How could anyone really think this is a good idea? AT&T has effectively admitted that the data usage growth for smartphones is above the rate that their data network will be able to grow. Using more data intensive applications will only show them how correct they are ("Look how much data will be used in the future when more people are streaming data")

In addition, what if this actually interferes with an emergency call?

Sorry that this might not be anti-corporate enough, but Operation Chokehold really isn't a great idea.

Borrowing money is not a bad move. You have to look into the corporate finance of it. For one, if you can assume that a company makes money at least at the rate it borrows (MS is borrowing at what 5%? 6%?). Interest payments on debt are deductible, meaning MS is only paying (1-corporate tax rate)% after taxes, so by borrowing it gains the present value of tax savings on the money it's borrowed. This directly adds to the corporate valuation of the company. Meanwhile, sitting on cash, when the company has a weighted average cost of capital to meet, has negative valuation for the company.