The system we have here in the U.S. for our wireless communications is a disappointing mess.  It fails to provide value, consumer choice, and it gets even more depressing as the push for “open networks” gets squashed in the upcoming FCC spectrum auction next year.

With an open network, any carrier can provide service across the entire network.  It’s up to the consumer.

With an open network, any device can be used with any carrier across the entire network.  It’s up to the consumer.

With an open network, any application can be used with any device on any carrier across the entire network.  It’s up to the consumer.

With an open network, any service can be accessed by any application, on any device,with any carrier across the entire network.  It’s up to the consumer.

Can your network do that?  Of course not, because it’s not up to the consumer.

See, according to the carriers, we lowly consumers are not intelligent enough to figure all this shit out.  All we’re good for is to keep paying inflated fees for 1990’s era service.  Sure, we get tossed a few carrots along the way like cheap handsets, or a fancy interface, but nothing so radical as freedom of choice.

Google’s intention to move into the wireless space is hardly altruistic, after all, they are a for-profit business (thank goodness).  However, their request to the FCC to adopt an open network for the upcoming spectrum auction shows that it understands not only the current “power user” base, but also the entire future customer base.

It’s time for a little revolution in our communications industry to liberate our freedom of choice.  Because right now we have none.

Technorati tags: FCC Wireless Auction, Google Wireless Bid, Open Network