NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D. C.  20554
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: http://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
August 27, 2009 Matthew Nodine: (202) 418-1646
FCC ANNOUNCES NOTICE OF INQUIRY ON MOBILE WIRELESS COMPETITION
Washington, D.C. – In an effort to obtain data for its next mobile wireless competition 
report, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today announced a Notice of Inquiry
(“NOI”) that seeks to enhance its analysis of competitive conditions in the mobile wireless 
market.  The NOI also seeks to better understand the net effects on the American consumer.  
Wireless mobility has become central to the economic, civic, and social lives of over 270 
million Americans.  We are now in the midst of a transition from reliance on mobile voice 
services to increasing use of and reliance on mobile broadband services, which promise to 
connect American citizens in new and profound ways.  A robustly competitive mobile wireless 
market will be essential to realizing the full benefits to American consumers and channeling 
investment into vitally important national infrastructure.  The FCC is seeking to ensure that 
competition in the mobile wireless market continues to bring substantial benefits to American 
consumers.
Today’s NOI builds on the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau’s Public Notice on 
mobile wireless competition, released May 14, 2009, by seeking input on new issues and topics.  
The FCC said it is seeking to enhance its understanding of the mobile wireless industry in three 
main ways.  First, the FCC inquires about which analytic framework and data sources will most 
clearly describe competition in the mobile wireless market.  Second, it adjusts the inquiry to 
include new market segments not covered thoroughly in previous reports, such as device and 
infrastructure segments.  Third, it inquires about vertical relationships between “upstream” and 
“downstream” market segments, and how these relationships affect competition.
The FCC is required to report annually on the state of competition in the “commercial 
mobile services” market.  To reflect an updated view of the mobile wireless market, the FCC 
intends to name the next report “Annual Report and Analysis of Competitive Market Conditions 
With Respect to Mobile Wireless including Commercial Mobile Services” (“Mobile Wireless 
Competition Report”).  By considering all of the factors that affect competition in the mobile 
wireless market and applying the best analytic framework to the most robust data available, the 
FCC seeks to provide a solid foundation for policy making with respect to mobile wireless 
services.
2
Action by the Commission August 27, 2009, by Notice of Inquiry (FCC 09-67).  Chairman 
Genachowski, Commissioners Copps, McDowell, Clyburn and Baker with Chairman 
Genachowski, Commissioners Copps, McDowell, Clyburn and Baker issuing separate 
statements.
For additional information, contact Chelsea Fallon at (202) 418-7991 or 
Chelsea.Fallon@fcc.gov. WT Docket No. 09-66.
– FCC –
News and other information about the FCC is available at www.fcc.gov