Want­ a lower Comcast bill? Complain to the FCC

Broadband providers are probably fielding some new complaints now that the Federal Communications Commission has begun accepting formal objections under its new net neutrality rules. And it seems they are responding quickly. Two customers, one of Comcast and one of Time Warner Cable, told Ars that the cable providers gave them price breaks last week shortly after they complained to the FCC about what they claim are unfair billing practices.

These two complaints weren’t about net neutrality violations, but both customers we talked to seemed to be spurred into action by the FCC expanding its complaint system. Moreover, the FCC’s net neutrality order also reclassified broadband providers as common carriers, allowing for penalties if their billing practices are “unjust” or “unreasonable." The FCC has not said exactly what constitutes unjust or unreasonable pricing.

Customers could already complain about billing before the net neutrality order took effect, but the FCC now has more power to make sure they're being treated fairly. And Internet providers have more reason to take the complaints seriously.

“We do not resolve individual complaints on these issues,” the FCC says on the complaint website. “However, the collective data we receive helps us keep a pulse on what consumers are experiencing, may lead to investigations and serves as a deterrent to the companies we regulate.”

http://arstechnica.com/business/2015/06/want%C2%AD-a-lower-comcast-bill-complain-to-the-fcc