Walt Mossberg Pushing For Gov't Intervention In The Mobile Phone Market
from the is-it-really-necessary? dept
Walt Mossberg has been talking about this for a while, but his latest column follows a few other recent calls for the government to step in and mandate more open wireless networks. The idea is that mobile networks should be more like the wider internet. That is, when you buy a computer, you don't buy one locked to a particular ISP, or with only what that ISP wants you to access included. That openness has resulted in tremendous innovation in the PC, internet and software worlds -- and it's quite likely that a similar openness would lead to much more innovation in the mobile space as well. The problem, though, is that it's really not that simple.As we've discussed before there are a lot of complicating factors here, and perhaps the biggest issue is that it's unclear that government regulation is really necessary. Early on, all the mobile operators tried to focus on completely walled gardens, not allowing users to access the wider internet. However, most operators have realized that was a mistake and have pulled away from that model (and benefited for it). There will be a greater and greater realization that this actually makes the most sense for mobile operators anyway, and there's no reason to think that it should require immediate government assistance. We're already seeing companies like Google pressure the market to be more open and certainly there's plenty of consumer demand there. That means this is really more of an opportunity for mobile operators to embrace this kind of model than one that requires gov't intervention. In the immediate future, there are technical limitations, but if you follow the direction that next generation wireless networks are taking, it should become less and less of an issue over time. On the flip side, if we do bring the government in to mandate openness, you risk a situation where a bunch of politicians without an understanding of either the technologies or the trends are pressured to make laws that will eventually have a detrimental effect (and, don't kid yourselves, the telco lobby will make sure those laws favor the telcos in the long run). Since I agree with Mossberg and many others that there could be much more innovation by embracing openness, I would like to see it happen. But I'm optimistic enough to recognize that market pressures should help drive us there without risky gov't intervention. The real breakthrough will be when one of the mobile operators steps forward and embraces these concepts on its own.
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Filed Under: carterphone, mobile phones, net neutrality, walt mossberg, wsj
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the impact of no government intervention
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Re: the impact of no government intervention
Based on what? The US had real 3G before most of the rest of the world. The US got rid of content walled gardens before most of the rest of the world. Many new devices, including the iPhone launched in the US first. In the meantime, Europe has struggled to implement or get people to adopt 3G.
How is that we're falling behind the rest of the world?
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Re: Re: the impact of no government intervention
Regarding government intervention, if the carriers had not been so stupid to pay billions to gov't for 3G licence they would have had more money to actually build network but that doesn't equal profit since the gold app for 3G is yet to appear.
Apple launched iPhone in the US because that is where its market is and where it's business model is legal. In Europe the handset competition is fierce (and not carrier constrained as in the US), the iPhone stands out for its hype not its innovation. The locked to carrier business model is illegal in some countries and legally reversible in most. Apple knows what it is doing. It chose to launch in a less mature, less competitive market, using a business model sustainable only in the US but more long term profit to Apple.
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Re: Re: the impact of no government intervention
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Libertarians=good, why have idiots make laws about things they don't know anything about with the greedy people giving them money for an advantage?
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The branch of government that should step in.
In America, innovation has to be forced on the government and the public. The Wright brothers enjoyed greater recognition in Europe than at home for their success for years because they were not funded and directed by the government. The Judicial branch of the government has the power to force change for the good.
The way to more open Wireless networks is through one Judge that thinks access to communication and information are a necessity in the current world.
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Then let's get rid of it
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Hello Maroon!
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Complicated?
I'm sick and tired of Verizon trying to nickel and dime me to DEATH! I bought an "unlimited" data plan, I pay $150 a month for data and 2100 minutes of voice, and a 2nd phone for my wife. Verizon says that, after 18 months, my unlimited data isn't _really_ unlimited. In fact, they are trying to tell me that I can't use a my phone as a modem. Verizon also locks down the bluetooth on my wife's phone. Why? So they can charge $.50 or a $1.00 every time she wants to get a photo off of her phone. RIDICULOUS!
Verizon tells me that if I want unlimited data, I have to buy ANOTHER PCI modem and use that, and pay extra $$$$$. I spent $400 on the phone.
I want to open up the cellular market. I want to see secondary providers come in for data and text, or picture messaging. Instead of being locked into Verizon for the whole package, let's open it up. Then, AND ONLY THEN, will you see cellular providers compete. They'll certainly compete better when it comes to service. They'll have to if they want to keep you as a customer. I would also like to see contracts limited. I'd like to be able to dispute the contract when Verizon changes the TERMS after a year into the contract. In fact, I want to be able to return the phone for a full refund, and drop the contract like a hot potato. That would give Verizon the impetus to actually write a contract and STICK to it. In fact, I'd like to add an "early contract change fee" to reward consumers who get the shaft from their cellular providers when they change their contract. Instead, it's ALL one-sided. I'm sick of it. I wish the AG's office announced a lawsuit against Verizon also.
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Death to the RBOCS
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Re: Death to the RBOCS
I think congress knows perfectly well what the telcos are doing. They've just sold out.
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