Regulations may shake up US mobile telephone market

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2007

WASHINGTON (AFP) — The mercenary US mobile telephone market faces a rough shake-up after authorities set new rules for auctioning airwaves, boosting users' freedom to switch providers and access the Internet by phone.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved the rules to come into force next January, when auctions are due to be held for certain airwaves.

They will open up access for consumers to use nearly any wireless device they like to use broadband services and switch mobile telephone service providers without having to buy a new hand set.

"This laboratory of free innovation has the potential to liberate consumers from the restrictive and uniquely American 'locked handset' regime nationwide," said the non-profit Computer and...