VZW the Bully!?

What are we, as the customers, going to do about this? When will Verizon stop bullying and pressuring other companies into throttling our data? I had a real problem crop up recently: While watching Hulu Plus on my Rezound, the High Resolution option disappeared, but only when connected through Verizon's network. When connected through my (lower quality) home wifi, the high resolution option was returned. I contacted Hulu about this problem, and even though it took several e-mails before my support person reached high enough into the chain of command to get a real, and true answer, I did get that answer. Hulu Plus on Android has been specifically modified to remove the High Resolution option when connecting through Verizon's network, while continuing to allow High Resolution viewing when connected through other networks. This is something that Verizon required Hulu to do, in order to continue being able to send data through the Verizon networks. In other words, Verizon bullied Hulu into throttling the video, since Verizon doesn't always have enough reason to throttle OUR bandwidth. I have the copy of the email, here:

Hey ++++++, Thanks for getting back to me with more information. I apologize for the delayed response, as I've been researching this issue. I'd love to share some insight into what I've found. It appears this disappearance of the "High Resolution" option while using 3G is the intended behavior of the app, to remain in accordance with the streaming requirements established by the carrier -in this case, Verizon. I believe it's meant to help users from going over their data limits, but Verizon might have other reasons behind this mandate. I apologize for any frustration this causes, as your G3 network seems to be more reliable than your expensive Wifi network, but at this time there is no workaround for the issue, since it's in place to comply with Veriozon's requests. I hope this helps. If you run into any further issues or questions, please write back. Best, +++++ Hulu Support

Since I've got unlimited data, it's obvious this isn't to protect me from going over my data limits. For anyone who does have data limits, they're completely nuts if they watch much video over Verizon's network. The only other reason for the throttling of my Hulu data is simply because Verizon is being a bully. I'm trapped in my current contract for another year and a half. If things don't improve on a massive level, well in advance of that time, I'll dump Verizon. I won't use any carriers. Already, you can access WiFi at a large number of locations. In this town, there's the coffee shop, McDonald's, Burger King, Lowes, and many others. In another year an a half, WiFi will probably be available at WalMart, other grocery stores, and basically anyplace you could think of going. I'll end up going network free, and use Skype. If you do the math, just buying a brand new phone outright, paying for a phone number through Skype, and paying Skype's per-minute usage is still CHEAPER over a two year period than it is to be stuck in a two year contract with Verizon! Bonuses of sticking to WiFi and Skype? NO phone calls while driving. NO texts while driving. NO alerts of any sort while driving! If you want to watch video content while camping? Just download a copy of the content onto your device before going, and then be able to stay truly disconnected on your camping trip. Verizon is really getting on my nerves. If it's getting on your nerves, too, just pass this message on. Also, check out http://http://www.facebook.com/VzwTheBully