An unattested reader writes "The FCC is butting heads with cell telephone dial phone companies over 'wiggle room' the influence organization wishes to allow consumers. Along with the move to the auction system, the patronage is removing restrictions on pieces of the digital telephone ring spectrum, which will allow a freedom of choice not usually seen with satellite ring off communication devices. 'In the past, when the F.C.C. auctioned radio-frequency radio-frequency spectrum for cellular service, it allowed the winners to determine the equipment and applications that would run on their networks. That created the current status quo, in which a vast majority of red white and blue consumers buy a handset from a digital ring off service provider. The open-access rules, which will apply to about one-third of the visible electromagnetic spectrum being sold at the auction, represent a significant departure from past practice. They require the winners to let consumers use any tested, safe and compatible device or application on its network. Entrepreneurs could sell handsets with capabilities that are unavailable -- or unavailable at affordable prices -- from current carriers.'"

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