We all hate mobile spam, but what if mobile spam came with prepaid load? Would you hate it so much then?
That’s the question posed by Smart as they launch their new ad-supported mobile service, U Mobile. The service launches publicly in June, but I’ve been testing it since Tuesday. I’ve posted my initial impressions over on my other blog.
Rarely do you hear about a large corporation hiring a powerful lobbyist for a good cause. That’s exactly what Google is doing to ensure the $10 billion US government auction for wireless service licenses isn’t hogged by greedy telco monopolies.
Three months ago, Google (GOOG) retained Richard Whitt, former head of the regulatory department for MCI, the telco formerly known as WorldCom now owned by Verizon (VZ). Whitt, acting as Google’s Washington telecom and media counsel, is lobbying the Federal Communications Commission on some of the biggest issues facing the wireless industry. These include ensuring certain wireless airwaves are made available for free public use and making sure the auction is carried out in such a way that up-and-comers get a shot at entering the market.
For sure, Google’s interests are far from selfless — they don’t want telco monopolies getting between them and their eyeballs — but their interests happen to be aligned with the common good. Works for me. 
Philippine Internet connections are going down like broken carnival rides, so people here aren’t in a Holiday mood when it comes to their ISPs. That’s why I take serious notice when Abe Olandres points out a new extra charge PLDT will place on its already ridiculously expensive connectivity service.
The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) has said it will start charging fees for data transmission using its basic telephone landlines.
Through what it calls the alternate voice data line (AVD), subscribers who use the same basic telephone line for voice calls and data transmission will be required to connect a special data or voice access device to the basic telephone line.
PLDT said the service will provide a secure means to automatically process and authorize credit card transactions, real-time. One common use for AVD is credit card verification for business subscribers.
I don’t care if PLDT uses FUD to sell this useless security snake oil to gullible n00b retailers — but if this appears on my DSL bill just once, I will lose what little patience I have left for this telco giant. They will lose a long-time customer. I will be gone, sayonara-bye-bye. I will take my business elsewhere, and I will make sure all of you know it.
