Skype petitions FCC for open cellular access

Skype petitioned the Federal Communications Comission earlier this week to force U.S. mobile operators to loosen controls on what kinds of hardware and software can be connected to their networks. It is known as the "Carterfone" rules, which allows consumers to use devices and software of their choice on cell phone networks.

Skype has been the outbreak of what the consumers have been waiting for. For all last year, Skype has been giving all the members free phone calls among U.S. phone lines and other Skype users all over the world. Imagine the life with free phone calls all around the world on the internet. In other words, whoever has the internet connection anywhere in the world can make a phone call with a touch of a button and and a microphone. And now it wants the users who access the Internet via mobile device to be able to use their software and services, too.

This has also helped to spur new innovations, such as the fax machine and Internet modem. In more recent times, the principle has been extended to other communication networks, such as cable modem and DSL. This has also paved way for companies such as Linksys to sell wireless routers. Couple of years ago, Skype has only been a small breakthrough from the people who came up with kazaa, hoping to get the people in the world free phone calls all around the globe. And now, by opening a cellular access, it has helped a lot of other companies also.

Now it seems like the cellphone ages are over. Already consumers with smart phone running Windows Mobile can download the Skype client, even if the operator forbids it. With Skype, people can call other phone lines much cheaper and with much ease.

Mike

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Skype petitions FCC for open cellular access
PUBLISHED: February 22, 2007
Skype petitions FCC for open cellular access