Wireless Networks Need Protections for End-User Freedoms

New America Foundation's Open Technology Initiative, Media Access Project, Benton Foundation, Center for Media Justice, Consumers Union, and Public Knowledge (Public Interest Commenters) responded to FCC's request for comment on "Specialized Services" and wireless open Internet rules.

Continuing technical and policy justifications from the FCC's consultation on preserving the Open Internet, the Public Interest Commenters demonstrate that wireless networks are not "under-developed" and carrier practices create the need for the protection of end-user freedoms. "We must change the current status quo to overcome barriers for Internet and application innovation erected by both mobile device restrictions and by the provider's restrictive practices," states Dan Meredith, Technologist for OTI. "Our submitted comments provide the FCC with a glide path to ensure the consumer protections and competition stimulants that exist in the wireline device market thanks to Carterfone ruling are also available to the wireless device market." Additionally, OTI has published a follow-up to the T-Mobile HTC G2 phone with Google controversy that began with a blog post on Tuesday, October 5 documenting a "feature" of the device that creates a new barrier to legal software modifications. Details on the G2 have emerged, including a statement from T-Mobile, indicating a clear need for consumer protections in the wireless Internet space.