In a move that will cause Apple Messiah Steve Job's heart
to freeze, the US Federal Communications Commission has decided to investigate
the lucrative exclusive deals that the fruit themed toymaker has been signing
with phone companies.
For ages the iPhone dream has been built on the back of
Apple signing a deal with the likes of AT&T for exclusive rights to the
product. Now the FCC is worried that such deals could stuff up any
"innovation" in the wireless industry.
The FCC is also interested in the recent row over Google
Voice and the Apple App Store and may opt for more regulation in the industry. All five FCC commissioners, including the two
Republicans, voted to approve a pair of investigations into the wireless
industry.
One will look broadly at the state of competition and
innovation, and the other, will look to see if telcos are not telling customers
what they are paying for well enough.
Analysts think that the FCC could force mobile providers
to sell subsidy-free phones. Another idea is that they could end exclusive
deals between carriers and handset makers, which would target deals such as the
one Apple made with AT&T.
Launches
investigations
Published in
Computex 2009 - News
Nick Farell
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