FCC to investigate AT&T, Verizon for anti-competitive behavior

BigDiesel07 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-21-2009, 06:18 PM

Exclusive phone deals.. High SMS rates.. Could it be collusion between Verizon Wireless and AT&T, who combined have 60% market share in the wireless world? The FCC is looking into allegations that AT&T and Verizon Wireless have engaged in collusion and other illegal business practices to keep prices artificially high and hurt consumer interests.. What do you think?

Source: DSL Reports

Keir333 · #2 (**permalink**) 08-21-2009, 06:43 PM

It's pretty interesting considering that BGR had an article on their site saying how AT&T are going to require smartphone plans for their customers starting September 6th. Here's the link.

-Keir-

BigDiesel07 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-21-2009, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keir333

It's pretty interesting considering that BGR had an article on their site saying how AT&T are going to require smartphone plans for their customers starting September 6th. Here's the link.

-Keir-

True... And along with the FCC investigating for the Google/Apple App issue, a lot is going on..

**syanni85** · #4 (**permalink**) 08-21-2009, 06:55 PM

eventually, everything is going to turn to Cricket's system... and i believe thats how alot of Europe is doing it right now. You'll have to pay full price on phones, but if a phone is released on another carrier, you don't have any cancellation fees and you can just port your number over.

I think the FCC is doing the right thing and keeping the competition as fair as possible.

sure, AT&T and Verizon have MUCH better networks than t-mobile and cricket (meaning you get what you pay for), but with out those other companies showing you that cellular service doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg, there wouldn't have been questionable issues stirring up the FCC

dbord_n · #5 (**permalink**) 08-21-2009, 07:04 PM

dude i was one of the un happy people who had alltel and now have verizon!! there plans cost 50-60 bucks more then the similar plan i had with alltel!! i can now, never upgrade mine or my wifes phone for when we do we will lose our alltel plan and have to get a new one with verizon!! dude if that isn't shady and not right i don't know what is!! i'm glad this is bringing attition to this but i fear it will just be another one of those headlines that dosen't really mean anything and when its all said and done the only thing that will happen is the big 2 will have to pay a fine to the fcc and continue the same way.

verizonguy · #6 (**permalink**) 08-21-2009, 11:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbord_n

i can now, never upgrade mine or my wifes phone for when we do we will lose our alltel plan and have to get a new one with verizon!! dude if that isn't shady and not right i don't know what is!!

That's only partially true. If you want to get a new device from vzw at a discount that's true, but you can buy the device elsewhere like on ebay, then you can swap your device using *228 without having to change your plan to activate the device, effectively circumventing the requirement to change plans.

I did this when I bought my Touch Pro on ebay.

Keir333 · #7 (**permalink**) 08-22-2009, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by verizonguy

I did this when I bought my Touch Pro on ebay.

Did you switch back to using your XV6800 from your Verizon Touch Pro? Just wondering cuz your Pocket PC is listed as a XV6800. Is the Touch Pro for Verizon crippled that bad?

-Keir-

dbord_n · #8 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by verizonguy

That's only partially true. If you want to get a new device from vzw at a discount that's true, but you can buy the device elsewhere like on ebay, then you can swap your device using *228 without having to change your plan to activate the device, effectively circumventing the requirement to change plans.

I did this when I bought my Touch Pro on ebay.

but i have heard that verizon is not letting phones such as the touch pro be imported to there systems unless it is a verizon brand. so i can't buy a sprint phone and then activate it on verizon. i would asume the same would be true for the touch pro 2. FYI don't let verizon tell you that a veriozn phone will not work with an alltel plan cause i have a piece of crap ozone that is going to be replaced with a blackberry tour, and they are both verizon phones and i still get to keep my alltel plan. this was not an upgrad but a lemon ploicy switch out so im not sure if that is it but you can fight em and keep your alltel plan.

buck95 · #9 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by verizonguy

That's only partially true. If you want to get a new device from vzw at a discount that's true, but you can buy the device elsewhere like on ebay, then you can swap your device using *228 without having to change your plan to activate the device, effectively circumventing the requirement to change plans.

I did this when I bought my Touch Pro on ebay.

Interesting, I was lookig at getting a Touch Pro used, but saw the release date was just after the November 14 2008, required data plan date. Think it might be possible to get a newer release phone from ebay and have it activated on my (no data) xv6800 plan?

Keir333 · #10 (**permalink**) 08-22-2009, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dbord_n

...i can now, never upgrade mine or my wifes phone for when we do we will lose our alltel plan and have to get a new one with verizon!! dude if that isn't shady and not right i don't know what is!!

That's exactly why I was hoping that Alltel would come out witht the Touch Pro2 before the change over officially went through in my area. I'm eligible for an upgrade right now, and wanted to get a new toy, but stay on an Alltel plan.

-Keir-