Commission Document

• Print
• Email

NEWS
Federal Communications Commission

News Media Information 202 / 418-0500

445 12th Street, S.W.

Internet: http://www.fcc.gov

Washington, D. C.  20554

TTY: 1-888-835-5322

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:

July 31, 2012
Louis Peraertz, (202) 418-2100
louis.peraertz@fcc.gov

STATEMENT OF COMMISSIONER MIGNON L. CLYBURN ON ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 

ENFORCEMENT BUREAU ENTERING INTO A CONSENT DECREE WITH VERIZON 

WIRELESS ON BLOCKING OF ACCESS TO TETHERING APPLICATIONS

“I was deeply concerned when I heard of allegations that Verizon Wireless had requested that a major 
application store operator block Verizon’s customers from accessing tethering applications in the 
operator’s online market.  One of the reasons the Commission chose, in December 2010, to apply less 
stringent Open Internet rules to mobile wireless services was its expectation that Verizon Wireless’s 
compliance with the openness conditions, which we imposed on carriers that operate on upper 700 MHz 
C Block spectrum, would promote greater consumer access to mobile applications and services.  Today’s 
consent decree serves as a stark reminder that the Commission cannot take compliance with Open Internet 
rules for granted. 
“I thank Free Press for filing an informal complaint to bring this our attention.  I also commend Michele 
Ellison and her staff at the Enforcement Bureau for entering a strong consent decree.  The voluntary 
payment in excess of one million dollars and the requirement that legal counsel must first review 
communications with application stores about the availability of applications to Verizon Wireless 
customers send a strong message about how much this Commission cares about rules we adopt to protect 
consumers and promote competition.” 
-- FCC--

---