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FCC Head Wants New Wireless Devices Unlocked

Posted by kdawson on from the maybe-in-a-few-years-innovation dept.

[TheBORG] writes with news that FCC chairman Kevin Martin wants 700-MHz wireless devices and services to be unlocked. Spectrum auctions for the 700-MHz airwaves, being opened up for fixed and mobile broadband, are scheduled for early next year. "The proposed rules would apply only to the spectrum being auctioned, not the rest of the wireless business, which still makes most of its revenue from voice calls. But Martin's proposal, if adopted by the FCC, could reverberate through a U.S. wireless industry that has tightly controlled access to devices and services... Like most devices sold in the USA, the iPhone ... allows only features and applications that Apple and AT&T provide and works only with an AT&T contract. The FCC chairman said he has grown increasingly concerned that the current practices 'hamper innovations' dreamed up by outside developers. One example:... 'Internationally, Wi-Fi handsets have been available for some time,' Martin noted. 'But they are just beginning to roll out here.'"

10 of 221 comments (clear)

  1. Whoa... by Abalamahalamatandra · · Score: 5, Funny

    Who is this guy and why hasn't Bush fired him yet?

  2. Say it ain't so!! by Enrique1218 · · Score: 3, Funny

    A public official actually concerned about businesses reaming the consumer. What has become of the United States?

    --
    You don't have to be smart to use a Mac, you just have to be smart enough to buy one
  3. Re:Is this as good as it sounds? by internetcommie · · Score: 1, Funny

    Yeah, I wonder too! Is the FCC Chairman really suggesting that we should allow free competition here in the USA, or am I imagining things?

  4. The aliens have landed by Phil_At_NHS · · Score: 4, Funny

    For those of you who thought aliens would take over by pretending to be human and infiltrating government, I apologize for calling you nasty names. If the Chairmen of the FCC is doing something consumer friendly, there is no other explanation. Now, I AM hardpressed to figure out who such action forwards the cause of these aliens, unless maybe they too are just sick and tired of crippled phones....

  5. Re:which FCC? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Federal Christian Coalition
    (head by a former AT&T lobbying professional, what can possibly go wrong?)

  6. But...but... by R2.0 · · Score: 2, Funny

    He's a Republican...he's Eeeevilllll!

    My world is shaken to its core.

    --
    "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." A. Carlson
  7. Re:Actually, he is a Bushite by that+IT+girl · · Score: 4, Funny

    Or maybe, just maybe, he actually hired someone with a decent idea in his head.

    It could happen.

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    10 FILL MUG WITH COFFEE
    20 DRINK COFFEE
    30 GOTO 10
  8. 700Mhz Pffft by T00lman · · Score: 2, Funny

    3300 hz ought to be enough for anyone.

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    0x7279727972797279
  9. Re:Is this as good as it sounds? by vertinox · · Score: 2, Funny

    It sounds good but I have a sneaking suspicion something in there is going to bite us in the ass. What is it?

    I dunno... Either a lobby of an ATT competitor is involved, or the FCC head wants an iPhone without changing carriers.

    --
    "I am the king of the Romans, and am superior to rules of grammar!"
    -Sigismund, Holy Roman Emperor (1368-1437)
  10. Re:Is this as good as it sounds? by ehiris · · Score: 2, Funny

    Reducing the cost of wireless services reduces the expenses of Oil companies.