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Re: The Technology Liberation Front » Archive » More on Skype’s Petition to Regulate Cellphone Carriers

fishbane — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 19:12:29 -0000

It never ceases to amuse me when self-styled libertarians defend telecom.

Sure, there are neat policy questions. Telecom nearly always wins those, and not on philosophical grounds, but on lobbying grounds. Next? Wake me when you start disputing the silly taxes on phone usage.

Re: The Technology Liberation Front » Archive » More on Skype’s Petition to Regulate Cellphone Carriers

dimitris — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 19:01:34 -0000

Sorry Hance, but I have to call BS

All of the leading cellphone carriers heavily subsidize cellphones, because up-to-date handsets utilize spectrum more efficiently.

Whatwhatwhat? OK, the shift from GSM to 3G (and equivalent shift out of IS-95 for Verizon and Sprint) certainly has an element of spectrum efficiency, but handset subsidy and lock in have featured in US carriers' plans for many years before the 3G networks became a reality.

By the way, what spectrum savings could be realized by T-Mobile US, who is not even operating a 3G network yet? And yet they do subsidize handsets.

Handset "subsidies" (which they aren't - try getting a discount on service if you bring your own handset to the table) are a lock-in feature, pure and simple. For an illustration, see Verizon's customers' adventures with Bluetooth.

If I were cynical I'd think I'm witnessing PR dollars flowing across Lake Washington...

Re: The Technology Liberation Front » Archive » More on Skype’s Petition to Regulate Cellphone Carriers

Mark Tomin — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 18:47:04 -0000

Skype hasn't even released the client for the symbian phones but already petitioning FCC? I have Nokia E60 and I am still waiting for the client. One of the reasons I bought the phone was to make VOIP calls. Interestingly enough, this phone, and E61 (both are WI-fi enabled) isn't sold in US, so I had to get it from Europe.

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