Power, Freedom And Money

Power, Freedom and Money Skype, Apple, and the Carriers April 2009 – Skype Journal Phil Wolff, @evanwolf

It sounds innocent enough.

Apple says iPhone is a computer that looks like a phone.

Carrier says: no Skype?

Apple says: we'll write a little no-VoIP clause in the developer contract, don't worry, AT&T.

Time passes

iPhone becomes a game changing success

More time passes

Skype launches their iPhone app

Millions of people squeal with glee

Millions of people squeal with glee and download

Skype tops iTunes app store charts worldwide

And then they try to Skype

And then they try to Skype while walking around or driving

And can't.

Not allowed.

Skype says: Look at Apple, they forced us.

Apple says: Look at AT&T, they forced us.

AT&T says: It's our service. take it or leave it.

Citizens ask: What is the difference between a PC and a mobile phone?

Why is it evil for ISPs like AT&T and Deutsche Telekom to control my PC experience?

ISPs for PCs shall not control What I see

ISPs for PCs shall not control What I say

ISPs for PCs shall not control What software I use

ISPs for PCs shall not control What gear I use

Because that would be wrong

Why can they say quot;noquot; when I do the same thing on my mobile?

Even on a mobile computer?

Why does my freedom end there?

And what can I do about it?

Skype picks fights

David v. Goliath et al fights

Skype petitions the US Federal Communications

The Carterfone decision let you plug any phone into the wall of your home (just don’t harm the phone system)

“Mobile Carterfone:” FCC would force mobile carriers to permit consumers to use any device on a network

Skype says: “Mobile Carterfone” will improve: customer choice, competition, innovation

Carriers fight Skype’s six page letter with a multimillion dollar lobbying, astroturfing, and PR campaign

Outcome: The FCC doesn’t act.

The big US mobile operators say they are open and getting more open

Mobile operators swear allegiance to all things open, so the FCC and the American people should be happy

Skype writes the FCC, details their lies and distortions

Outcome: Egg on carrier faces Lots of industry press No mainstream notice Carriers still behave badly

Skype for iPhone launches

Skype points out AT&T blocks mobile Skype calling

AT&T forced to justify anticompetitive, anti-consumer, anti-Skype practices

2006, 2007, 2008 Skype argues US government must act.

Force meaningful consumer choice

Protect civil liberties

Lower barriers to competition

Open access to wireless networks

Let Skypers Skype

Outcome: We'll see

Is Skype picking good fights to fight?

How loud will people shout for the freedom to Skype away from Wi-Fi?

Will consumer pull sway carriers to permit Skype?

Or will citizen activism regulate open access?

http://skypejournal.com	214
http://killud.blogspot.com	46
http://www.skypejournal.com	36
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com	2
applewebdata://4DDE66C6-7CA8-421C-A4DF-CB64ED72FF4B	1
http://www.killud.blogspot.com	1
http://www.e-presentations.us	1

Power, Freedom And Money

by Phil Wolff on Apr 02, 2009

Accessibility

Categories

Tags

Upload Details

Usage Rights

7 Embeds 301

Statistics

Power, Freedom And Money — Presentation Transcript