Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Complying with Carriers' Terms of Service for Wireless Data
Posted by Raphael Salgado in "THOUGHT" @ 02:00 AM
If you own a Pocket PC Phone and a wireless data plan, you've probably been given the fine print in your contract or in a brochure on how you can use that data connection. While each carrier differs in their Terms of Service, here's what Verizon Wireless has to say in regards to their unlimited data plans:
"Unlimited NationalAccess/BroadbandAccess services cannot be used (1) for uploading, downloading or streaming of movies, music or games, (2) with server devices or with host computer applications, including, but not limited to, Web camera posts or broadcasts, automatic data feeds, Voice over IP (VoIP), automated machine-to-machine connections, or peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, or (3) as a substitute or backup for private lines or dedicated data connections."
Some individuals, such as the "very casual user" or the "corporate suit," will shrug off the above paragraph as they may simply use their data plan for web browsing and e-mail. But, others will shrug off the same paragraph because they know it's either impossible for them not to violate it, or feel pretty confident that it's not really enforced nor that they'll ever get caught. With the continuing development of Internet and network-ready applications and games for the Windows Mobile platform (i.e. Orb, ComVu PocketCaster, AudioBay, Navizon, Adisasta WinMobile Torrent, LogMeIn, Skype, Resco Radio, and PocketStreamer to name a few), what's your stance on such Terms and Conditions, and should "unlimited" really mean just that?
"Unlimited NationalAccess/BroadbandAccess services cannot be used (1) for uploading, downloading or streaming of movies, music or games, (2) with server devices or with host computer applications, including, but not limited to, Web camera posts or broadcasts, automatic data feeds, Voice over IP (VoIP), automated machine-to-machine connections, or peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, or (3) as a substitute or backup for private lines or dedicated data connections."
Some individuals, such as the "very casual user" or the "corporate suit," will shrug off the above paragraph as they may simply use their data plan for web browsing and e-mail. But, others will shrug off the same paragraph because they know it's either impossible for them not to violate it, or feel pretty confident that it's not really enforced nor that they'll ever get caught. With the continuing development of Internet and network-ready applications and games for the Windows Mobile platform (i.e. Orb, ComVu PocketCaster, AudioBay, Navizon, Adisasta WinMobile Torrent, LogMeIn, Skype, Resco Radio, and PocketStreamer to name a few), what's your stance on such Terms and Conditions, and should "unlimited" really mean just that?
