Skype demands "Carterfone" rules for mobile industry

The provider of free Internet calls, Skype is asking the American regulator FCC to apply the “Carterfone” rules to the mobile industry. This would force carriers to “open up” and allow hardware and software created by third parties to connect to their networks.

The US mobile operators’ association CTIA is reacting violently against the Skype appeal. Skype wants it’s customers to be able to make internet-calls with mobile phones over the service providers’ networks.

The “Carterfone” rules were developed to break up the monopoly AT&T had over fixed line phones. It allows network customers to hook up any device and software that does not harm network or disturb its regular functions.

FCC has applied the “Carterfone” rules to cable and DSL communications and it would be logical to enforce it also on mobile networks.

Source: Mobile monday