Wireless network provider Verizon Wireless has been sued by two
customers who allege misrepresentations about the services
available from its v710 Bluetooth phone, manufactured by Motorola,
according to reports.
Bluetooth technology allows electronic devices to connect to
each other without wires or cables, allowing for the easier
transfer of data between devices. Verizon Wireless, a joint venture
between Verizon Communications and Vodafone, began offering a
Bluetooth-enabled phone in August. But two California residents
complain that its Bluetooth functions were disabled.
This "degraded" phone, according to the lawsuit, requires a
customer to buy other Verizon services to replace the Bluetooth
capabilities that were supposed to be part of the phone's standard
features.
Speaking to eWeek, company spokeswoman Brenda Raney explained
that the functions had been disabled so as not to fall foul of
contractual agreements the company had with content providers. She
did not comment specifically on the suit.
The lawsuit seeks class action status and damages.
