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Dan Thorp-Lancaster
T-Mobile took a big step forward today in the realm of transparency over customer data allotments and throttling. A statement released by the FCC indicates that T-Mobile will begin providing a link to a speed test that will provide accurate results for users who have already been throttled for the month, rather than displaying potential network speeds as it currently does. In addition, the magenta carrier said it would be clearer about data throttling in its text alerts once users have gone over their high speed data cap for the month.
The reason for the agreement is a reaction to a step that T-Mobile took earlier this year by exempting speed tests from customer data allotments. While this was a welcomed change, it caused issues with providing accurate speed test results once a user had been throttled for the month — instead displaying normal network speeds.
As part of the agreement, the FCC says T-Mobile will take the following steps:
- Send customers a text message once they hit their monthly high-speed data allotment linking to a speed test that customers can use to determine their actual reduced speed
- Provide a button on customer smartphones linking to a speed test that will show actual reduced speeds
- Modify the text messages it currently sends to customers once they hit their monthly high-speed data allotment to make it clear that certain speed tests may show network speeds, rather than their reduced speed. The modified texts also will provide more information about the speeds that will be available after customers exceed their data cap
- Modify its website disclosures to better explain T-Mobile's policies regarding speed test applications and where consumers can get accurate speed information.
What do you make of this agreement? Let us know in the comments.
Source: FCC
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