Speaking of American Telephone and Telegraph, the company rounds out the
2012 list with its early December decision to cave (at least in part)
on its block of FaceTime use for its cell subscribers. FaceTime is an
Apple app that allows users to video chat between Apple devices
(especially iPhones). Neither Sprint nor Verizon had trouble with the
app, but AT&T blocked it based on the claim that users would occupy
too much bandwidth.
The claim was technically questionable. Worse, the decision was barred
by the FCC’s net neutrality regulations. Though a service provider could
conceivably charge users extra for excessive use, it can’t block
software entirely. Only Ma Bell knows for sure whether the decision was
prompted by potential legal woes or the possibility of losing customers
to less assholish competitors.
Media criticism. Pop culture snark. And movie reviews. Lots and lots of movie reviews.
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