Verizon slowed first responders’ web speed
Telecommunications giant accused of hindering efforts of firefighters
SACRAMENTO, CALIF. — State lawmakers say they were shocked to learn that Verizon slowed northern California firefighters’ internet service while they battled what became the state’s largest-ever wildfire.
The nationwide telecommunications company promised changes Friday.
Verizon said it has removed all speed cap restrictions for emergency workers fighting wildfires on the West Coast and for those in Hawaii, where emergency crews were rescuing people Friday from areas flooded by hurricane Lane.
The company promised to lift restrictions on public safety customers and provide full network access when other disasters arise.
The announcement came hours before a state assembly committee was set to hold a hearing on the incident.
“Californians who depend on first responders to protect their lives and property were shocked to learn that a cellular service provider could use its pricing policies to hinder the efforts of firefighters in the early hours of the Mendocino Complex Fire,” the committee’s leaders said.
They planned to examine cellular providers’ so-called “data throttling” policies and whether they imperil public safety.
The Santa Clara County Fire Department says Verizon slowed its internet communications at a wildfire command centre three weeks ago, crippling the emergency communications truck’s data speeds and forcing firefighters to use other agencies’ internet connections and their personal cellphones.
The county disclosed the problem in a court filing last week supporting a lawsuit brought by 22 state attorneys general seeking to restore net neutrality rules repealed by the Federal Communications Commission.
The filing alleges that the slowdown was caused by the FCC’s action, which allows telecommunications to slow internet speed to selected customers.
California lawmakers are considering a bill that would require internet companies to restore net neutrality in California, requiring equal data access to all customers.
But Verizon said in a statement that “this situation has nothing to do with net neutrality or the current proceeding in court.”
Rather, the county had used up its monthly data capacity under an internet plan that allows Verizon to significantly slow service. The department bought a government high-speed wireless data plan that provides an unlimited amount of data at a set monthly cost, but the company reduces speeds if the buyer exceeds its monthly allotment until the next billing cycle.
Santa Clara County Fire Chief Anthony Bowden said Verizon restored full speeds only after the department subscribed to a more expensive plan.
That shouldn’t have been immediately necessary, Verizon said, because the company’s policy is to immediately remove data speed restrictions when contacted in emergency situations.
It blamed a miscommunication with a company representative.