Apple to face fines over 4G blocking

The Belgian government has singled out Apple in a ruling that stops mobile phone makers from blocking some carriers’ access to 4G networks. Apple is the primary target of the ruling even though the decision will apply to all phone companies. The California-based tech giant has been a major culprit in blocking access to 4G users on Belgium’s Proximus and Base networks.

Apple’s selection of who to block traces to its preferred Belgian partner, Mobistar, which has yet to launch a 4G network, leading to concern that users will drift to the competition. On occasion, Apple does grant access to other carriers, but at a cost to the operators, and eventually the users.

After angering telecoms, and users, which include politicians, the threat of fines is now a real possibility if Apple does not comply and open the network. However, it is believed that the company Steve Jobs began will ignore any ruling, instead using its massive financial resources to pay any fines while Mobistar develops its 4G capabilities.