FCC: Cell Service In The U.S. Should Equal What The World Has

Picture this. On October 22nd when Windows 7 is released, Microsoft proclaims that the operating system is only to be used on an HP computer. Furthermore the HP system must use an Intel CPU, Seagate hard disk, Nvidia video card. No others need apply. Or how about this: You go down to purchase a new Chevy and you have to sign a two-year commitment that you will use Shell gas only in the vehicle. Do you think that consumers would be outraged?

Then why is it the Apple can dictate that its iPhone can only be used on an AT&T network? Or that a Pre can only be used on a Sprint Nextel network? Is there anyone watching out for those consumers who cannot get these services or products because they are outside of the carrier’s sphere of influence? Well the new head of the FCC seems to want to take on these issues and others.

Over at Bloomberg there’s an article that describes these issues and what the FCC may do to correct the problem with the help of Congress and the White House to get us all into the 21st century:

Genachowski, 46, declined to say what the next steps will be in the investigation, which the agency announced last month after four U.S. senators asked it to examine the exclusive deals. An AT&T executive told a June 17 hearing the deals spur innovation and help lower prices. Verizon Wireless said this month that new deals with handset makers will last no longer than six months, down from one to two years for most contracts.

“Promoting competition is absolutely a main function of the FCC,” said Genachowski.

He took office June 29 as the Obama administration’s choice to head the independent agency that sets rules for telephone, cable and broadcast companies.

Fostering high-speed Internet connections, or broadband, is a priority for the FCC, Genachowski said.

“There’s absolutely a sense of urgency in Congress, the White House, here at the agency, that we need to make sure that the United States communications infrastructure is appropriate for the 21st century,” he said.

Maybe, just maybe, we might be able to someday use an iPhone on any network we wish without being harpooned into using one single network of services. My understanding is that other countries of the world have already done this. It is about time that the U.S. follows their example.

Comments welcome.

Source.