The FCC is establishing a process by which it will examine data caps and the impact they have on residential and business customers.
The two steps to this point are establishing a portal by which citizens can comment and a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) which launches a formal proceeding enabling the commission to consider consumer impact and collect information on specific questions.
“For most people in the United States, rationing their internet usage would be unthinkable and impractical. But, for millions, limitations on how much data they can use online is a constant concern. And many are not happy about it,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said in a press release about the data caps issue.
“Restricting consumers’ data can cut off small businesses from their customers, slap fees on low-income families, and prevent people with disabilities from using the tools they rely on to communicate. As the nation’s leading agency on communications, it’s our duty to dig deeper into these practices and make sure that consumers are put first.”
The NOI seeks input on the current state of data caps under the microscope. Topics to be investigated by the FCC include whether data caps cause harm to competition or consumers’ ability to access broadband internet services and why the data caps continue despite subscribers’ increased broadband needs and providers’ increased ability to offer unlimited data plans.
The NOI seeks information on trends in data usage; the impact of data caps, consumers’ experience with data caps and how they are informed about data caps. The NOI also seeks information on data caps’ impact on competition and the FCC’s legal authority to take action regarding data caps.
The FCC posted hundreds of comments that it has received from consumers about data caps. The press release included several of them. Here are two examples:
From Arkansas: “We have had to unplug our modem to prevent going over our data cap. We have to take our kids to find public wifi to complete their school work. We can’t afford $190 a month for unlimited internet.”
From Iowa: “I am disabled and as such home 24/7 most days. My home internet usage is 2tb a month. During the pandemic [provider] waved the data cap on ACP plans. Since ACP expired my Internet bill increased from $20 to $50 and I now have a data cap of 1.25tb. As a result I have to rely on my phone’s hot spot. I’ve also connected my TV to the public Wi-Fi in my city which is much slower but helps me save data.”
