So Verizon was double-dipping?

[CPUwalkin]

And this was Verizon's reply?

Verizon blocks unlicensed tethering, insists it can charge extra | Ars Technica

Customers who use tethering apps that don't have carrier-approved tethering plans have recently been a point of debate in net neutrality policy. Both AT&T and Verizon have forbidden such unapproved tethering in their customer agreements for years now, but the advocacy group Free Press recently complained to the FCC that blocking tethering apps "curtails, restrains, and interferes" with the ability of customers to use apps of their choice, something that would violate the open access rules Verizon agreed to when it bought a won the 700MHz "C block" of spectrum at auction.
Verizon responded to the Free Press complaint, stating that since it is not blocking tethering entirely, but rather charging for the privilege of using it, the company would be doing nothing wrong in preventing customers from circumventing these charges. The company says that C-block rules "permit nondiscriminatory tiered or usage-based pricing plans that require customers with greater capabilities or higher usage patterns to pay a higher fee." Tetherers use vastly more data than the average mobile user, according to Verizon, and therefore should be charged more.
In the statement, Verizon goes on to say that it should be uncontroversial to halt apps that allow customers to avoid paying more for a service they use more of, and "any other conclusion would be nonsensical."

Nifty. So now data access is sold in blocks with the "surcharge" included.

Well, I suppose it may help wean the mobile ethernet addicted of +8 hours/day streaming? (Yes, I really don't understand the folks who have to be wired in and oblivious to the real world - guess my age is showing, yes?)

[gTen]

Originally Posted by CPUwalkin

Nifty. So now data access is sold in blocks with the "surcharge" included.

Well, I suppose it may help wean the mobile ethernet addicted of +8 hours/day streaming? (Yes, I really don't understand the folks who have to be wired in and oblivious to the real world - guess my age is showing, yes?)

Well Verizon is doing nothing wrong based on "technicality". The one who blocks the apps is Google (yes by verizons request but its still not them directly). And they can offer you the option of paying for a service you can get free, it is a rip off but its not the first time.

But the net neutrality rules do protect you from being charged or having your account removed if you are caught tethering (not that there really is a way for them to catch you).

so moral of the story, download amazon appstore and get whatever tethering app you wish.

I have been with verizon for over 6 month and had no problems so far