Those who can’t innovate, restrict

Skype’s iPhone app was downloaded by over 1 million iPhone owners in...2 days. That’s the fastest rate of downloads for any iphone ap to-date.

And, as you’d expect, ATT has insisted restrictions be implemented on the use of iPhones to prevent the use of Skype over ATT’s 3G network.

A group called Free Press has asked the FCC to investigate the legality of ATT's restrictions. And as expected, ATT says they’re not required to promote the services of a competitor.

Sounds reasonable. Sounds reasonable except for the FCC Internet Policy Statement which states:

To encourage broadband deployment and preserve and promote the open and interconnected nature of the public Internet, consumers are entitled to competition among network providers, application and service providers, and content providers.

At this point, the internet is as much a part of our infrastructure as...well, roads and bridges. To the extent we foster, encourage, allow open commerce along this infrastructure we foster, encourage, the growth of our economy. Imagine a road builder saying it wouldn’t allow the trucks of its competitors to use any of the roads it had built. They would have a stranglehold on the economy...and stifle competition, innovation, growth, job creation.

Those who can’t innovate, restrict.

Those who can’t innovate, legislate or lobby.

Let’s hope the innovators win. That would be...us.

Links from Frederiek Pascal.