| Scott 2005-08-20, 11:48 pm |
|
"617 Phones" <617@volcanomail.com> wrote in message
news:1124582214.700209.98250@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>
> Yesterday afternoon, after reading this ongoing ping-pong game, I
> decided to try something really bizarre--ask someone at the FCC.
>
> On the FCC website, there are email links on just about every page and
> I transmitted to one in the Wireless Bureau, a gentleman named Keith
> Harper.
>
> The text of my questions to Mr. Harper.
> ********************
****
> Dear Mr. Harper:
>
> I have some questions regarding cellular service requirements that,
> hopefully, you will be able to clarify for me.
>
> OET 53 and Section 22.901(d) have been interpreted by some to state
> that cellular band providers must allow new or former analog
> subscribers to purchase analog only service from the provider, at
> least until the sunset of mandatory analog service, which I believe
> to be in February 2008.
>
> My questions are:
>
> 1. Are cellular band providers required to sell analog only service to
> new subscribers?
>
> If 1 is yes, no further answers are needed; otherwise:
>
> 2. Are celluar providers required to sell analog only service to
> former analog only customers, regardless of current status, assuming
> no billing/financial issues?
>
> 3. Are cellular providers required to have pricing available for
> analog only
> services? Failing that, must they honor their "digital" price plans
> for any
> analog only customers?
>
> Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.
> ********************
****
>
> Here is his reply, received this morning.
> ********************
****
> Good Morning,
>
> Wireless providers operating in the cellular band are only required to
> provide analog service as part of their wireless system.
>
> Please note that wireless providers are not required to initiate
> service to a customer who already has an analog phone. They must only
> provide analog service to an existing customer who continues to use an
> analog phone. Generally, you will be required to obtain a new phone
> when switching between carriers.
>
> 1. Cellular band providers are not required to sell analog only
> service to new subscribers.
>
> 2. Cellular providers are not required to sell analog only service to
> former analog only customers, regardless of current status. This
> matter is left to the service provider's discretion.
>
> 3. Service plans are left entirely to the provider's discretion. The
> FCC does not have any rules in place regarding the pricing of service
> plans for analog or digital services. Cellular providers are not
> required to have pricing available for analog only services.
>
> I hope this clears up some of your questions regarding cellular
> service.
>
> Keith Harper
> ********************
****
>
Geez, Phones- don't confuse people with facts. It makes it so much more
difficult to perpetuate the urban myths about the evil cellular monsters.
Of course, we have a few people in here who claim to understand the FCC
rules better than the FCC- maybe they'll be able to put the usual paranoid
spin on this.
BTW- great post.
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