All fines hurt. But some really leave a mark.
That’s the sort of damage AT&T is potentially facing today.
AT&T is looking down the barrel of a $100 million fine courtesy of the FCC. The reason? Allegedly, the company wasn’t honest with consumers and “slowed down the data speeds for customers with unlimited data plans.”
Additionally, the FCC argues, the communications giant did not “adequately notify its customers that they could receive speeds slower than the normal network speeds AT&T advertised.”
In a comprehensive statement to the press, the FCC said the following:
“Consumers deserve to get what they pay for… Broadband providers must be upfront and transparent about the services they provide. The FCC will not stand idly by while consumers are deceived by misleading marketing materials and insufficient disclosure.”
According to published reports, this is the biggest fine ever issued by the FCC.
In a statement to the media, AT&T denies wrongdoing and plans to oppose the fine, saying:
The FCC has specifically identified this practice as a legitimate and reasonable way to manage network resources for the benefit of all customers, and has known for years that all of the major carriers use it. We have been fully transparent with our customers, providing notice in multiple ways and going well beyond the FCC’s disclosure requirements.
To read the full announcement from the FCC, click here.
