) by LoRdTAW on Sunday August 26 2018, @02:09PM
No, I agree. It is bullshit. I hope this shines a brighter light on the bullshit lie that is unlimited. But lets be honest here, we've known that was bullshit for years. Someone should have done better research.