Verizon Sues FCC Over Data Roaming Rules

PCMag.Com - Verizon Wireless has filed suit against the Federal Communications Commission over its data roaming rules, arguing that the commission does not have the authority to establish such restrictions.

According to the suit, filed last week in the U.S. Court of Appeals for D.C., the FCC's data roaming order is: in excess of the commission's statutory authority; is arbitrary, capricious, and an abuse of discretion; contrary to constitutional right; and otherwise contrary to law.

Verizon wants the court to throw out the FCC's rules and provide it with any damages it deems necessary.

In early April, the FCC handed down rules that will require wireless carriers to offer "reasonable" data roaming rates. The rules will let wireless users stay connected when they travel outside their own network's coverage areas by connecting to another provider's network, the FCC said.

The rules, which were approved on party lines by a vote of 3 to 2, are important to smaller carriers that told the FCC that they cannot compete against larger wireless providers like Verizon and AT&T without data roaming agreements.     Read More