Several users have written in to inform us they're receiving settlement information regarding a class action lawsuit against Clearwire for their use of throttling and early termination fees (ETFs). Last year we
noted that Clearwire had been sued for rather murky throttling practices, lawyers going so far as to accuse Clearwire of of operating a "Ponzi scheme" by promising broadband speeds they couldn't deliver. This and two other lawsuits related to Clearwire speeds, ETFs and throttling have been consolidated and settled; users are receiving e-mails saying that if they were a Clearwire customer between November 14th 2004 and February 27th of this year they may be entitled to a portion of the settlement money -- after lawyers get the majority of the funds, of course.
The letter customers are receiving informs them that they they must
submit a claim if they want a cut of the proceeds. It's not clear what kind of money we're talking about, but the letter notes that should be hashed out in December during some finalizing court proceedings:
The Court will hold a hearing on *December 19, 2012*, at *3:00 p.m.* to consider whether to approve the Settlement and award attorneys’ fees and expenses as requested, in an amount not to exceed $2 million. You or your lawyer may ask to appear and speak at your own expense, but you don’t have to.
As a result of the settlement Clearwire will also be "enhancing disclosures" about network management policies and change its ETF collection policies.
Clear is C-R-A-P