The following was spotted on IP Inferno, a VoIP and telecommunications related blog. These comments were written by Ted Shelton:
I was excited about Verizon's new high speed IP network -- finally some terrific speeds and broad availability on cell phones! Here is the first cell phone network that could support Skype! But wait, what's that in the user agreement?
Data sessions may be used for following purposes: (i) Internet browsing; (ii) email; and (iii) intranet access (including access to corporate intranets, email and individual productivity applications like customer relationship management, sales force and field service automation. Intranet access requires the BlackBerry Enterprise Server.). Unlimited plans are for individual use only and not for resale. The Unlimited plans cannot be used: (1) for any applications that tether the device to laptops, PCs, or other equipment for any purpose, (2) for uploading, downloading or streaming of movies, music or games, (3) with server devices or with host computer applications other than the BlackBerry Enterprise Server, including, without limitation, Web camera posts or broadcasts, continuous jpeg file transfers, automatic data feeds, telemetry applications, automated functions or any other machine-to-machine applications, (4) as substitute or backup for private lines or dedicated data connections.
Well, I am not a lawyer, but it sounds like VoIP is just plain not allowed. Not only that, but without the BlackBerry Enterprise Server, all I can do is email and web browsing!! Why the heck do I need all of this bandwidth if all I can do is email and web?
I hope that the marketplace responds to Verizon with a big raspberry, and lets them know that when we buy data services we expect to be able to USE our data services!! On another front, isn't there something the FCC can do? Aren't the public airwaves that these data services are running on a part of the commons and this kind of restraint on trade a violation of the license under which Verizon operates? Someone with more FCC knowledge please help out here!
posted by Ted at 8:57 AM