Ask HN: What will be the impact of the emerging USA wireless duopoly?

2 points

15 years ago

The proposed merger of ATT and T-mobile would give them about 39% of the market, with Verizon at 31% .

( See http://www.latimes.com/business/atmergerchart.eps-20110321,0,3614806.graphic )

Not sure how we feel about this merger, but it will potentially impact anyone working on mobile apps.

The FCC has opened up comments here -

http://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/ecfs/upload/display?z=kdhv1

The docket is 11-65 .

Now is the time to tell them if we think it's a good or bad idea, or what conditions should be imposed.

This seems like the right time and place to discuss what conditions would improve the market, or if an effective duopoly is a good idea at all.

(Some issues that come to mind are locked handsets, contract terms that make it harder to switch phones and carriers.)