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Just released today – the latest decision from the Federal Communications Commission means that iPhone users will be able to roam between carriers! In brief, what the FCC have said is:
The Commission’s Order on Reconsideration enhances mobile voice service through roaming agreements that provide consumers with access to other carriers’ networks.
And their foresight does not end there because they are now considering:
In a Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Commission seeks input on whether to extend roaming obligations to data services, such as mobile broadband and Internet access services.
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What all this means is that the FFC will now require wireless providers to let other carriers have access their networks where the provider owns spectrum but doesn’t offer coverage.
Does this matter? Well, there is a mass of unhappy people being bullied by the likes of AT&T and getting charged for services they don’t understand or want. This is super well illustrated by the story of ntharvey (Response number 7) who takes us through a long and painful series of calls with AT&T that reveals the absurdity and unreasonableness of “off net” usage charges. Didn’t know there were such things? Read it!
How many of you realize any of this? How many people even know they are getting these charges or risking getting kicked off AT&T as a result?
This latest decision of the FCC will protect us from unfair monopoly control and charges (even if we don’t know it!!)
Next post we will be discussing how iPhone users can use a new method of roaming while overseas that seriously reduces call costs (you might remember a post we did some time back that revealed super high call charges while overseas – eg Mexico – that can be in the $thousands!)