**GAO-10-779**                      Published: Jul 27, 2010. Publicly Released: Aug 26, 2010.                  

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## Highlights

Americans increasingly rely on wireless phones, with nearly 40 percent of households now using them primarily or solely. Under federal law, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is responsible for fostering a competitive wireless marketplace while ensuring that consumers are protected from harmful practices. As requested, this report discusses changes in the wireless industry since 2000, stakeholders' perceptions of regulatory policies and industry practices, and the strategies FCC uses to monitor competition. To conduct this work, GAO collected and analyzed data and documents from a variety of government and private sources; conducted case studies in both rural and urban areas of four states; and interviewed stakeholders representing consumers, local and state agencies and officials, and various segments of the industry.

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## Office of Public Affairs

Sarah Kaczmarek
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## Topics

Business Regulation and Consumer Protection

BroadbandCellular telephonesCompetitionCompetitive advantageData collectionInternetPrices and pricingSalesTelecommunications industryWirelessMonitoringPolicies and procedures