Wireless Web Moves Toward Open Access

WIRELESS WEB MOVES TOWARD OPEN ACCESS
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal, AUTHOR: Roger Cheng roger.cheng@dowjones.com]
Wireless carriers historically have preferred to sell directory and other services through their own networks. But now, carriers have gradually begun opening up their Web access. Cingular Wireless, owned by AT&T Inc., gave Apple Inc. free rein to put its own content and browser in the recently unveiled iPhone in a rare demonstration of blind faith in a device maker. It typifies a change in attitude and a new willingness to loosen their once-tight control over their subscribers. A restrictive mentality and the clunky user interface found on many handsets, some argue, impedes the growth of data services and keeps traditional Web companies from getting into the mobile Internet business. With the carriers offering frustrating and clumsy browsers, some believe they would be better off letting companies such as Google Inc. or Yahoo Inc. deal with the user interface.Yet the carriers' restrictive controls have meant the Internet titans have had difficulties breaking into the mobile market.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB117081521696800393.html?mod=todays_us_pe...
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