Consumer advocates, smaller pre-paid carriers (like MetroPCS) and even Mozilla have joined forces to protest wireless device exclusivity — like AT&T’s exclusive contract with Apple to offer the iPhone. The FCC asked for comments on the issue last year, and with a new FCC boss, the organizations hope to see a little more traction. The groups are also complaining to the FCC about restrictive software deals — such as how all applications on the iPhone need to go through the Apple approval process.

RIM has filed a counter-argument to the FCC saying competition isn’t harmed — since 35 carriers offer 620 models of phones to American consumers. Of course non-exclusivity would more seriously impact carriers, and AT&T counters the complaints by claiming exclusive deals not only foster “handset innovation” but also “the pace of wireless broadband investment and applications development.” Ending phone exclusivity really is a different issue entirely from open access, though Business Week does seem to conflate the two a bit.

The FCC may be sympathetic to the exclusivity issue, given it locks smaller carriers — who can’t afford Apple or RIM’s price tag — out of an entire aspect of competition.
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