It seems, sadly, that my days of using a “regular” cell phone have come to an end.  Considering it's less than two years old (the refurbished replacement I received when it recently broke is less than three months old), I held out on buying a smartphone because the flip phone I’ve had worked and served its purpose—until now--and beyond that, I wasn't and still am not sure I actually need one. So, when it came time to decide if my phone was worth holding together with a rubberband—which I’ve been doing for a few days—or looking into something new and recommitting myself to another two years with Verizon, I started asking around and doing some research.  Ultimately, if I had my way I’d have gotten an iPhone when the 3GS debuted.  But truth be told, I’m stuck with Verizon, for better or worse, and I am prepared to sign another two-year contract ie. selling my soul for a half-decent mail-in-rebate.

 
Not that I have any real problem with Verizon, but what the heck is this exclusivity all about?  Just a few years ago, wireless providers started allowing customers to hold onto their number when they moved to another company.  In fact, I was one of the first—the guy had trouble getting everything setup in the store—when I made the move from AT&T to Verizon some years ago.  What was I thinking?  I should have stuck with AT&T—which became Cingular for a time—and I wouldn’t be in the predicament I’m in right now, right?  Probably not.  AT&T was sucking when I left (hence they fell apart and gotten eaten by Cingular).  Phones, services offered, coverage, everything always seems to be changing with one major provider trying to catch up with the next each and every step of the way.  Some of those catch-ups can take time, sometimes lots of time.  All in all, everyone seems to be moving in the same direction.  Competition—in most circumstances—is a good thing typically leading to further innovation.


As it goes, an article in today’s New York Times (which can be found here) touched upon the hearings currently taking place among the Senate Commerce Committee regarding cell phone exclusivity.  Not surprisingly, as is made clear from the start, the real buzz is about the iPhone and how long it might take to get to Verizon.  And the main message of the article: that there are probably better things—even having to do with cellular phones—the government could be worrying about.  Whatever the final decision they come to regarding exclusivity, my only hope is that it will set a president henceforth and next time I walk into the Verizon store with questions—not just about the new Blackberry Tour which I must say looks pretty good and I’ll likely pick up myself—but about "what else there might be that I'm not seeing just yet," they might have answers to the one question I heard most from customers while recently in a store: “Is Verizon getting the iPhone anytime soon?”

By Steven Rose