FCC to require iPhone on ALL networks?

[JennaLDS]

My husband and I went into radio shack today, and started talking to the rep about iPhones ect. after he asked if we were interested in the MyTouch.

At radio shack, there are monthly meetings just for the Cell Companies that are sold, and the managers find out about any news relating to their stores. According to the Manager, some statement from the FCC came out to Apple/AT&T/ ect. that apple is being required to allow iPhones to come to ANY cellular company, including Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile.

Has any one else heard of such a thing? Most people are saying that the iPhone will NEVER go to Verizon or Sprint, but the FCC has the upper hand, and if they say jump, cellular companies ask, how high.

Just wanting to know what you guys think.

 

[Ames]

Seems unlikely. If that were the case it would set a precidence that no carriers get exclusives and phone companies would have to support all carriers; GSM, CDMA, or whatever.

 

[RaceTripper]

The FCC is expected to make a statement proposing new net neutrality rules on Monday, but that has nothing to do with cell phone carrier agreements.

The Radio Shack's managers (mis)information about the iPhone on other carriers is not correct. The only thing going on right now regarding the iPhone is that the FCC is investigating exclusive carrier agreements. But don't expect that to be resolved soon and don't count on seeing the iPhone on other networks anytime soon. For one, Verizon and Sprint use incompatible CDMA networks. To support them will require new iPhone hardware from Apple.

 

[firewood]

The radio chips and antennas inside an iPhone won't work with a CDMA network such as Sprint and Verizon. The FCC can rule all they want, but if the hardware doesn't exist, they can't make companies sell vaporware. And the FCC takes some time itself to approve any changes a manufacturer makes to the radios.

Bogus story.

 

[GoCubsGo]

Yeah that is unfounded and who the hell would believe some radio shack employee anyway?

 

[nehunte]

The FCC doesn't even come close to yielding that kind of power.

 

[RaceTripper]

The FCC doesn't even come close to yielding that kind of power.

I don't know, they blocked Comcast from throttling internet connections. That's a pretty big yielding of power (and that's what Monday's Net Neutrality speech is in response to).

 

[Spock]

I don't know, they blocked Comcast from throttling internet connections. That's a pretty big yielding of power (and that's what Monday's Net Neutrality speech is in response to).

They also stopped the DirecTV Dish Network merger a few years ago.

 

[SG1-1]

AT&T uses the GSM cellular standard, T-Mobile USA uses GSM as well.

Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel opted for CDMA.
Different from AT&T supported (GSM) iPhone Chipset.

That means Apple would have to switch chip providers or add another one to support both (GSM) & (CDMA). Or Make a Separate Version of the iPhone one for (GSM) & one for (CDMA)

Also, Apple's penchant for secrecy and how closely the company has reportedly worked with Infineon. Infineon could develop its own CDMA chips, but Qualcomm owns an enormous number of patents related to CDMA (which it invented), and it would be a complex, long-term project for Infineon to obtain the rights.

So That all makes it highly unlikely in the short run.

Other Options are an update to the Cellular Structuring of Verizon And Sprint, inducing contract negotiations, and those take time.

And we have not heard of any of these thighs taking place or in the process of being changed, This would be BIG NEWS if one or the other where going to happen.

So I Agree with my Fellow Posters in that it is Unlikely, Even "IF" changes occur with the FCC that this Would Happen in the Short term.

Give it 2 years and yes it could, I think it is probably well known presumption that iPhone will be with Allot More Providers in Time.

But Not within a few years due to the Changes that have to be made by Carriers and even Apple.

I Love the "Shack" But allot of the Sales Associates like to come off as Knowing some Secrets or behind the scenes information to make them look good and knowledgeable and it just isn't so.

Great Post.

 

[JennaLDS]

Yeah that is unfounded and who the hell would believe some radio shack employee anyway?

Actually, Radio Shack Managers are quite informant. We knew about the Sirus Merger almost a year before it happened. We knew about the AT&T buyout well over a year before it happened. When you work for radioshack, and are in management, you hear about things, but when you sign all the paperwork for management, you are REQUIRED to not speak of ANY changes in anything from Companies, Mergers and New Devices until given the OK. Some people think Radioshack is JUST a store like best buy, but I had to go through extensive training just to apply for management. They are very secretive about the info they know. The only reason I know about this FCC thing is because I was a manager at the store we went to, and I know the manager. But who knows, that might just be company hear say, but as far as knowledge, I trust a Radio Shack manager over a AT&T rep ANY DAY.

I Love the "Shack" But allot of the Sales Associates like to come off as Knowing some Secrets or behind the scenes information to make them look good and knowledgeable and it just isn't so.

Most of the associates like to think they KNOW.. and really all it is, is that they might have overheard a voice memo, or discussion between DM and GM's, and they take it and run. When I was an associate, I knew NOTHING about secrets ect. But after being in management for a year, I knew some things.

