Comments on: Antitrust: Apple and AT&T in DOJ's sights

By: Michael J Baker, Elk River, MN

Michael J Baker, Elk River, MN — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 02:24:52 +0000

Everyone here thinks the wireless industry is so competitive. Why is a cell phone tied to the carrier, after I pay for the phone and fulfill my service contract, why can I not use that phone on another carrier. Instead, if I wanted to switch carriers, I would need to buy a new phone. Also, many carriers require a 2 year service agreement when you get a new phone. We are told, this is to recoup the subsidy the carrier makes to the phone purchase. After the 2 year agreement is up, how come the monthly service charge does not go down? There are just two issues that I feel there is an unequal distribution of power. Now I know, one option is for me not to have a cell phone. But, is that a realistic option? I can go to Walmart or Target and buy a wall phone that will work with any phone company I have. Why can I not do this with my cell phone. – There is competition in the cell phone industry. However, there are areas within the industry that could be improved.

By: Steele Columbia SC

Steele Columbia SC — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:24:07 +0000

Sounds like the government is looking for money from the big companies that could afford to take their antitrust law penalty.

By: SoCal Tommy

SoCal Tommy — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:12:17 +0000

I don't think I have seen so many whiners who think they are "deserving" and that somehow they are "owed" the priviledge of acquiring an iPhone.

Next they'll be snivelling about not being able to have a Porsche or Rolls Royce, or live in the Hamptons and by golly "THE GOVERNMENT OUGHT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT"!

Grow up, stop being a baby! Waaaaa! Waaaa!

By: Mike, York,PA

Mike, York,PA — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:50:45 +0000

This is rediculious. I own a few Verizon Stores locally and this is just people wasting their time. The same consumer who wants a free phone, walks into my store with a $5 cup of coffee? Secondly would you tell the auto industry that every company must sell the same cars for the same prices? Would nike be forced to sell the same shoes at the different stores for the same prices. Its called supply and demand. Every carrier is looking for the next big hit, its that simple. Products and services offered should be different from carrier to carrier. If not what are we really in business for. In my opinion this is the only industry where we practically stroke the customers ego to do business. Remember the last time your cable provider gave you a free Tv becuase you completed to years of coverage with them? Didn't think so! If you sign a contract, you understand from the get go, services and products are being subsidised for your agreement into that contract. If you complain about it later, perhaps its time to grow up.

By: H Izenson, Chicago, IL

H Izenson, Chicago, IL — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:14:34 +0000

I believe you are misquoting the WSJ article WRT AT&T and VZ's share of wireline. The article states, "90 million customers." In fact AT&T and VZ only operate wireline networks covering approximately two-thirds of the US households.

By: SoCal Tommy

SoCal Tommy — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:27:55 +0000

Antitrust based on popularity of iPhone apps? Yep sounds like the government doing what they do best – trying to screw things up.

Every time I have ever even thought of going into govermemt service of one form or another I remember that just getting hired by "it" causes a sphincter muscle to grow around ones head as the individual suddenly gains superhuman insight into every concievable problem that has ever even had a possibilty of appearing, which of course are only solve-able by *gasp*, more government intervention.

By: Peter C, Chicago, IL

Peter C, Chicago, IL — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:40:02 +0000

If the DOJ rules against the exclusive contract between Apple and AT&T that should be good news for Apple. They could get out of their supposed 5 year contract with AT&T and start selling more phones to more carriers.

By: RB, Portland, OR

RB, Portland, OR — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:58:45 +0000

Maybe the DOJ should also look into how consumers are being screwed with the high cost of SMS & MMS messages. It makes no sense that these items cost more than an actual phone call when less data is being pushed through.

By: Don Camillo, Houston, TX

Don Camillo, Houston, TX — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 12:47:01 +0000

"The U.S. wireless industry is highly competitive and, as a result, delivers terrific innovation, many choices and attractive pricing for all customer segments".

If this was not such a sad topic this ludicrous statement would be outright laughable. The wireless industry in the US performs at the bottom globally in all those criteria: you have more competition everywhere except outright communist countries with national telco monopolies; you have more innovation in Bangla Desh and Zimbabwe than in the US; the '"terrific choices" still stop at 3G (if you happen to live near a big enough metroplex) and the "attractive" pricing looks much less attractive when you consider the range and quality of services you don't get for it.

I have been to more than 50 countries, developed and developing ones, on all continents. The scale, range and quality of wireless services in the US trails those in all other places I know by a significant margin.

I would wish we could open our markets to carriers and other service providers from Asia and one day be able to use our wireless devices like the people there.

By: matsrg

matsrg — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 11:05:02 +0000

Apple have to be aware of not getting introubble with the antitrust really

http://jphone.se