Verizon Wireless Scraps Controversial Data-Throttling Plan

The nation’s largest wireless carrier has scrapped a controversial plan to throttle speeds for its heaviest users during times of peak demand.

Verizon said Wednesday it will not implement its plan to slow speeds for customers with unlimited data plans when its 4G LTE network is at its most congested. That policy was to take effect today.

“We’ve greatly valued the ongoing dialogue over the past several months concerning network optimization and we’ve decided not to move forward,” Verizon said in a statement.

Verizon drew criticism from consumers and federal regulators in July when it announced the new policy, which it couched in terms of network management and delivering the best quality of service to its customers.

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler wrote to Verizon asking it to explain its selective treatment of customers based on their data plans.The plan also became a flash point in discussions about whether the regulator should begin applying Open Internet rules to wireless providers of broadband access.

Wheeler issued a statement applauding Verizon’s decision to reconsider the move.

“This is a responsible action and I commend Verizon’s leadership on this issue,” Wheeler said.

This article originally appeared on Recode.net.

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