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FCC To Investigate Cell Phone Unlocking Ban

Posted by Soulskill on from the more-the-merrier dept.

Edgewood_Dirk writes "In response to the recent White House petition, the FCC will be investigating the viability and possible harm of the ban on cell-phone unlocking. Gregory Ferenstein met with FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski at a TechCrunch CrunchGov event Wednesday, where the Chairman said the 'ban raises competition concerns; it raises innovation concerns.'" This line from the end of the article fails to inspire confidence: "Genachowski isn’t sure what authority he has, but if he finds any, given the tone of the conversation, it’s likely he will exert his influence to reverse the decision."

6 of 65 comments (clear)

  1. maybe check out FCC.gov by zlives · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ""Genachowski isn’t sure what authority he has"" I refer him to http://www.fcc.gov/what-we-do and specifically to

    " Promoting competition, innovation, and investment in broadband services and facilities;
            Supporting the nation’s economy by ensuring an appropriate competitive framework for the unfolding of the communications revolution;
            Encouraging the highest and best use of spectrum domestically and internationally;
            Revising media regulations so that new technologies flourish alongside diversity and localism;
            Providing leadership in strengthening the defense of the nation’s communications infrastructure."

    1. Re:maybe check out FCC.gov by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      also if they have no authority and can't get anything done, get lost and give me my tax dollars back.

    2. Re:maybe check out FCC.gov by geekoid · · Score: 4, Insightful

      None of which indicates what legal recourse he can take in the instance.
      That's what he is talking about.

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    3. Re:maybe check out FCC.gov by icebike · · Score: 5, Insightful

      None of which indicates what legal recourse he can take in the instance.
      That's what he is talking about.

      Well they seem to rewrite FCC regulations at will when they want to swap frequencies or ban certain devices. Usually with no change in the law.

      Why are they investigating the effects of "ban on cell-phone unlocking." Why aren't they investigating a BAN on Celphone Locking? Several other countries have such a ban. Why do we allow such locking anyway? The carriers have your credit card, they have a contract, why do they need a lock on on your phone?

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  2. The FCC has done similar before. by AlphaWolf_HK · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The FCC has done a lot of similar things, say for example mandating that cable companies can't sell boxes that don't include a cablecard, or requiring all cable companies to permit self install of cablecards.

    What would stop them from outright forbidding cell phone locking?

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    1. Re:The FCC has done similar before. by DragonWriter · · Score: 5, Informative

      What would stop them from outright forbidding cell phone locking?

      Regulatory agencies are empowered by specific positive grants of power. The appropriate question is "what would allow them to...", not "what would stop them from..."