Company News

AT&T Will Pay $60 Million to Settle Throttling Allegations

FTC Settlement
When carriers break their promises, you pay

The FTC says AT&T will pay $60 million to settle 2014 claims that it sold “unlimited” plans and then throttled customers who hit data caps. Here’s what the settlement means for you.

1 The $60 Million Settlement

Misleading smartphone customers has a price—a very high one. According to the Federal Trade Commission, AT&T will pay $60 million to settle litigation with the FTC over 2014 allegations that the wireless giant misled millions of customers by charging them for an “unlimited plan” and then slowing their data speed when the customers hit data caps. The “bait and switch scam” was denounced by FTC Chairman Ronit Chopra in a strongly worded statement about dominant companies like AT&T whose “market power, financial resources, and one-sided information gives them license to ignore their own contractual obligations while aggressively enforcing every little clause in fine print.

2 What AT&T Must Change

Although this settlement may not have major financial consequences on a behemoth like AT&T, it sends a clear message to executives that prioritizing profit over customers with lies and scams will have consequences. According to Chopra, “AT&T fleeced its customers to enrich executives and its investors” and in addition to the monetary settlement, AT&T cannot lie to its customers again. In fact, the wireless carrier is prohibited from making any representation about the speed or amount of its mobile data, including that it is “unlimited,” without disclosing any material restrictions on the speed or amount of data. The disclosures need to be prominent, not buried in fine print or hidden behind hyperlinks. In other words, AT&T needs to be more transparent.

3 Why Carrier Promises Often Fall Short

It’s not at all surprising that big promises made by wireless carriers usually turn out to be exaggerated or simply untrue. More and more instances of such deceit cause consumers to become deeply distrustful of the company or, they are simply unaware that they are victims of a scam.

4 How to Stop Overpaying

Although we’re grateful that regulatory bodies like the FTC step in to protect customers, there’s another way you can ensure that they pay the lowest rate possible: send your monthly bills to Billshark and we’ll make sure you never overpay again.

Share:
Billshark · Bill Negotiation Experts
Helping consumers and small businesses stop overpaying on recurring bills.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much will AT&T pay to settle the throttling allegations?

According to the Federal Trade Commission, AT&T will pay $60 million to settle litigation over 2014 allegations that it misled millions of customers. The FTC alleged AT&T charged customers for an “unlimited plan” and then slowed their data speed when those customers hit data caps.

What did the FTC accuse AT&T of doing?

The FTC alleged that AT&T misled millions of customers by charging them for an “unlimited plan” and then throttling their data speed once they hit data caps. FTC Chairman Ronit Chopra called it a “bait and switch scam” and said AT&T fleeced its customers to enrich executives and investors.

What is AT&T now prohibited from doing under the settlement?

Beyond the monetary settlement, AT&T cannot lie to its customers again. The carrier is prohibited from making any representation about the speed or amount of its mobile data, including that it is “unlimited,” without disclosing any material restrictions. Those disclosures must be prominent, not buried in fine print or hidden behind hyperlinks.

Who criticized AT&T over the throttling allegations?

FTC Chairman Ronit Chopra denounced the conduct in a strongly worded statement, describing dominant companies like AT&T whose market power, financial resources, and one-sided information give them license to ignore their own contractual obligations while aggressively enforcing every little clause in fine print.

How can I avoid overpaying my wireless and other bills?

While regulators like the FTC step in to protect customers, you can also send your monthly bills to Billshark. Billshark works to make sure you pay the lowest rate possible so you never overpay again on your recurring bills.

Save on the Bills You Just Read About

Billshark negotiates your bills for you — no savings, no fee.

Estimate My Savings

Article summary.

Article: AT&T Will Pay $60 Million to Settle Throttling Allegations.

Topic: The FTC says AT&T will pay $60 million for throttling unlimited.

Section: Table of Contents.

Section: 1 The $60 Million Settlement.

Section: 2 What AT&T Must Change.

Section: 3 Why Carrier Promises Often Fall Short.

Section: 4 How to Stop Overpaying.

Easy notes.

  • This page covers at&t will pay $60 million.
  • Read one short part at a time.
  • Start with the main point.
  • Take one clear step next.
  • Use the short list first.
  • Use the short headings in order.

Article details.

The FTC says AT&T will pay $60 million to settle 2014 claims that it sold “unlimited”.

Misleading smartphone customers has a price—a very high one. According to the Federal Trade Commission, AT&T.

