NNSquad - Network Neutrality Squad
[ NNSquad ] Re: ATT: After merger your T-Mobile phones will have to be replaced -- Carterfone undone
Dan Bricklin posted http://www.bricklin.com/200yearsoftware.htm about
software that is design to last for long periods. If you a PC (Unix,
Windows, or whatever ) for a dedicated application you can leave it in =
place
for years or decades.
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ATT assumes cell phones are like the black phones they used to lease =
you.
They own the phones and define the purpose of the phones. In that =
mindset
there is no arms-length interface between the phone and the network. =
This
brings us back to the days before Carterfone in which customer =
innovations
like answering machines were banned.
=20
ATT is running full tilt in reverse taking us back to the days not just
before divestiture but before we were allowed to attach devices. We can =
just
use approved devices in approved ways and only as long as ATT deigns to
support them.
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While today's GSM portability is limited, in the US, to T-Mobile vs. ATT =
it
gives us a least some competition. But we need to remember that the =
cellular
interface is complex and comingles billing relationships with the basic
networking capabilities. By removing even this small amount of choice =
ATT is
paving a path back to the 1950's.
=20
By decoupling the device from the network the Carterfone
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carterfone> decision created huge
opportunity. Before Carterfone you couldn=92t even record incoming =
calls! We
need a simple arms-length relationship if we are to invest in innovation
over the long term without being, again, at the mercy of a provider
threatened by innovation. And we need a funding model akin to what we =
have
for today's computing devices -- one that allows one to deploy and
application and be done with it rather than one that requires monthly
payments for the next 200 years.
=20
-----Original Message-----
From: nnsquad-bounces+nnsquad=3Dbobf.frankston.com@nnsquad.org
[mailto:nnsquad-bounces+nnsquad=3Dbobf.frankston.com@nnsquad.org] On =
Behalf Of
Lauren Weinstein
Sent: Monday, March 21, 2011 13:26
To: nnsquad@nnsquad.org
Subject: [ NNSquad ] ATT: After merger your T-Mobile phones will have to =
be
replaced
=20
=20
ATT: After merger your T-Mobile phones will have to be replaced
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<http://j.mp/fDHpRA> http://j.mp/fDHpRA (AP / Daily Journal)
=20
--Lauren--
NNSquad Moderator
[ Just one point of clarification. The legal right to record
incoming calls is not normally associated with Carterfone, and
still remains within the realm of state by state privacy laws
associated with 1 vs. 2 (actually 1 vs. "all") party laws. So
in California, for example, it is illegal (in most situations,
there are exceptions) to record a call without permission of
all parties to the call (continuing the call after being
notified of recording is deemed to have given permission).
Is it true that prior to Carterfone -- and this is probably
what Bob was referring to -- any physical attachment to the
phone -- even perhaps an inductive suction cup recording device
-- may have been considered to be a violation by AT&T at that
time.
-- Lauren Weinstein
NNSquad Moderator ]