 

[jav6454]

The FCC has no power over what Apple chooses to make of their phone. If they want a GSM-only phone, that's it. If the FCC wants openness, then Apple can open up to T-Mobile and voila, you got choice.

 

[AbSoluTc]

Hmm. Don't think we will ever heard the end of the "iphone is coming to (insert carrier of choice here)" threads.

 

[intrepid00]

Did his meeting take place in the local pizza shop?

 

[JennaLDS]

Hmm. Don't think we will ever heard the end of the "iphone is coming to (insert carrier of choice here)" threads.

Well luckly this thread is not a "Is the iPhone coming to ?????" thread.. it is a FCC statement thread.

Did his meeting take place in the local pizza shop?

What?

 

[rjohnstone]

The FCC does not have the authority to regulate phone manufacturer agreements with carriers.
That would be the FTC.
All the FCC can do is approve or deny the use of the device within the US.

And I hate to burst your bubble, but Radio Shack is just another retail store chain... just like Best Buy.

The FCC did not block the DirecTV/Dish merger, the DOJ did.

 

[JennaLDS]

The FCC does not have the authority to regulate phone manufacturer agreements with carriers.
That would be the FTC.
All the FCC can do is approve or deny the use of the device within the US.

And I hate to burst your bubble, but Radio Shack is just another retail store chain... just like Best Buy.

The FCC did not block the DirecTV/Dish merger, the DOJ did.

Well I have worked at both places, and even though I do not work at either any more, RadioShack is in deeper with Cellular Companies than Best Buy ever thought of being.

Thanks for all your comments.

 

[rjohnstone]

We knew about the Sirus Merger almost a year before it happened. We knew about the AT&T buyout well over a year before it happened.

And so did every stock broker and financial analyst on Wall St.
Those deals were not secret.
The Sirius/XM merger was no big secret. The deal had been in the works for 3 years before the DOJ finally approved it.

Same thing with SBC buying out the remaining pieces of Cingular to put AT&T Wireless back together.
Everyone knew that deal was happening long before the "official announcement".

Hardly "secret" information. It just wasn't discussed heavily in the mainstream media.

 

[JennaLDS]

And so did every stock broker and financial analyst on Wall St.
Those deals were not secret.
The Sirius/XM merger was no big secret. The deal had been in the works for 3 years before the DOJ finally approved it.

Same thing with SBC buying out the remaining pieces of Cingular to put AT&T Wireless back together.
Everyone knew that deal was happening long before the "official announcement".

Hardly "secret" information. It just wasn't discussed heavily in the mainstream media.

Regardless it was not discussed per contract when signing up in Management. Put it this way, if it was discussed with Customers, and DM found out, you would be fired on the spot. They were really strict about what kind of info could be let loose.

 

[rjohnstone]

Put it this way, if it was discussed with Customers, and DM found out, you would be fired on the spot. They were really strict about what kind of info could be let loose.

Fired on what grounds?
Discussing public information that has zero bearing on Radio Shack?

They have no bigger "in" with cell phone companies than any other retailer.
Radio Shack is nothing more than an authorized reseller agent like Best Buy, Walmart or any kiosk in a mall for that matter.
Hell, the "Shack" can't even sell an iPhone even though they are an AT&T reseller.

 

[JennaLDS]

Fired on what grounds?
Discussing public information that has zero bearing on Radio Shack?

They have no bigger "in" with cell phone companies than any other retailer.
Radio Shack is nothing more than an authorized reseller agent like Best Buy, Walmart or any kiosk in a mall for that matter.
Hell, the "Shack" can't even sell an iPhone even though they are an AT&T reseller.

Radio Shack is set to get the iPhone within the next few weeks per Radioshack District Manager, and AT&T Radioshack authorized Rep. Im not going to sit here and argue why RadioShack surpasses most other electronic retail stores. For one, we are an at will state, so they can fire you for anything they wish to, and two, if the customers know about certain things before the actual info is released, there are phone calls out the ass. Before a store I helped open became a game store, and before Guitar Hero II was released, an associate found out, and started telling customers about it, within a WEEK, there were lines of people and hundreds of phone calls about the item. (it was close to Christmas) The store was never set to get the item, it was ONLY offered online, but was not posted yet. The morning that it was going to be on the website, I was at work, a lady came in to buy the game, and and ipod nano, she ended up throwing the ipod at me because we didn't carry the game in store. THAT IS WHY.. people get fired for things like that. Needless to say, the associate who told everyone about his misinformed information, was fired as soon as he came in to work the next day.

