WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal regulators have adopted rules to drive more competition in wireless broadband as more and more consumers access the Internet using iPhones and other sophisticated mobile devices.
The Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 on Thursday to require big wireless carriers to open their data networks to smaller regional operators where they don't have their own systems. The large carriers have to offer access at reasonable prices. The new rules are a response to consolidation in an industry dominated by two nationwide carriers: AT&T Inc. and Verizon Wireless.
Existing voice roaming rules already allow regional competitors to use the big carriers' networks for phone calls outside of their own service territories. But smaller wireless providers say they need to be able to offer nationwide data service too to compete.