Is the fixed-attribute on length-facet useless?

Hallo NG,
 
I know, that I have asked a similar question before, but I would
like to reach some sort of final conclusion on the question.
 
if the fixed-Attribute on the length-facet is useless or not.
 
The Datatype-Spec states:
 
4.3.1.4 Constraints on length Schema Components
<snip/>
Schema Component Constraint: length valid restriction 
 
    It is an ·error· if length is among the members of 
    {facets} of {base type definition} and {value} is 
    not equal to the {value} of the parent length. 

If you take it for granted, that 
 
<xsd:length value="3" />
 
is internally treated as 
 
<xsd:minLength value="3" />
<xsd:maxLength value="3" />
 
a simple type, that would be derived by restriction
from the type above, can not increase the minLength
value or decrease the maxLength value for a valid restriction,
because it would surely violate the rule that minOccurs must 
be less than or equal to maxOccurs. 
As a result, there is no other chance then keeping the values
of the base type.
 
On the other hand, the Datatype-Spec states:
 
If {fixed} is true, then types for which the current 
type is the {base type definition} cannot specify a 
value for length other than {value}. 
 
Questions:
 
(1) Would you agree, that the fixed-attribute is useless
     in connection with length?
 
(2) What good is length anyways, is there a reason, why
     XML Schema 1.1 should still use it? 
 
 
I see, that the fixed-attribute on minLength und maxLength is
vitally important. 
 
Have a nice day
 
Rainer Becker