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Senate Explores High SMS Prices
Digging into the wireless carrier's cash cow
In addition to exploring the anti-competitive ramifications of exclusive handset deals, Congress this week will also be holding a hearing on the high price of text messaging. SMS services cost carriers virtually nothing to provide, given the small amount of data (140 bytes max) piggybacks on secondary control channels within wireless transmissions that were going to be sent/received anyway. Representatives from AT&T, Verizon and Cricket will be "grilled" by Congress as to why prices for these services continue to skyrocket. Of course they're skyrocketing in part because consumers -- few of which know the related true costs -- are willing to pay for them.

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kapil
The Kapil
join:2000-04-26
Chicago, IL

5 recommendations

kapil

Member

Dear Congress Critter

...it's not your job to investigate "high prices" ...the free market is supposed to take care of that.

It is, however, your job to ensure we have a free market...and that boat sailed a LONG time ago.

Don't want high SMS prices?

Should have stopped mergers and consolidations that lead to 7 national carriers merging into half as many.

Should have derailed lobbyists' attempts to gut the telecom act of 1996.

Should have supported strong state-level regulation of telcos instead of essentially neutering the state regulatory agencies.

Should have, long ago, split the telecom infrastructure into 2 separate entities....one that controls the physical plant and leases it to service providers...and the other into another competing service provider that is on the same footing as other competitors.

Should have invested in a next-gen broadband network build-out that is owned by the public, recognizing it as a critical piece of our strategy as we compete with India, China and the EU in this new global economic reality.

Should have asked for real stats, instead of fake numbers.

Should have reigned in USF and the sham ILECs have turned it into.

What you should not be doing is....investigating high SMS prices. Because, dear senators, that's like beating the wife and then asking if it hurts...rubbing salt on the wound.

Oh, also, I'm holding up my middle finger...please sit on it and spin for fucking the country you inept, incompetent assholes!