AT&T's New "Sponsored Data" Service Sucks For Everyone Except AT&T

[Commentary] AT&T’s Sponsored data program is essentially exploiting a loophole in existing net neutrality policy that exempts wireless providers from the same regulations: AT&T’s Sponsored Data program would be illegal over wired connections. This gap in regulation is particularly frustrating as consumers moved to mobile devices in droves over the past year -- it’s where the data-using populace is going, and it’s ripe for exploitation. Furthermore, AT&T’s program wouldn’t exist without the institutionalization of data caps among ISPs. What was an inherently ridiculous instance of false scarcity is now the norm, and while connectivity options like Google Fiber demonstrate how much better our networks can be, there remains little incentive for ISPs to improve their infrastructure. It would be nice to think that this is all needless handwringing, but history doesn’t support that. We’re already paying money for data limits that don’t exist, and once one carrier finds success, the rest generally follow suit.