Congressman Jared Huffman

Representing the 2nd District of California

Rep. Huffman demands investigation into data throttling during Mendocino Complex fires

Aug 28, 2018
In The News
by Marissa Papanek
KRCR News

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A group of Northern California U.S. legislators are demanding an investigation into whether data throttling during the Mendocino Complex fires was unfair or deceptive.

Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02) has joined with Congresswoman Anna G. Eshoo (CA-18), a senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA-12) to send a letter with 11 Northern California Members of Congress to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) demanding an investigation into whether Verizon’s throttling of the “unlimited” data plan of the Santa Clara County fire department during the Mendocino Complex Fire was “unfair or deceptive,” pursuant to Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act.

According to a court declaration filed by Santa Clara County, the fire department contracted with Verizon for an “unlimited” data plan but experienced heavy throttling when they had reached their “cap.” These reduced speeds severely undermined department personnel’s ability to respond to the Mendocino Complex Fire, the largest wildfire in the history of California. When the fire department contacted Verizon directly about the reduced speeds and asked them to restore speeds to essential transfer speed, they were told that they would have to switch to a new data plan at more than twice the cost.

“It is unacceptable for communications providers to deceive their customers, but when the consumer in question is a government entity tasked with fire and emergency services, we can’t afford to wait a moment longer,” the Members wrote. “The FTC must investigate whether Verizon and other communications companies are being unfair or deceptive in the services they’re offering to public safety entities, and if so, to determine what remedies are appropriate to ensure our first responders have adequate service when lives are on the line.”

“Unfortunately, with its repeal of the 2015 Open Internet Order, the FCC has abdicated its jurisdiction over broadband communications and walked away from protecting consumers, including public safety agencies,” the Members continued. “We, therefore, call on the FTC to protect consumers from unfair or deceptive acts or practices stemming from this incident.”

The letter was also signed by Representatives Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11), John Garamendi (CA-3), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Barbara Lee (CA-13), Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Doris Matsui (CA-6), Jerry McNerney (CA-9), Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), Jackie Speier (CA-14) and Mike Thompson (CA-5).