Automatic roaming is as important for data as for voice, Southern...
Automatic roaming is as important for data as for voice, SouthernLINC and 25 other carriers told the FCC. Cellular South, Comcast, Leap Wireless, the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association, the Rural Cellular Association and United States Cellular were among those…
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signing the filing. “Roaming for data services is a critical component of CMRS service,” the letter said, noting that soon data services may eclipse voice services, making it essential for the Commission “to address full and fair access to data as well as voice roaming in this proceeding.” The letter said “practical considerations” demand that data and voice be linked. “Data services are typically bundled in a single handset with voice services and are usually marketed in combination with mobile voice service,” it said, noting that consumers often demand and expect voice and data services in a single handset. “It makes no sense from a policy perspective to attempt to bifurcate these mobile services,” the letter said, noting that some question whether technology exists that can allow data roaming in all cases. “Technical issues frequently arise in Commission proceedings but have seldom presented insurmountable impediments to advancing the public interest,” the letter said. “Nevertheless, carriers in this proceeding have indicated that they are working on these solutions. We believe it is reasonable to presume that if a carrier is already providing data, voice or dispatch roaming to other carriers using the same air interface, the roaming service is technically feasible.”