Does the Apple-AT&T Deal on iPhone Break the Law?

Congress is apparently looking into the question of whether Apple's exclusive five-year iPhone deal with AT&T breaks the law. Not being a licensed lawyer, I can't offer a legal opinion, but I can tell you this: it's one of the reasons I think the iPhone may turn out to be less successful than Apple wishes or plans.

There are a lot of places in the UnIted States where AT&T's cell phone coverage sucks. Tying the iPhone to any single carrier seems both unwise and unmindful of customer needs and interests. Tying it to AT&T is really dumb. Not only is Apple's new partner a morally bankrupt company in many ways, its Edge Internet service is a joke and its arrogance knows no bounds. Well, in that last respect, at least it's akin to Apple.

I hope Congress or the FTC or the FCC or some other alphabet-soup agency puts the kibosh on this exclusive deal so that if and when I do decide I'd like an iPhone, choice of carrier won't be the final obstacle.