Sunday, January 12, 2014

TOW #15: "AT&T’s new data cap 'deal' is just another weapon against regulation," Art Brodsky

With every passing day, technology is getting more complex, growing more advanced, and opening many doors for innovation. It is an extremely large market right now, that is making millions of dollars on improved gadgets, year after year. AT&T, a large technology provider, is a leading company that has been a very large player in cellular devices and advances in data. In the article, "AT&T's new data cap 'deal' is just another weapon against regulation," the author, Art Brodsky brings up a new cap created by AT&T, that allows for extended data. He obviously does not have a very positive opinion about AT&T. He uses statistics in order to portray his opinion. For example, he says, "when AT&T's 2011 takeover of T-Mobile failed and the company had to cough up $4 billion in break-up fees plus more billions worth of spectrum, the company didn't blink." The company has enough money to pay for a bail out like that, and every year they come out with a new product and take more consumer dollars. Brodsky also uses the comparison of two quotes, one from a phone company owner, the other said by a Congressman. These quotes were extremely similar to each other. This comparison extends the idea that cellphone companies are running our country, just like our Congressmen/women. Either way, the money of the people is not being looked after. The way technology is going, every year you need to replace your recently purchased device. The system is a con. Also, many devices are only compatible with other products from that company, or even made especially for that product. This way, the companies gain more revenue with every little new idea. I believe that Art Brodsky brought up some good points in his article, making it seem as though some technology is just a scam. I think we just have to be careful what we spend our money on, and know all of the details.

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2014/01/op-ed-atts-new-data-cap-deal-is-just-another-weapon-against-regulation/

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