The Wireless Industry Sucks

Jason Liggayu calls my attention to something important:

I was wondering what was your opinion on the “Cell Phone Consumer Empowerment Act of 2007“? Do you think it will have a good or bad effect on consumers and the GSM / cell phone market industry if this were to pass into law. This bill was introduced by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV). Personally, I think this is great for consumers who use GSM networks like AT&T or T-Mobile.

Let’s take a look at some of this Act’s summary points:

• Maps are to be detailed enough to identify whether or not a consumer shall be able to receive wireless service at the consumer’s home.
• The FCC shall submit a report to Congress that studies the practice of handset locking in the United States and the effect of handset locking on consumer behavior and competition.
• Publication of the terms of a wireless plan shall include information on: contract terms; charges; minutes; information on taxes and surcharges; wireless E-911 service; and other information that the FCC considers appropriate.
• A contract for wireless service may be canceled upon the request of a subscriber for any reason up to 30 days after entering into the contract.

I certainly think this is a step in the right direction. You should be able to walk into any store, buy any given wireless device, then hop onto any network with it at any time. Wireless carriers fear this type of freedom, as do various device manufacturers - because the days of sucking are quickly coming to a close.

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