Verizon and Sprint by choice use CDMA instead of the world standard of GSM. Verizon will be switching over to GSM/LTE in in 2010/2011.

They made their choice a while ago and now they are having to deal with a lack of phone models because of that decision to use a North American standard instead of the one the rest of the world uses.

Perhaps the FCC's time is better spent mandating that all carriers use not only the same radio technology, but also share the same cellular base-stations.

This would allow one to use any handset on any network. Consumers should not have to sacrifice coverage when selecting a carrier. In fact, coverage quality should be a mandatory requirement as mobiles are fast replacing fixed line phones.

Yes, Verizon is so lacking in different models of phones... oh, wait, they aren't.

And the lack of phone models has nothing to do with GSM vs. CDMA (hey, Apple went to Verizon first, remember, so it didn't matter much to them!), it has to do with who's willing to give how much money to whom to get a lock-in.

More bars in more places, but also more bars in the same old places. 850 mhz operation needs to be expanded to allow improved indoor signal strength, allowing all phones to not only have more service, but increased battery by not having to strain to keep connected/look for connection to the network. The 850 mhz signals should also be fall back for higher speed stuff without interrupting calls on another frequency. I can understand 2G to 3G voice requires voice operations to stop temporarily (for about 0.3 seconds) which basically disconnects the call, but phones should be allowed to keep an open ear for 850 mhz signals in poor coverage areas especially when in that "fuzzy" zone between the frequency coverage areas.

More building mounted, and mini (for indoor) transponders, service in subway and commuter rail tunnels, how about a dedicated channel on each frequency for one way emergency communications.

The iPhone & its touch inspired competitors are opening up a new era in mobile communications, new fresh thinking should be paired with these new devices and trends.

Lower the cost of non-internet data (sms/mms) by federal mandate to allow more people to be able ot text each other without risking huge overage charges.

- A

This kind of thing has been going on for years in all kinds of industries. Apple would not have gotten the iphone to work the way they wanted if they couldn't make it exclusive to one carrier initially. I'm on Verizon and am chomping at the bit waiting for Verizon to carry the iphone, h*** even the pre is better than any phone Verizon has currently, but even so I think the FTC needs to go after other windmills.

All this is not going to amount to c***... What is the point? It's no different than those wireless clowns who were testifying in front of the senate committee about price gouging over text-messaging. What does FCC really expect to accomplish?

All this is not going to amount to c***... What is the point? It's no different than those wireless clowns who were testifying in front of the senate committee about price gouging over text-messaging. What does FCC really expect to accomplish?