FCC to probe rural gaps in US phone availability
updated 03:20 pm EDT, Fri July 31, 2009
FCC to probe iPhone gaps
The FCC will consider the limited rural availability of products like the iPhone as it explores the merits of exclusive American cellphone contracts, an interview reveals. "There are markets in the country where if you wanted an iPhone, if you wanted a Pre, you just couldn’t get it -- from anyone," according to FCC chairman Julius Genachowski. "So one question is, is that consistent with broad consumer interests?"
The probe was instigated by members of the Senate Commerce Committee, who in turn took their cue from a petition by the Rural Cellular Association. The RCA's main worry is said to be the inherent advantage national carriers have over rural ones, due to their ability to secure exclusives on high-profile phones. AT&T has defended deals like its multi-year iPhone contract however, claiming it keeps prices down and leads to innovation. Verizon may be attempting to defuse public concerns, meanwhile, by limiting all of its future exclusives to six months.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2006
This is Ridiculous
First of all, those "Rural" phone markets have not deployed the technology for the iPhone to work in their markets. You cannot install full 3G towers with unlimited access for the 5 farmers who live within 50 miles of a tower in Western Kansas for example. It is not cost effective.
But if we are going to guarantee that every American that wants to buy a product have full and equal access to it.... then I am going to petition the FDA to get IN-N-OUT Burger to open up a franchise in my neighborhood immediately because I have been deprived my IN-N-OUT here in the Midwest for way too long.