Commentary

Contrary to What Congress Thinks, It’s the ‘Summer of Handsets’

As influential lawmakers such as Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) seek to end to exclusive handset agreements in the name of protecting consumers from an erstwhile AT&T-Apple iPhone monopoly, Wireless Week has proclaimed it the “Summer of Handsets.”

To see how out-of-touch Congress is regarding the wireless handset market, click here for a list of smartphones that rolled out in the two weeks between June 6 and June 19. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski, who was confirmed Friday, promised an inquiry into whether AT&T and Apple are hurting consumers by unfairly crowding out competitors. Looks like he can start and end his investigation here.