Skype, a company providing Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone service, asked the FCC to require wireless phone carriers to allow any device and application to operate on their networks. Wireless carriers have long restricted network access to devices and software applications and have disabled such features on phones as the capability to use Wi-Fi.

The FCC asked for public comment on the Skype petition, which is supported by Free Press and its allies in the Public Interest Spectrum Coalition.

PISC Comments on the Skype Petition
In these comments, the Public Interest Spectrum Coalition supports the Skype petition to require openness on wireless networks and lists the many ways in which wireless carriers prevent customers from utilizing the full capabilities of their service through locking, blocking and discriminatory practices. (April 2007)

Comments on the Skype Petition
Consumer groups weigh in to support the Skype Petition and review some of the many ways that consumers are ill-served by the wireless system. The groups also encourage the FCC to broaden the scope of the proceeding to include Net Neutrality. (April 2007)