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FCC scraps net neutrality investigations of AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile

By Doug G. Ware
The FCC on Friday announced it had ended investigations of AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile that were ordered by former President Barack Obama's government over net neutrality rules. The new FCC chairman said the carriers are free to offer controversial zero-rate data plans to customers that some critics say violate net neutrality principles. File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI
The FCC on Friday announced it had ended investigations of AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile that were ordered by former President Barack Obama's government over net neutrality rules. The new FCC chairman said the carriers are free to offer controversial zero-rate data plans to customers that some critics say violate net neutrality principles. File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI | License Photo

Feb. 3 (UPI) -- The Federal Communications Commission said Friday that it is ending investigations into three major U.S. wireless carriers over potential violations of net neutrality rules.

The FCC sent letters to Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile to inform the companies that the agency's previous investigation was over.

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The probes were ordered under former President Barack Obama's government over "zero-rate" plans the carriers offered -- essentially free data use for customers when they use certain applications.

Critics said such offers violate the principles of net neutrality, which asks that all Internet service be treated equally.

RELATED January: Trump names net neutrality opponent Pai as FCC chairman

New Republican FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has been a staunch opponent of those rules.

"The [FCC] Wireless Telecommunications Bureau is closing its investigation into wireless carriers' free-data offerings," he said in a statement. "Going forward, the Federal Communications Commission will not focus on denying Americans free data. Instead, we will concentrate on expanding broadband deployment and encouraging innovative service offerings."

"While this is just a first step, these companies, and others, can now safely invest in and introduce highly popular products and services without fear of Commission intervention based on newly invented legal theories," FCC Commissioner Michael O'Reilly said in a statement.

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