Again the FCC cannot compel Verizon or any carrier to update your phone. First when you purchased the device it worked on the cellular and data network. That is the service Verizon provides.
When a phone manufacturer does an update or enhancement to a particular model the cell carrier is not obligated to send it out.
Good case in point is Apple iOS which Verizon and other carriers have nothing to do with.
The complaint process at the FCC has no listings for failure to update a device. The FCC does not have authority on a business but has authority on certain acts by communication companies. Of which updates are not a violation of any FCC rules and regulations.
You will get a call back from Verizon simply by filing a complaint with http://www.BBB.org
However any such complaint will just get you a deflection and no real action. Think about it. ???
Updates are simply not a top priority in the FCC scale of things but if you want to complain by all means do so.
Again Good Luck
Why does Verizon not just push the new update out? It seems the developers at Microsoft do the work, so don't they just have to release it? I will make a complaint tomorrow on the FCC website. This is really stupid.
Complain all you like. The FCC does not and cannot compel any carrier to make operating system updates.
It is on the carriers to make those decisions.
The devices don't even have to be carried on Verizon's network. They allow it on the network for one reason, it generates a revenue. (Money)
Good Luck
krisanne1 Wow. This seems to be a sensitive issue for everyone. If you step back to look at some changes that Verizon had to implement for their customers (based on updated FCC requirements), you will find an interesting trend.
First organization the FCC went after for shady billing practices? Verizon.
First 2 organizations the FCC went after for bait and switch practices? AT&T and Verizon.
First organization the FCC went after for controlling bandwidth speeds? Verizon. (That was just a few weeks ago.)
This trend spans only the past 3 years. Big Red seems to have a Big Red bulls eye painted on their back. And for good reason. Do you know how the FCC found out about these consumer issues? From complaints that are filed with the FCC. (Whether or not there was a "complaint category" for them at the time, or not.)
So what the FCC can and cannot do - will or will not do - remains to be seen. What I can confirm is that impactful change to protect and support the consumer started with complaints to the FCC with the FCC forcing the hand of Verizon. The FCC has now approved that mobile devices can be unlocked and moved from carrier to carrier (network supporting). How do you think those devices will be updated? Perhaps it's just easier to put that responsibility into the hands of the manufacturer? If the FCC knows it's an issue - it will make it easier, and a priority for the FCC to address.
Some interesting reading below from the FCC.
http://transition.fcc.gov/cgb/cgb_offices.html#CPD
Quarterly Reports - Consumer Inquiries and Complaints | FCC.gov
President Obama signed it into law, however as you pointed out it is carrier dependent.
And it does not take effect immediately.
And there are carrier gotchas as there always is. Read it.
I am for the government to watch over consumers. But there are State and Federal laws to protect companies as well as consumers. Just look at the public utilities boards in almost every state. They get complaints by the truck load, but only act on a few. Updating a cell phone I can tell you is not a priority.
The overcharging etc you mentioned was something the government had to address. It made them actually work for the consumers instead of big corporations. But what fines and such paid by the carriers was peanuts. The companies made billions of dollars they paid back a few million. So its profitable for them to do what they do knowing the laws when they get caught result in small refunds and fines. So in my opinion it is useless as a regulatory agency.
Complaining about Verizon did not push out my update is really not enforceable as to this thread.
And with cell phone unlocking with radios for CDMA and gsm all the carriers could request of the phone makers is to have one or the other in their devices. So you want to go to AT&T or T-Mobile from Verizon but they use GSM and Verizon uses CDMA. Unlock for what carrier? Sprint? Not even Sprint uses a CDMA devices from Verizon or vice a versa. Sprints CDMA is uncompatable with CDMA on Verizon.
Right now certain devices can be used on alternate carriers with limited functions. So who wants a device with limited use? Not me.
This is all one big chess game. We my friend are the pawns!
Good Luck
Can't change it.
That's just the way it is.
I hope that none of you have Voter ID cards.
Ha ha been voting for many many years!
Elector..did you notice my posting handle?
And this is the reason no Carrier should have any say whatsoever in device updates
This is like your ISP saying you can't update your computers drivers and firmware till we approve of it.
Phone is a computer, and carriers should have no say in the updates.
If the phone stops working due to an update, it should be on the manufacturer to fix the issue
Just like it is with your Desktop/Laptop and Tablets.
Cell Carriers should be treated just like Dell, HP, Toshiba and the rest.
Dell might be the manufacturer of the PC, but they are not of the part in it.
You can go out to Intel and get drivers and make them work and Dell can't really do much about it.
Other than say you voided your warranty with the BIOS update you did that was either wrong or went bad.
Carriers would then have to compete on Services alone, just like any other ISP.
With some hardware exclusives to a smaller degree.
Falls under the "Service" category. I already filed my complaint.
I totally agree and have been writing this for a very long time.
Good Post!
Start a new topic or ask questions in the open forum.
