Well, one step towards allowing some innovation in the wireless space. From the Machinist:
Once carriers move over to the 700 MHz band -- which promises faster, stronger wireless data connections across the country -- phone companies will not have the right to dictate to consumers what devices we can use on their network. This is a win for Google.
Wireless firms will also be prohibited from preventing us from using applications we choose on those devices -- you'll be able to use Skype or Firefox or whatever else on your phone, whether your carrier likes it or not. This is also a win for Google.
Note that in this case "Google" == "consumers." This is a very big deal, although its importance underscores how completely FUBAR our current wireless policy is.
Question? So if I have a device that will run on this spectrum, and I purchase service from Company X, what happens when I wander off of Company X's 700 MHz coverage area and am back on their non 700 MHz network. Will the device still work?
ReplyDeleteTim,
ReplyDeleteI don't really know the answer to your question. It seems like a hardware issue though. I don't know if you can use the same antennas for the different frequency range.
I think Google was pushing for open access on the whole network of a provider. There is talk that the rules of the 700 spectrum will indicate that a provider provide open access to just their 700 spectrum, but not the rest of their network...
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