"A new report by an influential Stanford law professor concluded that T-Mobile’s new video offering is likely “illegal” under net neutrality rules.
Professor Barbara van Schewick submitted a 51-page report to the Federal Communications Commission on Friday that accused the carrier's program, named Binge On, of violating the FCC’s general conduct rule that bars Internet service providers from unreasonably interfering with customers’ Internet choices.
“Binge On harms competition, innovation, and free speech — all harms that the general conduct rule is meant to prevent. Taken all together, it is likely that Binge On violates the general conduct rule and is therefore illegal,” the report says.
Van Schewick is a regular and influential face at the FCC. The Hill previously reported she made some of the most visits of any individual to the FCC about net neutrality when the rules were being drafted.
The report adds to growing criticism from public interest groups about the T-Mobile program, which exempts certain video from customers' monthly data caps but also reduces the download speeds of all video. "