iPhone Keeps You Captive?

A recent decision from the U.S. Register of Copyrights says that consumer have the right to unlock their cell phones and go to the provider of their choice. Effective on Nov. 27th of 2006, the new regulations will be in force for a 3 year time frame, at which the terms of the decision will be re-evaluated. There are a LOT of cell industry insiders that are screaming foul over this but they have abide by the new ruling.

So here's the rub. The new iPhone has the technology to work on just about every network worldwide, BUT Apple has configured the phone so it will only work on AT&T. Even if you don't want AT&T and you switch out your SIM card, it still won't work on any other network. Hmmmm...this seems to be in violation of the open phone ruling. With 3 million iPhones released, and everyone having to sign an expensive 2 year contract with AT&T, it's looking like the new iPhone is going to have its prisoners for quite some time.

What about the big buzz word of today: Net Neutrality. This doesn't seem very conducive to choice does it?