FCC to vote on wireless industry competition inquiry; Watch out Verizon and AT&T

The Federal Communication Commission will vote Aug. 27 on a broad inquiry into wireless industry competition. The FCC move is likely to put AT&T and Verizon under the regulatory microscope.

In a notice (Techmeme),  the FCC said it will hold an open meeting next week to "consider a Notice of Inquiry to seek to understand better the factors that encourage innovation and investment in wireless and to identify concrete steps the Commission can take to support and encourage further innovation and investment in this area."

Clearly the FCC is more proactive than in recent years. The FCC has been looking into wireless industry practices including number portability, exclusive handset deals and even the Google Voice app flap with Apple and AT&T.

In addition, the FCC is looking for "opportunities to protect and empower American consumers by ensuring sufficient access to relevant information about communications services." Given Verizon and AT&T are the two largest wireless players in the U.S. you can rest assured they'll take most of the heat.