Tuesday, June 8, 2004
Cell Phone Firms Sued Over "Lock" Codes
Posted by Pat Logsdon in "NEWS" @ 02:00 PM
"A consumer watchdog group sued three cell phone companies on Monday for "locking" their phones to make it harder for customers to switch carriers. The Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights filed suit accusing AT&T Wireless Services Inc., T-Mobile USA Inc. and Cingular Wireless, of using software in their handsets that prevents them from being used on a competitors' network. The practice effectively thwarts recent federal regulations allowing people to retain their phone numbers when switching mobile carriers, according to the lawsuit, filed in Superior Court in Los Angeles.
The lawsuit accuses the companies of engaging in unfair and deceptive business practices under state law. "If you can use the same phone number with other carriers, you should be able to use the same phone," said Jordan Lurie, an attorney representing the plaintiffs. The phone companies [of course - PL] defend their policy, saying they routinely subsidize handset cost. Companies would lose money if they allowed customers to then use those phones with another carrier."
What do you think? Is it about time someone sued the cell phone companies, or is this this going too far? Has anyone not been able to retain their number because of this? I want DIRT, people! :mrgreen:
The lawsuit accuses the companies of engaging in unfair and deceptive business practices under state law. "If you can use the same phone number with other carriers, you should be able to use the same phone," said Jordan Lurie, an attorney representing the plaintiffs. The phone companies [of course - PL] defend their policy, saying they routinely subsidize handset cost. Companies would lose money if they allowed customers to then use those phones with another carrier."
What do you think? Is it about time someone sued the cell phone companies, or is this this going too far? Has anyone not been able to retain their number because of this? I want DIRT, people! :mrgreen:
