If a new Democratic proposal in the U.S. House of Representatives becomes law, AT&T and Apple would be forced to begin selling unlocked iPhones.
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), a congressman who serves as chairman of a House telecommunications and Internet panel. His subcommittee has scheduled a hearing on the plan for Wednesday morning. The draft legislation says every mobile provider "shall offer to consumers the opportunity to purchase subsidy-free wireless customer equipment."
The emergence of the 27-page draft bill, called the Wireless Consumer Protection and Community Broadband Empowerment Act (WCPCBEA), underscores what is apparently growing concern among congressional Democrats during this session with what they seem to view as insufficiently flexible, forthcoming dealings among wireless carriers and their customers.
Both this bill, and a similar one proposed in the Senate, would direct the Federal Communications Commission to establish a number of new rules for wireless carriers. Among other things, those companies would have to give abundant disclosure to their customers about their rate plans in a "clear, plain, and conspicuous manner," breaking out the cost of everything from early termination fees to state and local taxes for the customer.
View: Full Article @ News.com
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), a congressman who serves as chairman of a House telecommunications and Internet panel. His subcommittee has scheduled a hearing on the plan for Wednesday morning. The draft legislation says every mobile provider "shall offer to consumers the opportunity to purchase subsidy-free wireless customer equipment."
The emergence of the 27-page draft bill, called the Wireless Consumer Protection and Community Broadband Empowerment Act (WCPCBEA), underscores what is apparently growing concern among congressional Democrats during this session with what they seem to view as insufficiently flexible, forthcoming dealings among wireless carriers and their customers.
Both this bill, and a similar one proposed in the Senate, would direct the Federal Communications Commission to establish a number of new rules for wireless carriers. Among other things, those companies would have to give abundant disclosure to their customers about their rate plans in a "clear, plain, and conspicuous manner," breaking out the cost of everything from early termination fees to state and local taxes for the customer.
View: Full Article @ News.com
This just shows how democracy in the US is becoming out of date. I mean why would the president not sign a bill unless it relates to national security or the likes? I can understand blocking a bill which may bring massive riots to the street and whatnot, but this just smells of a dictatorship. Heck, blocking a regular bill is something Vladimir Putin would probably due if he didn't like it. It's time for a change to the system of goverment in the US, as it needs to be modernized and be made more democratic (not the party).
Although that's not necessarily a good thing as im sure its going to inflate the price even more to have it unlocked. Kind of a lose lose situation if you dnt have excess amounts of money.
Uhh, I don't know if you noticed, ever, but that whole "don't buy the product and things will change" **** rarely ever actually works. I know you're a big Apple fan here, but I can't believe you're defending this - the government is actually trying to do something that will benefit the consumers out there and you're still railing on them. How could this bill have a negative impact on anyone except possibly (and probably only marginally at worst) Apple and AT&T?
-Spenser
Unless the article was about the US/UK MS anti-trust shenanigans, in which case, bring on the government, right?
Can anyone say? iPhowned!!!
It is all. The only reason the article is titled the way it is is to get more page views.
No, actually, phones are more heavily subsidized in Japan than the US. I think you mean the European Union. In Europe phones can't be locked to a particular provider. They can and are in Japan.
It's probably because the next article is about Bill Gates. Same happened with me and I was puzzled for a second before I read on.
Can the Americans really, really not find better things to do with their time? Here's some shocking news. The consumer can protect themselves by educating themselves on the products available to them. If you don't want a locked iPhone, here's an amazing idea: don't buy one. You don't understand what Vista Capable means? Look it up.
I am so sick of consumers whining and crying about their own stupid mistakes. If Apple wants to keep their phone locked up, let them. This is supposed to be a free country. And as a free country the consumer has the power to either buy or not buy a product and their decisions will ultimately decide if a product succeeds in the market.
Let the consumer have their choice and make them responsible for themselves.
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