Let My Phones Free! Hopes Free Press

By Contributor Wireless and Mobile News on June 19, 2009 11:25 AM

Media reform group, Free Press has been generating a lot press regarding wireless and phone matters. They are pleased with the FCC's actions, launched FreeMyPhone and believe that AT&T allowing video for some services but not others should be prohibited.

Acting Federal Communications Commission Chairman, Michael Copps agreed to open a proceeding on handset exclusivity and Free Press is pleased. Ben Scott, policy director of Free Press, stated, "This is an important step in the right direction. Senate hearings this week exposed the laundry list of harms caused by exclusive deals in the wireless industry. These exclusive deals back consumers into a corner -- forcing them to choose phone or service"

Free Press launched FreeMyPhone, a campaign that calls on leaders in Washington to open up wireless networks and promote consumer choice. They say recent actions by wireless carriers have sparked controversy. Apple will release the new iPhone , but consumers were outraged to learn that AT&T has delayed certain popular features that are available in other countries. AT&T also recently acknowledged playing a role in blocking Skype, the popular voice application, on its 3G network. And most major wireless companies have terms of service that prohibit the use of certain applications and services.

Timothy Karr, campaign director of Free Press, stated, "Wireless companies promise the Internet in your pocket, but deliver the walled wireless web. Through exclusive deals for phones like the iPhone and BlackBerry Storm, wireless companies have stifled innovation, crippled applications, and stuck users with the bill.

Free Press notes that AT&T is allowing Major League Baseball to stream video live to the iPhone on the carrier's 3G network, but is prohibiting other companies like SlingPlayer Mobile from doing the same.

Ben Scott, was quoted in a statement, "We are troubled that carriers like AT&T are playing gatekeeper to the next generation of wireless Internet applications. No Internet service provider should be allowed to pick winners and losers online."

"AT&T has acknowledged that open Internet principles should apply to wireless and that consumers expect unfettered mobile access. So why is AT&T deciding what online video its iPhone customers can watch and what they can't?

"This is exactly the kind of arbitrary intervention in the open Internet marketplace that consumers should fear in an industry dominated by powerful network owners. We hope to see AT&T reverse course and provide"

You can see a video about the exclusive carriers deals with John Kerry, of the Commerice, Science and Transportation committee.