Well it's official. What many of us have long-suspected has finally been confirmed:
Verizon Wireless hates firefighters.
What other explanation could there be for the techno-conglomerate slowing down California firefighters' mobile data to dial-up speeds as they were battled the Mendocino Complex Fire.
And oh yeah....for those who weren't aware: the Mendocino Complex Fire is the worst wildfire in California history. And Verizon's disgusting oversight could very well have led to people losing their lives.
So how did it happen? It's all due to what mobile data providers call "throttling," where they slow the speed/bandwidth of an internet connection for various purposes.
The most common reason is when a data customer exceeds their mobile data allowance (for example, going over their 5 GB data plan limit), and this is what Verizon mouthpieces are saying happened with the firefighters.
If you ask me, public servants should always have an unlimited connection. No exaggeration. People's lives are at stake.
Verizon has admitted this gross error, per spokeswoman Heidi Flato:
In this situation, we should have lifted the speed restriction when our customer reached out to us.
Sorry. I'm not buyin' it.
Read more about Verizon's death-throttling at CNN.