Make of this what you will, but when the
FCC recently released its report on the state of competition in the wireless industry, it left a few choice words out. Namely, it failed to describe the industry as having "effective competition" for the first time since 2002. The report -- which covers the period of 2008 and part of 2009 -- could signal the government is getting ready to regulate and impost policies to encourage and increase competition in the wireless industry. AT&T's senior vice president of federal regulatory policy, Robert Quinn, said that the move toward more regulation is "unwarranted," while Verizon's Kathleen Grillo said that the "facts" have already shown that there is, in fact, enough competition in the industry. Regardless, the report actually fails to come to a conclusion on the whole matter, leaving the FCC's options pretty open at this point, so we're going to have to keep an eye on the boys.
posted May 24th 2010 9:21AM
@xxxsam Excellent post and you are correct with your logic on the public utility/private competition model, so a good choice on the hypothetical. It's much how health care works as well.
As far as batteries, I'm sure there is regulation, but on the mfg end. As far as selling electricity goes, currently it is dependent on state regulation (I think typically concerning using the power lines as the means of distribution). Some states have enacted laws in order to promote the generation and distribution of power on a more local, green and efficient level. Hope that helps.
If there were no "effective competition" between carriers, then most of our discussions here about AT&T vs. VZW vs. Sprint etc. would be completely useless.
Just because your mobile service is expensive doesn't mean there's no competition. What it does mean is that unfair billing and pricing is widespread, which is a different problem altogether.
Ha ha ha, the FCC is playing a joke on the carriers....right? I mean the organization that is restricting competition by not releasing more wireless spectrum can't be saying this....ha ha ha?
FCC is the Jedi to the Evil Empire of the Cell phone companies.
@John52
no, the jedi wanted what was best for the people, the FCC wants whats best for the poor- there is a difference
@FauxNews yeah the government has done soo much good!! Been to the DMV lately?
Some regulation is needed.. too much hampers innovation. This administration thinks they need to control every industry... enough is enough!
But this doesn't seem to make sense. Regardless of your opinion, I thought the FCC is going to regulate the internet to increase competition. And now they're looking to regulate this? Anyone, anyone at all, seeing a pattern here? Oh yeah, also an attorney for the FCC said that they want to regulate everything, but I'm sure that means nothing, just like this.
Question out of, oh, I don't know, pure curiosity: What color is the sky in y'alls world?
Stay away FCC! I am plenty happy with Sprint as a carrier. They continue to be innovative and offer plenty of value.
Of course it's the two carriers who are monopolizing the U.S. customer base that are saying this is "unwarranted."
@cornbread
It's those libertarian and tea-party idiots who claim this duopoly and extortion of the consumer is capitalism. yet ignore than even France has more competition in the wireless and broadband sector than we do.
we have some pretty smart individuals within the comment section. thanks for the great read all!