Senators ask FCC to look into iPhone-AT&T exclusivity

With rumors flying about that Apple plans to open up the iPhone to Verizon as well as AT&T, four Senators are calling on the FCC to investigate exclusive mobile deals like the iPhone deal and Verizon (doh!) Sprint's exclusive access to the Palm Pre, Reuters reports. In a letter to Michael Copps, acting chairman of the commission, Sens. John Kerry, Byron Dorgan, Amy Klobuchar (all Democrats) as well as Republican Roger Wicker, wrote:

We ask that you examine this issue carefully and act expeditiously should you find that exclusivity agreements unfairly restrict consumer choice or adversely impact competition in the commercial wireless marketplace.

Areas of concern:

• Are rural users being shut out of the latest technology because the majors' networks don't reach them?
• Do exclusive deals limit access to technology?
• Do they discourage innovation?

Kerry's committee plans a hearing Wednesday to study the competition issues. That should produce exactly zero results. We see these "hearings" all the time, with no threat of legislation, or even any real pressure on the incumbents.