T-Mobile to Be More Transparent About Customer Data Throttling

T-Mobile will stop showing throttled users bogus speed test results and be more transparent about when customers' data speeds have been reduced, the FCC announced this week.

"The FCC is committed to ensuring that broadband providers are transparent to consumers," Chairman Tom Wheeler said in a statement.

Several T-Mobile data plans throttle the data speeds of users once they use up a set amount of data - usually down to 128 kbps or 64 kbps - rather than adding overage charges.

But according to the FCC, throttled users who tried speed test apps were shown results that measured T-Mobile's full network speed, instead of the actual reduced speed available to them at the time.

The FCC said it was "concerned that this could cause confusion for consumers and prevent them from obtaining information relevant to their use of T-Mobile services."

Rather than hand down a fine, the FCC reached a deal with T-Mobile whereby the carrier will make a few changes in the next 60 days: send text messages to customers when they reach their monthly high-speed data allotment, which outline that their data will be throttled and to what speeds; add a button on customer smartphones that links to speed tests that show actual speeds; and modify its website disclosures to better explain T-Mobile's policies regarding speed test apps and where consumers can get accurate speed information.

"Chairman Wheeler recognizes that speed test apps help consumers make choices among competing mobile broadband services, and we agree," a T-Mobile spokesman told PCMag in an emailed statement. "The additional disclosures we're providing to consumers on this issue will be sure to prevent any confusion and are another solid Un-carrier move."

"I'm grateful T-Mobile has worked with the FCC to ensure that its customers are better informed about the speeds they are experiencing," Wheeler said. "Consumers need this information to fully understand what they are getting with their broadband service."

The FCC has been investigating other wireless carriers' speed reduction practices since the summer, sending letters to all four major U.S. companies. Verizon Wireless last month announced that it cancelled its plan to begin speed reductions for 4G customers on unlimited plans.