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In a move to diminish the digital divide between urban and rural America, the Rural Cellular Association recently petitioned the Federal Communications Commission to “investigate and adopt rules that would prohibit exclusivity arrangements between wireless carriers and cell phone manufacturers”. 

The RCA is a group of more than 80 small and rural wireless providers.  The group maintained that exclusive arrangements between manufacturers and network carriers were unfair and stifled customer choice.  The agreements were also called into question as “decreasing competition” and violating the 1996 Telecommunications Act.

The most popular among these agreements is AT&T and Apple’s exclusive contract for the iPhone.  Verizon Wireless also has an exclusive deal to sell the LG Voyager, another prominent smartphone.  For people who live in areas outside of AT&T or Verizon’s coverage, they are automatically left out with these trendy products.

David Nace, counsel to RCA, said in a statement, “It is important that all Americans have equal access to the latest technology, including wireless devices, regardless of where they live or which carrier provides the service.  RCA is standing up for consumers’ rights and putting an end to exclusivity arrangements that create another ‘digital divide’ between urban and rural America.”

Read [CNET]

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