Genachowski will look into iPhone, Pre deals

FCC chairman-to-be Julius Genachowski will review exclusive cell phone deals like the AT&T-iPhone deal if confirmed, he told senators in a written followup to his confirmation hearings, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Sen. John Kerry led hearings on charges that the deals are anticompetitive and harm rural consumers who can't use the latest smartphones because the big carriers don't - and seemingly will never - provide service.

It was a fairly vague promise, though.

"If confirmed, I will ensure that the full record on the [rural carriers' complaint] is reviewed, and act accordingly to promote competition and consumer choice," he said in written comments. He did not elaborate on his views about exclusive wireless handset deals or what he thought the FCC might do, if anything, about the practice.

The Senate Commerce Committee approved his confirmation today. The full Senate will vote in a few weeks.