The following was spotted on IP Inferno, a VoIP and telecommunications
related blog. These comments were written by Ted Shelton:
http://ipinferno.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, April 26, 2005
Don't try VoIP on Verizon
I was excited about Verizon's new high speed IP network -- finally
some terrific speeds and broad availability on cell phones! Here is
the first cell phone network that could support Skype! But wait,
what's that in the user agreement?
Data sessions may be used for following purposes: (i) Internet
browsing; (ii) email; and (iii) intranet access (including access to
corporate intranets, email and individual productivity applications
like customer relationship management, sales force and field service
automation. Intranet access requires the BlackBerry Enterprise
Server.). Unlimited plans are for individual use only and not for
resale. The Unlimited plans cannot be used: (1) for any applications
that tether the device to laptops, PCs, or other equipment for any
purpose, (2) for uploading, downloading or streaming of movies, music
or games, (3) with server devices or with host computer applications
other than the BlackBerry Enterprise Server, including, without
limitation, Web camera posts or broadcasts, continuous jpeg file
transfers, automatic data feeds, telemetry applications, automated
functions or any other machine-to-machine applications, (4) as
substitute or backup for private lines or dedicated data connections.
Well, I am not a lawyer, but it sounds like VoIP is just plain not
allowed. Not only that, but without the BlackBerry Enterprise Server,
all I can do is email and web browsing!! Why the heck do I need all of
this bandwidth if all I can do is email and web?
I hope that the marketplace responds to Verizon with a big raspberry,
and lets them know that when we buy data services we expect to be able
to USE our data services!! On another front, isn't there something the
FCC can do? Aren't the public airwaves that these data services are
running on a part of the commons and this kind of restraint on trade a
violation of the license under which Verizon operates? Someone with
more FCC knowledge please help out here!
posted by Ted at 8:57 AM
Jack Decker (jack-yahoogroups@withheld_on_request)