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July 11, 2007
Ben Scott
My, my, we do seem to have a wonderful little Statist writing in CiF today. The iPhone only works with AT&T. Thus Congress must pass a law stating that this sort of deal should not be allowed:
The only solution to this problem is a political one. Decisions that legislators and regulators in Washington make now will determine what the internet looks like in the future. The US Congress is holding a hearing this week - call it the iPhone hearing - to discuss the new technology and its impact on consumer choice.
The results of this policy debate - which may appear technical and wonky on its surface - will determine whether the US has an open market for speech and commerce on the internet, or whether we will hand over the internet to corporate gatekeepers like AT&T.
Our elected leaders will decide if there will be maximum consumer
choice between networks, devices and services. Will consumers have free
rein on the internet, or will they be guided into "walled gardens" of
"preferred content"? And - if the disappearing democratic ideals of
cyberspace don't get you worked up - will you be able to buy the iPhone
this year without paying hundreds of dollars in penalty fees and
handcuffing yourself to a long-term contract?
We know how AT&T would answer these questions. But maybe it's time that the public had a seat at the table when these decisions are being made. If we want to free the iPhone - and the much cooler gadgets and content that are sure to follow - now is the time to get involved.
Actually, I think this is something we can safely leave to markets to work out for themselves. As AOL tried to create a walled garden and failed, in the medium term those mobile companies which try to do so will. After all, we're all going to move to 3G (or 4 perhaps?) at some point and I'm not wholly convinced that such gardens are even possible there, are they?
Perhaps the best way of looking at these hearings is the cynical one: a chance for a few Congressmen to shake down a few more companies for campaign contributions.
July 11, 2007 in Web/Tech | Permalink
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Comments
Down this road leads Communism. Companies forced into agreements they did not wish for.
Posted by: Roger Thornhill | Jul 11, 2007 9:55:21 AM
"But maybe it's time that the public had a seat at the table when these decisions are being made."
For 'public' read 'ambitious, interfering geeks like Ben Cross'...
Posted by: JuliaM | Jul 11, 2007 10:23:10 AM
Or Ben Scott even.
Jeez, channelling 'Chariots of Fire' here.....
Posted by: JuliaM | Jul 11, 2007 10:25:02 AM
Roger:
Communism? Maybe to you (and me) but to the political class it's "business as usual." Move along folks, nothing to see here.
Posted by: gene berman | Jul 11, 2007 11:20:37 AM
Is that "political class" or "bunch of interfering statist bastards" - or are these now synonymous?
I agree with Tim - much as a great phone (and I am not yet sure that the iPhone 1.0 is that) and great service would be a winning combination, given that you (Americans) appear to have been given the choice of one or t'other, let the market decide. AT&T may even decide to get their act together (but I wouldn't hold my breath).
Just to nail my colo(u)rs: despite being a Mac user, I would go with service over phone.
S-E
Posted by: Surreptitious Evil | Jul 11, 2007 3:45:43 PM
"and the much cooler gadgets and content that are sure to follow "
Nokia N95. Cooler and cheaper already and available on a wide variety of networks.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=GecftG1Kh7w&NR=1
Posted by: Tim Almond | Jul 11, 2007 8:40:38 PM
What a crock, the public can vote with its own wallet - but I'm not buying one of those stupid things.
Posted by: DirtCrashr | Jul 11, 2007 8:42:12 PM
