Sunday, April 20, 2008

iPhone and Net Neutrality

I find it interesting that ATT is always used as an example when speaking about Net Neutrality. ATT went against Net Neutrality by having an exclusive contract with Apple for the iPhone, this means that the iPhone and its features can only be used on the ATT network due to the SIM lock. An unauthorized application called Fring allows for the use of Skype on the iPhone or other VOIP applications. Many people have also unlocked the iPhone allowing for the use of the iPhone on other GSM networks like T-Mobile. After doing more reading and research I found out that T-Mobile tried to obtain an exclusive iPhone contract in Germany but this caused a legal stir because in Germany, phones are not allowed to be locked to a SIM card. I found that after studying abroad in France, Europe definitely has more Net Neutrality when in comes to phones. You can use any phone on any network and hardly any phones are locked. For example, the phone I use is an unlocked Black Motorola RIZR that I bought from Europe on Ebay, the black color is unavailable in the U.S. because only T-Mobile carries this phone in the U.S. and only offers the phone in Blue and Rose in the U.S. Also, because my phone is unlocked, I can just change the SIM card and have a number and cell phone service without roaming no matter what country I travel to.


SIM locking

iPhone unlocking on wikipedia

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