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Facebook NEW YORK  Are cellphone companies using their sway over handset makers to unfairly limit consumers' choices? Skype, a pioneer in PC-to-PC calling, thinks so, and it wants the Federal Communications Commission to do something about it. In a blistering filing with the FCC, Skype basically accused Verizon Wireless and other big carriers of holding their customers hostage because most cellphones sold in the USA are "locked," meaning you can only use applications and features sold by your carrier. "Carriers are using their considerable influence over handset design and usage to maintain control over and limit subscribers' right to run software communications applications of their choosing," Skype told the FCC. In its filing, Skype said carriers go to great lengths to keep cellphone users boxed in. "In an effort to prefer their own affiliated services and exclude rivals, carriers have disabled or crippled consumer-friendly features of mobile devices." Carriers deny Skype's charges. Skype says these practices violate longstanding FCC rules that allow consumers to use any device to connect to the U.S. phone network. The only caveat: The device can't cause damage to the phone system. These rules, adopted in 1968 before the advent of cellphones, paved the way for a crush of telecommunications products, including answering and fax machines, cordless phones and computer modems. Skype argues the rule should include wireless phones. Skype's interest isn't entirely altruistic. Like a lot of companies, Skype is trying to cash in on the wireless wave. But carriers are making that difficult. The experience of the average Skype user illustrates the problem: To use Skype's services on a wireless device, customers must go to Skype's website, www.skype.com, and download special software. "As soon as you launch, you immediately violate the terms of your (cellphone) service contract," says Chris Libertelli, Skype's senior director of government and regulatory affairs. Skype has asked the FCC to order cellphone carriers to stop blocking software applications offered by other companies. Gene Kimmelman, director of Consumers Union, which supports Skype's petition, agrees. "You're never going to get a competitive market if the device you use is controlled by one company and you have to spend an arm and a leg to shift to alternatives." Customers can get around the limitations by "sideloading" software from other devices, but it is an onerous and time-consuming process. It's also a violation of most service contracts. In non-U.S. markets, phones are generally sold "unlocked," making it easy for consumers to load in features and applications — like text messaging and Wi-Fi — from an assortment of providers. Unlocked phones can also be toted from one cellphone carrier to another. In the USA, customers have to get a new cellphone every time they switch carriers, notes Chris Murphy of Consumers Union. Denny Strigl, Verizon's chief operating officer, says Skype's proposal isn't realistic. His sentiments are shared by other carriers. Why? Non-U.S. markets adhere mostly to the global "GSM" standard, he notes, making it easier to offer consumers one-size-fits-all phones and features. There are several technical standards in the USA. To make Skype's plan fly, he says, every phone sold in the USA would have to be a combination device that could handle all the technical standards. "It's simply not practical." READERS: Have you switched carriers just to get a particular phone? Are you staying with your carrier so you won't lose your current phone?" Share this story: Digg del.icio.us Newsvine Reddit Facebook Conversation guidelines: USA TODAY welcomes your thoughts, stories and information related to this article. Please stay on topic and be respectful of others. Keep the conversation appropriate for interested readers across the map.