Time for FCC To Find Wireless Industry Is Competitive, Mobile Future Says
After years of failing to find effective competition in the wireless industry, the FCC should recognize reality in its upcoming annual report on the state of competition in mobile wireless, Mobile Future said in comments filed at the FCC Tuesday.…
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Put your "analytic coyness aside," the group told the FCC. “Consumer choice has never been greater when it comes to wireless connectivity,” Mobile Future said. “With consumers clearly in charge of the mobile arena, it is time for the Commission to put its demonstrable analytic coyness aside with respect to this report and acknowledge what more than 300 million wireless users see every day: the wireless market is highly competitive; consumers have the freedom to switch providers at any time, pick from an array of devices and tap into millions of choices when it comes to apps and services; and because of this extreme competition wireless is significantly different from other communications platforms.” The comments were filed in docket 16-137. The wireless industry isn’t competitive enough, the Competitive Carriers Association said Tuesday in a news release. “Long-term sustainable competition depends on consumer choices in the marketplace and increased consolidation means fewer choices for consumers,” said CCA President Steve Berry. “It is not only wireless carriers that are affected by consolidation, but also hundreds of companies and small businesses across the country that support and sell to the carriers risk losing business as a result of consolidation. The entire mobile ecosystem is negatively impacted from a lack of competition, and the FCC must conduct targeted intervention to ensure policies encourage, rather than inhibit, competition and innovation.”