Similar questions arise for data networks.
For example, a number of observers believe that by ceding backbone transport to commercial providers, the federal government has endorsed above-cost pricing by a small oligopoly of providers. Looking ahead, equilibrium market structures may be quite different for the emerging integrated services networks than they are for the current specialized networks. One interesting question is the interaction between pricing schemes and market structure. The interaction between pricing and market structure may have important policy implications, because certain types of pricing may rely on compatibilities between competing networks that will enable efficient accounting and billing. Thus, compatibility regulation may be needed, similar to the interconnect rules imposed on regional Bell operating companies.