Verizon Wireless Targets Unauthorized Smartphone Tetherers

Days after AT&T announced its plan to stop its smartphone customers from unauthorized tethering, Verizon wireless is doing the same. 

The nation’s number one wireless carrier, Verizon, now requires users to have a hotspot -capable data plan if they wish to tether data from their smartphones to other devices. Those who attempt to tether illicitly, through apps like MyWi, will be redirected to a Verizon webpage to upgrade to a tethering plan for an additional $20 a month. 

Lots of Policy Changes
This is not the only change to come to Verizon data plans this summer, as the carrier unveiled a new tiered data plan in July, eliminating unlimited data contracts for new customers. With the carrier’s biggest rival, AT&T, removing unlimited data plans last year and enforcing a tethering plan of $45 a month for customers who illegally tether, Verizon followed suit to stay on top of the U.S. wireless market.

The fight to maintain its number one spot will become increasingly harder for Verizon if AT&T’s acquisition of T-Mobile passes government rulings. The merger would improve AT&T’s network and supply the carrier with 20 million more subscribers than Verizon.