FCC mandates wireless data roaming

[Sabre]

Reuters Article

U.S. regulators on Thursday adopted data roaming rules that would allow smartphones to access the Internet in areas across the country not covered by their wireless carrier.

The rules set by the Federal Communications Commission in a 3-2 vote would force wireless carriers like AT&T Inc and Verizon Wireless to offer "reasonable" roaming rates.

"Mobile providers must be able to offer nationwide voice and data plans to have any chance of competing in today's market," FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said at the agency's meeting.

But evidence collected from wireless carriers "shows that roaming deals are simply not being widely offered on commercially reasonable terms," Genachowski added.

[complacent]

'bout damn time.

if we're not there yet, i'd guess we're not too far away from mobile data being a requirement.

[Sabre]

I'm curious when the day comes that they just consider voice service as data (which it is) and all we have is data plans.

[complacent]

I'm curious when the day comes that they just consider voice service as data (which it is) and all we have is data plans.

4G-ish. everything will be a data connection then. LTE is the best example, but i think about there.