FCC to Let You Use Your Cell Phone with Any Carrier
Bummed that the iPhone only works with AT&T networks? So is the FCC, amazingly enough, and the regulating body is taking some steps to ensure that sort of thing won't happen for much longer. The FCC is taking bids on some new frequencies that wireless providers like AT&T and Sprint are expected to want. There's nothing particularly new in that, but this time there's a catch: Bidders for the given frequencies would be required to let subscribers to use any phone and any software they like.These provisions, sponsored by FCC Chairman Kevin Martin, would mean that the AT&T iPhone exclusivity deal would effectively be illegal if AT&T were to use that frequency for the device. Additionally, Apple would no longer be able to force you to use their software, it would instead have to let you install anything you like.
This all sounds nice, and this is an interesting step by the FCC to ensure the openness of frequencies that are sold to private companies, but it's unlikely that major wireless corporations with huge investments to protect will be reined in by some silly provision. And, if they are, expect to pay a lot more for the privilege. Europeans, after all, pay $500 or more for most phones, but they can use them with any carrier. We Americans get our free and heavily-discounted phones thanks to heavy subsidies by the carriers, which are willing to help out financially in exchange for your two-year commitment.
And then there's the issue of different networks. In Europe, everything works on GSM, so your phone will work with any carrier -- literally. In the U.S., AT&T and T-Mobile are on the GSM, while Verizon and Sprint are on CDMA. This means that any "unlocked" phone you might buy in the U.S. will likely only work with either the first two carriers or the latter two carriers -- not all four.
And you thought the iPhone was already too expensive ...
How about you? Would you rather pay more for a phone you can use with any (or more than one) carrier, or are you okay with a two-year contract in exchange for a less expensive phone?
From 'USA Today'
[UPDATE: Thanks for the correction, Carol!]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Franklin said 9:03AM on 8-01-2007
I would rather pay more for a phone that I can use with any (or more than one) carrier than be tied down to a single phone company and be ripped off especially when traving overseas or roaming. When in Germany, get a "pay as you go" the same in France and Italy and so forth and save hundred of dollars than having to be stuck with a single phone company
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nathan said 9:29AM on 8-01-2007
The iPhone wasn't subsidized, so this would only increase consumer option without increasing consumer costs. You could still be contractually bound to a network in exchange for a subsidized phone.
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Carol said 9:56AM on 8-01-2007
"Reigned in"? As used here, it should be spelled REINED, as in the reins of a horse. The other refers to rule by royalty, as in "Queen Elizabeth reigns in the U.K."
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Rich said 10:13AM on 8-01-2007
Carol...dus it reely mattur??? *LOL*
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Rich said 5:46PM on 8-01-2007
Carol: duz it reely mattur? *LOL*
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Rich said 10:17AM on 8-01-2007
carol...duz it reelee mattur? *LOL*
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Ashley said 10:41AM on 8-01-2007
I really don't know if I like this idea too much. By being able to use any network the currents providers might just merge into one big company then the people paying for Alltel's My Circle might get ticked off when they possibly no longer have it or Sprint's might be getting more than usual if it stays. I think I would rather be locked into a two year contract mainly because I like my service provider and am kind of stingy so uhm... I GOT MY CIRCLE AND YOUUUU DON'T!... Unless you have Alltel of course... then it's free for me to call you anyways.
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Laurent said 5:45PM on 8-01-2007
In response to Asley's comment above, I doubt that network openness would lead to having all the networks merge... On the contrary. Right now when you choose a carrier you are stuck with them for 2 years, which means that once they got your business they don't have much incentive to work hard at keeping your business. Open networks would mean a more competitive market (good for the consumers) and maybe the carriers would have to start listening to consumers instead of just trying to nickel-and-dime us for everything.
i.e. I don't understand why most carriers still charge 5-10 cents per text message, would you let your ISP charge you 5 cents for each email you send or receive when you already paid for your bandwidth???
The cellphone industry in the US is at least 5 years behind Europe or Asia, it's time to catch up.
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David said 5:57PM on 8-01-2007
1) You can buy an unlocked phone (or have a locked phone unlocked) and use it with any of the GSM carriers in the US - or any other carriers in the world.
2) People get way too hung up with the fee for breaking a contract. I think most charge what $150 to break a contract. Which is about the price of a free subsidized phone from another carrier.
3) The iPhone like a lot of Apple products since the Apple II is a lot of iHype at a big iCost. I'd rather have a Razr2 or a 6.0 smart phone - unlocked of course. ;)
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Ross said 7:47PM on 8-01-2007
Interesting. This point: "Apple would no longer be able to force you to use their software, it would instead have to let you install anything you like." is one I disagree with. That would be like some higher force telling Apple they could make an iPod but would have to allow Zune to run on it. As far as I am concerned that would no-longer make it an iPod. Just another piece of Microsoft crap. I get so irked as all I read seems to damn Apple for making you use their software. Sounds good to me. I love software that actually works/is meant for the hardware. I think a company who is serious about Software should be allowed to hold the rite to be serious about their hardware. Having the iPhone illegal to be locked seems like a great idea! It is about time cellphone companies had a change and shakeup. Apple Deserves a pat on the back because as far as I am concerned they had a pretty good idea this shit would go down soon. They are smart at fooling the fools like at&T and Motorola. It is the beautiful Apple software installed on the iPhone that makes an iPhone and it is easy to see this scares the shit out of everyone. FINALLY A PHONE THAT I LIKE TO USE.
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