With the FCC imposing their will on small ISPs, a small telephone company here in Iowa is finding life difficult when it comes to eating the cost of cell phone calls traveling through to their customers. All cell calls are mixed in with other Qwest traffic, and Qwest pays for the landline-originated, but not the wireless calls. Of course, the wireless carriers aren’t quick to pick up the tab either, leaving the little guy out a sum of cash said to be nearly half a million dollars over the last five years.

Not willing to put up with the freeloading any longer, and quite unhappy with the rates proposed by an agreement worked out by an association representing a host of small phone companies, the East Buchanan Telephone Co-op is seeking to block incoming cell phone calls. I certainly admire their willingness to stand up for their business, but it doesn’t serve their customers very well either. On the other hand, if the local residents are inconvenienced enough by not having their wireless services able to work locally, perhaps the wireless providers will take it upon themselves to step up to the plate.

For now, an injunction has been issued by the Iowa Utilities Board, citing safety issues that could result if customers are not able to contact appropriate parties in case of emergency. This is one of those cases where I like the fortitude it takes to stand up to the large companies, but glad I’m not a customer that has to pay the price until wireless companies pay the bill. You know… the “not in my backyard” syndrome.