Bowden said the vehicle’s data speed was drastically reduced as the department grappled with the Mendocino Complex Fire, which has burned more than 350,000 acres. Even though the department alerted Verizon of the emergency, he said the company did not immediately restore its high-speed wireless service because of the limitations of the department’s data plan. This customer purchased a government contract plan for a high-speed wireless data allotment at a set monthly cost. “Regardless of the plan emergency responders choose, we have a practice to remove data speed restrictions when contacted in emergency situations. Ars Technica previously reported on the allegations against Verizon by the Santa Clara Fire Department.

Source: Washington Post August 22, 2018 13:37 UTC