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FCC Not Convinced U.S. Market is Competitive Enough

May 21, 2010, 10:33 AM by Eric M. Zeman

The Federal Communications Commission has changed it stance on the competitive nature of the U.S. wireless market. Previously, the FCC labeled the market "effectively competitive." Due to a lot of consolidation in the market over the past 18 months, the FCC now says, "some things are not right." The FCC believes that competition has "dramatically eroded and is seriously endangered by continuing consolidation and concentration in our wireless markets." The FCC's report on competition notes that the market has consolidated by one-third since 2003, meaning consumers have fewer overall choices when it comes to wireless network operators and services. The FCC points out that the nation's two largest network operators — AT&T and Verizon Wireless — hold 60% of the entire market in terms of subscribers and revenue. The FCC stopped short of saying that it plans to introduce new regulations, but this new report and its findings lay the groundwork for change. The industry disagrees with the report. Verizon Wireless issued a statement, saying, "The U.S. has the most intensely competitive wireless market on the planet, and it's becoming more competitive by the day."

Wall Street Journal »

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Comments

This forum is closed.

This forum is closed.

glinc

May 21, 2010, 11:09 AM

Solution

Have a government program like Medicaid, Foodstamp where the government pays 50% or more any qualifying citizens bill depending on income.

navydave

Or how about Washington running the phone company just like its going to run your health care. What could go wrong with that?

...

Otowncell

How about a cell phone is a want not a must have so no the government shouldn't subsidize anything for anybody involving cellphones.

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Mentat

May 21, 2010, 11:11 AM

What the Heck is Going On?

is this the same FCC that just said that carriers cannot have "bill shock"?

the same FCC (same administration) that said it was OK for Verizon to purchase Alltel!!

The same FCC that reversed roaming agreements to make all carriers pay the same thing (April 21st 2010)?

The same FCC that Suggests Free Wireless Broadband (payed for by tax payers)!!Mar 9, 2010

The FCC just wants to free money so the US GOV can get it

navydave

yep the same FCC.

...

Naytess

May 21, 2010, 3:24 PM

"The industry disagrees...."

The industry disagrees with the report. Verizon Wireless issued a statement, saying, "The U.S. has the most intensely competitive wireless market on the planet, and it's becoming more competitive by the day."

What a f*ckin' joke! The epitome of Corporate America's sick mentality. The most intensely competitive wireless market for WHO?! The top 2 carriers and their split of 60% of the entire US market?!?! Sounds like whoever issued that statement from VZW either completely misunderstood the context of the FCC's stance on this....or, like most Corporations - they're trying to play "the victim in a cruel, harsh, and inhospitable climate". Meanwhile, they're kicking the sh*t out of the little guys while raking in billions. Lame.

Azeron

What do you expect Verizon to say?

"Yep. You are correct. The industry IS anti-competitive."

Seriously. Of course, they are going to lie through their teeth.

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nmunyat

Because government has obviously done wonders for other industries in which it's "regulated competition".

The reality is that - and this is best for the customer - the company(ies) that offer the best products and services for the best price will h...
(continues)

RomeoProcor

May 22, 2010, 12:08 AM

AT&T to Verizon(Via Luke Wilson): "Yo Mama So Fat Her belt size is Equator!

Thats all the compitition you need baby! prices? service? theres no need when you got entertainment and EFTs..........HOMBRES!

bluecoyote

May 21, 2010, 11:17 AM

Where was this "FCC" during the VZW-Alltel merger?

I mean honestly. 🙄

JeffdaBeat

That's exactly what I was thinking. I didn't think there was any way possible that the FCC would okay the merger of Alltel and Verizon, but low and behold they did it without as much of a hickup. The wireless world today is exactly what the FCC has ma...
(continues)

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Kayslay34

😲 This is the first time i agree with you.... Is it Dec 2012 lol.

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vzw-csr21

The VZW-ALLTEL merger was approved Pre-Obama administration. Republicans are in favor of growing businesses where as Democrats tend to prefer smaller companies that they can control. I wouldn't expect any big mergers in the Wireless industry in the ...
(continues)

Azeron

There is a guy in the White House goes by the name of Barak Obama. Perhaps you have heard of him? Well...he's a Democrat and they are a little less cozy with mergers and such than Republicans normally. So...a change at the top of the executive bran...
(continues)

retrocool

May 21, 2010, 11:50 AM

I love these guys....

I'm hoping they'll wake up and decide that all mobile phones manufactured should be available on every mobile network (making exceptions, of course, for CDMA vs. GSM, but requiring all mobile phone manufacturers to make both GSM and CDMA versions of every single model).

The reason? Everyone should be able to switch carriers without having to worry about purchasing new equipment.

Researcher

Or the customer can walk into any store and pay their bills for another company. 😉

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SprintCC

Yeah, how dare anyone be able to decide how they want to allocate their resources or sell their product! We should have a right to any product on our terms, corporations are just evil for wanting to dictate how their product is sold!

Or, maybe we s...
(continues)

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flip mode

May 21, 2010, 1:42 PM

what competition?

what iz dis competition you speakith of 🤣

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