Some of you may remember that earlier this year, T-Mobile had made a petition to the FCC for clearer rules for data roaming. Because right now the data roaming rules are really confusing, especially for customers, and it looks like the FCC has agreed with T-Mobile on this matter, they announced yesterday. And thus disagreeing with Verizon and AT&T’s side of this whole thing.
“In our view, the data roaming rule was intended to permit consideration of the totality of the facts and therefore to permit a complaining party to adduce evidence in any individual case as to whether proffered roaming rates are substantially in excess of retail rates, international rates, and MVNO/resale rates, as well as a comparison of proffered roaming rates to domestic roaming rates as charged by other providers.”
As expected, after the FCC made their announcement yesterday, T-Mobile was quick to praise them, stating: “We commend the FCC for taking this important step to promote competition by facilitating reasonable data roaming rates for all carriers and their customers.”
Also, as expected, AT&T and Verizon does not agree with the FCC’s decision here, and will likely appeal the entire commission on the decision. Why? Because they have the most to lose here, and they don’t want to lose. Verizon stated that in the matter of the ruling was made was “deeply troubling.”
Earlier this year, T-Mobile also petitioned the FCC to change the auction rules for the upcoming spectrum auction. To make it fair for all 4 carriers. Since, obviously, T-Mobile and Sprint don’t have enough money to outbid Verizon and AT&T, who already have a ton of low-band spectrum. And T-Mobile and Sprint both need some desperately. They won that petition as well. So this is another win for T-Mobile right now, who seems to be on a pretty big roll lately. What will they do next? I’m sure we’ll find out at CES in a few weeks.