+++
title = "AT&T is pulling some serious doublespeak right now."
summary = "Is AT&T a common carrier, according to AT&T? It depends on who's asking."
date = "2015-01-10T12:00:00-0600"
tags = []
categories = []
syndication = [
	"https://medium.com/trwnh/at-t-is-pulling-some-serious-doublespeak-right-now-8fc64f268f36"
]
inReplyTo = [
	"https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015/01/att-defends-unlimited-data-throttling-says-the-ftc-cant-stop-it/",
	"https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/01/att-tells-fcc-it-cant-treat-mobile-data-as-a-common-carrier-service/"
]
[[resources]]
name = "featured"
src = "opengraph.jpg"
+++

The FTC is suing AT&T over its mobile data policies, particularly throttling "unlimited" customers. [AT&T filed a motion to dismiss this suit](https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2015/01/att-defends-unlimited-data-throttling-says-the-ftc-cant-stop-it/), saying that since AT&T is a common carrier, they fall under the jurisdiction of the FCC instead.

<figure>
<img src="ftc.jpg" alt="Ars Technica headline, January 8, 2015: AT&T defends unlimited data throttling, says the FTC can't stop it" />
<figcaption>"You have no power here. Only the FCC can stop us."</figcaption>
</figure>

Except just a few days later, [AT&T tells the FCC](https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/01/att-tells-fcc-it-cant-treat-mobile-data-as-a-common-carrier-service/) that mobile data doesn't fall under common carrier rules, and cannot be regulated without Title II.

<figure>
<img src="fcc.jpg" alt="Ars Technica headline, January 9, 2015: AT&T tells FCC it can't treat mobile data as a common carrier service." />
<figcaption>"You can't stop us. You don't have that power."</figcaption>
</figure>

So, which is it?