What can you do?

For those of you who might have missed it, Daniel B has posted a link to FCC's complaint page over on BoyGeniusReport. He feels that Verizon's policy might violate the Open Access Rule they had to sign to use part of the public spectrum. It only takes about 5 minutes to do and will hopefully have some impact.

I've started a "Stop Verizon Wireless' Mandatory Data Plan" petition at both:

http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/stopverizon
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/stop-verizon-wireless-mandatory-data-plan

And already have a few people signing them... obviously there are alot of us people around with to much time on our hands. Now, if you only have a limited amount of time, please go to the FCC's complaint page and let them know that Verizon's policy should be investigated. And... to make it easier, here are the steps I took.

Once you go to the site, select

1. Wireless Telephone
2. Billing, Service, Privacy etc.
3. Online Form
4. Fill out the information as needed (below is the section and my explanation).
   e. Are the disputed charges related to additional services? Yes
   explain: mandatory $30/month data charge for new pda phones
   
   Verizon is now charging a mandatory data plan of $30 a month for any new PDA/Smartphones whether or not you use the data option or purchase them from Verizon. I have verified with Verizon Wireless that you do not need the data plan to use the voice feature or any of the on phone features such as windows mobile, the camera, WiFi etc. I feel that this is a restrictive policy that violates the Open Access rule Verizon Wireless signed when it took its part of the 700 mhz spectrum.
   
   Thank you for looking into this.