Although this settlement may not have major financial consequences on a behemoth like AT&T, it sends.

It’s not at all surprising that big promises made by wireless carriers usually turn out.

Although we’re grateful that regulatory bodies like the FTC step in to protect customers, there’s another.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, AT&T will pay $60 million to settle litigation over 2014.

The FTC alleged that AT&T misled millions of customers by charging them for an “unlimited plan”.

Beyond the monetary settlement, AT&T cannot lie to its customers again. The carrier is prohibited.

FTC Chairman Ronit Chopra denounced the conduct in a strongly worded statement, describing dominant companies like.

While regulators like the FTC step in to protect customers, you can also send your monthly.

Billshark negotiates your bills for you — no savings, no fee.

Billshark helps lower internet, wireless, cable, satellite radio, and other monthly bills.

This Billshark blog page focuses on the ftc says at&t will pay $60 million for throttling.

Readers can use Billshark articles to compare service costs, understand billing trends, and discover practical ways.

Each blog page is part of Billshark's larger money-saving library, which includes provider comparisons, cancellation guides.

These articles are designed to help readers make better decisions about subscriptions, telecom services, recurring monthly.

Quick takeaways.

  • Section: Frequently Asked Questions.
  • Section: How much will AT&T pay to settle the throttling allegations?.
  • Section: What did the FTC accuse AT&T of doing?.
  • Section: What is AT&T now prohibited from doing under the settlement?.
  • Section: Who criticized AT&T over the throttling allegations?.
  • Section: How can I avoid overpaying my wireless and other bills?.
  • Section: Mobile Carriers: Exposing Their Hidden Fees & Truths.
  • Section: How Much Should Internet Cost Per Month?.
  • Section: How Cable Providers Quietly Raise Your Monthly Bill.
  • Detail: The FTC says AT&T will pay $60 million to settle 2014 claims that it sold “unlimited”.
  • Detail: Misleading smartphone customers has a price—a very high one.
  • Detail: Although this settlement may not have major financial consequences on a behemoth like AT&T.
  • Detail: It’s not at all surprising that big promises made by wireless carriers usually turn out.
  • Detail: Although we’re grateful that regulatory bodies like the FTC step in to protect customers.
  • Detail: According to the Federal Trade Commission.
  • Detail: The FTC alleged that AT&T misled millions of customers by charging them for an “unlimited plan”.
  • Detail: Beyond the monetary settlement, AT&T cannot lie to its customers again.
  • Detail: FTC Chairman Ronit Chopra denounced the conduct in a strongly worded statement.
  • Detail: While regulators like the FTC step in to protect customers.
  • Detail: Billshark negotiates your bills for you — no savings, no fee.
  • Detail: Billshark helps lower internet, wireless, cable, satellite radio, and other monthly bills.
  • Detail: Our experts handle providers for customers and share updates throughout the process.
  • Detail: Customers pay only when Billshark finds savings on eligible bills.
  • Key point: Att Will Pay 60 Million To Settle Throttling Allegations.
  • Key point: The $60 Million Settlement.
  • Key point: What AT&T Must Change.
  • Key point: Why Carrier Promises Often Fall Short.
  • Key point: How to Stop Overpaying.
  • Related: Blog - All Categories.
  • Related: Wireless Mobile Carriers.

Questions and answers.

How much will AT&T pay to settle the throttling allegations?

According to the Federal Trade Commission, AT&T will pay $60 million to settle litigation over 2014.

The FTC alleged AT&T charged customers for an “unlimited plan” and then slowed their data speed.

What did the FTC accuse AT&T of doing?

The FTC alleged that AT&T misled millions of customers by charging them for an “unlimited plan”.

FTC Chairman Ronit Chopra called it a “bait and switch scam” and said AT&T fleeced its.

What is AT&T now prohibited from doing under the settlement?

Beyond the monetary settlement, AT&T cannot lie to its customers again.

The carrier is prohibited from making any representation about the speed or amount of its mobile.

Those disclosures must be prominent, not buried in fine print or hidden behind hyperlinks.

Who criticized AT&T over the throttling allegations?

FTC Chairman Ronit Chopra denounced the conduct in a strongly worded statement, describing dominant companies like.

How can I avoid overpaying my wireless and other bills?

While regulators like the FTC step in to protect customers, you can also send your monthly.

Billshark works to make sure you pay the lowest rate possible so you never overpay again.

just hired Billshark to lower their bill.