 

[Revelation78]

Radio Shack is set to get the iPhone within the next few weeks per Radioshack District Manager, and AT&T Radioshack authorized Rep. Im not going to sit here and argue why RadioShack surpasses most other electronic retail stores. For one, we are an at will state, so they can fire you for anything they wish to, and two, if the customers know about certain things before the actual info is released, there are phone calls out the ass. Before a store I helped open became a game store, and before Guitar Hero II was released, an associate found out, and started telling customers about it, within a WEEK, there were lines of people and hundreds of phone calls about the item. (it was close to Christmas) The store was never set to get the item, it was ONLY offered online, but was not posted yet. The morning that it was going to be on the website, I was at work, a lady came in to buy the game, and and ipod nano, she ended up throwing the ipod at me because we didn't carry the game in store. THAT IS WHY.. people get fired for things like that. Needless to say, the associate who told everyone about his misinformed information, was fired as soon as he came in to work the next day.

Are you that serious about "propping up" Radio Shack. No one cares if Radio Shack will fire you for talking about a future product. No one in Radio Shack's management has an F*ing clue as to what the future of the iPhone is, that is outside of when they might carry it.

I've been to plenty of Radio Shacks and I can tell you they ARE NOT better than ANY other electronics store out there. Radio Shacks people are idiots, I've yet to meet one that had a clue beyond the sales brochure on the LIMITED products they carry.

I have more respect for Best Buy's Geek squad than I do for ANY person within the Radio Shack company. Keep in mind I think the Geek squad are a bunch of idiots too...

 

[UngratefulNinja]

Radio Shack is set to get the iPhone within the next few weeks per Radioshack District Manager, and AT&T Radioshack authorized Rep. Im not going to sit here and argue why RadioShack surpasses most other electronic retail stores. For one, we are an at will state, so they can fire you for anything they wish to, and two, if the customers know about certain things before the actual info is released, there are phone calls out the ass. Before a store I helped open became a game store, and before Guitar Hero II was released, an associate found out, and started telling customers about it, within a WEEK, there were lines of people and hundreds of phone calls about the item. (it was close to Christmas) The store was never set to get the item, it was ONLY offered online, but was not posted yet. The morning that it was going to be on the website, I was at work, a lady came in to buy the game, and and ipod nano, she ended up throwing the ipod at me because we didn't carry the game in store. THAT IS WHY.. people get fired for things like that. Needless to say, the associate who told everyone about his misinformed information, was fired as soon as he came in to work the next day.

I don't understand what that has to do with anything. Almost all states are at will states and all retail stores would fire you if you blabbed anything you weren't supposed to.

 

[scaredpoet]

Actually, Radio Shack Managers are quite informant. We knew about the Sirus Merger almost a year before it happened.

Actually, everyone knew about the Sirius/XM merger a year before it happened, but it took over a year after it was proposed for the FCC to finally approve it and allow the transaction to close.

We knew about the AT&T buyout well over a year before it happened.

Cingular was operated by the "new AT&T" well over a year before the name change. And technically it wasn't a buyout... it was merely a name change.

So, so far you're 0 for 2.

When you work for radioshack, and are in management, you hear about things, but when you sign all the paperwork for management, you are REQUIRED to not speak of ANY changes in anything from Companies, Mergers and New Devices until given the OK.

So what you're saying is, this manager who allegedly happens to know more about what the FCC is going to do than the FCC themselves, is divulging confidential information? Guess the FCC needs to know that those RadioShack managers are spilling their beans!

Radio Shack is set to get the iPhone within the next few weeks per Radioshack District Manager, and AT&T Radioshack authorized Rep. Im not going to sit here and argue why RadioShack surpasses most other electronic retail stores.

I think we'll have to revisit this thread in a few weeks, just to see if you were right. I have my doubts though. Apple has clearly demonstrated that they are selective of who gets to sell the iPhone and are meticulous about the experience a potential user gets when buying one. Best Buy got to sell the iPhone over a year ago, while RadioShack still can't. That's telling, and as it is I have a low opinion of Best Buy.

Anyway, here's the bottom line: the FCC is not the FTC. Even if the FCC was going to mandate that the iPhone be retriffited for CDMA networks and force Apple to sell them for Sprint and Verizon (which they can't, and they won't), they still can't legally order Apple to let RadioShack or any other outlet sell the iPhone. The product is still divorced from the network int hat sense.

 

[ThatsMeRight]

Nice for you guys, but I wonder when something like this is going to happen in The Netherlands.

But eh, it is possible... too with the chips. Like in some countries in Europe it's not allowed to have a simlock on the iPhone etc., but there's one difference: as far as I can remember we in Europe use GSM and no CDMA.

 

[RetiredInFl]

Radio Shack is like the "Seinfeld" TV show. It's "the store about nothing." I have never seen such a confused company in my life. They have no direction, no specialtly, no knowledge, lousy store level management who get paid next to nothing, employees who don't have a clue as to what anything is, they have way too many stores. It's absolutely amazing that they still exist. They have tiny bits of EVERYTHING but tons of nothing.