Walt Mossberg, Tim Wu, and others have recently been calling for a Carterfone decision for wireless networks. In 1959, Thomas Carter (no relation) introduced a device which allowed mobile radio systems to be interconnected with the Bell System landline telephone network. The device was in fact a mere acoustic coupler and not hardwired to the network. AT&T attempted to stop Mr. Carter from connecting his radio-wireline equipment. In the ensuing litigation, the FCC opened the telephone network to the interconnection of non-Bell System equipment.Drawing this logic to the fixed and mobile Internet, Mossberg asserts, “You don’t have to get the permission of your Internet service provider to do so, or even tell the provider about it. You can just pack up the old machine and set up the new one.” Therefore, he argues, you should be able to use any wireless device on any mobile network. Well, Verizon and AT&T are making steps in that direction. However, what Mr. Mossberg does not mention that his cell phone contains two parts: 1) the radio and 2) all the other cool stuff in there. The radio handles all of the modulation/demodulation necessary to connect the phone to the network. The parallel in the wired world is your cable or DSL modem. It is to this box that one connects his router, PC, or other Internet appliance. In most cases, you get the modem from your ISP and there is less consumer choice for broadband modems than there is for cell phones. So, in order for this argument to stand, it must not lose sight of the fact that in the wireless world these devices are in the same box, while in the wireline the same box.
Insight: I am not arguing against wireless Network Neutrality; however, the analogy comparing cell phones to PCs is only half correct. So, a proper analogy might be comparing the flexibility of the PC and wireline Internet to the ability to connect any IP device or other cool stuff to your data-enabled cell phone.
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