Senator Markey and Rep. Eshoo Query FCC Regarding Verizon Throttling of Santa Clara County Fire Department During Deadly California Wildfires

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Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) and Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA-18) sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission demanding an explanation for reports that Verizon throttled the Santa Clara County Fire Department’s ‘unlimited’ data plan during the Mendocino Complex Fire. In their letter, the lawmakers ask what steps the FCC is taking to address such critical threats to public safety in the wake its decision to repeal strong net neutrality rules. “The FCC continues to maintain a Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, which has unique expertise in public safety and a duty to ensure our communications systems, including wireless service, do not let us down when we need them most, whether during a forest fire, hurricane, or any other type of natural or human caused disaster,” they write. “Our letter does not contravene the FTC’s responsibility to investigate whether Verizon’s actions constitute an ‘unfair or deceptive practice.’ We believe that both agencies must use all of the tools available under their respective jurisdictions to investigate this public safety matter. To do nothing is unacceptable.”  


Senator Markey and Rep. Eshoo Query FCC Regarding Verizon Throttling of Santa Clara County Fire Department During Deadly California Wildfires letter (read the letter)