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Senators Look To Kill Handset Exclusivity
Prompted solely by concern for consumer welfare, of course...
Reuters notes that several Senators, prompted by smaller wireless carriers, are pushing the FCC to examine the anti-competitive ramifications of exclusive handset deals. AT&T took a significant beating last week for being unprepared to offer tethering and MMS functionality, something now supported by the latest Apple iPhone software update. The gaffe led to a broader discussion about AT&T pricing, restrictions, and other problems that make them the weak half of the Apple/AT&T super union. The elimination of long-term handset exclusives would give consumers the ability to choose the handset they want on the network that suits them best -- or performs the best in their geographical area.

Most recommended from 119 comments


MyDogHsFleas
Premium Member
join:2007-08-15
Austin, TX

2 recommendations

MyDogHsFleas

Premium Member

Did I miss the "AT&T held a gun to Apple's head" story?

I just love the way these stories are framed.

"Kill handset exclusivity".

Umm... there's no law or regulation called "handset exclusivity" that needs to be "killed".

What you are really wanting to say is:

"Senators propose new regulations forbidding carriers and phone manufacturers to voluntarily enter into business relationships"

Not as catchy, but much more accurate.

The senators propose NOT to KILL some bad law, but to ADD new laws/regulations further restricting these businesses from freely entering into business arrangments.

And.... I really don't get the anti-trust/anti-competition slant to this. Last I checked, iPhone had less than 20% of the market. How could it possibly be an anti-trust issue? Consumers have lots of choice -- if someone has to have an iPhone and nothing else, that's their deal.

BillRoland
Premium Member
join:2001-01-21
Ocala, FL

2 recommendations

BillRoland

Premium Member

While they're at it

I want the Martha Stewart collection to be carries at Wal-Mart and Target as well, K-Mart exclusivity is a crime and Congress needs to save us from it.

Somebody please send Congress on a 10 year vacation before they help drive this country into the ground.

texans20
Premium Member
join:2002-09-28
Texas!

2 recommendations

texans20

Premium Member

Stupid

Nobody is forcing the American people to buy an iPhone. Apple has a right to put their phone on the network of their choice. Last time I checked this is a free country where people and businesses are free to make the decisions they want. More anti-businesses idealism that will drive the cost of goods and services higher and will slow down innovation.

Bit00
Premium Member
join:2009-02-19
00000

4 edits

2 recommendations

Bit00

Premium Member

Awesome! GDP to grow 6% this year!?! Unemply below 5%!?!?!

The budget crisis is solved, the economy fixed, healthcare problems over, energy crisis over, all the troops are home...

At least it must be since only after the PRIORITIES these asswipes are supposed to be working on are completed should they spend 1 G-D second worried about what distributor carries a particular product.

What is next? They are going to bitch that Transformers came out on HBO only instead of Starz? That you have to subscribe to cable to get On Demand? Exclusive distribution deals happen every day in nearly every industry.

If the iPhone or the Pre were the only phones on the planet, sure, it could be a problem but theses are just a couple of the a zillion handsets in a hugely competitive marketplace.