Open Internet Principles

As a supplement to our Terms of Service, we’ve provided a breakdown of our network management policies in relation to the FCC’s November 2011 ruling on Net Neutrality.

These policies have not changed as a result of the ruling – we are simply required to detail them in compliance with FCC regulations. The full in-compliance document may be found below our summary.

Summary:

Socket supports a free and open internet. We do not inspect, modify, or limit the content you access online.

Per the FCC rules submitted Friday, September 23rd, 2011 (and effective as of Monday, June 11th, 2018), the following three rules are adopted:

  1. Transparency. Fixed and mobile broadband providers must disclose the network management practices, performance characteristics, and terms and conditions of their broadband services;
  2. No blocking. Fixed broadband providers may not block lawful content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices; mobile broadband providers may not block lawful Web sites, or block applications that compete with their voice or video telephony services; and
  3. No unreasonable discrimination. Fixed broadband providers may not unreasonably discriminate in transmitting lawful network traffic.

The rules against blocking and unreasonable discrimination are subject to reasonable network management, and do not prevent broadband providers from offering specialized services such as facilities-based VoIP.

Compliance with these rules is detailed in the following sections.

Network Practices:

  • Affiliated Prioritization
    • Socket does not favor any traffic for the purposes of benefiting an affiliate.
  • Blocking
    • Socket does not block or otherwise prevent access to lawful content.
  • Throttling
    • Socket does not throttle, or otherwise degrade or impair access to, lawful internet traffic and content.
  • Application-Specific Behavior
    • Socket does not block or limit lawful content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices, unless explicitly requested by the customer (generally for the purposes of family or office network management).
  • Paid Prioritization
    • Socket does not favor traffic in exchange for compensation, monetary or otherwise.
  • Congestion Management
    • Socket does not engage in congestion management practices.
  • Security
    • Socket monitors its network for security threats, including malicious traffic, denial of service attacks, and compromised accounts. In cases where customer accounts are determined to be compromised, traffic may be blocked until the account can be secured. Security threats are determined by traffic patterns, and are never related to subject matter or content.
  • Device Attachment Rules
    • Socket does not limit network connectivity by device. For certain residential products, equipment is supplied, and an equipment fee may be applicable. For certain commercial products, customers must use the supplied router to maintain network integrity.

Performance Characteristics:

  • Service Description
    • Socket provides internet access via various DSL technologies, Ethernet over Copper, T1, T3 and fiber-optic facilities. Speeds vary by location and product – see www.socket.net for details.
  • Impact of Specialized Services
    • No specialized services which affect last-mile capacity are currently offered.

Commercial Terms:

  • Pricing, Data Usage and Other Fees
    • Socket pricing varies by location and service. See www.socket.net for details.
  • Privacy Policies
    • Socket does not sell personal internet usage information. Customer’s personal usage information is not provided to government or law enforcement without a subpoena. See https://www.socket.net/blog/privacy for more details.
  • Redress Options