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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: 2, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday August 25 2018, @07:59PM (3 children)
In an emergency situation, cell networks get SWAMPED with traffic as everyone in the area calls out for help, and everyone who knows anyone in the area calls in for information.
I would much prefer it if the networks give priority access to emergency responders in such a situation. But that's not a very "neutral" thing to do.
(Score: 1) by Acabatag on Saturday August 25 2018, @09:54PM (1 child)
Indeed. If Net Neutrality were in force, the carriers would be prohibited from giving 'priority access' to certain users. Isn't that what NN is all about?
(Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday August 25 2018, @10:26PM
No. NN is primarily about preventing carriers from preferring one service provider's traffic over another. Essentially, trying to prevent monopoly communication providers using their position as a gatekeeper to manipulate competition in the market for internet services.
Joe Bob paying more and getting a better service than Billy Bob is considered normal and acceptable. But when either of the Bobs try to access OurTube's service, and their carrier provides an inferior connection than to MyTube's services, that's when things start getting NN-questionable.
(Score: 2) by All Your Lawn Are Belong To Us on Monday August 27 2018, @06:08PM
It is available to cellular services to provide for voice calls. [fcc.gov] I mean very available. [dhs.gov]Very, very available. [verizon.com]
Though I'll acknowledge data services are different.
This sig for rent.