California judge rules early cell phone termination fees illegal
The short is that the SCoCA ruled that cancellation fees are illegal, which – if this ruling holds up to the appeals that will follow- means consumers will be able to more freely transfer service, without penalty.
The exciting part: if phones are going to be more easily transfered between carriers, it will become economically advantageous for phones to have more open software and hardware, to ensure standards of service and features.
The downfall: that iPhone 3G (or whatever hot, new phone that’s out when the final appeal fails) I want won’t be subsidized under this forecasted circumstance of less-proprietary agreements b/w carriers and manufacturers.