Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin intends to propose rules for new wireless airwaves that would allow consumers to pick any smartphone or other device and load any software
on it rather than having to take what wireless carriers want to sell. The government is auctioning the 700 MHz spectrum -- which is being vacated by TV stations as they go digital -- early next year.
European consumers for years have had access to an array of "unlocked" devices they can pack with applications from a variety of developers. And because the devices aren't tethered to
any one carrier, wireless consumers in other countries can take devices with them when they switch carriers.
"Whoever wins this spectrum has to provide ... truly open broadband
network--one that will open the door to a lot of innovative services for consumers," Martin says. The proposed rules would apply only to the spectrum being auctioned, not the rest of the wireless
business.
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