Reform groups: open access a must for big wireless mergers

[Commentary] The Public Interest Spectrum Coalition -- including Free Press, Public Knowledge, the Consumer Federation of America, the New America Foundation, and the Media Access Project -- oppose two wireless merger deals: Verizon Wireless with Alltel and Sprint Nextel with Clearwire. The groups say that the Federal Communications Commission should demand more from all four parties before blessing their marriages, including a clearer commitment to the open device principle. The Commission will vote on both deals at its next meeting, scheduled for November 4. Specifically, PISC wants a plainer commitment to open-devicedness, and more promises regarding roaming charges, handset availability, and Network Neutrality.