Smokin’

Congress requires the FCC to prepare an annual report on the state of competition in the cell phone industry – the 13^th edition came out in January 2009. And with the unveiling of the 14^th report scheduled for May 20, Verizon Wireless is making public its views on the subject. Special pleading? Sure: Verizon, the nation’s largest carrier, has an interest in convincing the FCC that competition is alive and well in the wireless market. But the company rather convincingly explains how a mix of technological change and aggressive marketing is increasing the range of choices of service and keeping down prices.