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iPhone Politics and Wednesday's iPhone Hearing in Congress

by Matt Stoller via FreePress

Tue, Jul 10, 2007 12:26PM

More on corporate encroachment on net neutrality and Apple's unholy alliance with AT&T.

Story with links.

Phone Politics and Wednesday’s iPhone Hearing in Congress

From OpenLeft.com, July 9, 2007
By Matt Stoller

Powerful Democratic Congressman Ed Markey is holding a hearing on Wednesday titled ‘Wireless Innovation and Consumer Protection’. But really, the hearing should be titled ‘the iPhone Hearing’, because that’s what this is about. The launch of the iPhone is not just a consumer landmark, it’s a significant moment in internet politics. Working Assets has already pointed this out with an action campaign, and their CEO Michael Kieschnick has a thoughtful post on the reactionary nature of the iPhone’s locked in contract with AT&T.

Rather than explaining the situation myself, I’m going to turn to an expert, Ben Scott, the policy director for Freepress. Ben’s a public interest lobbyist, and someone who has taught me a tremendous amount about telecom policy. Right now, there are a few confluent events that are inspiring a lot of debate around the public airwaves, and it all hinges on the iPhone and its immense significance.

I taped Ben’s explanation of the situation in his office earlier today.

SEE THE VIDEO AND READ THE REST:

For more information: http://www.freepress.net/news/24478

§Revolutionary Linux Alternative

by Opposed to AT&T Deal

Tue, Jul 10, 2007 12:37PM

"OpenMoko, an initiative to develop an open mobile smartphone backed by Taiwan-based First International Computer, today began selling its Linux-based Neo 1973 phone to developers.

Though it lacks the polish of Apple's iPhone, the Neo 1973 is more revolutionary. "

********

"The discontent expressed by Wu and others is not so much a rejection of Apple's innovation -- the iPhone is full of Apple goodness -- as dissatisfaction with the capricious limitations imposed on iPhone users by Apple's much derided partner, AT&T.

For example, the iPhone may only access AT&T's network for "(i) Internet browsing; (ii) e-mail; and (iii) corporate intranet access..." No VoIP for you. AT&T explicitly says, "Except for content formatted in accordance with AT&T's content standards, unlimited plans cannot be used for uploading, downloading or streaming of video content (e.g. movies, TV), music or games." Fun, where permitted, carries a surcharge."

http://www.informationweek.com/news/showAr...

§Save Our Airwaves for an Open Internet

by via savetheinternet.com

Tue, Jul 10, 2007 12:55PM

The FCC is on the verge of turning over a large chunk of the public airwaves to the same giant phone and cable companies that control high-speed Internet access for 96 percent of American home users.

This public "spectrum" could revolutionize the Internet in America. Its wireless signal passes through concrete buildings and over mountains; it can connect tens of million of Americans that are now being bypassed by Internet providers like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast.

Don't let the FCC turn over these airwaves to the same price-gouging network giants that control wired access. We need a new alternative to DSL and cable. The FCC must use this wireless opportunity to connect more Americans to an open, neutral and accessible Internet.

http://www.savetheinternet.com/airwaves

§Deciphering Congress's Upcoming iPhone Hearings

by via OpenLeft

Tue, Jul 10, 2007 1:00PM

Copy the code below to embed this movie into a web page:

Download Video (9.4MB) | Embed Video

Lobbyist Ben Scott of Freepress/SaveTheInternet.com discusses Wednesday's Congressional hearing on the iPhone and an upcoming auction of spectrum by the FCC. The future of the internet is at stake, and we're beginning to see what it means in AT&T's restrictive conditions on your use and purchase of the iPhone.

Take action at http://www.SaveTheInternet.com/airwaves

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