T-Mobile has promised the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that it will be more transparent about the information it gives customers about their Internet connection speed.
The pledge involves telling customers the truth about their connection speed, according to Apple Insider. The move also follows the FCC's discovery that the company was giving customers false information during speed tests.
T-Mobile's data plans come with a limit that customers must stay under if they want to keep their connection speed from slowing down to as low as 64kps. However, the company doesn't take these throttling limitations into account during speed tests, which makes it look like a customer's data connection is functioning as usual.
The FCC said it was worried about this issue, as it could confuse customers and prevent them from knowing what they're getting with T-Mobile's services, PC Magazine reported.
As part of the deal, T-Mobile will make several changes over the next 60 days, which include sending text messages to customers when they reach their high-speed data allotment each month. The texts will let them know if their data will be throttled and to what speeds. T-Mobile will also provide customers' smartphones with a button that gives links to speed tests showing real speeds, and it will change the disclosures on its websites so customers have a better understanding of the company's policies for speed tests apps.
"Chairman Wheeler recognizes that speed test apps help consumers make choices among competing mobile broadband services, and we agree," a T-Mobile spokesman said in an email. "The additional disclosures we're providing to consumers on this issue will be sure to prevent any confusion and are another solid Un-carrier move."
FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said he was grateful for T-Mobile's collaboration and how the company is working to inform customers better about connection speeds, PC Magazine reported.
"Consumers need this information to fully understand what they are getting with their broadband service." Wheeler said.
