CTIA President: " we believe there isn't any need to apply Net neutrality regulations to wireless."

 

In an interview to CNET senior writer Marguerite Reardon, CTIA (The Wireless Association) president, Steve Largent (pictured below) stated the US wireless industry view on FCC Net Neutrality "third way" (see title).

Then Mr. Chris Guttman-McCabe, head of regulatory affairs for CTIA, explains why wireless operators should be exempt from the new regulations:

"There have always been instances in communications regulation where services are regulated differently. If you look at wireline and wireless networks, they are regulated differently. Satellite is regulated differently. Cable is treated different from broadcast TV and the list goes on."

[not much of an argument, I must say]

Mr. Largent probably sensed that, and adds:

"The real difference is that wireless has spectrum constraints. So it must be treated differently. I mean you look at the usage of wireless service and smartphones and there are already constraints in some markets like New York City and San Francisco. There have already been a lot of complaints in those places. "

[sounds better ... and points to a real, although may be a temporary, issue]

Regarding the recent bill shock prevention initiative - (see "FCC Follows Europe With Bill Shock Prevention - Vendor Offering Review" - here)"

"so why can't they [mobile operators]  just program the billing systems to send a short text message [approaching account limit] at the same time?



Guttman-McCabe: I don't know if it's technically possible or not [indeed, not all mobile device support SMS]. But it can't happen without at least some cost to a carrier."
 
See full story - here.