I’m never one to pass on taking pot shots at the telecommunication companies of the world, so I apologize if this is getting a little bit old, but I’ve got something to say about the Operation Chokehold fiasco that’s been unfolding.
In case you haven’t heard yet, Fake Steve Jobs has put out a call to arms for all iPhone and data users on the AT&T network to try and choke out the network by going nuts with the Data on December 18th at Noon PST. To make matters worse, AT&T thought that it would be appropriate to call out Fake Steve Jobs for his call to action. Here’s a quote from CultofMac.com
We understand that fakesteve.net is primarily a satirical forum, but there is nothing amusing about advocating that customers attempt to deliberately degrade service on a network that provides critical communications services for more than 80 million customers. We know that the vast majority of customers will see this action for what it is: an irresponsible and pointless scheme to draw attention to a blog.
Here’s a quote from yours truly
Is bringing down a cell phone network a responsible thing to do? Hell No. But, does showing the world that a telecommunications network is so far behind in their innovation and modernization initiatives that they can’t handle all their users on the network at the same time? It sure is. When a jackass executive runs loose at the lips about re-educating iPhone users about how to properly use their bandwidth, in an attempt to lower load on their network, people will take note.
They’ll take note of how they’ve been mistreated by a company who constantly lures in consumers, then flaunts fine print details to get out of their real commitments. They’ll take note of the lies about unlimited data, and the sliding scale of bandwidth limits that are actually in place, despite public claims. They’ll take note of a greedy company who decided it was more important to increase profits through collusion than it was in expanding their network and modernizing their technology.
Here’s a thought, STOP selling snake oil and start telling customers what they’re really getting. What are they afraid of? It’s time we get the truth about what we’re actually paying for in these contracts. The last time I checked no other industry gets away with the blatant marketing lies, nor are they allowed to mislead their consumers to the extent that telecommunications companies have done in recent history. It disgusts me.
I’m not going to condone bringing down an entire cell network to prove a point, the implications for emergency services is far to great, but I am all for shedding light on the problem, and for me it starts with governments lack of enforcement of laws already in place in markets where customers are clearly being taken advantage of and left hung out to dry. I hate to say it, but it’s time to start writing your elected officials. It might be time to start asking about the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (if you’re American).
December 17, 2009
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