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February 23, 2007
The Carterphone ruling is what is responsible for opening up AT&T’s original phone networks to competition. Prior to this ruling AT&T had a monopoly on the devices attached to what it considered its network. AT&T even charged an electricity fee as I recall to light the lights on phones that hard plastic buttons representing phone lines.
In the US some think wireless providers are acting like monopolies as well by restricting access to their mobile networks to devices sanctioned only by the wireless provider. Verizon is famous for
crippling devices – bluetooth for example -- and thereby driving revenue from services which require subscribers to rely on Verizon’s network.
Skype for its part is not happy with this situation and is subsequently
asking the FCC to apply Carterphone principles to wireless networks allowing any device to be used on these networks. To some degree the argument is tough to make as GSM networks such as the ones operated by T-Mobile and AT&T Wireless allow a SIM card to be inserted into a device which can be purchased virtually anywhere. But there are issues with device locking if you happen to buy a subsidized phone from one of these carriers.
In addition, AT&T Wireless allowed Apple to have full control over the development of it’s iPhone and this fact alone contradicts part of Skype’s arguments.
So is Skype doing the right thing? Probably. I can’t imagine service providers are too fond of the company so going to great lengths to open wireless networks can’t make any new enemies.
If the eBay’s phone company is successful, it could make the American wireless market like that in Europe where there is much more openness to mix and match devices and networks. Since Europe is all GSM-based there will always be more flexibility to mix and match than in the states but you get the idea.
| This entry was posted at 5:22 PM.
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February 23, 2007
Apparently Americans are traveling too much and the TSA believes we need to cut down on the number of pesky travelers who they have to screen. Nothing like some
see-through X-ray technology to keep the travelers away. Look on the bright side – at least you should be able to keep your shoes on.
| This entry was posted at 4:59 PM.
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Trackback URL: See Through X-Rays and the TSA
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February 23, 2007
The number of registrations is approaching a record and we are pretty excited about hosting it on February 27, 2007 at 2:00 pm EST.
Here is an excerpt from a press release which ran today on TMCnet:
The convergence of voice, data and video networks is having a profound effect on telecommunications organizations, infrastructures, and platforms. Convergence is likewise merging traditional telecommunications networks and Information Technology infrastructures, historically built on separate technologies and methodologies.
Using common IT technologies, service providers can reduce dependence upon highly customized hardware to create new service offerings. This results in an operating environment, which can significantly reduce CapEX and OpEX, accelerate time-to-market, and provide flexibility to deploy applications in the environment best suited to the service, and requirements of the service provider.
The webinar will be led by three presenters with decades of experience in the field: Bruce Anthony, IBM Distinguished Engineer and Chief Technical Officer for Next Generation Networks and Convergence; Scott Wharton, Vice President of Marketing for BroadSoft (News - Alert); and Ernie Bergstrom, Vice President, Research and Founder of Crystal Cube Consulting.
TMC will be giving away a 30GB iPod ($250 value) to a random webinar attendee. Winner will be announced at the end of the webinar.
More information on the event can be found at on the
IBM webinar home page.
| This entry was posted at 4:36 PM.
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February 23, 2007
Is Verizon Wireless not the most reliable network as the company’s ads will tell you? Well according to
this article Sprint has the fewest dropped calls. This is also in stark contrast to the ads that Cingular Wireless, now AT&T has been running.
I wonder if the research that fueled this article will now be disputed by the other carriers. It is likely that we will begin to see research wars where every few months a new carrier will come at us with different metrics showing them to be best.
At the end of the day customers will likely be as confused as they are today about which wireless carrier is best.
For now – perhaps it is Sprint.
| This entry was posted at 2:10 PM.
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Trackback URL: Sprint – Better Than You Think
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February 23, 2007
I am waiting in line to have some breakfast here at the giant Miami Airport. Since I have been away this week I haven't had a chance to analyze the news of the new paid Google Apps or the partnership with Google and Avaya. Finally the MP3 patent battle between Alcatel-Lucent and Microsoft.
Hopefully I will have time soon to delve into these topics.
Blogged via wireless handheld
| This entry was posted at 6:45 AM.
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