On Friday, 4 October 2024 10:41:34 AEST Les Kitchen via luv-main wrote:
> [If people think this thread is not enough Linux-specific, maybe
> we can move it to luv-talk.  For now, I'm going with the flow,
> because I think it's an issue of importance to Linux (and FOSS)
> users generally.]

All the issues here become more complex if you run your own Linux build on it, 
LineageOS, Droidian, or Mobian.  So it's very relevant.

> - What about a phone used only, or primarily, for data?  Sure,
>   there are data-only SIMs (in passing: how are they affected by
>   this regulation?).  But often the cheapest way to get data is
>   just to sign up for a data-competitive phone plan and just
>   ignore that it can also provide phonecalls.

There is nothing wrong with having a phone for SMS only.  I have a work phone 
for Teams and Slack messages.  There's no reason to force my employer to 
provide a tablet and to force me to carry a tablet when I just want a small 
device for notifications.

Also people who are deaf shouldn't be forced to buy phones capable of making 
calls when they don't have a need for it.

> Admittedly, these issues probably affect only a minority
> of phone users, but an important minority, especially for
> innovation.

The needs of deaf people are important to legislation.  I think that a 
"reasonable accommodation" under the ADA means allowing deaf people to use the 
best phone regardless of VoLTE capabilities.

> Not only the carriers, but the entrenched big-name mobile phone
> brands, who are pretty cosy with the telcos.  They also want to
> suppress competition.  And I'd say it's a calculated stealth
> monopoly by creating anxiety that if people don't buy a
> telco-peddled phone they'll be "unsupported".

Yes.

> My reading of the ACMA Determination is that for a foreign
> traveller it's not about roaming per se (when the customer
> relation is with the foreign provider), but about when the
> traveller purchases a local SIM.  It seems the traveller could
> use it only for 60 days on an "unsupported" phone.  And the
> Determination itself says in part about the exception:
> 
>    .... the mobile phone is being used by a foreign traveller in
>    Australia who intends to remain in Australia for a period of
>    time which is less than a specified period of time....
> 
> Since it's based on intent, it seems a rather squishy concept.
> I doubt that would have much effect on the telco's business.
> But maybe your reading is different.

This is also an issue for lending SIMs.  If a friend from another country 
visits I should be able to lend them the SIM I use for PinePhonePro testing 
without any restriction on them or on me.  The best option when visiting 
another country is borrowing a SIM, it's cheaper and you can be sure that 
coverage will be good.

-- 
My Main Blog         http://etbe.coker.com.au/
My Documents Blog    http://doc.coker.com.au/



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