FCC turns down Skype's open access petition

by Paul Miller posted Apr 2nd 2008 at 11:18AM

Carriers have been making some strong strides in the direction of open access, and the recent 700MHz auction was a particular win for consumers, but the FCC isn't quite ready to go whole hog here. The commission has turned down Skype's request that the FCC expand 1968's Carterphone landline ruling to apply to the mobile industry, which would mean that operators would be required to let any device run on their network as long as it doesn't do damage. If you'll hear Verizon or AT&T tell it, that's what they're doing already, but Skype obviously wants some protection for its bandwidth-hogging, carrier revenue-threatening P2P VoIP app, and the FCC isn't quite ready to fork it over.

Filed under: Cellphones

Tags: carterphone, fcc, open access, OpenAccess, skype

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

Link @ Apr 2nd 2008 11:32AM

I just hope somthing good is to come from the auction.

Neutral

darkstar @ Apr 2nd 2008 11:49AM

thats a pretty nice skype phone!! is it real???
can you suggest me one?

Neutral

mingistech @ Apr 2nd 2008 11:56AM

I was thinking the same thing. I have a Skype out account and am currently looking at different hardware options besides only using the software client on my Mac.

What phone is that... is it out now?

Neutral

vdogg89 @ Apr 2nd 2008 12:00PM

yep this is real. here is the link http://skype.com/allfeatures/3skypephone/

Neutral

aerosmith @ Apr 2nd 2008 11:56AM

http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/20/skype-readies-four-wifi-phones-for-voiping-public/

Neutral

aerosmith @ Apr 2nd 2008 11:57AM

http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/20/netgears-sph101-skype-wifi-phone-available-for-pre-order/

Neutral

hey_big_dck psn:fuliano626 @ Apr 2nd 2008 11:59AM

is that good or bad for me?

Neutral

Chasqui @ Apr 2nd 2008 12:07PM

That exact phone doesn't seem to be available for sale from the Skype store yet... but it is pretty nice looking. This one is very similar: http://accessories.skype.com/servlet/ControllerServlet?Action=DisplayPage&Env=BASE&Locale=en_US&SiteID=skype&id=ProductDetailsPage&productID=66160500

Neutral

martin @ Apr 2nd 2008 12:12PM

it wont be as its from three with a contract with them, not directly from skype

Neutral

jmckee @ Apr 2nd 2008 12:08PM

I think the carriers would argue that it does cause damage to the network. Voice data and other data are handle diffrently by the network and bandwidth and resources are allocated diffrently, if you start putting a bunch of voice data on resources that weren't designed for it you are upsetting the balance and causing harm to the network.

Neutral

bill @ Apr 2nd 2008 12:30PM

Well thats obviously not the case as this service is already offered in several countries in Europe. The FCC is just like every other Federal government run organization, corrupt to its core. For proof of this you need look no further then the FCC allowing the rebirth of Ma Bell.

Since this service appears to work with little issue on existing 3G networks in Europe already, this issue looks more to be based on a loss of revenue fear on this side of the pond.

Neutral