Regulators(FCC) open inquiry into wireless industry

[SpartanDem]

Source: Washington Post

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. regulators launched an inquiry on Thursday into competition in the wireless industry, a step that could lead to probes of other sectors.

The Federal Communications Commission issued a notice of inquiry as part of a congressionally mandated annual assessment of the industry, which is dominated by Verizon Wireless, AT&T Inc, Sprint Nextel Corp and T-Mobile, a unit of Deutsche Telekom AG.

Verizon Wireless is a joint venture between Verizon Communications Inc and Vodafone Group Plc.

The inquiry comes as the FCC is examining exclusive deals between handset makers and carriers, such the one making AT&T the sole U.S. service provider for Apple Inc's popular iPhone.

Exclusive deals are common among the biggest carriers but have recently faced strong opposition from rural carriers, which say they lack the clout to make deals to carry the most popular phones.



Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/27/AR2009082701766.html

[bemildred]

1. Nobody likes competition, it cuts into your profits. nt

[Jackpine Radical]

2. Yes, capitalism functions much beter without the nuisance of competition.

Monopolies make for perfect efficiency in the market.

[wysimdnwyg]

3. All I can say is

It's about damn time!

[indimuse]

4. knr! n/t

[fascisthunter]

5. I, as an iPhone user, would like to see more competition

and would like to have the option to go to another service provider. It will increase the quality of service... also, I'm sure Apple would love to have more providers out there. Right now, they are tied to AT&T for the next three years. Hopefully, this may change all of that...

[No Elephants]

6. Calling Teddy Roosevelt, calling Teddy Roosevelt.