Many potential iPhone customers in the US have been irked by Apple’s exclusive deal with AT&T, but that marriage is now coming under pressure from another source: small, rural cellphone providers. At issue is the the fact that AT&T does not offer the iPhone for sale in many rural areas where they only offer roaming service.
And, since the exclusive deal prohibits the local cell providers from selling the iPhone, that means that inhabitants of those areas—like much of Vermont, and rural areas in 15 other states—will not be recipients of the iPhone love.
So it is that the Rural Cellular Association, a trade group of 80 small rural providers, plans to petition the FCC to look into the legality of exclusive deals such as the one between AT&T and Apple. According to the Wall Street Journal, most of these small carriers serve 500,000 people or fewer, though those numbers do add up. Ars Technica highlights the case in Alaska, where residents had trouble legally using the iPhone, due to service restrictions imposed by AT&T.
The FCC has apparently intervened on similar issues in the past, as Ars points out, such as forcing Direct Broadcast Satellite providers to offer their services in Alaska and Hawaii. Whether or not that precedent will cover the RCA’s request remains to be seen.
I don't get why people in rural areas would expect the same benefits as those who live in the city. It's bad enough I have to pay anything on my monthly AT&T bill "for make benefit" of rural cell customers... I LIVE WHERE THE PEOPLE ARE.
If you want all the benefits of civilization, move to civilization!
Will some rural group next rise up and demand that Broadway producers stage Jersey Boys next to the general store on Main Street? I mean, it's not fair those city folk get to see the show and they can't see it in Podunk.
Oh... And Tesla should have to open a dealership. You know, Los Angeles - Las Vegas - New York ...and West Salt Lick, Alabama.
The iPhone is a luxury item, not a life necessity. Why should any company be forced to serve a market it makes no business sense for them to serve.
Bottom line: Want the benefits of the city... Move to one.
Your ignorance is astounding. Competition is essential to the market. All markets.